Defying Despair and Holding on to Hope (The Inner Life with Patrick Conley)

This episode of The Inner Life with Patrick Conley and Fr. Rob Kroll can give you so much inspiration! It's about hope, despair, and how both are actual choices, not just feelings.    Be sure to hear the whole episode! Wait… Despair Is a Choice?   Yep! Fr. Rob explains this using St. Thomas Aquinas' wisdom:   Despair = Losing hope completely, thinking you’re beyond saving. 😞   Presumption = Thinking you don’t need saving at all. 😬   Neither of these extremes is good! The goal? Hope, which sits right in the middle. It’s the belief that, yes, salvation is possible, but it requires effort and God’s grace working together.   “My Sins Are Too Big for God” – Said No Saint Ever 🫣➡️😇   Fr. Rob pulls out a great example from The Mission. Robert De Niro’s character murders his own brother and feels totally beyond redemption. But with the help of a Jesuit priest, he embarks on a grueling journey of repentance: literally dragging his past behind him. That’s hope in action.   The Spiritual Life = A Fight, But You’re Not Alone 🙏   Patrick and Fr. Rob remind us: ✔️ Even if you’ve struggled with the same sin for years, keep fighting. God’s mercy never runs out. ✔️ Confession is a powerhouse of hope; it’s the ultimate reset button. 💯 ✔️ The Eucharist is our fuel: It strengthens us for the journey.   Judas vs. Peter: Two Outcomes, One Choice   Judas despaired and lost hope. Peter also betrayed Jesus, but instead of giving up, he ran back to the Lord. The difference? Hope.   Bottom line: If you’re still breathing, it’s not too late. God’s mercy is bigger than your worst sin. Go to confession. Receive the Eucharist. And never, ever choose despair. 💙✨   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.