Here’s a recap of this episode of The Inner Life where Patrick Conley and Fr. Joseph Johnson explore the powerful, personal presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives, all through the lens of Pentecost. 

 

You can listen to the entire hour here.

 

 

🕊️ What Even Is Pentecost?

 

Fr. Johnson kicks things off (or lets the Spirit do it 😄) by unpacking Pentecost:

 

"Pentecost" means fifty; it’s 50 days after Easter.

 

Jesus promised He’d send the Holy Spirit after His Ascension. And guess what? He actually meant it!

 

It wasn’t an easy goodbye. The apostles, still reeling from the trauma of the crucifixion and the rollercoaster joy of the Resurrection, had to trust that Jesus’ leaving was actually for their good. 

 

Real Talk: Jesus leaving felt like a loss, but it made room for something deeper... the indwelling of God Himself. Enter: the Holy Spirit.

 

 

🔥 The Holy Spirit Makes Bold Witnesses

 

Fr. Johnson explains:

 

Before Pentecost, the apostles were hiding.

 

After Pentecost, they were on fire and boldly preaching in public.

 

👉 Key Point: People don’t die for made-up myths. The apostles knew Jesus was real, and the Holy Spirit gave them the courage to stake their lives on it.

 

He calls Pentecost an inflection point, where God’s Spirit begins to dwell in us. 

 

 

Baptism: An Adoption

 

This was a theological mic-drop moment:

 

John the Baptist’s baptism = repentance.

 

Christian baptism = adoption. Identity. Power.

 

It’s about being filled. The Spirit doesn't just clean us up; He moves in and renovates the house 🏡.

 

 

Holiness Is Not Rule-Following

 

Fr. Johnson lovingly challenges the “checklist Catholic” mindset.

 

🎯 You’re not called to be a rule robot. You’re called to union with God. That means the spiritual life is mystical, not mechanical.

 

And yes, it’s mind-boggling. But it’s also the only thing worth living for.

 

 

🔥 Martyrs, Miracles, and Modern-Day Pentecost

 

Fr. Johnson tells a jaw-dropping story:

 

A priest in Iraq is captured by ISIS. A militant tries to behead him... but can’t, because something is holding his arm back. 

 

That, folks, is the Holy Spirit in real-time. Not just 2,000 years ago... but today.

 

“Red is for the blood of martyrs... and for the Holy Spirit. Because you can't have one without the other.”

 

Martyrdom doesn’t come from raw courage. It comes from supernatural grace.

 

 

💡 So... How Do You Let the Holy Spirit Transform You?

 

Fr. Johnson says:

 

🗓️ Start with your morning: “Thank you, Lord, for this day. I give it back to You.”

 

💬 Be attentive: Every moment is an opportunity to love, serve, and be transformed. 

 

🔥 Avoid distractions: We often “tame” the Spirit, giving Him our scraps of time. But He’s not looking for a cameo; He wants to lead the whole show.

 

🎯 Big Truth: You are called to spiritual greatness. Not maybe. Not later. Now.

 

 

✝️ Final Challenge: No More Comfortable Mediocrity

 

Fr. Johnson ends with a spiritual gut-punch (in the best way):

 

“To say ‘I could never be like the Saints’ is a cop-out. And worse... it’s an insult to the Holy Spirit within you.”

 

Let that one marinate.

 

You’re not meant to coast through life hoping for heaven. You’re meant to set the world on fire. 🔥

 

As St. Catherine of Siena said: "Be who God made you to be, and you will set the world on fire."

 

 

The best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.

