Kresta in the Afternoon

Many Americans think of slavery as their nation's original sin. But in truth, slavery has involved peoples and cultures and countries far beyond the United States. Slavery is as old as human history itself. And yet, the one living institution that has condemned slavery longer and more consistently than any other is the Roman Catholic Church. Paul Kengor joins us.

Although fatal shark attacks on humans are rare, sharks still hold a special place in our imagination. Jaws was once the highest-grossing film of all time, and last week's Shark Week prompted tv specials and other events.

On July 12, the California State Board of Education adopted a new K-12 math program that is built on themes of “equity.” This is manifested by changing how math principles are taught, and making political issues the subject of a math class. Dr. Williamson Evers has more.

Are you holding back on seeking God, waiting for him to appear in a monumental flash of light? You don't need to. You can discover the unexpected beauty of God's presence in the most ordinary things - doing chores, walking in the woods or even preparing breakfast. We'll talk about these "ordinary" God moments with Andy Otto.

July 29, 1805 is the birthday of Alexis de Tocqueville. Who was he and why do we care? Tocqueville was a French political thinker best known for his Democracy in America. His work on the role of the state and democracy reveal amazing things about the role the Church has played in the betterment of human lives. We talk more with Bill Cook

In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus continues His discourse on the Kingdom of Heaven, likening it to the merchant who sells all he owns to buy the pearl of great price, or the person who sells all their possessions to buy a field containing a buried treasure. Peggy Stanton helps us unpack it.

Luther’s 95 Theses is known for its attack on the Church's practice of indulgences. Now, Mary Moorman argues that the theology Luther practiced actually validated the logic of indulgences and that, taken in proper context, indulgences are an incredible witness to the Church's covenant with Christ. She joins us with more and also shares the story of her own personal conversion.

Our parishes are more than collections of families and individuals – they are cultures. This culture is a worldview that includes how we look at reality and live our lives as Catholics. And, when cultivated properly, our parishes form a culture that is uniquely Eucharistic. Tim O’Malley has identified four dimensions that help build this culture. He joins us.

The film Oppenheimer raises some important moral and political questions beyond the story of the atomic bomb. Can “great” men be “good?” Why do great men so often fail as husbands and fathers? What happens when a scientist does not understand his vocation? We talk about it with Kody Cooper.

Catholics all over the world are preparing to travel to Portugal for next week’s World Youth Day events. Matthew Bunson will be there and he gives us a preview, and also discusses the latest on the Synod.