I can't thank you enough for this Fr. Josh! I've just been shot at with the worst verbal diarrhea ever regarding this from a family member, who has plugged up his ears and eyes with hatred for the Catholic Church. I'm hoping he will watch and LISTEN to your video which I will share with him. God bless you all at Ascension presents, and thank you!! 🙏🏼
When Christ himself set the example, your family member is essentially proclaiming that they know better than Christ. I think that's a very prideful stance to take.
I had many Protestant friends in college and they would tell stories of their church using random food and drink to represent the Eucharist…. I had a teacher do this during our “sacred music lab” one week. I found it very odd and strange. Their thinking was anything can represent the Eucharist and sharing a meal together. It felt disrespectful to me as a Catholic with reverence for the Eucharist.
Yes not using wine and bread to represent blood and body are a bit sus, but that does not mean that women are a different matter than men. The cookie and milk analogy confuses me a lot, yes those should be wine and bread, but I thought we were talking about the person who does the thingy of the representation. I am one of the more stupider humans alive, it seems like I am missing something. I still don't understand what Father Josh means by women are a different matter than men. Catholicism has a lot of symbolism, but I think that symbolism is made to represent other aspects of Christianity. Women can be good people and be good Christians, and there could always be other reasons why Jesus never made Mary a priest.
@@keagaming9837 Good, Godly women need to be listened to, because women are often more connected to nature, emotions and broader seeing than men (considering emotions, gut-feeling and holistic intelligence). But they can be swayed emotionally. Godly men can be more solid in their path. Of course that can be to the point of absolute stubbornness and hard-headedness, and that is why I say Godly men. (Meaning to me connected to truth of nature and God.) So perhaps that is why women have not been made priests yet. But like the man here says, they have been in very high positions to teach and lead men and men absolutely need to pay attention to what good, Godly women are saying and how these men are leading the way. (Of course by weighing the truth for yourself and choosing a direction that is good for all involved.)
Dear Fr. Josh, thank you for restating the doctrine on matter and form. I am also thankful that you referred to many female saints, who played an important role in building up Holy Church. Hearing you is encouraging, consoling, and inflames my zeal. Unfortunately, it is common for many priests to focus on Eve’s role in the Fall of Man. Such sermons leave me deflated, discouraged, and vaguely ashamed. Your wisdom is an antidote! I will pray for you at the Liturgy of the Hours. Peace. Sr. Emily-Scholastica, Oblate OSB.
Very well said, Father Josh. Another point people try to say is “Jesus didn’t ordain women because women were looked down upon in ancient society”. However, if you read the Gospels, there are many ocassions in which Jesus has done things without regard for societal norms, talking to a Samaritan women in public, and telling people to eat his flesh, to name a couple things
Exactly! Jesus was already doing and saying things that were considered radical and blasphemous by religious leaders of that time. If ordaining women was God's Will, it would have happened.
So why didn't Jesus preach against slavery? Nowhere in the NT is slavery condemned, yet we know that God is against slavery. So yeah, women's low status in that society counts. It would have discredited Christ's ministry to have women the equal of the other apostles. But, we don't live in the 1st century AD. It discredits the church to say that 1st Tim applies for all time when there are women Supreme Court judges, astronauts, doctors, airline pilots. Non-believers notice this. Then, there's Mary Magdalene who was ordained by Christ to tell the males of his resurrection.
@@Himmiefan Now, there’s a lot to say here. As for your slavery issue, it is explained by Catholic Answers, who are much more qualified in apologetics than I am. They specifically made one of their articles about it. Just look up “Slavery Catholic answers” It should also be said that the Bible does not have everything Jesus taught against or for. His ministry was 3 years long, and even John’s Gospel said there were many miracles and such not mentioned. This brings us to the “discrediting” part. Again, Jesus did not come to be popular or “credited”. He sent his disciples as sheep among wolves. He was chased out of cities for his teachings. He also said things about welcoming gentiles and picking grain on the Sabbath. He was not a conformist and didn’t make any efforts to appeal to what people wanted. As for Timothy. Again, Catholic guys explain it better than I do (idk the link but it’s on their website). In short, that part was only directed at women not taking authoritative roles in the clergy. This does not close doors for them to become doctors or engineers. And , no, Mary Magdelene was not “ordained” to tell the Apostles about the resurrection. Being a member of the clergy is not simply “ spreading the word”. Jesus made the Apostles the Apostles for a reason. He also did not make Mary Magdelene, despite her extreme importance in the lives of Jesus and the Apostles, an apostle for a reason. I do want to add you saying “non believers notice this” is a little demeaning. We aren’t sheep, we get curious, and we still get answers. I only know as much as I do because of my own curiosities and questions.
100%, the people who argue in this way are trying to twist the bible to fit their beliefs. However their beliefs are temporary and century by century, they will be swept about and away. The word of god will prevail.
@@HimmiefanThe Church is there as the Spiritual conscious and protection of a Society. C.S Lewis said the Church should be like the Military the same why the Military physically protects society from threats The Church too protects society from Spiritual threats i.e Pagnism or Satanism. The fact is women are Spiritually open and are more agreeable then men thats why the serpent beguiled Eve because he knew she was more open to following instructions. Men have to be the final authority as a Protective.
I am a braziliam catholic. I was trying to find a way of practice my english when I though about watching english catholic videos, then I found Ascension Presents. Congrats for your contents!
You can practice by listening to the podcast the Bible in a year by fr. Mike Schmidt and another podcast is the catechism in a year. Happy new year 2023
Another good english channel is called "Sensus Fidelium". It is a channel that publishes homilies, lectures, etc. of priests. I esspesially like the videos with Fr.Ripperger.
@@DarkAngel-cj6sx No, you can't! 😅 Fr. Mike Schmitz speaks too fast for only practice! 😂 But I try to understand him with subtitles, because It worth it! ❤️🙏
This is what's beautiful about being part of the church instituted by Jesus Christ Himself! In everything that's done, it's done according to what He gave us and what He did! Brilliant!!
This is yet another instance of people choosing their own will and understanding over God's will and wisdom. May God bless the sanctity necessary parameters of priesthood under natural law, and may God bless the women who play an equal but different part in God's body ♥️🕊✝️🕊♥️
You said it well in the first part. But the part about women playing an "equal role" got me wondering. How are we sure that the roles women play are equal to men's? How are we sure that the roles women play are not greater? No man can march the role Mary played in the plan of salvation. If we see or use the term "equal roles" in relation to faith, it can make men the standard by which women are measured and shift our focus away from God and doing His will according to our states in life.
@@TheDeadPirateBobI’ll provide my understanding, even though you posted this a year ago I see you have no reply. The Bible says men and women have different roles to play but those roles don’t make one better than or less than another. They’re just different. Different isn’t better or worse, there has to be some interpretation of your own that tells you this is the case. Which… is modern feminism. It’s really manipulated women into believing that men’s roles are simply better than women’s roles and we’ve all bought in. It’s just not true. I’d suggest the following: don’t appeal to your emotions. Don’t appeal to your own personal logic. Don’t appeal to culture. Don’t appeal to your experience. Appeal to the divine, eternal word of God. Ask yourself a question- do you have an issue with God’s eternal word and authority? Satan made himself out in his own pride to believe he was God, his battle cry was “I will not serve.” Sound familiar? We don’t know everything about God. His ways are above our ways and his thoughts are above ours. We follow his word. You can’t always have what you want.
@@Jacks-tj9mb First, the Bible doesn't say that men and women have different roles (chapter and verse, please), and the different roles we do have are not equal. Men always have higher ranking roles, roles with more power. There is no role in conservative religion for women where they have as much power as men. 2) Feminism (which is the movement for men and women to be viewed as equal in value; equal is not sameness) did not tell us that men's roles are better. Sinful society, and that includes religion, told us that men's roles are better (and that masculinity is better than femininity, but that's a different subject), 3) The problem is not God's eternal word, which is infallible, but people's interpretation, which can be quite fallible. All to often, people view scripture through the lenses of the sinful, fallen world which advocates male-entitlement (sorry, it's history) and forgets that only Christ can determine doctrine, forgets the example of Christ and his treatment of women, and takes a certain situation Paul was dealing with at that time and incorrectly applying it to all time. Now, can you set aside your male pride and view women as real equals? I doubt it unless you truly follow Christ.