Here&rsquo;s a recap of this episode of The Inner Life where Patrick Conley and Fr. Joseph Johnson explore the powerful, personal presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives, all through the lens of Pentecost.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
You can listen to the entire hour <a href="https://relevantradio.com/2025/06/pentecost-the-inner-life-june-6-2025/">here</a>.
&nbsp;
<hr data-start="406" data-end="409">
&nbsp;
🕊️ What Even&nbsp;Is Pentecost?
&nbsp;
Fr. Johnson kicks things off (or lets the Spirit do it 😄) by unpacking Pentecost:
&nbsp;
"Pentecost" means&nbsp;fifty; it&rsquo;s 50 days after Easter.
&nbsp;
Jesus promised He&rsquo;d send the Holy Spirit after His Ascension. And guess what? He actually meant it!
&nbsp;
It wasn&rsquo;t an easy goodbye. The apostles, still reeling from the trauma of the crucifixion and the rollercoaster joy of the Resurrection, had to trust that Jesus&rsquo; leaving was&nbsp;actually for their good.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
<blockquote data-start="909" data-end="1056">
Real Talk: Jesus leaving felt like a loss, but it made room for something deeper... the&nbsp;indwelling of God Himself. Enter: the Holy Spirit.
&nbsp;
</blockquote>
<hr data-start="1058" data-end="1061">
&nbsp;
🔥 The Holy Spirit Makes Bold Witnesses
&nbsp;
Fr. Johnson explains:
&nbsp;
Before Pentecost, the apostles were hiding.
&nbsp;
After Pentecost, they were on fire and boldly preaching in public.
&nbsp;
👉 Key Point: People don&rsquo;t die for made-up myths. The apostles knew Jesus was real, and the Holy Spirit gave them the courage to stake their lives on it.
&nbsp;
He calls Pentecost an inflection point, where God&rsquo;s Spirit begins to dwell in us.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
<hr data-start="1611" data-end="1614">
&nbsp;
Baptism: An Adoption
&nbsp;
This was a theological mic-drop moment:
&nbsp;
John the Baptist&rsquo;s baptism = repentance.
&nbsp;
Christian baptism = adoption. Identity. Power.
&nbsp;
It&rsquo;s about&nbsp;being filled. The Spirit doesn't just clean us up; He moves in and renovates the house 🏡.
&nbsp;
<hr data-start="1947" data-end="1950">
&nbsp;
Holiness Is Not Rule-Following
&nbsp;
Fr. Johnson lovingly challenges the &ldquo;checklist Catholic&rdquo; mindset.
&nbsp;
🎯 You&rsquo;re not called to be a rule robot. You&rsquo;re called to union with God. That means the spiritual life is mystical, not mechanical.
&nbsp;
And yes, it&rsquo;s mind-boggling. But it&rsquo;s also the only thing worth living for.
&nbsp;
<hr data-start="2373" data-end="2376">
&nbsp;
🔥 Martyrs, Miracles, and Modern-Day Pentecost
&nbsp;
Fr. Johnson tells a jaw-dropping story:
&nbsp;
A priest in Iraq is captured by ISIS. A militant tries to behead him... but can&rsquo;t, because&nbsp;something is holding his arm back.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
That, folks, is the Holy Spirit in real-time. Not just 2,000 years ago... but&nbsp;today.
&nbsp;
<blockquote data-start="2693" data-end="2802">
&ldquo;Red is for the blood of martyrs... and for the Holy Spirit. Because you can't have one without the other.&rdquo;
&nbsp;
</blockquote>
Martyrdom doesn&rsquo;t come from raw courage. It comes from supernatural grace.
&nbsp;
<hr data-start="2882" data-end="2885">
&nbsp;
💡 So... How Do&nbsp;You Let the Holy Spirit Transform You?
&nbsp;
Fr. Johnson says:
&nbsp;
🗓️ Start with your morning: &ldquo;Thank you, Lord, for this day. I give it back to You.&rdquo;
&nbsp;
💬 Be attentive: Every moment is an opportunity to love, serve, and be transformed.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
🔥 Avoid distractions: We often &ldquo;tame&rdquo; the Spirit, giving Him our scraps of time. But He&rsquo;s not looking for a cameo; He wants to&nbsp;lead the whole show.
&nbsp;
🎯 Big Truth: You are called to spiritual greatness. Not maybe. Not later. Now.
&nbsp;
<hr data-start="3423" data-end="3426">
&nbsp;
✝️ Final Challenge: No More Comfortable Mediocrity
&nbsp;
Fr. Johnson ends with a spiritual gut-punch (in the best way):
&nbsp;
<blockquote data-start="3547" data-end="3664">
&ldquo;To say &lsquo;I could never be like the Saints&rsquo; is a cop-out. And worse... it&rsquo;s an insult to the Holy Spirit within you.&rdquo;
</blockquote>
&nbsp;
Let that one marinate.
&nbsp;
You&rsquo;re not meant to coast through life hoping for heaven. You&rsquo;re meant to set the world on fire. 🔥
&nbsp;
As St. Catherine of Siena said: "Be who God made you to be, and you will set the world on fire."
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
The&nbsp;best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It&rsquo;s free and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out <a href="https://relevantradio.com/listen/get-the-app/">here</a>.

Life can get busy, and it's easy to miss out on the captivating moments from your favorite Relevant Radio shows. But now, we've got you covered! "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" brings you the crème de la crème of Relevant Radio's programming. We carefully curate and compile the most engaging and relevant content from the past week, just for you! Get ready to catch up on faith, culture, current events, and personal growth, all in one convenient and easily accessible podcast. It's like having a front-row seat to the most compelling moments from Relevant Radio's diverse range of shows. So, whether you're an active Relevant Radio listener or new to our programming, "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" is your passport to a world of knowledge, growth, and inspiration.

Life can get busy, and it's easy to miss out on the captivating moments from your favorite Relevant Radio shows. But now, we've got you covered! "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" brings you the crème de la crème of Relevant Radio's programming. We carefully curate and compile the most engaging and relevant content from the past week, just for you! Get ready to catch up on faith, culture, current events, and personal growth, all in one convenient and easily accessible podcast. It's like having a front-row seat to the most compelling moments from Relevant Radio's diverse range of shows. So, whether you're an active Relevant Radio listener or new to our programming, "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" is your passport to a world of knowledge, growth, and inspiration.

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