In Podcasts, The Inner Life

Simplicity in the Spiritual Life – The Inner Life – March 10, 2025

Patrick Conleyby Patrick Conley

Father Bobby Blood joins Patrick to discuss Simplicity in the Spiritual Life

  • What is simplicity?
  • (7:58) What are traps that interfere with our relationship with Jesus?
  • How do we know if we are needing to change something in our prayer life?
  • Albert – We go through life with battles and also the spirit world. Our Lord gives us gifts on his children. That’s the mystery. Our spiritual life is uniting each and every one of us to the Lord.

(20:06) Break 1

  • (21:48) Jonathan – When my conversion happened in 2016, had a spiritual director. Had a lot of zeal. My advisor suggested 1 or 2 devotions and try them for 6 months. if fruitful, continue, if not, try something else. Doing liturgy of the hours and the Jesus prayer. I have a lot of devotions if I need to make a change.
  • What is the difference between reciting prayers and praying?
  • What is contemplation and why does it matter?

(36:17) Break 2

  • Shelly – I have some devotions including divine mercy, Rosary. God’s will…what devotion do I do to get closer to God’s will?
  • (41:25) Walt – When I walk into church for Mass, I switch from seeing Him to listening. Then, I can live the words. This should be emphasized to all of us. You can’t get a lot without listening.
  • George – Cradle Catholic. I wanted to become a priest when I was young. Retired now. Now, I have a set of prayers I do every morning. Go to daily Mass. They always speak to me, doesn’t have to be the same prayer. I always get something from them and hear God speak to me. Study scripture throughout the day and journal.

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Patrick Conley

Patrick Conley

Patrick Conley was born, raised, and baptized in Wisconsin in a Protestant tradition. After meeting his wife, Kendra, through an Evangelical ministry at the University of Minnesota, they entered the Catholic Church in 2010. They listened to Relevant Radio, specifically The Inner Life, while preparing to enter the Church. Conley now holds a degree in theology from Oxford University and has served the Church in both academic theology and grassroots pastoral ministry. Conley teaches religion classes in a Catholic elementary school, serves as his parish Director of Religious Education, and is in formation for the permanent diaconate. He also hosts Practicing Catholic on Relevant Radio, exclusive to the Minneapolis area’s airwaves, and is a traveling presenter for the Catherine of Siena Institute apostolate. He lives in rural Wisconsin with his wife and their bulldogs, Georgie and Bingley.