Kresta in the Afternoon

We’re learning more about the background of the Uvalde school shooter. He was living with his grandparents after leaving his mother’s home over an argument and his parents had been separated for several years. He reportedly had a strained relationship with both of them. How many other shooters come from similar backgrounds? Brad Wilcox joins us.

The Ascension of Jesus into the presence of the Father reveals that while our existence necessarily involves this present world, it most certainly does not end with this present world. We talk more with Fr. Matthew MacDonald.

In an essay on storytelling published this week, Pope Francis quotes Frodo in the Lord of the Rings: “The Tales Never End.” We take the opportunity to discuss the faith of Tolkien with Joe Pearce, who also looks at the strange life of Oscar Wilde.

At a press conference today Steven McCraw, director of the Texas Department for Public Safety, clarified what we all have been wondering for nearly a week – why didn’t the police immediately breach the school when they arrived on scene? He explained the team made decisions based on their current understanding of the situation, but in retrospect those decisions were the wrong ones. As Christians we may wonder – what was Jesus doing during this horrible time when 19 of His children were dying painful, terrifying deaths? Al joins Marcus.

On Sunday, the results of a major independent investigation of sexual abuse in the Southern Baptist Church was published. The findings are devastating. Terry Mattingly gives us some info.

At the time of the Ascension, Jesus had prepared His disciples for something big to happen. But immediately after the Ascension, the Disciples did not being preaching – they went to pray. Al discusses.

Today we celebrate the great Solemnity of the Ascension. On this Feast we can remember that the Lord has gone to prepare a place for us, and that eye has not seen what God has ready for us. We look at the Ascension and the Catechism with Peggy Stanton.

In the aftermath of mass shootings, it's common to portray the perpetrator as a madman disconnected from reality. But Mark Follman has studied scores of shootings and has found that shooters don't suddenly snap - they make a decision and make a plan. Understanding this can help us prevent the next attack. He joins us.

In John 12, Jesus meets some Greeks who said they wanted to see him. In response, Jesus predicted his death and that the Father’s name would be glorified. What does it mean to say that Jesus shows us the way to the Father? Al discusses.

There is no greater horror for a parent than to bury their child, especially under such violent circumstances. Al looks at two other school shootings – the Amish school shooting and Sandy Hook – and how people from those communities were able to come to forgive their attackers.