Kresta in the Afternoon

Dr. Ronen Shoval was in the synagogue on the morning of Saturday, October 7 when his Rabbi suddenly stopped the prayers and began to weep. He announced that a war had just broken out in Israel with at least 100 people dead. It soon became clear that the numbers were much higher – but numbers are only the beginning of the story. Ronen has just returned from Israel and he joins us with more.

As civilian deaths mount in Gaza, activists and protestors are accusing Israel as being equally immoral to Hamas. But the moral difference between those who unintentionally kill civilians in defending themselves against aggression, and those who deliberately target women and babies is night and day. Al has more.

We spoke last week with Steve Ray, celebrating October’s Month of the Rosary by examining the history behind the Mysteries of the Rosary. Where was Jesus baptized? What was it like when Mary visited Elizabeth? What did Jesus suffer in the Sorrowful Mysteries? Our conversation ran short, so Steve is back to continue the discussion.

This Sunday’s Gospel explores three characteristics: humility, authenticity, and hypocrisy. Jesus condemns the scribes and Pharisees who do not practice what they preach and warns us that the greatest among us will one day be the servant. We talk more about it with Peggy Stanton.

Today the Church observes All Souls Day. Why should we celebrate those who have passed on? What is the Catholic view of the meaning of Death? Randall Smith joins us.

On bad days, it’s easy for us to start believing in the lies of the world that inhibit our path to Holiness. Al shares some thoughts, and then examines what Joseph Ratzinger wrote about death and All Souls Day.

As Catholics, we are all called to be saints. We can choose to live a life of sanctity, aiming for perfect conformity with Christ – or we can aim for the opposite. What does a life lived in this matter look like? On this All Saints Day, Al shares some thoughts.

What happens when we have the courage to collaborate with God and pursue our truest self? The result is a life and light that keeps shining long after our mission on earth is complete, and we see it through the lives of the saints. We look at how the Saints have responded to this call with Matthew Kelly.

It’s easy to look at the saints as paragons of virtue and holiness, and forget that they were real people who faced real struggle, temptation, and doubt. Fr. Thomas Dubay wrote extensively on the saints as examples of everyday holiness. We look back on a conversation with him today.

How does a better understanding of Catholicism enhance our understanding of the modern world? Beginning with the French Revolution, John McGreevy helps us understand the path the Church has taken over the last two centuries and the complex role the Church has played as both a shaper and follower in global politics. By understanding our history, we may better understand how to approach the challenges we are facing today.