Fr. Josh answers questions about experiencing confusion and doubts discerning one’s vocation, and why taking the morning after pill is a serious sin, but a sin that God forgives through the sacrament of Reconciliation because there is no sin that God doesn’t forgive in confession.

Snippet from the Show

“My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think that I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you.”– Thomas Merton

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Shownotes

Questions

Vocation Confusion

Hello, Father Josh! Peace be with you! I’ve been dating this catholic guy for 9 months now and he is going through some doubting periods regarding his vocation. He says he does not feel 100% sure about marriage, although every time he spend some more serious time in prayer (retreat, spiritual direction, vocational direction) he leans more towards marriage. To me it seems also that God has showed him little signs that it is indeed marriage and that He would bless us marrying each other, but he seems to be waiting on some big sign or revelation that hasn’t come yet. He almost applied to the seminary, but felt a strong feeling that it wasn’t what he was called to, but now and then he goes back to “maybe joining would clarify that once for all”. I don’t know whether is fear of commitment or if he is truly discerning or if it is just because it is not meant to be for us. We tried not talking to each other for a month and he just said that missed me too much and was ready to committing to our relationship, but then, just started having doubts again. I really don’t know what to do next. There is some way to help him on this besides praying for him?

–Anonymous

The Morning After Pill 

Is the morning after pill considered abortions? And can I be forgiven for taking the morning after pill twice? At the time I had moved away from God and was in a relationship. Even though I had worries that I was committing a terrible sin I was too afraid of pregnancy and of the demands placed on me and I ended up taking it. Since then my faith has strengthened so much and I’m desperate to be forgiven and repent from this but I’m afraid this is a sin I cannot be forgiven for. Thank you for your wonderful podcast.

–Anonymous 

Resources

• Submit your questions and feedback to Fr. Josh by filling out a form at www.ascensionpress.com/askfatherjosh
• Broken and Blessed by Fr. Josh Johnson
• Pocket Guide to Adoration by Fr. Josh Johnson
• Pocket Guide to Reconciliation by Fr. Josh Johnson & Fr. Mike Schmitz
• Ascension is pleased to offer our new and improved online bible study programs and sacramental preparation programs digitally to help you minister with flexibility. Go to ascensionpress.com to view all our offerings.
  
  

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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.