The Patrick Madrid Show

Patrick Madrid explains the idea of infinite regression: basically, the concept of an endless chain of causes, and how it points to the existence of God.    The Train Analogy:   Imagine you're sitting at a train crossing, waiting for the world's longest train to pass. Car after car zooms by. Each train car is being pulled by the one in front of it, but NONE of these cars are moving under their own power. What gives?    Somewhere way up front, there HAS to be a locomotive: the unmoved mover... pulling the whole train. Without it, the entire line of train cars would be stuck. The same principle applies to the universe: you can’t have an endless line of “movers” (or causes) without something at the very beginning giving everything its first push. And that is God.    Infinite regression (the idea of “it just goes back forever, no big deal”) is, as Patrick puts it, a logical impossibility. It’s like claiming the train just goes on forever without an engine. Nope. Not happening.   The Paintbrush Analogy:   This one’s for the art fans! Imagine a paintbrush painting a canvas. The brush creates beautiful strokes, but it’s only moving because someone: a painter... is guiding it. Now, what if the brush is part of a longer stick? Let’s say it’s a foot long… or 20 feet… or as long as a football field. What if the stick just keeps going forever without a painter? That’s absurd.   The same goes for creation: if there’s no “painter” (God) behind the brush (creation), then the painting (the universe) can’t exist. God is the ultimate painter, the one who gives creation its existence and beauty.   What About Infinite Regression?   Patrick explains that atheists, like Richard Dawkins, often try to argue for some other explanation: like “dark matter” or even, hilariously, aliens seeding life on Earth. But here’s the problem: all of these “answers” just kick the can down the road. Where did the dark matter come from? Who created the aliens? It’s begging the question, a fancy philosophical term that means dodging the real issue by postponing it.    If you keep asking “what caused THAT?” at some point, you must land on an uncaused cause: something (or someone) that exists without needing a cause. That’s God. Simple as that.    The Five Ways to Prove God Exists:   Patrick gives a shoutout to Aristotle and St. Thomas Aquinas, who developed five logical ways to explain God’s existence. They’re not “scientific proof” like you’d see in a lab, but they’re rock-solid philosophical arguments. These “Five Ways” look at things like cause and effect, motion, contingency, and design in the universe: all of which point to a necessary first cause: God.    He recommends Peter Kreeft’s "Handbook of Catholic Apologetics" (co-authored with Fr. Ron Tacelli) as a go-to resource. If you want to strengthen your faith, it’s must-read.    Final Thoughts:   Whether it’s the train, the paintbrush, or Aquinas’ Five Ways, these are tools to help us understand why belief in God isn’t just reasonable: it’s the only explanation that makes sense.    So, the next time someone says, “But what caused God?” just smile and remind them: God is the engine, not another train car. 

Patrick discusses the illegal immigration issue after an email disagrees with his position as callers share their position which includes how parents learned English and also how cartels and gang bangers want to enter the country too. He also answers questions about Mary not in the line of David and the Come Holy Spirit prayer. Patrick responds to an email from Angela who disagrees with him on illegal immigration as she says that he shouldn’t espouse his views on the air. (1:08) Patrick-Mary was not in the line of David and yet has Jesus. How is that? (5:56) Chinto-Shares how his parents got their paperwork done and that they learned English.  (10:20) E-Frank-Can a church donate to another church? Does God allow that? (18:08) Carlos-That there are cartels and gang bangers who want to get into this country too (23:10) Patrick discusses the measures the Vatican is taking for illegal entry (27:51) Kip-In the prayer 'Come Holy Spirit' line that says 'and they will be created' what does 'they mean'` (39:39) Casey-Responding to Angela as he says she wants to separate the spirit of the law from the law itself, regarding illegal immigration (45:28) Viola-Concerned about her children not going to mass, and that they may go to hell (48:20) Resources mentioned: https://catholiconline.news/vatican-city/vatican-increases-sanctions-for-illegal-entry-to-strengthen-security/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veni_Creator_Spiritus

