Kresta in the Afternoon

The Second Vatican Council launched on October 11, 1961. Just a few days later, US reconnaissance aircraft confirmed the presence of Soviet missiles in Cuba, and the Cuban Missile Crisis began. Since then, much has changed in the world and the Church. Al shares his own thoughts on the legacy of Vatican II.

Carlo Acutis’ time on this earth only lasted about 15 years – but he made the most of that time. The boy who once described the Eucharist as his “highway to heaven” began documenting Eucharistic miracles and developed a website of miracles from all over the world. We celebrate his Feast and his love for the Eucharist with Corinna Turner.

The more voters learn about Proposal 3, the less they like it – even if they consider themselves Pro-Choice. Even the Detroit News has come out against it. There is a rally this Saturday at the Capitol in Lansing to continue to raise awareness. Dan Devine has the details.

In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus tells his disciples a parable about the necessity to pray always, without ceasing or becoming weary. This theme can be found throughout the Catechism – we take a look with Peggy Stanton.

Many modern secular thinkers, in an effort to criticize religion and belief in God, claim that all religions are essentially the same. This is, of course, preposterous and it only takes a basic understanding of what the different religions profess to see they are not at all the same. But understanding the similarities and differences is essential, both in strengthening our own faith and achieving dialogue with others. David Pinault joins us with a look at Islam and its connections to Christianity.

Today we celebrate the Feast of Pope John XXIII. Known as “good Pope John,” he has also been called one of the most misunderstood popes in history. Why? We talk about it with William Doino.

St. John XXIII died in June, but we celebrate his feast in October to mark the anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council. Most Catholics today can't remember the way the world and Church was on that day in 1962. It is tempting to think that, had the Council Fathers been more foresighted – more critical of modernity and less ebullient in their optimism – the catastrophes that have befallen the Church in the decades since could have been avoided, or at least greatly mitigated – but such thinking is mistaken. We'll take a Long View of Vatican II with Stephen White.

October has some outstanding feast days, including October 9 – the Feast of John Henry Newman. Newman was the founder of the Oxford Movement and one of the most profound thinkers of his time. We get to know him with Fr. Juan Velez.

When we consider Catholic spirituality, there are two words with deep meanings that tend to get tossed around: “Liturgy” and “Mysticism.” We tend to think of Liturgy as formalities such as the sacraments, practiced in public, and mysticism as the uncontrollable, private experiences. In other words, they are separate categories. So how could there be a “Liturgical Mysticism?” David Fagerberg joins us.

In his letter to the Romans, St. Paul writes that he is not ashamed of the Gospel, for it is the Power of God for the salvation of all who believe. What happens when we put our Hope in the Gospel – in the truth of the Resurrection – rather than in the weaknesses of Man? Al discusses.