I was absolutely part of the camp that questioned this, but I also grew up Baptist. During my time exploring Catholicism (seriously for the past few months), there are so many things that are viewed differently at a fundamental level. So this disconnect and people having questions about this make sense to me and merits explanation. Either way, Father Josh has convinced me of the importance of matter and form in the sacraments. There are a number of things that Father Josh said - that are core to Catholicism, specifically regarding Mary and the saints - that support the church's defense of this choice that is not acknowledged in Protestant churches/religion. It can be easy to take for granted knowledge that is fundamental to some is not fundamental to all. This does not mean that people who do not have this fundamental knowledge are stupid; that kind of language is extremely exclusionary and will turn people away from the truth that I am coming to believe is found in the Catholic church.
Women can preach and teach the words of Christ in the Bible, but they can't be a Priest because Priesthood is literally the representation of Christ in the Mass. Contrary to popular beliefs, the Mass is not literally a preaching site, but an act "Calvary of Christ" and offering his body to the people. The Old Latin Mass literally explains how Jesus Christ offered his Body and Blood to the people and our Mass today, Novus Ordo, has a bad way to explain it to the modern people. It is the same reasons why I hate the New Mass because it caused confusion among Catholics.
I don’t have any issue with people who have questions. My problem is simply when I get comments like “the Catholic Church is sexist” from people who aren’t Catholic and clearly haven’t even bothered to try to learn anything about actual Catholic teaching, and aren’t trying to understand why we do what we do. They simply judge from a very shallow pedestal, and recycle the ignorant judgements that they’ve heard from other non-Catholics. However people in general, are very judgmental, Catholics included, so I guess I can’t really be that surprised.
I joined Crossing The Tiber started by Matt Fradd, to be able to ask questions about Catholism with other folks, mostly Protestants, who want to explore the faith. I HIGHLY recommend it. It helps to have fellow travelers on our journey.
Thank you Fr. Josh, very well said and explained particularly, church history and tradition. This helps us to continue to evangelize others when this subject comes up. May the Holy Spirit continue to bless you and inspire us to keep our faith strong. Amen 🙏
I was never confused about this matter as a woman since it was obvious that Our Lord Jesus Christ chose only men. Thank you for this explanation, one of your best. Happy new year 2023
@@stjohnssoup Really? Can you tell me where? Our Lord, when dying on the cross gave Mary to the apostle John as his mother and John to Mary as her son. From that time on, Mary lived in the household of John (John 19:27). We also learn from tradition and evidence that Mary moved with John to a small house outside the city of Ephesus. So she possibly lived with him for quite awhile. During this time, as an apostle, John would have been constantly preaching the gospel of Christ. Would Mary’s presence in his household have affected how John approached this task of explaining the life of Jesus to others? I'm sure it would have but that's the only evidence we have of Mary having an influence - certainly, she did not preach direct to anyone and was rejected. I'd love to know your own evidence for this.
Women are already leaders. We do everything except Mass. Men are required to be the leaders. We are the backup, and the shoulder to shoulder with the men.
Thank you for setting the record straight, it is crystal clear in God's Holy Word that no woman has ever been a Priest or King. This is why no churches or synagogues should ever have a woman priest, rabi or pastor! Thank you God for showing us all the truth!!
Thank you. As a Catholic woman… there was a time when I questioned this. However, because I had no interest in becoming a priest myself, my curiosity and interest on the subject was easily distracted. Thanks for that explanation. I see some good reasons in the comments as well. God bless you.
That was a very grounded explanation of Church doctrine. Matter and form as instituted by Jesus Christ. Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition is beautiful and holy, because you can't have one without the other- just like men and women. Jesus knows best.
Thank you father for the explanation....we live in a world where the word "equality" is at an all time brand. We need to recognize that men & women were created in a beautiful way by God, not one is better than the other, rather unique 🙏
Never understood why on earth someone would want a female priest. I’m a woman, I know my worth and accomplishments, it’s ridiculous to assume seeing a woman priest would give me some boost of confidence. I look to the example of the Holy Mother when I want spiritual guidance of my femininity.
Beautifully said!👏🏻👏🏻 obedience is very important! I don’t feel any less bc I can’t be a priest! Everything in the Catholic Church has a good reason 🙏🏻♥️ I just love being Catholic 🙏🏻♥️♥️♥️♥️
God bless you. I used to say that its ridiciolous for women to complain that they cant be priests, its like men complaining they cant bear children. But apparently reality has caught up to my attempt to ridicule such silly efforts
Thank you Fr Josh. God bless you for this lovely explanations. O may we are women beautiful daughters of Lord Jesus Christ, can hold firmly to the traditions that the Lord has taught us and may we be humble like our Blessed Mother. She is a perfect example to follow. Mother Mary, please pray for us who have recourse to thee.
Great commentary Father! I wish the whole w world would listen to your words of truth instead of trying to twist and change words so that they can achieve their own ends! Peace be with you ! And Happy New Year!
Thank you for the explanation to a very good question that was asked. I as a catholic wondered this myself. I know there are things that can be changed and other things that cannot be changed because it wasn’t put in place by man but by God. So can file this under the later. And thank you for pointing out that women do have important roles to fill in the church.
It is also very important to understand what the Eucharist is and the central part of our holy Mass. It is the sacrifice that Jesus made on the cross. Every sacrifice requires a priest an altar and a victim. Jesus is the high priest, the altar was His cross. And he was the victim, the Lamb (Old Testament sacrifice). When the priest is saying the words of consecration, he enters into the eternal sacrifice and becomes the Alter Christus, the other Christ. His words are Jesus words, he is the priest at the altar of the sacrifice. Because Jesus is undeniably male, a woman cannot take the place of Jesus. His humanity cannot be two genders at the same time. Therefore, a woman cannot stand in that place. But as a woman, I am fulfilled in so many other roles in the church and I’m very grateful for it. I honor all of our priests and their ministerial roles. Thank You Jesus for what You’ve blessed us with!
My RCIA teacher I have known for almost a decade has been heavily advocating for women priests but he never told me why Catholics have male priests. Thanks for sharing!
Very Well explain Fr Josh Only Man Can Be A Priest Because It is God's Will, We Cant Disobey The Will Of God. Good God bless you all I Pray In Jesus Holy Name Amen
Thank you for the brilliant explanation about women not being able to be priests. A good friend of mine recently expressed her opinion about this and I wasn’t sure how to address this concern. You explained it so beautifully that if there’s a next time I can show this video🤗🙏🏻
This was great Fr. Josh!! Many thanks🙌 was hoping you give some examples for the rest of the sacraments as you did with this and Baptism....maybe for a another episode!🙏🏼✝️💕
Well said. It's Tradition, with a capital "T". It comes from God through Christ or the apostles. This, among other modern issues, is why so many are migrating to traditional parishes. Mine's busting at the seams. It saddens me that Catholics even question matters like this, or LGBT, abortion, contraception, premarital sex and more. Even more so when it comes from the hierarchy. Good to hear this from a young, mainstream priest.
This is beautiful and is a great explanation of both why women don't receive Holy Orders and also how else they can serve the Church. I will show this video to anyone who ever calls the Church 'sexist' in front of me again.
It’s not about being worthy or greater. It’s about following the Lord’s will for you. Mary embraced the lords will for her. So did all holy priests, religious, parents.