Patrick takes a number of calls regarding immigration ranging from if consulates are closed, to separating families and about a statute of limitations analogy with illegal immigration. Also Patrick played some audio from several years ago from Hilary Clinton and Nancy Pelosi talking about illegal immigration. Joe-Says that American consulates are closed and if you want to apply for a visa (1:07) Jose-He came here illegally and explains that it is hard for people to come here legally (12:21) Patrick expands on a caller about the Come Holy Spirit prayer as he talks about Psalm 104 (20:30) Patrick plays different clips from Hilary Clinton and Nancy Pelosi talking about the borders and illegal immigration that sound conservative (24:03) Delores- I am a teacher and really feel that we need to have some leeway. I have children whose parents were deported. this will separate families. (31:03) Patrick makes an analogy between illegal immigration and embezzling money from your company and a statute of limitations (38:37) Mary-The difficulties of becoming a legal resident as her husband came here illegally. (43:24)

Patrick takes calls regarding illegal immigration about what to do when people come here because of abuse, and also about comparing the immigration situation to Brazil and extending grace for immigrants. He also counsels a listener who has a transgender sibling and how to deal with that as she has young kids. Samantha- How do I prayerfully deal with sibling in 30s who is trans woman. I have 2 young girls and how do I nicely say this person can't be around my family. (3:13) Carlos- Wife came here illegally at age 3 as her mom escaped physical abuse (12:48) Anna- She came here legally and doesn’t agree with amnesty and people coming here legally would be put on the backburner. (19:04) Martin-  We should talk about grace and extending grace when talking about illegal immigration (25:45) Miguel- If we are truly Christians and follow what Jesus wants us to do in this world, we can't put limits on that love. We are supposed to love our neighbor. I hope we can look at immigration this way.  (31:54) Richard- Disagrees with Patrick regarding illegal immigration and thinks he doesn’t take different points of views. (42:59) Resources: Trans: When Ideology Meets Reality: https://oneworld-publications.com/work/trans/ When Harry met Sally:  https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/when-harry-became-sally-ryan-t-anderson/1125792437

Patrick shares his thoughts on the immigration situation as a caller is worried about people being deported. And he talks about investing in socially conservative funds and the balance between investing in those funds and regular funds that might not be aligned with Catholic values. Patrick shared about the Comunita Cenaclo Rehab Center that many have asked about. (0:38) Amanda about using socially conservative mutual funds and should be obligated to use them even if they don’t perform as well than non-socially conservative mutual funds (9:14) Anna-Can you explain the 3rd Luminous Mystery to me, 'The Proclamation of the Kingdom'? (20:26) Dolores-I am concerned about the good immigrants that might get deported. how will we distinguish between good and bad people? (24:30) Steve-Disagrees with Patrick on his views of immigration (41:41) Resources mentioned:  https://www.avemariafunds.com/ https://www.hopereborn.org/ https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/apost_letters/2002/documents/hf_jp-ii_apl_20021016_rosarium-virginis-mariae.html

Patrick takes more calls regarding the immigration issue which include two callers at the same time having a conversation as one came to the country legally and one illegally.  Another caller shared a story about her father having to learn English from Slovakia and a law enforcement officer sharing his experience with illegal immigrants. Cindy-Shares her father’s story of immigrating to the United States and having to learn English (0:49) Don-If someone is in trouble and want asylum, we should help but many don't qualify. We should not allow people to cheat the system. (8:08) Richard-I’m in law enforcement and a good amount of crimes committed by illegal immigrants (12:56) Chuck-at Catholic funeral for priest, they were burning sage, doing smudging practice and doing some odd things. I walked out, what do you think? Was it right to leave? (16:05) Cindy-it is important to help people as Christians. but God gave us intelligence to make laws. (21:06) Myra joins Cindy to talk about her story of coming here illegally and Myra and Cindy have a fascinating discussing about immigration(24:42) T.J. –Shares his thoughts on illegal immigration ranging from the school system to the economy (40:22) Ignacio-Shares his thoughts of coming to the country legally (49:19)

