Today Fr. Josh answers questions about how Jesus knew he was God as a child, whether an annulled marriage means the couple was living in a state of sin, and how to ask a girl on a date.
If you have a question, comment, or response for Fr. Josh, email us at askfrjosh@ascensionpress.com. You may hear your question or comment in an upcoming podcast episode!
Snippet from the Show
“Whenever we open up our hands and don’t grasp at our plan, but are open to God’s plan, then we can receive the great gift he has in store for us. The gift he has for other people may not be good for our salvation.”
SHOWNOTES
Glory Story (1:01)
Fr. Josh shares a story about the power of intercessory prayer.
Listener Feedback (3:38)
How did the Child Jesus Know he was God? Or Hypostatic Union (10:36)
Hi Fr. Josh! My name is Noah from Toronto, Canada and I love listening to your podcast! I have a quick question for you. As Jesus was growing up as a child, how did he know that he was the Son of God? I understand he was preaching in the synagogues at a very young age, but how did he truly and faithfully know that he was the anointed Son of God? Also could he have been skeptical or question that he was during his discernment. Thank you so much and may God continue to bless you in your ministry.
-Noah
Annulled Marriages (14:47)
I have gone through annulment proceedings and the annulment was finalized a few years ago. I really don’t know what to think about the time that I lived in what was a now unrecognized/annulled marriage—I discussed it briefly with a canon lawyer during confession BUT was the time in a marriage (that is now annulled) really time living in a state of sin? It seems like it would be but I don’t know how to seek penance on it or if I should because it seems like a confusing question to me. I’m not really sure if I should seek reconciliation for it or if I need to or what…
-Chris
Asking a Girl on a Date (22:19)
Hello Fr. Josh, First of all thanks for your great podcast, I listen to the episodes in the train and it is a wonderful way to start the day! I have a question about dating. There's a girl at my church whom I quite like. She seems very serious in her faith and after talking to her on a few occasions I think she may like me too. Now, I have heard many times that ambiguity isn't a good thing and that the best thing to do is to clearly ask a girl on a date if you're interested in her. I think that's excellent advice and so I was planning to do just that. However, I'm not sure about how well one should know a girl before asking her on a date? Also, I may be wrong but I feel like a date is the way forward because "normal" chat isn't going to help much with getting to know the important things that would tell me whether I can potentially look for a spouse in her. Would you have some advice about how to make normal conversation useful at the "before asking someone on a date" stage? Are there red flags or things to look for, etc.? Looking forward to your answer. Keep up the good work and God bless.
-Anonymous
Universal Points (25:25)
(Please note that these are brief summaries of the answers Fr. Josh provides in the podcast and are intended to help you remember the advice given on the show.)
Hypostatic Union - Yes! Check out the CCC and St. Thomas Aquinas’ writings.
Annulled Marriages - It depends on the circumstances.
Asking a Girl on a Date - Virtue says that the man will take on the risk of being rejected.
Resources
Want to browse the previous resources Fr. Josh has recommended? Go to ascensionpress.com/askfrjosh to select an episode and view the shownotes.
Broken and Blessed (https://shop.ascensionpress.com/products/broken-and-blessed-an-invitation-to-my-generation) book by Fr. Josh Johnson
I Will Follow Priesthood Video (video at bottom of this page) (https://ascensionpress.com/collections/altaration-the-mystery-of-the-mass-revealed)
NaPro Technology (https://www.naprotechnology.com/)
Creighton Model (https://www.creightonmodel.com/teache