God Bless you Fr Josh. I pray & wish we had more Holy Priests like you. I, a woman and not of the woke sense of the word can only pray, women of the world wake up & READ THE BIBLE. Jesus says the man is the head of the household just as Jesus is the head of the Church. Just because women are under the man DOES NOT MEAN THEY ARE LESS THAN, AND ARE NOT RESPECTED. If your boyfriend does not respect you, then say "NEXT" move on and find a good man that is respectful because youcan't change him after marriage. Fr Josh your video is another reason why women DO NOT NEED TO BE ALTAR GIRLS. At the altar of the Last Supper, Mother Mary or no other woman was at the Last Supper. If God wanted girls, women to serve as altar girls he would have had them at the Last Supper. So for the men out there get off your backsides and do your jobs so a woman does not have to pick up your slack, for the slackers out there. And you know who you are. At my church the men will not get the sanctuary ready for Father before Mass so women have too. I draw the line at opening and getting consecrated hosts from the tabernacle. My hands are not a man's hands & not consecrated. Yes I know lay men's aren't either. So you think at least a few men should step up to the plate an become Deacons? I'm sure they are smart enough. Come on men Christ needs your assistance of saying "Yes". Are YOU going to say NO to Jesus? What does this say about you if you say no?? Thank you Fr Josh for teaching us. I 🙏 every day for all priests and nuns including Fr Alman & Pavone.
I’m confused … Holy Eucharist was instituted at the Last Supper …. not the priesthood …. Your explanation is convoluted. What is the Scripture reference for Holy Orders? Thank you.
The Council of Trent in Session XXIII on 15 July 1563 on the Sacrament of Holy Orders and Priesthood in Chapter 1 clearly states that the "Sacrifice and priesthood are, by the ordinance of God, in such wise conjoined, as that both have existed in every law. Whereas, therefore, in the New Testament, the Catholic Church has received, from the institution of Christ, the holy visible sacrifice of the Eucharist; it must needs also be confessed, that there is, in that Church, a new, visible, and external priesthood, into which the old has been translated. And the sacred Scriptures show, and the tradition of the Catholic Church has always taught, that this priesthood was instituted by the same Lord our Saviour, and that to the apostles, and their successors in the priesthood, was the power delivered of consecrating, offering, and administering His Body and Blood, as also of forgiving and of retaining sins." So no His explanation is 100% in line with the Doctrines clearly taught at the Council of Trent. God Bless.
The majority of Catholic women, such as I, do not wish to see female priests in our church. Our role is clearly defined, and respected. We need no more, and we wish for no more. The Holy Mother did not baptize and give absolution. Thank you Father.
I understand this but it left a huge question unanswered. Yes Christ ordained men, because he did so he must have had his specific reasons to do so. Reasons having to do with an inherent difference in men and women. I think this is what we want to know, is what is inherently different about a man that a women shouldn’t do when it comes to positions of leadership or priesthood.
I used to teach Religious Education 4th graders. The topic of the priesthood came up and one of my girls popped up with “Why can’t women be priests?” I stood there a second trying to figure out how I was going to answer her question in a way that she’d understand and accept the answer. The Holy Spirit knew me when I’d get these kinds of questions from the kids and He worked overtime giving me the right answers for them. It had to be the Holy Spirit because I was just standing there and my voice just started talking on its own. I had no idea what “I” was saying until it was over. The answer I was given was something like this. “If Jesus had intended for women to be priests then He would have chosen some Holy women to be priests but He didn’t. Some people say that He didn’t choose women to be priests because in the place and time where He lived the customs of the society would be against it. But Jesus was God. He didn’t have to live according to what men said. He could’ve gone directly against society if He wanted to and in fact sometimes He did. But not this time. Then I said Jesus meant for only men to be priests. What if there were some boys and men who wanted to be able to have a baby? They could pray to God and ask I guess, but the answer they’d receive from God would be “No. I am God and I chose and designed women to have babies. That’s how it works best and that will never change.” So men are made so that they can be priests if God calls them to do so and women are made so that they can have babies if God calls them to do so. When I was responding to the question I heard some kids quietly giggling about the idea of men having babies. The girl who had asked the question was satisfied with my answer and the rest of the class must have been satisfied too because the discussion ended.
one little joke I recall from RCIA was that all of the women in Jesus' following were addressed as the "holy women of jerusalem", while the men were just "the men". ergo, the women were already holy, and didn't need Holy Orders! =P
That can change over night, that’s the decision of the church to decide that the priest shouldn’t be married, later on the future the church can decide for priests to be married. If a priest wants to be married he can be an orthodox priest, or a Protestant pastor, no one is forcing him to be a Catholic priest , that is voluntarily.
I’m sorry but that wasn’t a clear explanation at all. Almost equates to me saying “because I said so” when my kids ask me “why” they need to do go to bed
To play devil’s advocate* here: Why is the matter of the sacrament “human male” and not simply “human”? Milk and wine are different types of pourable matter; but men and women both have human substances. What is it about the male version of the matter that makes it most appropriate for the sacrament? *I’m a devout Catholic, just seeking deeper understanding of Jesus’ actions. Not trying to cause any trouble.
Greetings Father Josh, Thoughts : - I agree with you Father about Papa Francis's Most Thoughtful words on Women not to be ordained as Priests in all aspects. - I share your respectful concern towards Women in every aspects. With regards, RanjithJoseph (R.J)
Mother Theresa said to this topic: "Mary was the most holy person on earth and no one would have been more worthy of being a priest than her. But nevertheless Jesus didn't make her a priest because she had another assignment: Being the mother of the church." God has another assignment for women which does not mean, that this is any less important! Holy Edith Stein said:"If you manage to become a bride of Jesus you don't have the wish to become a priest any longer" which refers to the mystical way of becoming a bride of the Lord which is a way for women. God has great plans for women as well which are equally important as the tasks for men.
Fr. Josh, what’s your feeling on woman lay-people giving out the Eucharist? I understand that the priest had already done his part prior to them passing it out, but some people still don’t like lay-people giving out the Eucharist, especially woman lay-people. I know Mother Angelica was no joke, she even rebuked leaders of the church (very high up in the church) for their “new” teachings.
Quite frankly you presented it in a very complicated way, i don’t know how I can rephrase what you presented here to someone who cannot focus for more than 2 min, i.e. a short conversation.
Something I always mention, is that the Jewish faith was alone in the ancient world to not have female priests. It wouldn't have been a big thing to change that if that's what Christ wanted. It wasn't. So he didn't.
This is interesting... I have always been unsure about women becoming priests because women were so pushed aside and ignored in those days that, possibly Jesus didn't ordain them because in that community, at that time, they would have been rejected much faster than the male missionaries. Or that if He did ordain them, it's possible that they weren't recorded in the Bible for the same reason. Thanks for clearing this up!
I'm "exploring" Catholicism, and I love A LOT about it. However, as a long-time Protestant, this is actually a weird sticking point for me. Honestly, I would love some additional direction on this. As a Protestant, I've always believed that within Christ's Salvation we are all literally seen as "equal and one", as there is no "male nor female" before God. I don't disagree with the tradition of it. Obviously, Catholicism isn't for everyone, however, a clear, logical explanation as to "why" when the church has finally accepted that races are not "unequal", why are we still doubtful that a text written over 2,000 years ago may have quite a few gender-based biases that we could "logically" do away with.
Hi Father Josh. I understand why the Church doesn't ordain women as priests, but I struggle to understand why they can't be deacons, especially since there are examples of female deacons in the Bible. I would love to hear your thoughts on this :)
I would like hear more on this aspect as well. One guess might be that the role of deacon (or deaconess) in the early church is different from the role of a Deacon today (even those in the permanent deaconate)
I'm a woman, and when I saw the female Bishop of London at the coronation of King Charles III, I felt repulsed and all wrong - and then grateful that the Catholic Church is sticking to its guns in this matter.
This so called model or doctrine of priesthood can be easily refuted by simply looking at the historical accounts. What a wonderful example are the women who are now being ordained to priesthood in apostolic succession!
The greatest saints of the 20th Century were Dorothy Day and Mother Teresa. The greatest saints of the 19th Century were Thérèse of Lisieux and Elizabeth Ann Seton.
