The Inner Life

Here is a great encore from July 22, 2025

Fr. Peter Armenio joins Patrick to Friendship with Christ

• How can we have friendship with God?
• (12:19) How do we understand some of the euphemism that saints use to describe their love for Christ?
• (18:25) Bob - I once went to confession and told the priest I was having trouble getting angry with God over disappointments. Angry about it and yelling at God. Fr. told me you probably think I'll get down on you for getting angry with God, but you know God and trust him enough that you can get angry with Him and you can handle that. I was really moved by that. Relationship with God is everything.

(26:05) Break 1

• Marsha - I'm a cradle Catholic. I've had a relationship with Jesus. The Baptists brought me into that relationship. They gave me a deeper dive into the intimacy with Christ. I hope they saw the beauty of the Catholic church.
• How does interior life help us from our relationship with Jesus?
• (40:40) Deedee - My relationship is one of a father and daughter. Trying to be friends with God is sacrilegious. Wouldn't there be a spiritual boundary of some sort? What does friendly speech sound like instead of prayer?

(43:43) Break 2

• (44:49) What can Mary Magdalene teach us about friendship with Christ?

Fr. Joseph Johnson joins Patrick to discuss Conquering Pride

• (3:13) Why is pride at the root of all sin?
• The subtlety of pride
• (14:16) Valerie - At OCIA...one of the ladies I was with is very humble and I told her that. I think if you're humble, you're void of pride.

(21:09) Break 1

• Email from Jared - How do we know when pride becomes a mortal sin?
• What are some tips for recognizing pride in our life?
• (27:45) Tom - I have a nephew who is a Jesuit. He is such an example of gentleness and a quiet example of humility. It speaks louder than any preaching others do.
• Noah - I make decent money and I'm looking forward to moving to my previous job where I was happy. I think I was just a little too prideful on being a high earner instead of being humble. Looking for some guidance with this on what to do. Should I stay where I'm at or go where I'm happy?
• (34:16) Email – how does gratitude fight pride?

(36:36) Break 2

• How does trust help us to grow in humility?
• (41:56)  Nick - I've learned that life is a battle...no winning/no losing. I know I have a fight. Even though I think I'm a good Catholic, it's still a fight. I still have to fight to fight.
• Greg - When I read the bible, things that have a message to be shared, but never get a chance to do that. Not that I have pride, but it's something to be talked about.

Fr. Chris Walsh joins Patrick to discuss Discerning the Spirits

• What is discernment of Spirits?
• (15:42) Pamela I was going to Mass and Rosary every day when I was having health issues. Had a heart attack and ended up in hospital. Instead of listening to my body, I ended up in the hospital.
• Patrick - I'm writing a novel. I feel inspired by God and I've been discerning it for years. I sometimes wonder if it's a waste of time or not.

(23:24) Break 1

• Called and Gifted and how knowing your gifts can help you discern your gifts?
• (28:50) Richard - False pretenses. My experience of following Buddhism and dealing with depression, anxiety, etc. I feel like I'm turning my back on being a Catholic.
• (35:52) Joanna - Holy spirit leading my life at work. Want some advice as a nurse with 3 kids. Don't really like the environment there and it's hard being around co-workers. Feel I'm being called as a teacher in a Christian school. Finances would be a huge cut though.

(40:19) Break 2

• Why does the enemy often attack when a person is growing closer to God?
• (45:06) Jeanne - My father is estranged from our family due to choices in the past. He's back in town for a funeral. Molested me as a child. I keep hearing the holy spirit to reach out to him while he's in town. Will this harm the family or not?

Resources:

• Called and Gifted
  • https://siena.org/

Fr. John Eckert joins Patrick to discuss Baptism

• (2:32) why did Jesus need to get Baptized?
• How does Jesus’ baptism connect with our own baptism?

(21:50) Break 1

• (23:40) Christina - What about our baptismal promises? Are these the same in all Christian Churches that have valid baptism?
• What is the role of Faith in baptism?
• (31:54) email about getting baptized again.

(37:35) Break 2

• (38:56) Rosina - Baptism. When you speak with Protestants, they say that children don’t need to be baptized. Why is that?
• How do we live out our baptism?

Check out this awesome Encore show from October 24, 2025

Fr. John Paul Erickson joins Patrick to discuss Conquering Fear

• (3:49) how do you distinguish between different types of fears?
• (11:22) Why does fear lead us into sin?

(20:55) Break 1

• Matthew - fear stands four: false evidence appearing real counter that with : face everything and recover
• (25:11) Ashley -I have a fear of death and then everything is crashing down on me
• (33:41) John - How can you deal with other peoples fear when they seems irrational?
• Jerry - diagnosed with brain tumor- turned it to god- and god took care of it- faced death and that fear

(38:39) Break 2

• Julio - The woman who is going through some mental fears. I am going through a rough patch in life with fear. It has been several months and I can't seem to shake it. I have been going to Mass and the Sacraments which helps me a lot. Now I am not feeling worthy to get to heaven. What should I do?
• (42:31) Emily - fear associated with childbirth
• (44:45) John - fear of life- afraid that I am not using my life well and God doesn't seem to answer my prayer

Fr. Carter Griffin Discerning Commitments and acting in Prudence

• (5:43) What is prudence?
• How do you make good discernment?
• (13:22) Sacrificial nature of Commitments.
• (20:09) Lisa - Commitments. If a decision is imprudent in the classical sense of prudence, is it sinful?

