One afternoon when I was in college, I found myself in a discussion with a born-again, evangelical Christian. I was decidedly not in a persuasive position. This fellow aimed the now-familiar challenges to my Catholic faith that many Protestants grow up hearing: Catholics are not real Christians because they don’t know Jesus from the Bible; Catholics pray to and worship saints; Catholics believe they will be saved not by faith but by works.

The most shocking to me was this statement: Christ died once, on the cross for all, but Catholics sacrifice him over and over again in the Mass. Despite thinking that I knew my faith both in my practice and in the Catechism, I was unable to express a coherent and persuasive response. I was intimidated and troubled to hear a Christian, whom I had assumed believed in Jesus as I did, direct memorized scripture passages at me to point out that the Catholic Church was in error. There did not seem to be any opportunity for me to invite him to learn how much more the Catholic faith could grow his relationship with Jesus.

In my heart, I knew his accusations were wrong, but I was not equipped to answer the misconceptions. I did not understand how different Protestants such as Martin Luther, John Calvin or even John Nelson Darby (proponent of the rapture theory) shaped theologies of Christianity that veered from what has been passed down to us from the apostles and the early Church fathers.

What a difference Catholic radio has made for me in the ensuing years! Programs such as “Called to Communion” and “Catholic Answers Live” treat fellow Christians and their questions with love and respect, so there is not an antagonistic approach. What I love is the different personalities from the quirky Jimmy Akins, the Eucharist-focused Joe Heschmeyer to the scholarly David Anders, Ph.D., who each offer a unique window into embracing the fullness of the Catholic Church. A caller simply asking, “Where in the Bible is the claim that the Bible is the sole authority for following Jesus Christ in his Church,” reveals a common Protestant assumption that leads to many misconceptions. It can also spur someone to investigate Catholicism and grow in faith beyond a mere literal reading of the Bible. Listening to the apologists and the callers, I have expanded my own relationship with God. Catholic radio helps me to God’s creation of man, his intentions for us and our response; faith within the realm of reason and logic and faith within the context of human history. This fuels my appreciation for Catholicism.

Tuning our car radios to Oklahoma Catholic Radio as we run errands or travel is the way many listeners participate in the OKCR “community.” Often, listeners have become friends through a shared love of the truth that is broadcast over the air. The program “Make Straight the Way” has been instrumental in my realization that I can say, like Saint Paul, that I am “... surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses ...”

Although I loved my faith when I was younger, I lacked the tools and resources I have now to express the beauty and meaning my faith gives to my life. I am cognizant that misunderstandings and questions about Catholicism occur often when someone has not been exposed to its truth explained in detail and charity. Whatever challenges or questions I encounter today, I know where to go to get the clarification and answers for sharing the Good News: my radio.