As a Catholic I am not convinced that women should not be priests. The argument that none of the disciples were women and therefore no priests today can be women is a little weak. If Jesus felt strongly that something was important, He would say it explicitly. I think the church oversteps its bounds when it says conclusively and with no wiggle room that no women may ever be a priest. I think the church would be much much better if there was a female presence at mass. At a minimum, there should be female deacons.
I think a lot of people have a hard time dealing with the idea that men can't do curtain things women can, and women can't do curtain things men can, now ah days.
I'm a Christian who worships in the Anglican tradition. We allow women in the priesthood. I have recently been studying Roman Catholicism, and particularly Marian theology. I have read that one of the Blessed Virgin Mary's titles is "Mediatrix of the Church". This seems to be a priestly duty that the church would usually assign to men. Also, wasn't Mary the first person to participate in the consecration of the Body and Blood of Christ when she gave birth to Him, presenting Him to the world though it meant that her heart would be pierced? Isn't the Theotokos the very first priest, pre-dating the Apostles? I have also recognized that the blood Jesus shed on the cross wasn't only His, but also Mary's, as her blood was spilled along with His since her blood coursed through His veins. I mean no disrespect, but couldn't a called Catholic woman who has committed herself to perpetual virginity (or restored virginity through the Sacrament of Reconciliation), who is also learned in the Word and Sacraments, be called to Holy Orders in the name of the Blessed Virgin who precedes her? We also see that women were the first persons to be entrusted with the Good News of Christ's Resurrection from the dead. He instructed them to go and preach this to the disciples. This is significant, because in that day, a woman's eye-witness testimony was not allowed in court because of its allegedly inherent unreliability. Jesus did not recognize their testimony as unreliable, or they would not have been entrusted with this holy information. Why did Christ first reveal Himself to women and not to men? We also see that God raised up female prophets, including the Judge Deborah, who not only commanded the Israelite army to victory, but also presided over 40 years of peace through the grace given to her. She interpreted the law of Moses to resolve disputes, exercised authority over Barak, and must have also engaged in diplomacy to maintain peace with would-be enemies for that long.
I went to NO mass and a woman was giving the Eucharist. It felt wrong, but I didn’t partake because I need to get baptized! However, I’ll stick to my TLM.
It was probably a female EMHC, which is a lay person that is apparently trained for giving the Eucharist at mass. I would stick with your gut and only go to TLM especially once you have been baptized.
Yes, there are lay ministers of Holy Communion in parishes that celebrate the Ordinary Form of the mass in the Latin Church, but it is allowed by the Church. This can't become a reason for not going to a parish that uses the Ordinary Form! You can go to a parish that uses the Extraordinary Form, but it should be because you are at home at this parish!
@@ralphboustros3415 I'm not at home at the Ordinary Form parish. I went because it is close to my work so I can go to mass during the week. I won't purposefully stay away, but it's not my first choice.
@@TaylorJohnson1 Do what is best for you. But if you open your heart, you may see that there can be true beauty when the mass is done using the Ordinary Form, even if it may seem hidden at times. Know that God is Truly present at every mass, no matter which form of the mass is used! I'm an Eastern Catholic, but I also go at times to Latin parishes which use the Ordinary Form. There may be times when it's hard to notice God's presence and to concentrate (even at my own Byzantine parish!) but it is enough to remind myself of God's presence and Love and to Glorify Him!
Women are cookies and milk? You love us and we taste good but Jesus wasn't into it? I don't buy it - how about Peter dropped the ball because he was intimidated by the equality of devotion and spiritual power of Magdalene and jealous of Jesus's love of Her? It deserevs to be honestly addressed by the church today. Guess what? Devout women are glad we aren't welcome in such an organization. Women have never received the protection of the church which Jesus deemed owed to us as the Priestesses of the sacred inner temple - the mystical heart of Christian faith. So we have made our own faith in the image of true Christian church .
Accused of man-made traditions and teachings by those who invented their own traditions and teachings, the Catholic Church is the only that stays true to the Lord Jesus.
Hi there, my mother has a gluten intolerance (not celiac, though) Priests can always consecrate a (edit: low gluten) host during mass if you ask ahead of time. They may have some available for consecration (especially in urban areas), or you can give your priest a supply of low gluten hosts yourself! Hope this helps!
I go to traditional Latin mass and there are a few people that go last and they are allowed to receive from the chalice. I believe they might have celiac disease or might be allergic to wheat so if your daughter is married to a traditional Latin mass Catholic and she becomes traditional Latin mass going Catholic. She would ask the priest and he would arrange for her to receive from the cup, but she’d have to go last, so to avoid contamination from the host .
Amen.🙏🙏🙏 Thank you for sharing this video! Some people are just plain stupid!! They just can't get it. Disobedience to the teaching of the Church leads you to sin.
Indyk kowalski 0 seconds ago Father I have a question. My parents are married civilly but not married by Catholics and my dad is not confirmed my mom is. He doesn’t want to marry which is why I am asking what does he have to do how can I assist him through the commitment of confirmation. Because I really want my mother to receive the sacraments of communion and confession
In John 6 Jesus declares to all people that everyone who believes in him must eat his flesh and drink his blood (in the Eucharist) to have eternal life.
I can't thank you enough for this Fr. Josh! I've just been shot at with the worst verbal diarrhea ever regarding this from a family member, who has plugged up his ears and eyes with hatred for the Catholic Church. I'm hoping he will watch and LISTEN to your video which I will share with him.
God bless you all at Ascension presents, and thank you!! 🙏🏼
People are trying to mix politics and God matters unfortunately
When Christ himself set the example, your family member is essentially proclaiming that they know better than Christ. I think that's a very prideful stance to take.
Praying for your situation. ♡
I had many Protestant friends in college and they would tell stories of their church using random food and drink to represent the Eucharist…. I had a teacher do this during our “sacred music lab” one week. I found it very odd and strange. Their thinking was anything can represent the Eucharist and sharing a meal together. It felt disrespectful to me as a Catholic with reverence for the Eucharist.
I saw a video like that, here on UA-cam.
@@Vtorch
Please show me video. Thanks.
Yes not using wine and bread to represent blood and body are a bit sus, but that does not mean that women are a different matter than men. The cookie and milk analogy confuses me a lot, yes those should be wine and bread, but I thought we were talking about the person who does the thingy of the representation.
I am one of the more stupider humans alive, it seems like I am missing something. I still don't understand what Father Josh means by women are a different matter than men. Catholicism has a lot of symbolism, but I think that symbolism is made to represent other aspects of Christianity. Women can be good people and be good Christians, and there could always be other reasons why Jesus never made Mary a priest.
@@keagaming9837 Good, Godly women need to be listened to, because women are often more connected to nature, emotions and broader seeing than men (considering emotions, gut-feeling and holistic intelligence). But they can be swayed emotionally. Godly men can be more solid in their path. Of course that can be to the point of absolute stubbornness and hard-headedness, and that is why I say Godly men. (Meaning to me connected to truth of nature and God.) So perhaps that is why women have not been made priests yet. But like the man here says, they have been in very high positions to teach and lead men and men absolutely need to pay attention to what good, Godly women are saying and how these men are leading the way. (Of course by weighing the truth for yourself and choosing a direction that is good for all involved.)
Dear Fr. Josh, thank you for restating the doctrine on matter and form. I am also thankful that you referred to many female saints, who played an important role in building up Holy Church. Hearing you is encouraging, consoling, and inflames my zeal. Unfortunately, it is common for many priests to focus on Eve’s role in the Fall of Man. Such sermons leave me deflated, discouraged, and vaguely ashamed. Your wisdom is an antidote! I will pray for you at the Liturgy of the Hours. Peace. Sr. Emily-Scholastica, Oblate OSB.
Why would you be ashamed about Eve did? Her and her husband were in agreement.
It is like men saying that they are ashamed for what Judas did.
Exactly, and Adam bears the responsibility for the Fall. There has always been a balance between the roles of man and woman
Very well said, Father Josh. Another point people try to say is “Jesus didn’t ordain women because women were looked down upon in ancient society”.
