Prior to his Ascension into heaven, Jesus commanded his followers to go and make disciples of all nations. And that task is one that the Lord gives us still today. But the prospect of converting those who are close to us and those around the world can be a daunting task. It is the Holy Spirit who inspires faith and converts hearts, but how can we be instruments of that grace and conversion today?
Msgr. James Shea, president of the University of Mary in Bismarck, North Dakota, stopped by Morning Air® to share how he sees the Lord using Relevant Radio® to fulfill the Great Commission and make disciples around the world.
He said, “Catholic radio is an extraordinary tool for the New Evangelization. It’s amazing how many people I meet in my travels all over the country who have been profoundly touched by listening to Relevant Radio.”
In a culture of social media and political news that so often seeks to divide, Msgr. Shea pointed out that Relevant Radio brings the Body of Christ together in prayer every day, and invites those who are not Christian to open their hearts to Christ and his Church.
“Getting the word out about the Gospel, about the teachings of the Church, about the way we can live our lives and find profound and true happiness according to the Gospel – that is one of the great works of Relevant Radio,” he said. “And it sure is worth the support of the great people who are listening to help us out.”
Morning Air host John Harper pointed out the paradox of radio, in that it is a form of mass media that reaches millions of people at every moment, but there is a real intimacy in radio that is not present in many other forms of media.
Msgr. Shea responded to that paradox by saying, “I don’t want to get into theological hot water here, but there is a comparison between the way that Catholic radio works and the way that the Holy Spirit moves through the world. In other words, God is out there for the whole world, for every soul’s conversion. Go and teach the Gospel to all nations Jesus said. And so there is this permanent missionary mandate to convert the whole world, to win all of it over for the Gospel.”
“But notice how God works,” he added. “Even though the message is for everybody, it’s also just for me and just for you. The Holy Spirit inspires individual hearts. … So when you’re talking about Catholic radio, the wide broadcast, the fact that it is accessible to anybody who tunes in or happens to stumble across it at a difficult or challenging moment in their life – that is a tremendous thing. But at the same time, Catholic radio has that intimacy that allows us to touch individual hearts and souls. It’s very beautiful.”
Listen to the full conversation with Msgr. James Shea below:
Morning Air can be heard weekdays from 5:00 – 8:00 a.m. Central on Relevant Radio and the Relevant Radio App.
Relevant Radio is an instrument of grace and conversion, changing lives one heart at a time. But as a listener-supported apostolate, that is only possible through the generosity of listeners like YOU. Help support the mission of Relevant Radio by making a pledge during our Give From the Heart Pledge Drive. Thank you for your generous support!
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