Image via Renata Sedmakova / Shutterstock.


On this podcast episode of The Inner Life, Patrick Conley sits down with Fr. Peter Armenio, an Opus Dei priest and retreat master, to talk about St. Mary Magdalene, and what her story can teach us about real friendship with Christ. 💛

You can listen to the entire hour about friendship with Christ here.

Friendship with Christ - What Does it Look Like?

According to Fr. Peter, friendship with Christ is something personal, life-changing, and deeply transformative — just like it was for St. Mary Magdalene.

💔 St. Mary Magdalene’s Messy Start... and Glorious Finish

Let’s not forget:
Mary Magdalene didn’t come onto the scene as a saint. 🙈

Fr. Peter notes she’s basically a mirror of our modern culture:

✅ Hedonism

✅ Confusion about morality

✅ Family dysfunction

✅ Total ignorance of faith

And yet... Jesus called her, loved her, and transformed her. 😭🙌

📍 Magdalene Moments That Define Friendship with Jesus

-She stayed.
When the apostles ran from the cross, Mary stayed. That’s loyalty. That’s friendship. 🩸

-She wept.
Her love for Jesus was personal and emotional. 💧💔

-She was the first to witness the Resurrection.
Jesus could’ve chosen anyone, but He chose her.

Can I Be Friends with Jesus Like That?

Absolutely.

Catholics in the world today — especially young people — are craving that kind of friendship. Fr. Peter shares how today’s “reverts” and converts are flooding confession lines, soaking up adoration, learning the Rosary… not just for ritual’s sake, but because they’re meeting Jesus in the sacraments. 

They want Jesus — not just going through the motions. That starts with an encounter.

Magdalene-Style Friendship 

-A passionate love for Jesus

-A willingness to stick around when things get dark

-A readiness to bring others to Him, too

Fr. Peter connects her with the Samaritan woman too — another “unlikely evangelist” whose encounter with Christ lit her on fire. These women converted because they met Jesus. Once they did, they couldn’t stop talking about Him. 

A Final Word: You Can Be That Close to Him, Too.

Jesus wants you.

And if you’ve messed up?
Been far from the Church?
Feel unworthy?

You’re exactly the kind of person Jesus seems to be drawn to. Just ask Mary Magdalene.

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.

Image via Renata Sedmakova / Shutterstock. 
<hr>
On this podcast episode of&nbsp;The Inner Life, Patrick Conley sits down with Fr. Peter Armenio, an Opus Dei priest and retreat master, to talk about St. Mary Magdalene, and what her story can teach&nbsp;us about real friendship with Christ. 💛
You can listen to the entire hour about friendship with Christ&nbsp;<a href="https://relevantradio.com/2025/07/friendship-with-christ-the-inner-life-july-22-2025/">here</a>.
<hr data-start="585" data-end="588">
Friendship with Christ - What Does it Look Like?
According to Fr. Peter, friendship with Christ is something personal, life-changing, and deeply transformative &mdash; just like it was for St. Mary Magdalene.
<hr data-start="1027" data-end="1030">
💔 St. Mary Magdalene&rsquo;s Messy Start... and Glorious Finish
Let&rsquo;s not forget: Mary Magdalene didn&rsquo;t come onto the scene as a saint.&nbsp;🙈
Fr. Peter notes she&rsquo;s basically a mirror of our modern culture:
✅ Hedonism
✅ Confusion about morality
✅ Family dysfunction
✅ Total ignorance of faith
And yet... Jesus called her, loved her, and transformed her. 😭🙌
<hr data-start="1479" data-end="1482">
📍 Magdalene Moments That Define Friendship with Jesus
-She stayed. When the apostles ran from the cross, Mary stayed. That&rsquo;s loyalty. That&rsquo;s friendship. 🩸
-She wept. Her love for Jesus was personal and emotional.&nbsp;💧💔
-She was the first to witness the Resurrection. Jesus could&rsquo;ve chosen anyone, but He chose her.
<hr data-start="2001" data-end="2004">
Can I Be Friends with Jesus Like That?
Absolutely.
Catholics in the world today &mdash; especially young people &mdash; are craving that kind of friendship. Fr. Peter shares how today&rsquo;s &ldquo;reverts&rdquo; and converts are flooding confession lines, soaking up adoration, learning the Rosary&hellip; not just for ritual&rsquo;s sake, but because they&rsquo;re meeting Jesus in the sacraments.&nbsp;
They want Jesus &mdash; not just going through the motions. That starts with an encounter.
<hr data-start="2562" data-end="2565">
Magdalene-Style Friendship 
-A passionate love for Jesus
-A willingness to stick around when things get dark
-A readiness to bring&nbsp;others to Him, too
Fr. Peter connects her with the Samaritan woman too &mdash; another &ldquo;unlikely evangelist&rdquo; whose encounter with Christ lit her on fire. These women converted because they&nbsp;met Jesus. Once they did, they couldn&rsquo;t stop talking about Him.&nbsp;
<hr data-start="3045" data-end="3048">
A Final Word: You Can Be That Close to Him, Too.
Jesus&nbsp;wants you.
And if you&rsquo;ve messed up? Been far from the Church? Feel unworthy?
You&rsquo;re exactly the kind of person Jesus seems to be drawn to. Just ask Mary Magdalene.
<hr data-start="3384" data-end="3387">
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.