However, if you read the Gospels, there are many ocassions in which Jesus has done things without regard for societal norms, talking to a Samaritan women in public, and telling people to eat his flesh, to name a couple things
Exactly! Jesus was already doing and saying things that were considered radical and blasphemous by religious leaders of that time. If ordaining women was God's Will, it would have happened.
So why didn't Jesus preach against slavery? Nowhere in the NT is slavery condemned, yet we know that God is against slavery. So yeah, women's low status in that society counts. It would have discredited Christ's ministry to have women the equal of the other apostles. But, we don't live in the 1st century AD. It discredits the church to say that 1st Tim applies for all time when there are women Supreme Court judges, astronauts, doctors, airline pilots. Non-believers notice this. Then, there's Mary Magdalene who was ordained by Christ to tell the males of his resurrection.
@@Himmiefan
Now, there’s a lot to say here.
As for your slavery issue, it is explained by Catholic Answers, who are much more qualified in apologetics than I am.
They specifically made one of their articles about it. Just look up “Slavery Catholic answers”
It should also be said that the Bible does not have everything Jesus taught against or for. His ministry was 3 years long, and even John’s Gospel said there were many miracles and such not mentioned.
This brings us to the “discrediting” part. Again, Jesus did not come to be popular or “credited”. He sent his disciples as sheep among wolves. He was chased out of cities for his teachings. He also said things about welcoming gentiles and picking grain on the Sabbath. He was not a conformist and didn’t make any efforts to appeal to what people wanted.
As for Timothy.
Again, Catholic guys explain it better than I do (idk the link but it’s on their website). In short, that part was only directed at women not taking authoritative roles in the clergy. This does not close doors for them to become doctors or engineers.
And , no, Mary Magdelene was not “ordained” to tell the Apostles about the resurrection. Being a member of the clergy is not simply “ spreading the word”. Jesus made the Apostles the Apostles for a reason. He also did not make Mary Magdelene, despite her extreme importance in the lives of Jesus and the Apostles, an apostle for a reason.
I do want to add you saying “non believers notice this” is a little demeaning. We aren’t sheep, we get curious, and we still get answers. I only know as much as I do because of my own curiosities and questions.
100%, the people who argue in this way are trying to twist the bible to fit their beliefs.
However their beliefs are temporary and century by century, they will be swept about and away. The word of god will prevail.
@@HimmiefanThe Church is there as the Spiritual conscious and protection of a Society. C.S Lewis said the Church should be like the Military the same why the Military physically protects society from threats The Church too protects society from Spiritual threats i.e Pagnism or Satanism. The fact is women are Spiritually open and are more agreeable then men thats why the serpent beguiled Eve because he knew she was more open to following instructions. Men have to be the final authority as a Protective.
I am a braziliam catholic. I was trying to find a way of practice my english when I though about watching english catholic videos, then I found Ascension Presents. Congrats for your contents!
You can practice by listening to the podcast the Bible in a year by fr. Mike Schmidt and another podcast is the catechism in a year.
Happy new year 2023
Another good english channel is called "Sensus Fidelium". It is a channel that publishes homilies, lectures, etc. of priests. I esspesially like the videos with Fr.Ripperger.
@@DarkAngel-cj6sx Thanks! Happy New Year.
@@eals255 Thank you
@@DarkAngel-cj6sx No, you can't! 😅 Fr. Mike Schmitz speaks too fast for only practice! 😂 But I try to understand him with subtitles, because It worth it! ❤️🙏
Notice how Nuns have disappeared over the years and people are complaining about not having women involved in the church
Yes! As a young woman now, not many of us have the examples of nuns to know that this could even be a path for us. Please pray for us!
Nuns have disappeared because of the drop in strong faith of young women and men in the States.
Now thats a Lie. Nuns are increasing
But nuns have never had as much power in the hierarchy of the church as priests.
This is what's beautiful about being part of the church instituted by Jesus Christ Himself! In everything that's done, it's done according to what He gave us and what He did! Brilliant!!
This is yet another instance of people choosing their own will and understanding over God's will and wisdom. May God bless the sanctity necessary parameters of priesthood under natural law, and may God bless the women who play an equal but different part in God's body ♥️🕊✝️🕊♥️
Amen 🙏
You said it well in the first part. But the part about women playing an "equal role" got me wondering. How are we sure that the roles women play are equal to men's? How are we sure that the roles women play are not greater? No man can march the role Mary played in the plan of salvation. If we see or use the term "equal roles" in relation to faith, it can make men the standard by which women are measured and shift our focus away from God and doing His will according to our states in life.
I think we’ve (Americans) all heard the phrase separate but equal. I’d have to second Leonard’s question.
@@TheDeadPirateBobI’ll provide my understanding, even though you posted this a year ago I see you have no reply.
The Bible says men and women have different roles to play but those roles don’t make one better than or less than another. They’re just different. Different isn’t better or worse, there has to be some interpretation of your own that tells you this is the case. Which… is modern feminism. It’s really manipulated women into believing that men’s roles are simply better than women’s roles and we’ve all bought in. It’s just not true.
I’d suggest the following: don’t appeal to your emotions. Don’t appeal to your own personal logic. Don’t appeal to culture. Don’t appeal to your experience. Appeal to the divine, eternal word of God.
Ask yourself a question- do you have an issue with God’s eternal word and authority? Satan made himself out in his own pride to believe he was God, his battle cry was “I will not serve.” Sound familiar? We don’t know everything about God. His ways are above our ways and his thoughts are above ours. We follow his word. You can’t always have what you want.
@@Jacks-tj9mb First, the Bible doesn't say that men and women have different roles (chapter and verse, please), and the different roles we do have are not equal. Men always have higher ranking roles, roles with more power. There is no role in conservative religion for women where they have as much power as men. 2) Feminism (which is the movement for men and women to be viewed as equal in value; equal is not sameness) did not tell us that men's roles are better. Sinful society, and that includes religion, told us that men's roles are better (and that masculinity is better than femininity, but that's a different subject), 3) The problem is not God's eternal word, which is infallible, but people's interpretation, which can be quite fallible. All to often, people view scripture through the lenses of the sinful, fallen world which advocates male-entitlement (sorry, it's history) and forgets that only Christ can determine doctrine, forgets the example of Christ and his treatment of women, and takes a certain situation Paul was dealing with at that time and incorrectly applying it to all time. Now, can you set aside your male pride and view women as real equals? I doubt it unless you truly follow Christ.
I was absolutely part of the camp that questioned this, but I also grew up Baptist. During my time exploring Catholicism (seriously for the past few months), there are so many things that are viewed differently at a fundamental level. So this disconnect and people having questions about this make sense to me and merits explanation. Either way, Father Josh has convinced me of the importance of matter and form in the sacraments. There are a number of things that Father Josh said - that are core to Catholicism, specifically regarding Mary and the saints - that support the church's defense of this choice that is not acknowledged in Protestant churches/religion. It can be easy to take for granted knowledge that is fundamental to some is not fundamental to all. This does not mean that people who do not have this fundamental knowledge are stupid; that kind of language is extremely exclusionary and will turn people away from the truth that I am coming to believe is found in the Catholic church.
Women can preach and teach the words of Christ in the Bible, but they can't be a Priest because Priesthood is literally the representation of Christ in the Mass.
Contrary to popular beliefs, the Mass is not literally a preaching site, but an act "Calvary of Christ" and offering his body to the people.
The Old Latin Mass literally explains how Jesus Christ offered his Body and Blood to the people and our Mass today, Novus Ordo, has a bad way to explain it to the modern people.
It is the same reasons why I hate the New Mass because it caused confusion among Catholics.
I don’t have any issue with people who have questions. My problem is simply when I get comments like “the Catholic Church is sexist” from people who aren’t Catholic and clearly haven’t even bothered to try to learn anything about actual Catholic teaching, and aren’t trying to understand why we do what we do. They simply judge from a very shallow pedestal, and recycle the ignorant judgements that they’ve heard from other non-Catholics.
