Growing in Compassion, Seeing Christ in Others, and Emotional Chastity

Fr. Josh answers questions on emotional chastity, growing in compassion, and seeing Christ in others.

By the virtue of my Baptism, I am the Body of the Christ. When the Father sees me, the Father sees his beloved Son.

What is Emotional Chastity?

What exactly is emotional chastity and can men and women partake in close friendships? Over my life I have developed a lot of beautiful and fruitful friendships with men that have never become more than friendship nor have I ever intended them to, however, recently I was accused of breaking emotional chastity within these friendships. It’s a concept that I have never heard of before. I’ve asked around and it seems like something fairly controversial as some people don’t even believe in it. I know that God delights in all friendships, but perhaps friendships of the opposite sex need more boundaries?
-Delaney

Growing in Compassion

My boyfriend and I are both devout Catholics and strive to help each other pursue the Lord. We’ve had our ups and downs but we both love each other very much and are attempting to discover if we are meant to be together for the long haul. He has been a real blessing in my life and has helped me deal with my past and has made me a more loving and sensitive person. However, a lot of our issues stem from the fact that I struggle to give him the compassion he both needs and deserves. I don’t know if it is because of my past or because a multitude of other reasons or simply that we are not meant to be. I want so badly to be there for him because I love him and I want him to feel that he can depend on me. Do you have any advice on how one can be compassionate towards another or how to grow that, especially in regards to a relationship? So sorry that this is super long and/or confusing. Thank you for all the love and hope you spread. I pray for you and your ministry. Thanks again.
-Anonymous

Seeing Christ in Others

What does it really mean to “see Christ in others?” Does Jesus really exist inside us in some way?
-Anonymous