Kresta in the Afternoon

When Msgr. Hilary Franco was a young priest, he served as an assistant to Bishop Fulton J Sheen and was with him during the Second Vatican Council. 60 years later, he may be the only priest alive who witnessed those events firsthand. He joins us to share his memories.

We all hunger to live in a more just world and most of us are working in some way or another to promote justice. But what is justice? And does it differ from social justice? Dr. Robert Whaples joins us.

A New York Times column recently suggested that Dorothy Day’s cause for sainthood may be delayed because Church leaders are uncomfortable with her politics. Al responds and asks if “right” and “left” can be used to describe our political divisions.

October is the month of the Rosary. Each of the Mysteries of the Rosary commemorates a monumental event in the life of Jesus – but have we ever stopped to really think about the people and places that were part of those Mysteries? Steve Ray joins us today to do that.

In Romans 11:29, St. Paul writes that “the Gifts and Callings of God are irrevocable.” What does that mean for God’s covenant with the Jewish people and promise of the Land of Israel? Dr. Larry Feingold joins us.

In a 1946 radio address, Pope Pius XII diagnosed one of the great problems in modern society – we have lost our sense of sin. Pope Francis echoed this point as well, warning us not to be like King David, who was blind to his own sin until the prophet Nathan opened his eyes. As Christians, it is our duty to fraternally correct our brothers and sisters when necessary. We talk about it with Stephen W...

When the medieval theologian Thomas Aquinas addressed the best arguments against God in his masterwork, the Summa Theologica, he listed only two. The first was the problem of evil: How can God ― who is perfectly good ― exist alongside that which is against Him? His second: Is God really needed to explain the world? Today, Pat Flynn joins us with the best arguments for God.

In this Sunday’s Gospel the Pharisees attempt to entrap Jesus by asking him if it is lawful to pay the census tax, to which Jesus famously responds to Render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s. Peggy Stanton joins us with her thoughts.

Today we celebrate the Feast of St. Luke the Evangelist. Fr. Pablo Gadenz joins us with a close look at his Gospel, highlighting its themes and connecting it to the Old Testament.

The Reformation is one of the most misunderstood and challenging periods in religious history and the problems start with the term itself. There was not one “Reformation” but multiple Reformations occurring over two centuries, which all influenced each other. Carlos Eire gives us an overview of how they played out.

We hear often from listeners who want to thank Dr Ray Guarendi for the lessons he has taught them and their kids. But Ray would point to his own kids for many of the lessons he has learned. He explains why.

In his new memoir, Star Trek’s William Shatner recounts a recent trip he took into outer space: “when I looked into space, there was no mystery, not majestic awe to behold…all I saw was death.” For ages, scientists have asked why Earth has the very specific conditions necessary to support life. We talk more about this idea of the “goldilocks universe” with Karl Giberson.

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.

There are seven sacraments administered in the Catholic Church. What are they, and what do they do? Why do human beings require sacramentalized, visible realities to seal their confession of faith in Jesus Christ? Why does the Catholic Church administer the sacraments in the way that it does? Fr. Romanus Cessario joins us to unpack the mysteries of the sacraments.

When Monica Miller and her family visited Rome in 2004, they wanted to meet John Paul II – but it didn’t quite work out. A few months later, he died – and then Monica had a remarkable dream. She shares the story.

In the 20th century, three social revolutions--industrial, sexual, and technological--challenged the religious convictions of many. John Paul II's teaching on the Theology of the Body was his response to the resulting societal shifts. On this 45th anniversary of John Paul II’s election, Msgr. Brian Bransfield explores his reactions to the challenges raised by these revolutions.

This week and next, the Synod on Synodality is focusing on issues like LGBTQ inclusion and the possibility of opening the diaconate to women — some of the most contentious matters on the gathering’s monthlong agenda. But contrary to what some may have assumed, not all of the synod’s 364 delegates will have a chance to weigh in on these topics equally. Matthew Bunson has an update.

In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus likens the Kingdom of Heaven to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son, but none of the invited guests showed up. We unpack its teachings with Peggy Stanton.

The book of Revelation states that Satan has declared war on “those who keep the commandments of God and bear testimony to Jesus.” For those who love our Lord Jesus Christ and strive to follow Him, we must contend with a powerful enemy who is out to destroy us and everyone we love. Are you prepared for this battle? Fr. Ken Geraci joins us.

On Sunday we will celebrate the feast of the great Doctor of the Church, St. Teresa of Avila. We get to know more about her with Anthony Lilles.

Everywhere you look, the world is asking us where we find our identity, whether it be in race, nationality, political allegiance, or sexual orientation. What happens when we rediscover an identity that is rooted in Jesus? We sit down with Fr. John Riccardo.

We have all heard stories of Eucharistic Miracles and they can strike us with wonder and awe. But what does a scientist think when they hear such stories? We walk through it with Stacy Trasancos.

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.

Brought up in an Evangelical Protestant home, Fr. Dwight Longenecker attended the fundamentalist Bob Jones University, and continued his education by studying theology at Oxford University before being ordained as an Anglican minister, serving as a curate, a school chaplain in Cambridge, and a country parson on the Isle of Wight. He shares how this long journey eventually brought him to the Church...

If you grew up in Christian household, the Our Father was probably one of the first prayers you learned. But this beautiful prayer is so simple that it is often poorly prayed. We’ll talk about why with Dr. Thomas Richard.