However people in general, are very judgmental, Catholics included, so I guess I can’t really be that surprised.
I joined Crossing The Tiber started by Matt Fradd, to be able to ask questions about Catholism with other folks, mostly Protestants, who want to explore the faith. I HIGHLY recommend it. It helps to have fellow travelers on our journey.
@jessica Steven's may I recommend scott hahn lambs supper excellent book, about the mass. Godbless
Not all protestant churches allow women to be priests though... even if they don't have remotely Catholic views.
Thank you Fr. Josh, very well said and explained particularly, church history and tradition. This helps us to continue to evangelize others when this subject comes up. May the Holy Spirit continue to bless you and inspire us to keep our faith strong. Amen 🙏
I was never confused about this matter as a woman since it was obvious that Our Lord Jesus Christ chose only men.
Thank you for this explanation, one of your best.
Happy new year 2023
Really? He chose Mary and sent her to preach but they rejected her
@@stjohnssoup who rejected Mary?
@@stjohnssoup Really? Can you tell me where? Our Lord, when dying on the cross gave Mary to the apostle John as his mother and John to Mary as her son. From that time on, Mary lived in the household of John (John 19:27). We also learn from tradition and evidence that Mary moved with John to a small house outside the city of Ephesus. So she possibly lived with him for quite awhile. During this time, as an apostle, John would have been constantly preaching the gospel of Christ. Would Mary’s presence in his household have affected how John approached this task of explaining the life of Jesus to others? I'm sure it would have but that's the only evidence we have of Mary having an influence - certainly, she did not preach direct to anyone and was rejected. I'd love to know your own evidence for this.
Even Pope Francis just said they can't.
Women are already leaders. We do everything except Mass. Men are required to be the leaders. We are the backup, and the shoulder to shoulder with the men.
Lol... Excellent point.
Thank you for setting the record straight, it is crystal clear in God's Holy Word that no woman has ever been a Priest or King. This is why no churches or synagogues should ever have a woman priest, rabi or pastor! Thank you God for showing us all the truth!!
Thank you. As a Catholic woman… there was a time when I questioned this. However, because I had no interest in becoming a priest myself, my curiosity and interest on the subject was easily distracted. Thanks for that explanation. I see some good reasons in the comments as well. God bless you.
That was a very grounded explanation of Church doctrine. Matter and form as instituted by Jesus Christ. Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition is beautiful and holy, because you can't have one without the other- just like men and women. Jesus knows best.
Thank you father for the explanation....we live in a world where the word "equality" is at an all time brand. We need to recognize that men & women were created in a beautiful way by God, not one is better than the other, rather unique 🙏
Never understood why on earth someone would want a female priest. I’m a woman, I know my worth and accomplishments, it’s ridiculous to assume seeing a woman priest would give me some boost of confidence. I look to the example of the Holy Mother when I want spiritual guidance of my femininity.
Amen 🙏
The world is in desperate need of women who have the same mentality as you.
Amen 🙏🏼💙🕊
When we all know our worth is based on our identity in God then we will learn to do His will and not try to be others
I agree. Well said! Thank you, you've given me a means to express myself to others in a coherent & loving way. ♡
Beautifully said!👏🏻👏🏻 obedience is very important! I don’t feel any less bc I can’t be a priest! Everything in the Catholic Church has a good reason 🙏🏻♥️
I just love being Catholic 🙏🏻♥️♥️♥️♥️
God bless you. I used to say that its ridiciolous for women to complain that they cant be priests, its like men complaining they cant bear children.
But apparently reality has caught up to my attempt to ridicule such silly efforts
Great privilege and responsibility…Thanking Jesus Christ for HIs guidance of ordaining men….Alleluia🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
Thank you Fr Josh. God bless you for this lovely explanations.
O may we are women beautiful daughters of Lord Jesus Christ, can hold firmly to the traditions that the Lord has taught us and may we be humble like our Blessed Mother. She is a perfect example to follow.
Mother Mary, please pray for us who have recourse to thee.
Great commentary Father! I wish the whole w world would listen to your words of truth instead of trying to twist and change words so that they can achieve their own ends! Peace be with you ! And Happy New Year!
Thank you for the explanation to a very good question that was asked. I as a catholic wondered this myself. I know there are things that can be changed and other things that cannot be changed because it wasn’t put in place by man but by God. So can file this under the later. And thank you for pointing out that women do have important roles to fill in the church.
It is also very important to understand what the Eucharist is and the central part of our holy Mass. It is the sacrifice that Jesus made on the cross. Every sacrifice requires a priest an altar and a victim. Jesus is the high priest, the altar was His cross. And he was the victim, the Lamb (Old Testament sacrifice). When the priest is saying the words of consecration, he enters into the eternal sacrifice and becomes the Alter Christus, the other Christ. His words are Jesus words, he is the priest at the altar of the sacrifice. Because Jesus is undeniably male, a woman cannot take the place of Jesus. His humanity cannot be two genders at the same time. Therefore, a woman cannot stand in that place. But as a woman, I am fulfilled in so many other roles in the church and I’m very grateful for it. I honor all of our priests and their ministerial roles. Thank You Jesus for what You’ve blessed us with!
My RCIA teacher I have known for almost a decade has been heavily advocating for women priests but he never told me why Catholics have male priests. Thanks for sharing!
God bless you Father
I love Fr. Josh’s explanations.
What a blessing
Thank you! This is the BEST explanation of this truth that I have ever heard!
Women cannot be ordained because the priest acts in persona Christi or “in the person of Christ”.
Very Well explain Fr Josh Only Man Can Be A Priest Because It is God's Will, We Cant Disobey The Will Of God. Good God bless you all I Pray In Jesus Holy Name Amen
Thank you for the brilliant explanation about women not being able to be priests. A good friend of mine recently expressed her opinion about this and I wasn’t sure how to address this concern. You explained it so beautifully that if there’s a next time I can show this video🤗🙏🏻
Very well said Father.
Praise God
Thank you Father. God Bless 🕊️🌹🕊️
This was great Fr. Josh!! Many thanks🙌 was hoping you give some examples for the rest of the sacraments as you did with this and Baptism....maybe for a another episode!🙏🏼✝️💕
Well said. It's Tradition, with a capital "T". It comes from God through Christ or the apostles. This, among other modern issues, is why so many are migrating to traditional parishes. Mine's busting at the seams. It saddens me that Catholics even question matters like this, or LGBT, abortion, contraception, premarital sex and more. Even more so when it comes from the hierarchy. Good to hear this from a young, mainstream priest.
Excellent, clear teaching, Fr. Josh. Thank you.
Thank you, Fr. Josh & Ascension!!! THANK YOU. ♡
Then we should consecrate and baptize in Aramaic since that’s what Jesus spoke
Love this explanation, thank you!
This is beautiful and is a great explanation of both why women don't receive Holy Orders and also how else they can serve the Church. I will show this video to anyone who ever calls the Church 'sexist' in front of me again.
Good explanation. Thank you Father!
If the was ever a woman deserving of it, it was Christ's own mother, and Christ didn't give it to her.
It’s not about being worthy or greater. It’s about following the Lord’s will for you. Mary embraced the lords will for her. So did all holy priests, religious, parents.