(23:55) Break 1

• (28:25) Jim - I just retired and have more free time. How can I balance adding commitments to help others versus time for myself?
• (32:10) Cam - It seems to me that I break commitments because of stress management. Mind telling me to stop stress and break commitment. How do I overcome this?

(40:05) Break 2

• How do we hear the voice of God when discerning things?
• (44:46) what is involved in discerning one’s vocation?

Fr. Richard Simon joins Patrick to discuss Modern Wonder Workers: St Andre Bessette and Simple Faith

• (3:28) who was Saint Andre Bessette?
• The importance of humility in working wonders.
• (9:57) What are Miracles?
• (13:25) Nick - St. Andre Bessette. I think it is amazing the simple things that St. Andre embraced. God gives us little opportunities like he gave St Andre and then gives bigger opportunities.
• How can we reclaim simple faith in our lives?
• (19:04) Mary - I had a physical healing from being prayed for by a man with great faith.

(22:24) Break 1

• David - I reverted to the Church after 45 years because of healing I had ingrown toe nails since 10 years old. I prayed that they would be healed and I was
• (28:43) Email from Mary – How did Brother Andre Console those who didn’t get a miracle from him?

• (32:09) Mia – Miracle of the multiplication of Cabbages

• Maria - Cured out of cancer. The doctors were texting me for Leukemia. I am an extraordinary Eucharistic minister. After consuming the Precious Blood I asked for healing and was healed.

(36:50) Break 2

• Is simple trust blind trust?
• (42:59) Jamie - 3 years ago I had breast cancer and wasn't Catholic.  I prayed the Rosary and was healed and I joined OCIA because of this.
• (45:54) Nancy - My friend and I went to the Oratory of St. Joseph. We were so thrilled. She is older and in her 80s. I had prayed to St. Joseph for us to be safe. My friend tripped and fell and hit her head on pavement. Friend recovered without any problems.
• Charles - One of my family members knew Blessed Solanus Casey and got my grandfather to see him. Blessed Solanus Casey healed him

Fr. James Kubicki joins Patrick to discuss Meaning of the Magi

• (3:36) What is Epiphany?
• (9:04) Who were the Magi?
• (14:33) Christina - Family tradition we've celebrated...our mother started the nativity story and the gift exchange rather than Christmas.
• Marcos - I was born in Cuba and we kept our tradition alive. Every year on Jan 5th, mom would bake cookies and dad would collect hay. Every year a different magi featured. That magi brought the toys.

(23:37) Break 1

• What gifts can we bring to Jesus?
• How can we honor the Child Jesus in our lives?

(37:11) Break 2

• (38:37) Theresa - I'm going to be giving a gift tomorrow. Giving sons and goddaughter a bible. I think this will be a healing gesture.
• (40:56) what is the Epiphany house blessing?
• How can we receive the gift of God well in our lives?

Fr. Spencer Howe joins Patrick to discuss Awakening Wonder through the eyes of GK Chesterton

• (5:22) what is wonderment?
• Who was G.K. Chesterton?
• (14:11) How does Chesterton argue that we have lot our wonder?

(20:17) Break 1

• Can you have wonderment while in suffering?
• What are practical ways we can increase wonder in our life?
• (31:35) Colby - I am currently in OCIA. A great place to start with wonder is with the Church because it brings me a child-like wonder.
• How does Paradox play in Chesterton’s life?

(37:58) Break 2

• What does St Therese and G.K. Chesterton about being child like?
• (46:04) Email from Gloria, how do I rekindle the excitement of living?

Resources:

• The Society of G.K. Chesterton
  • https://www.chesterton.org/

Check out this Encore show from October 2, 2025

Fr. Patrick Hyde joins Patrick to discuss Spiritual Warfare

• Where do we see spiritual warfare in the bible?
• (7:13) how do we find a happy medium with spiritual warfare?
• (12:22) Elaine - When I was young, I grew up in a haunted house. When i was little, I'd have nightmares. I would go to my parent’s room. Would see 2 angels in their doorway. That would calm me.
• (17:53) Maria - Mother is devout Catholic. Goes to Mass, confession, adoration. Convinced a family member is partaking in evil demonic activities and she's the target of it. She's had a lot of unusual things happen to her. Would that be considered some kind of spiritual warfare?

(21:48) Break 1

• Jacob - Live in a sketchy neighborhood. Somebody put a crow in my basement. Was in fear of it and demonic presence. Am I giving too much attention to the devil by leaving the house? Trying to ignore it.
• (27:24) Tom - Explain more about why he said not to get involved in crystals, also, how can we help loved ones to really heal from past wounds? I know the devil loves to keep you in anger and fear.
• Sarah - I have a sister I'm trying to help . Doesn't go to church. Have had conversations about this. She exhibited some rage after talking to her about it. I had a dream about her and she faded in the dream. I think she needs spiritual food. How do I deal with this?

(38:13) Break 2

• Randy - Spiritual warfare and PTSD...overall deal with spiritual warfare and experiences I've had. I called on Monday.
• (45:35) Dee Dee - My mom was into new age in the past. My sister and I were drawn to it. We're now stronger in our faith. I think some of the issues are still coming up though. My daughter doesn't sleep much (3 years). Around midnight or 3am, she will wake up screaming. How do we handle this?

Resources:

• JP II Healing Center
  • https://jpiihealingcenter.org/