In Podcasts, The Inner Life

Sunday Bible Study – The Inner Life – July 18, 2025

Patrick Conleyby Patrick Conley

Fr. Matthew Widder joins Patrick to have a Sunday Bible Study with the Nation

What is the context within this Sunday’s passage?

  • (6:36) Father proclaims the Sunday readings Gospel.
  • How do we know if we are doing good work?
  • Stephanie – I totally resonate with the home work thing because I’m 37 weeks pregnant and struggle with it and just trusting God.

(23:45) Break 1

  • Tom – I’d like to know what Father and Patrick think about the 2 images of discipleship with Martha being very busy and Mary sitting and listening. The postures and approaches when Jesus comes.
  • Patrick shares an email about the connection between this weeks Gospel and last week’s Gospel.
  • (23:45) Kelly – I tend to be more like Martha, but want to be more like Mary. Mary has put God first and Martha seems to be doing everything that needs to get done first. I know I need to get outside and weed, garden, etc. I don’t know how to resolve it. My husband isn’t Catholic and doesn’t feel prayer is a priority.

(37:54) Break 2

  • Ed – Watching the Chosen. When that part came up, I thought it was interesting they brought it up. Jesus came in and Martha said that. Apostles got up and helped with the food. Thought that was interesting.
  • David – Perspective on Martha. Want to make sure I’m in line with church teaching…My thought was Jesus didn’t correct Martha because she was busy, but corrected her because she was worried.
  • (43:40) Mary – I hate that reading because I’m so Martha! I’m always cooking, cleaning, preparing. I’m the one missing out on events because I’m doing all the prep work.
  • (45:45) Brittney – There have been seasons of my life where I have related to both. Getting older and having children has given me a better blend of the two in situations. I think our faith in the word of God available to us and also through the saints shows these women are two sides of the same coin. We can be offering our service and prayer as well. Motherhood and being a wife has taught me this.
  • Sunday as the litmus test for if we are really imitating Mary Properly.

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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.