Enjoyed this! Thank you Father 🙏🏽
God Bless you Fr Josh. I pray & wish we had more Holy Priests like you. I, a woman and not of the woke sense of the word can only pray, women of the world wake up & READ THE BIBLE. Jesus says the man is the head of the household just as Jesus is the head of the Church. Just because women are under the man DOES NOT MEAN THEY ARE LESS THAN, AND ARE NOT RESPECTED. If your boyfriend does not respect you, then say "NEXT" move on and find a good man that is respectful because youcan't change him after marriage. Fr Josh your video is another reason why women DO NOT NEED TO BE ALTAR GIRLS. At the altar of the Last Supper, Mother Mary or no other woman was at the Last Supper. If God wanted girls, women to serve as altar girls he would have had them at the Last Supper. So for the men out there get off your backsides and do your jobs so a woman does not have to pick up your slack, for the slackers out there. And you know who you are. At my church the men will not get the sanctuary ready for Father before Mass so women have too. I draw the line at opening and getting consecrated hosts from the tabernacle. My hands are not a man's hands & not consecrated. Yes I know lay men's aren't either. So you think at least a few men should step up to the plate an become Deacons? I'm sure they are smart enough. Come on men Christ needs your assistance of saying "Yes". Are YOU going to say NO to Jesus? What does this say about you if you say no?? Thank you Fr Josh for teaching us. I 🙏 every day for all priests and nuns including Fr Alman & Pavone.
I’m confused … Holy Eucharist was instituted at the Last Supper …. not the priesthood …. Your explanation is convoluted. What is the Scripture reference for Holy Orders? Thank you.
The Council of Trent in Session XXIII on 15 July 1563 on the Sacrament of Holy Orders and Priesthood in Chapter 1 clearly states that the
"Sacrifice and priesthood are, by the ordinance of God, in such wise conjoined, as that both have existed in every law. Whereas, therefore, in the New Testament, the Catholic Church has received, from the institution of Christ, the holy visible sacrifice of the Eucharist; it must needs also be confessed, that there is, in that Church, a new, visible, and external priesthood, into which the old has been translated. And the sacred Scriptures show, and the tradition of the Catholic Church has always taught, that this priesthood was instituted by the same Lord our Saviour, and that to the apostles, and their successors in the priesthood, was the power delivered of consecrating, offering, and administering His Body and Blood, as also of forgiving and of retaining sins."
So no His explanation is 100% in line with the Doctrines clearly taught at the Council of Trent. God Bless.
Great analogy: 'cookies and milk are good, but cannot be bread and wine'
Thanks very much
The majority of Catholic women, such as I, do not wish to see female priests in our church. Our role is clearly defined, and respected. We need no more, and we wish for no more. The Holy Mother did not baptize and give absolution. Thank you Father.
Amen!!!
Bless you. It is common for our times for everyone to feel entitled to everything
It's taking me three or four years, but I'm starting to finally watch other priest videos, from Ascension Presents, that don't include father Schmitz.
This was a great explanation!
In other words, all of the work, but none of the credit. Makes sense, some things never change.
Thought for sure you would mention Qualifications of Bishops and Deacons in 1 Timothy 3 which specifically says it must be a man.
Absolutely gorgeous of God! What a beautiful teaching.
I would like to see Sister Josetta tell us that.
Awesome….thank you Fr. Josh. I’ve been waiting for someone to spell that out for a long time. 👏🙏❤️
Nicely done, Fr. Josh!
I understand this but it left a huge question unanswered. Yes Christ ordained men, because he did so he must have had his specific reasons to do so. Reasons having to do with an inherent difference in men and women. I think this is what we want to know, is what is inherently different about a man that a women shouldn’t do when it comes to positions of leadership or priesthood.
I used to teach Religious Education 4th graders. The topic of the priesthood came up and one of my girls popped up with “Why can’t women be priests?” I stood there a second trying to figure out how I was going to answer her question in a way that she’d understand and accept the answer. The Holy Spirit knew me when I’d get these kinds of questions from the kids and He worked overtime giving me the right answers for them. It had to be the Holy Spirit because I was just standing there and my voice just started talking on its own. I had no idea what “I” was saying until it was over.
The answer I was given was something like this. “If Jesus had intended for women to be priests then He would have chosen some Holy women to be priests but He didn’t. Some people say that He didn’t choose women to be priests because in the place and time where He lived the customs of the society would be against it. But Jesus was God. He didn’t have to live according to what men said. He could’ve gone directly against society if He wanted to and in fact sometimes He did. But not this time. Then I said Jesus meant for only men to be priests.
What if there were some boys and men who wanted to be able to have a baby? They could pray to God and ask I guess, but the answer they’d receive from God would be “No. I am God and I chose and designed women to have babies. That’s how it works best and that will never change.” So men are made so that they can be priests if God calls them to do so and women are made so that they can have babies if God calls them to do so. When I was responding to the question I heard some kids quietly giggling about the idea of men having babies. The girl who had asked the question was satisfied with my answer and the rest of the class must have been satisfied too because the discussion ended.
Just saw Father Josh in St. Louis. Great stuff
Very interesting - thank you
one little joke I recall from RCIA was that all of the women in Jesus' following were addressed as the "holy women of jerusalem", while the men were just "the men". ergo, the women were already holy, and didn't need Holy Orders! =P
Indeed I now understand the poin very well hope everyone can get it the right way .
Very concise and clear!
Using that logic, why can’t married men become priests? Many of the apostles were married .
That can change over night, that’s the decision of the church to decide that the priest shouldn’t be married, later on the future the church can decide for priests to be married. If a priest wants to be married he can be an orthodox priest, or a Protestant pastor, no one is forcing him to be a Catholic priest , that is voluntarily.
I’m sorry but that wasn’t a clear explanation at all. Almost equates to me saying “because I said so” when my kids ask me “why” they need to do go to bed
To play devil’s advocate* here: Why is the matter of the sacrament “human male” and not simply “human”? Milk and wine are different types of pourable matter; but men and women both have human substances. What is it about the male version of the matter that makes it most appropriate for the sacrament?
*I’m a devout Catholic, just seeking deeper understanding of Jesus’ actions. Not trying to cause any trouble.
Greetings Father Josh,
Thoughts :
- I agree with you Father about Papa Francis's Most Thoughtful words on Women not to be ordained as Priests in all aspects.
- I share your respectful concern towards Women in every aspects.
With regards,
RanjithJoseph (R.J)
No Catholic Woman Priest > No Catholic Women Bishops > No Catholic Female Pope. No one is asking what concern God has on the subject.
Mother Theresa said to this topic: "Mary was the most holy person on earth and no one would have been more worthy of being a priest than her. But nevertheless Jesus didn't make her a priest because she had another assignment: Being the mother of the church." God has another assignment for women which does not mean, that this is any less important! Holy Edith Stein said:"If you manage to become a bride of Jesus you don't have the wish to become a priest any longer" which refers to the mystical way of becoming a bride of the Lord which is a way for women. God has great plans for women as well which are equally important as the tasks for men.
Fr. Josh, what’s your feeling on woman lay-people giving out the Eucharist? I understand that the priest had already done his part prior to them passing it out, but some people still don’t like lay-people giving out the Eucharist, especially woman lay-people. I know Mother Angelica was no joke, she even rebuked leaders of the church (very high up in the church) for their “new” teachings.
Quite frankly you presented it in a very complicated way, i don’t know how I can rephrase what you presented here to someone who cannot focus for more than 2 min, i.e. a short conversation.
Something I always mention, is that the Jewish faith was alone in the ancient world to not have female priests. It wouldn't have been a big thing to change that if that's what Christ wanted. It wasn't. So he didn't.
Funny how I hear people sometimes ask "why can't women be priests?" but never "why can't men be nuns?"
Good point
There are men “nuns” they’re called monks or friers, but even they are ordained.
Because men can be monks 🤷♀️
@@melindaanne6036 Not always, some male religious orders do have permanent lay brothers.
@@michaelhaywood8262 Thank you, that proves my point even more.
This is interesting... I have always been unsure about women becoming priests because women were so pushed aside and ignored in those days that, possibly Jesus didn't ordain them because in that community, at that time, they would have been rejected much faster than the male missionaries. Or that if He did ordain them, it's possible that they weren't recorded in the Bible for the same reason. Thanks for clearing this up!
I'm "exploring" Catholicism, and I love A LOT about it. However, as a long-time Protestant, this is actually a weird sticking point for me. Honestly, I would love some additional direction on this. As a Protestant, I've always believed that within Christ's Salvation we are all literally seen as "equal and one", as there is no "male nor female" before God. I don't disagree with the tradition of it. Obviously, Catholicism isn't for everyone, however, a clear, logical explanation as to "why" when the church has finally accepted that races are not "unequal", why are we still doubtful that a text written over 2,000 years ago may have quite a few gender-based biases that we could "logically" do away with.
