Gus talks about what’s being referred to as the “Charlie Kirk Effect.” Since his assassination over two weeks ago, church attendance, Bible studies and other religious gatherings are experiencing a big bump in attendance. Several politicians and personalities are increasingly discussing their faith and their love for Jesus Christ. Gus invites listeners to call in and share whether they’ve seen it or not.
Also, Katie McGrady, host of the Katie McGrady Show on the Catholic Channel, joins the show to talk a book that she and her husband Tommy have co-written called “First Reconciliation and Beyond: A Family’s Guide for Learning and Living Forgiveness.” Before going into what’s in the book, Gus asks Katie to share her and Tommy’s love story. She also shares her personal experiences with First Holy Communion, both as a communicant and as a parent of a child who has recently gone through it. In the book, they explore the great parables of the gospels that illustrate Catholic beliefs about sin, forgiveness and healing.
And Bob Dunning calls in to talk some college football. They talk about how the preseason experts got it wrong with Clemson and Illinois, and then pick winners of some of this weekend’s biggest games, including Oregon at Penn State, Alabama at Georgia and Ohio State at Washington.
I heard todays’s episode on the replay so I could not call in. I want to address specifically the discussion of “The Charlie Kirk Effect”. I have a few concerns. I have both read and heard on YouTube a few of his presentations. Basically, most of what he says is truly truth of Christian beliefs. Not everything, but most. However, when I listen to or watch him, I become angry and defensive. He comes across as condescending and judgmental. The look on his face is not a look of acceptance but one of waiting to argue and proven wrong. That may or may not be his intent but it is how he comes across. I Corinthians 13:1 says “if I speak in human or angelic tongues but do not have love, I am a resounding gong.” So I propose that it is not so much what he says but how he says it. I, personally, do not hear him speak with love. It is said St. Patrick had the only bloodless mission. He knew the Irish people and brought the message to them not by telling them how wrong they were but how much more right they could be. He allowed them to incorporate their customs into their faith. I am also reluctant to attributing to Mr. Kirk “an effect” that I have seen for the past 20-25 years on FSU college campus from the Catholic student outreach. Our current rector (St. Thomas More Co-Cathedral) is a result of that outreach, he converted from having no faith to becoming the rector of our parish. There are many more stories like that from all these years. Finally, calling it “The Charlie Kirk Effect” is giving him more credit that I think he deserves. Many individuals and groups have been tirelessly working to bring the Good News to college campuses, at least ours. During Lent, Stations of the Cross are done on the campus green and priests conspicuously post signs offering confessions on a quiet bench. When a young man opened fire on campus back in April, the crowds rushed into our church, right across the street. Emotional, spiritual, and physical support was offered to those fleeing danger. It was Holy Thursday and the incident was discussed thoughtfully and prayerfully from the pulpit throughout the Tridum. So I do not disagree with what Mr. Kirk presented, but I think we need to be sensitive to the people who have been hurt by his message and manner- listen to what they say and address it with love. What happened to him is deplorable and a sign of the horrible violence and devision in our world and nation. Lets mourn his loss, care for his widow, work toward peace, but not give more credit to him than he may have earned. Thank you for giving me the space to share.