The Inner Life

Fr. Matthew Spencer joins Patrick to discuss the Presentation of the Lord

• What is the presentation?
• (7:58) Why is obedience so important?
• Mark - Obedience.  What about blind obedience when it comes to higher ups in the church. How does a young priest follow that when they come up with different policies?

(20:09) Break 1

• Nick - Love the topic. Scott Hahn...old testament hidden in new.  The real presentation is so beautiful and how they come together. Our religion is the religion of the cross.
• (26:40) What is the importance of Anna and Simeon in the story of the presentation?
• (33:34) John - Trying to integrate the first sorrowful mysteries with the presentation. Where was Joseph?

(40:25) Break 2

• (41:31) Diane - In my pre Vatican II missal, it was considered the end of the Christmas season with the presentation.  Why did that change?
• What is Candlemas in the Church?
• (46:59) What is the tie between consecrated life and the Presentation?

Fr. Sam Martin joins Patrick to discuss Protecting Your Family Spiritually

• What is the human nature of people to want to protect?
• (6:41) what are spiritual threats that threaten our families?
• What are we protecting against when we talk about protecting ourselves spiritually?

(18:57) Break 1

• Christina - there was always a lot of negative language in my house when relatives left so when i had my own kids I told family they could not talk that way so I could protect my kids from that atmosphere
• (24:45) Kent - I have tried to stay away from sin but it seems to always haunt me, is this the devil? how can I protect myself from this?
• (34:23) Maritza - a family member is doing drugs. how do i protect her from this and talk to her about stopping?

(40:44) Break 2

• What are some spiritual weapons we can use to give us protection?
• (45:18) Kathy - epiphany blessing and saint Benedict medals, sacramental
• Albert - Does lighting a St. Michael candle allow the angel to watch over us?

Fr. Joseph Johnson joins Patrick to discuss Thomas Aquinas

• (3:09) Who was St. Thomas Aquinas?
• How did St. Thomas Aquinas debate others?
• (9:50) How does the intellectual mind play an important role in our Faith?
• Where do we see the love of God in St. Thomas Aquinas’ life?
• 11:19 Mary -Faith - I don't believe intellect plays into it. God above is in control of all.

(20:47) Break 1

• Patrick shares an email about why St. Thomas Aquinas didn’t finish the Summa Theologica? Write to us at [email protected]
• (28:00) Mary - I read a brief overview about St. Thomas Aquinas. The Uncaused cause. argument for the existence of God. Read an article that said Thomas took it from a Muslim philosopher and got the idea from him.
• (33:06) Email from Bob – Where do you start with the readings of Saint Thomas Aquinas?

(37:40) Break 2

• (39:04) How can St. Thomas Aquinas be a companion to us today?
• (46:14) Anna - There's an expression of blind faith. Especially when teaching our kids. I'm a faith formation teacher. St. Thomas Aquinas is best.  Any ideas to present Aquinas to kids?

Resources:

• Thomistic Institute: Aquinas 101
  • https://aquinas101.thomisticinstitute.org/
• Practical Theology by Peter Kreeft
  • https://ignatius.com/practical-theology-prtp/

Fr. James Kubicki joins Patrick to discuss Praying with Scripture

• (3:43) what are methods people use to pray with the Scripture?
• What is the Divine Office?

(17:43) Break 1

• What are the guidelines for reading the bible?
• Brian - My practice of readings and writings and how I do it myself.  I've kept them in a shoe box and aspire to organize them someday.
• (28:56) Jeff - Over the years, I've heard what you're talking about.  Start with the Gospels.  I've done that.  What am I to gain, What am I supposed to learn?  From there, where do you go?

(38:40) Break 2

• Maria - Could you explain the 4-week cycle in the office?  I know older Catholics that bring a Missal to Mass. How is that used.  I'd like to try and use one.
• What are more ways Pope Benedict helps us with praying with scripture?
• (46:14) Bonnie - What has helped me with absorbing scripture, is watching The Chosen.  It's bringing it to life for me.

Fr. Allen Hoffa joins Patrick to discuss Evangelization

• (9:04) how do you evangelize without being imposing?
• How does timing play a key role in evangelization?
• Mary - I think it's an interpersonal relationship between humans and the Lord.  I think you can sit on your couch and reach out to the Lord. You don't need a human. I am a Catholic. I think reverence is imperative, but you only need your true sincere heart.

(21:12) Break 1

• (23:07) Theresa - Why do we need to evangelize?  To see the truth.  Jesus did it all. I'm a former catholic. I've studied the church. How do you get saved? A million Hail Mary's?  Pilgrimages? It infuriates me you're leading people down the wrong path.

(37:49) Break 2

• (40:42) James - I have personal experience doing evangelization.  Faith grew a lot.  Mass comes from mission which means to send.  Catholics are called to evangelize.
• Jaime - I work in the prison system (ministry) and I go and attend services where evangelization is something that I do.
• Flo – I evangelized and wasn’t sure if I did it right. What do you think?

Fr. Dave Heney joins Patrick to discuss Marriage

• (3:23) What is Marriage defined by the Church?
• What is the matter and form of marriage?
• (18:12) Shana - My husband and I married 33 years. Married in American Catholic Church not Roman. I just wanted to share what we've been through now as we pursue to get the sacrament in the Roman Catholic Church.