They can't and that's that!
Jesus is the High Priest and all His brother's that follow Him are Priests.
Awsome
Hi Father Josh. I understand why the Church doesn't ordain women as priests, but I struggle to understand why they can't be deacons, especially since there are examples of female deacons in the Bible. I would love to hear your thoughts on this :)
I would like hear more on this aspect as well. One guess might be that the role of deacon (or deaconess) in the early church is different from the role of a Deacon today (even those in the permanent deaconate)
I'm a woman, and when I saw the female Bishop of London at the coronation of King Charles III, I felt repulsed and all wrong - and then grateful that the Catholic Church is sticking to its guns in this matter.
I would expect this to happen in America ordained women as priest but Germany is highly unexpected
It should be no surprise. Germany’s subversion has been in full swing ever since they lost their righteous war against the servants of the antichrist.
@@macdhomhnaill7721 interesting
This so called model or doctrine of priesthood can be easily refuted by simply looking at the historical accounts. What a wonderful example are the women who are now being ordained to priesthood in apostolic succession!
The greatest saints of the 20th Century were Dorothy Day and Mother Teresa. The greatest saints of the 19th Century were Thérèse of Lisieux and Elizabeth Ann Seton.
Because they can change saturday to sunday? What about Bob?
Why?
As a Catholic I am not convinced that women should not be priests. The argument that none of the disciples were women and therefore no priests today can be women is a little weak. If Jesus felt strongly that something was important, He would say it explicitly. I think the church oversteps its bounds when it says conclusively and with no wiggle room that no women may ever be a priest. I think the church would be much much better if there was a female presence at mass. At a minimum, there should be female deacons.
Amen, Gregory!
I think a lot of people have a hard time dealing with the idea that men can't do curtain things women can, and women can't do curtain things men can, now ah days.
I'm a Christian who worships in the Anglican tradition. We allow women in the priesthood.
I have recently been studying Roman Catholicism, and particularly Marian theology. I have read that one of the Blessed Virgin Mary's titles is "Mediatrix of the Church". This seems to be a priestly duty that the church would usually assign to men. Also, wasn't Mary the first person to participate in the consecration of the Body and Blood of Christ when she gave birth to Him, presenting Him to the world though it meant that her heart would be pierced? Isn't the Theotokos the very first priest, pre-dating the Apostles? I have also recognized that the blood Jesus shed on the cross wasn't only His, but also Mary's, as her blood was spilled along with His since her blood coursed through His veins.
I mean no disrespect, but couldn't a called Catholic woman who has committed herself to perpetual virginity (or restored virginity through the Sacrament of Reconciliation), who is also learned in the Word and Sacraments, be called to Holy Orders in the name of the Blessed Virgin who precedes her?
We also see that women were the first persons to be entrusted with the Good News of Christ's Resurrection from the dead. He instructed them to go and preach this to the disciples. This is significant, because in that day, a woman's eye-witness testimony was not allowed in court because of its allegedly inherent unreliability. Jesus did not recognize their testimony as unreliable, or they would not have been entrusted with this holy information. Why did Christ first reveal Himself to women and not to men?
We also see that God raised up female prophets, including the Judge Deborah, who not only commanded the Israelite army to victory, but also presided over 40 years of peace through the grace given to her. She interpreted the law of Moses to resolve disputes, exercised authority over Barak, and must have also engaged in diplomacy to maintain peace with would-be enemies for that long.
I went to NO mass and a woman was giving the Eucharist. It felt wrong, but I didn’t partake because I need to get baptized! However, I’ll stick to my TLM.
It was probably a female EMHC, which is a lay person that is apparently trained for giving the Eucharist at mass. I would stick with your gut and only go to TLM especially once you have been baptized.
Yes, there are lay ministers of Holy Communion in parishes that celebrate the Ordinary Form of the mass in the Latin Church, but it is allowed by the Church. This can't become a reason for not going to a parish that uses the Ordinary Form! You can go to a parish that uses the Extraordinary Form, but it should be because you are at home at this parish!
@@ralphboustros3415 I'm not at home at the Ordinary Form parish. I went because it is close to my work so I can go to mass during the week. I won't purposefully stay away, but it's not my first choice.
@@TaylorJohnson1 Do what is best for you. But if you open your heart, you may see that there can be true beauty when the mass is done using the Ordinary Form, even if it may seem hidden at times. Know that God is Truly present at every mass, no matter which form of the mass is used! I'm an Eastern Catholic, but I also go at times to Latin parishes which use the Ordinary Form. There may be times when it's hard to notice God's presence and to concentrate (even at my own Byzantine parish!) but it is enough to remind myself of God's presence and Love and to Glorify Him!
@@ralphboustros3415 My heart is open. I’m where I need to be. ♥️
Women are cookies and milk? You love us and we taste good but Jesus wasn't into it? I don't buy it - how about Peter dropped the ball because he was intimidated by the equality of devotion and spiritual power of Magdalene and jealous of Jesus's love of Her? It deserevs to be honestly addressed by the church today. Guess what? Devout women are glad we aren't welcome in such an organization. Women have never received the protection of the church which Jesus deemed owed to us as the Priestesses of the sacred inner temple - the mystical heart of Christian faith. So we have made our own faith in the image of true Christian church .
I agree with you father,as a catholic woman i would not like to go to a church that has woman priest , because our Lord apostles were all men.
Amen ❤
Can anyone recommend any additional readings or resources on this? Still having a hard time understanding.
You don't need to, it's just a plain dumb case of form over fond. If the rituals are the same it shouldn't matter what the priest has in their pants.
If the matter is important we should get the exact kind of bread and wine right?
That Jesus used
Accused of man-made traditions and teachings by those who invented their own traditions and teachings, the Catholic Church is the only that stays true to the Lord Jesus.
My daughter has celiac disease. She is married to a Catholic. If she becomes Catholic, how can she receive the Eucharist? Serious question.
Hi there, my mother has a gluten intolerance (not celiac, though)
Priests can always consecrate a (edit: low gluten) host during mass if you ask ahead of time. They may have some available for consecration (especially in urban areas), or you can give your priest a supply of low gluten hosts yourself!
Hope this helps!
I go to traditional Latin mass and there are a few people that go last and they are allowed to receive from the chalice. I believe they might have celiac disease or might be allergic to wheat so if your daughter is married to a traditional Latin mass Catholic and she becomes traditional Latin mass going Catholic. She would ask the priest and he would arrange for her to receive from the cup, but she’d have to go last, so to avoid contamination from the host .
@@fran6237 Gluten-free host is ABSOLUTELY NOT valid matter. It would not be the Eucharist
@@femaleKCRoyalsFanissuing a correction! I meant low gluten hosts :)
❤️❤️❤️Amen🙏🙏🙏
Amen.🙏🙏🙏 Thank you for sharing this video! Some people are just plain stupid!! They just can't get it. Disobedience to the teaching of the Church leads you to sin.
Indyk kowalski
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Father I have a question. My parents are married civilly but not married by Catholics and my dad is not confirmed my mom is. He doesn’t want to marry which is why I am asking what does he have to do how can I assist him through the commitment of confirmation. Because I really want my mother to receive the sacraments of communion and confession
But didn't Jesus only give the Eucharist to men? Yet women can receive it.
In John 6 Jesus declares to all people that everyone who believes in him must eat his flesh and drink his blood (in the Eucharist) to have eternal life.
Father have you ever had the saints show up to your space in prayer or sleep? I have. Private Revelation is different.
Nobody ever asks why men can't become nuns. We could have father Joan and sister bob. Couldn't you just picture that!
Well, there are men who are "nuns", they are called "monks" :)
@@ralphboustros3415 Catholic Monks are not nuns, by any stretch of the imagination.