Fr. Josh answers questions on spacing out children using natural family planning, belief in the Eucharist, and metal music.
Snippet from the Show
“Connection is more important than perfection.”
Shownotes
“Go to adoration and sit in Jesus’ presence, there’s no way you can go adoration and not be transformed over time.”
Shownotes
Glory Story (3:10)
Feedback (5:30)
Spacing out Children/Natural Family Planning (7:55)
Hi Father Josh!
I pray you are well. I have recently begun to listen to your podcast, and it has been a blessing! So thank you for that.
I recently got engaged and my fiancé and I will soon begin virtual NFP classes. I know and believe that birth control is not something we should practice as Catholics, and I understand the reasons for that. However, I have heard that NFP can also become sinful if used for selfish reasons. I really love children and I yearn to be a mom, but I really want to wait a couple of years after marriage to have a baby. I am still open to anything God has in store, and if I get pregnant before I plan to I would still be happy and excited, but my question is, is it sinful to want to space out your children for no other reason other than wanting to spend those first couple of years alone with your husband?
Praying for you and everyone at Ascension Press!
Thank you in advance,
-Flor
Belief in the Eucharist (15:42)
Hi Fr. Josh,
I just wanted to reach out to you about something I’ve always struggled with being Catholic and that is, that the eucharist is the real body and blood of Jesus and not just a symbol. I believe in the miracles that have happened and want to believe but I feel like there is still something missing inside me. I will say that I do get a special feeling after receiving the host, but I think the fact that the host still tastes like bread, I struggle with it really being the body of Christ.
I’d really like to hear from you to see what I can do to help improve my faith and belief. I feel comfortable going to you because of the way you proclaim your message. Being 32, I find it refreshing and more easily relatable to a younger priest and someone who is as honest and straightforward as you are.
Thank you and I’m so glad that I found your podcasts.
Thank you and God Bless,
-Jeff
Metal Music (22:50)
Hello Father Josh,
My name is Henry. I’m from Providence, Rhode Island. My question is this. Is metal music bad to listen to? In high school I listened to metal music, being a musician myself I loved the instrumentation of metal music more than most modern pop music. As a Christian, is it bad to listen to metal music? Love the podcast! Keep up the good work Father.
Blessings,
-Henry
Resources:
- Pocket Guide to Adoration by Fr. Josh Johnson
- Email your questions and feedback to Fr. Josh at askfrjosh@ascensionpress.com
- Text “askfrjosh” to 33-777 to subscribe to Fr. Josh’s shownotes
- Broken and Blessed by Fr. Josh Johnson
- The Sacred That Surrounds Us: How Everything in a Catholic Church Points to Heaven
- Ascension is pleased that our Catholic Community is starting to come Together Again — at our parishes, with Jesus in the Eucharist, or in small group settings where you can share and live in Christ. We invite you to explore our many resources and programs to help us all come together again.
- Ascension Presents YouTube Channel
Meet Fr. Josh Johnson
While Fr. Josh was raised Catholic, he didn’t like the Church growing up. Then, one day in adoration, he fell in love with Jesus and received the call to become a priest.
Now, Fr. Josh is the Vocations Director of the Diocese of Baton Rouge in Louisiana. He is a presenter in four of Ascension’s programs: Altaration, YOU: Life, Love, and the Theology of the Body, The 99, and Connected: Catholic Social Teaching for This Generation, as well as the author of Broken and Blessed: An Invitation to My Generation, Pocket Guide to Adoration, and co-author of Pocket Guide to Reconciliation.