Patrick takes more call on illegal immigrations as various callers share their thoughts on the issue ranging from infrastructure, comparing Jesus and Mary and also someone who’s about to be a citizen right after her phone call.  Nayela-Shares her story of her mom entering country illegally and was in jail for 2-3 weeks (10:29) Tate-Do we have the infrastructure to handle everybody coming into the country (16:43)  Judy-Comparing the immigration situation to when Joseph and Mary had to register for the census and they were obedient to the law.   (25:14) Carlos-Shares his experience of living on the border (28:38) Miriam-Calling in from the courthouse about to become an American citizen and the experience of immigration in Europe. (30:33) Wally-Immigrated from Cameroon and everybody uses the resources entitled to them, as the resources in her country were taken by the very few but the country is getting better and wants to go back. (38:22)

Patrick discusses an email regarding what is a valid and invalid marriage and the importance of getting married in the Church as a Catholic and getting your marriage blessed.  He educates the audience about the existence of God and infinite regression.  And takes a couple calls regarding his writings from Envoy Magazine and Surprised by Truth. Gail asks a question about Sedevacantists and Society of St. Pius X and their differences (1:13) Miles asks a question about exorcists (3:49) Chris asks a question about a valid marriage and getting married in the Church. (6:31) Tim is studying for the diaconate and wants to know about infinite regression and the existence of God (19:52) Pat asks if it’s a mortal sin by not keeping the one hour fast for communion (35:18) James asks about his book “Surprised by Truth” and the difference between the red cover and purple cover (41:00) Randall asks who would be the J.R.R. Tolkien of our day (43:14) Aaron wants proof that the Catholic Church was founded by Christ (47:58) Book Recommendations this hour:  Surprised by Truth: https://tanbooks.com/products/books/surprised-by-truth-11-converts-give-the-biblical-and-historical-reasons-for-becoming-catholic/?srsltid=AfmBOoopB3AGVqSKU-nn5tzb-5RCmJWvK9tiW_J_jxU7VYmHa1o1iNDA Handbook of Catholic Apologetics: https://ignatius.com/handbook-of-catholic-apologetics-hcatap/

Patrick talks with Phil who starts off asking if non-Catholics will go to hell to how was the Catholic Church founded and priests being celibate. Also discusses what to do about a Catholic charity that gives out Target gift cards and why Catholics were told not to read the Bible. Barbara is curious why the tree of the knowledge of good and evil exist in the Garden of Eden? (1:57) Phil calls in and asks if the Catholic Church believes that non-Catholics will go to hell (10:32) Emailer asks which Surprised by Truth to recommend (23:26) Gail is asking about donating to a specific Catholic charity but they’re giving gift cards to Target (30:45) Andre wants to know if Patrick watched the Mel Gibson interview w/Joe Rogan (38:31) Mark is curious about how can people make a false God out of saints (39:45) Tony on why Catholics were told not to read the Bible (46:24) Book Recommendation: Warren Carroll, the History of Christendom and History of the Catholic Church by James Hitchcock Theology of Beginners by Frank Sheed https://ignatius.com/theology-for-beginners-tbep/

Patrick responds to an email about removing life support Ken - You mentioned that a priest should wear a stole during confession. Is a confession valid if they do not? (06:51) What are the Valid forms of matter for the sacraments? (09:59) Mike - My sister is fallen away Catholic. Is there an Audio Book you could recommend for her to listen to? She cites Luke 9: 49-50 this as a source that Jesus didn't care what type of Christian you were. How do I respond? (15:42) Grace – Is there something called a “Dry Mass?” Mark - Can someone go to mass twice a day on a regular basis to receive Jesus twice? (25:59) Patrick - I am struggling with sin and have been trying to go to confession weekly. Last week I felt really distant but after confession I felt like it pulled me back. (27:44) Roger - I have only made one confession in my 40 years of being a Catholic. Should I set up a time to have confession with a priest or just go at the normal time and stand in line? (32:54) Teresa - Is there a limit to how many people can be announced for the mass intentions? (38:47) Anna - Are spouses living in sin if their marriage should be annulled? (43:05) Dan - How should I read the Bible? (46:40)