BROADCASTS.com

Fr. Josh answers questions about how to minister to a coworker who looks at horoscopes and practices \u201cwhite\u201d witchcraft, what\u2019s the deal with ember days (periods of fasting for vocations throughout the year), and why Catholics venerate saint relics and images.

Snippet from the Show
\n\u201cVatican II invites lay people to go out into the work environment (a place where clergy can\u2019t go) and be the image of the body of Jesus Christ.\u201d

SHOWNOTES

Glory Story (2:14)

Listener Feedback (6:00)

Ministering to Coworkers (8:15)
\nHi Fr. Josh, I\u2018ve been wondering whether I should keep up a friendship with a coworker whose lifestyle and beliefs are pretty opposite of mine. This coworker puts a lot of faith in horoscopes and said something about how people would be surprised if they knew that a big part of witchcraft is about natural remedies like herbs and essential oils. We don\u2019t agree about sex or that marriage should be between a man and woman. I just listen when she talks about all of this because I don\u2019t know if it\u2019s my place to correct her \u2014 and honestly I\u2018m scared to.

I don\u2019t want to condemn her or make her think she wouldn\u2019t be welcome in the Church. Plus, I think of Jesus eating with tax collectors. She grew up Christian and stopped practicing at some point. She says she prays, and she actually expressed an interest in joining a nondenominational church, which I think may be the result of her spending time with me and a Christian coworker. So part of me wants to be that influence who points her closer to Christ.

But I really have a problem with her openness to witchcraft and horoscopes. It makes me uncomfortable and I don\u2019t want to subject myself to any kind of occult influence. And I want friends who are pursuing holiness. So, part of me wants to distance myself, at least outside of work.

We are both pretty new to our jobs and our city, and both of our social lives are mostly with coworkers. And maybe my reluctance to correct her or defend what I believe comes from a fear that it would make work awkward. Or a fear that she\u2019d turn other coworkers against me. Besides these differences, we really do click and have bonded over a couple of interests. Plus, I know she could use a friend and use Jesus even more. I\u2019m just struggling with knowing whether I should be that friend. Any advice is very welcome. Praying for you!

\n
• Mary
\n

Ember Days (16:04)
\nHi Father Josh, I am seeing on social media people talking about something in the Catholic Church called ember days. From what I can tell, ember days are a penitential season that take place 4 times a year (Lent, June, September and December) and these are a time of fasting for vocations and for good and holy priests. Will you explain in more detail how this tradition got started, and why it\u2019s not commonly practiced? Thank you so much for your wonderful podcast and for the work you are doing for the Catholic Church.

\n
• Elaine
\n

Revering Saint Relics (20:55)
\nHello Father Josh. Thank you for all your podcasts. I have just started listening to them last weekend but I\u2019ve been watching Ascension Presents for a year now. I have a question about my Catholic faith. I love it with a passion. I love the Eucharist and I love God, my goal every day is to make Him the center of my everything. I have a devotion to Mother Mary and Saint Francis of Assisi (my patron saint). I\u2019ve been considering and discerning priesthood since 2016. I\u2019m in college right now (I\u2019m a freshman). I\u2019ll wait for God to take His time. However, my question is: Why do we look at relics, images, and statues of saints with so much reverence?

\n
• Humberto
\n

Resources

\n
• Be Satisfied with Me prayer attributed to St. Anthony of Padua
\n
• Broken and Blessed: An Invitation to My Generation by Fr. Josh\n* The Discernment of Spirits: An Ignatian Guide for Everyday Living by Fr. Timothy Gallagher
\n

Support Ask Father Josh (Your Catholic Question and Answer Podcast)