(22:01) Break 1

• (23:50) John - My wife and I are Catholic. 3 kids. Want Father's perspective on the whole idea on holding off and practicing NFP.  Having the 3rd was challenging...wife had postpartum depression.
• Barbara - We have to work to fortify our marriage and strength in the Lord as time goes on.  Worked in the Diocese of Phoenix in marriage prep for over 13 years.
• (30:51) Maria - I was baptized in the church and married in the church. Husband died last year. I am now single. I have a suitor who is Maronite Catholic. As a Roman Catholic, I can get married in an Eastern Church. How does that work between Roman and Maronite Catholic church? Is it possible for a couple to married sacramentally?
• John - Married 45 years. We're called to suffer. Could marriage be source of suffering?  Not trying to be disrespectful.

(37:46) Break 2

• (39:41) James - Wife is in process of divorcing me. How do I maintain the marital relationship, the love for her, when she keeps pushing me away and says she doesn't want to be with me? In a sacramental marriage?
• Maria - Question regarding children who are living together. How should I advise them. Should I tell them to get married or tell them they shouldn't live together? They have a 2.5 year old child.

Fr. Joseph Illo joins Patrick to discuss Sanctity of Life

• (8:45) how do the readings tie into today’s prayer for legal protection for the unborn?
• (12:10) Larry - Why does the Catholic Church take more of a mission covering abortion, but what about homicide...the taking of life of another. Is it okay for the state to take the life of another human being in retribution?
• Where in the bible does it talk about the importance of life?

(20:46) Break 1

• (24:13) Walt - Fr Paul Marx...founder of human life international...any country that accepts contraception is sure to have abortion. He traveled the world over trying to stop abortion from being legalized. A lot of clergy and Catholics afraid to talk about it. We need to talk about it.
• Casey - Every night we pray the rosary for the end to abortion. What are you praying for?  A politician to change his mind or the holy trinity to straighten the world out to get people on the right track?  I pray the blessed Virgin shows up to straighten the world out.
• Matthew - Founder of Oakland Co., California Walk for Life...If we can't get out of the womb, how can we solve the problems outside the womb. I believe this has a lot of wisdom to hit...not just for African Americans, but for all people. This is why we see a lot of violence and other issues.  All linked to abortion.

(38:05) Break 2

• What does it mean that human life has dignity?
• (43:16)  Cindy - about 50 years ago, i was expecting a baby through criminal sexual assault.  I heard a voice say this baby is good...this daughter is sacred and will do good.  She's at the march for life right now!  Everyone is sacred and destined to do good.
• Can we lose our dignity if we sin?
• What can we do to help fight for life in our world today?

Resource:

• Humane Vitae
  • https://www.vatican.va/content/paul-vi/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-vi_enc_25071968_humanae-vitae.html

Fr. Matthew Widder joins Patrick to discuss Fortitude

• (2:59) What is virtue?
• What is the difference between courage as the world sees it and as we see it as Catholics?
• (9:23) Who was Saint Agnes?
• How do you know if you re acting with fortitude?
• Diane - Fortitude: I think the older I get, the braver I am.

(21:08) Break 1

• What is the difference between stubbornness and Fortitude?
• (26:44) Kimberly - 12-step recovery had helped me. I got a deeper faith. God has the solution planned out; I just have to do the next right thing.
• Robert - Question: I was always told to depend on God, and I feel that my own personal fortitude has diminished as I pray more asking God for help.

(40:49) Break 2

• (43:06) Alethia - I received the grace of fortitude, when I decided whether or not to leave a relationship. I believe I did the right thing.
• What are some tips in growing in fortitude?

Fr. Chris Walsh joins Patrick to discuss Social Justice

• What is Catholic Social teaching?
• (15:07) How does Father help with social justice in his home city of Philadelphia?

(19:35) Break 1

• Christine - Comment on the word neighbor: in Danish they use a word meaning something even broader than the person next to you.
• (23:11) Philip - Our Legion of Mary group is out in the public and does cold calls and we do a lot of nursing home ministries.
• (30:49) Mary Lou - how should we think of mass deportations? how do we help the immigrant while also upholding the law?
• Mr. Ed - We've got a parish program that helps any mom with children up to age 5. We are doing a food packing event (100,000 meals) next month.

(40:22) Break 2

• What are some enemies to the virtue of Justice?
• How are assumptions made which make us blind to reality?

Fr. Brian Gross joins Patrick to discuss Transitions and the Spiritual Life

• What does hope have to do with transitions?
• (13:42) Mary - I just received a letter. It has to deal with inheritance. Father recently died. I'm going to trust God I make heaven, and let Him be in control.

(19:51) Break 1

• E-Frank - I believe that transitions are not only phases, but transitions of feelings.  They allow us to develop in God's likeness as more mature human beings.
• (26:25) Cindy - Had a huge transition.  God had a plan.  Husband passed suddenly.  Lots of questions.  Through the next year, I cared for parents who had health issues.  Wouldn't have had that capacity if I also had to deal with my husband being ill.
• Email – What do you do with a change that happens in the family like divorce?
• Cecilia - When we moved from Mexico to US, my life changed thanks to Relevant Radio!

(38:31) Break 2

• Rudy - I worked for Disney for 33 years. Got let go for writing something on FB. Blessing in disguise because now I work for a school district which is something much greater.
• (43:18) Dorothy - 6 years ago, lost my son. He died in the water trying to save his 3 boys and wife. 1000 people at his funeral. I just put one foot in front of the other and kept doing what I've been doing. He did save his boys and wife.  Just keep putting one foot in front of the other and keep doing what you're doing.
• Email talking about a change that deeply affected her prayer life.