Occasional reflections on things that come into my mind — plus links to episodes of my radio show / podcast, “Free Expression”
CRISIS MAGAZINE
LOVES MY NOVEL
Eric Sammons, editor of the prestigious journal, CRISIS, notes that he was pleasantly surprised at how much he enjoyed my novel about the family of Jesus, My Brother’s Keeper.
I had interviewed Eric about his own book, Moral Money, which examines both the practical and moral dimensions of the online exchange medium, Bitcoin.
Afterward, I mentioned my novel, My Brother’s Keeper, and then sent him a copy…
NEW EDITION OF MY NOVEL
ABOUT THE FAMILY OF JESUS
My Brother’s Keeper, the historical novel I self-published in 2017, is being republished by Red Penguin Books of New York.
Winner of the Catholic Arts and Letters Award for Best Adult Fiction, this is a somewhat different take on the Christian story, of interest to readers of all religious persuasions.
The novel recounts Jesus’ ministry — its background, its political and social context, and all the conflict surrounding it — as viewed by his relatives. In particular it reflects the perspective of James, a key figure in the early Christian movement, whom Scripture identifies as “the brother of the Lord.”
My story draws on the ancient Church tradition that Joseph was an older, widowed man with children at the time he took Mary as his (much younger) wife. So James, in my telling, is Jesus’ foster brother.
As the Bible notes, James was leader of the Jerusalem “mother church.” And he played a key role in the council that set ground rules for evangelizing the world.
As you might assume, my presentation veers significantly from the usual, Christmas card portrait of the Holy Family. It’s an imaginative and unconventional take on the Gospel account.
But it’s inspired by early Christian writings. It’s not in conflict with Church teaching. And it doesn’t contradict the Bible.
My Brother’s Keeper follows James’ quest to become a rabbi and doctor of the law. Central to my plot is the promise to protect Jesus made by James to his dying father, Joseph, who sees trouble ahead for Mary’s strangely gifted child. [Read more…] about My Brother’s Keeper
PRAYING FOR PEACE IS
ALWAYS APPROPRIATE
Whenever I’ve posted the lyrics to my little variation on “Silent Night,” Franz Gruber’s Christmas classic (as I do every couple of years), I’ve noted how current world conditions make it appropriate to pray for peace.
Which goes to show that praying for peace is always appropriate.
I guess the world is always in turmoil. And surely there are many threats looming.
A SCHOLAR TAKES OVER FOR
THE LATE, GREAT AL KRESTA
Catholic Radio suffered a profound loss recently, when Al Kresta succumbed to cancer.
Al was a true pioneer of religious broadcasting. Working with the philanthropist Tom Monaghan, of Domino’s Pizza fame, Al created the Ave Maria Radio apostolate.
He also hosted what has undoubtedly been the flagship Catholic talk show, “Kresta In the Afternoon.” It’s now heard on about 300 stations across the country, distributed by EWTN.
THE REAL ELECTION PLAN
IS FINALLY LEAKING OUT
The alley behind Chick-fil-A was dark and deserted at this time of night. Kind of chilly as well. But my secret informant had called to set up a meeting.
I wasn’t sure where he got his information, and not all of it was good. Still, he’d occasionally provided a few promising leads.
Anyway, here he stood again, wearing the knitted scarf he always kept wrapped around his face during our nocturnal sessions.
“I’m glad you could come,” he whispered in his usual furtive manner. “I’ve got a scoop for you, and it’s a bombshell.”
“Everything gets called a ‘bombshell’ these days,” I said. “Have you seen the Internet lately?”
“Forget that. This is the real deal.”
I was skeptical, but what the hell — I was already here. “Okay. What’s the story?” I asked.
MY SHOW “FREE EXPRESSION”
COVERS TOPICS THAT MATTER
I begin each episode of my radio show, “Free Expression,” by explaining…
“This program is all about conveying the Christian message — from a Catholic point of view — and defending the liberty which makes it possible to do that.”
A show that merely explained the mechanics of communicating would have limited appeal. So I interpret communication broadly, touching on a wide variety of topics addressed in the many messages with which we’re bombarded these days. And I try to demonstrate their importance to our lives as people of faith.
The “Catholic” point of view is mine, of course. Any topic is necessarily approached from a particular perspective.
And in the process of addressing such diverse subject matter, I’m trying to defend the liberty inherent in the show’s title, “Free Expression.” Sometimes I offer my defense explicitly, sometimes merely by exploring an issue that might be controversial or out of political favor.
In all of this, it’s content that matters.
Truth.
Which, after all, is the substance of the Christian message.
I hope this doesn’t sound too highfalutin’. The show is really quite down-to-earth. I discuss important things with intelligent people, and try to offer useful insight and practical information.
The latest episodes — accessible online at: https://billkassel.podbean.com — illustrate my approach…
MY RADIO SHOW/PODCAST HAS
COVERED IMPORTANT TOPICS
As we move into the last months of 2022, the urge to look back (a not altogether welcome impulse) creeps upon me.
The disruptions of this year — owing to COVID, some technical issues, and other concerns — are most apparent in this blog. You who follow my humble scribblings haven’t had much to follow lately — for which I apologize abjectly.
I’ve been able to keep reasonably close to a production schedule for my radio show, “Free Expression.” And so I’m happy to draw your attention to my latest episodes, which cover a number of important topics.
Take some time to sample a few. I particularly urge those of you in Michigan to catch my latest (Episode 63), in which I speak with Dr. Monica Miller, a longtime anti-abortion activist and founder of Citizens for a Pro-Life Society. Monica has some hair-raising insights into the dangers posed by Proposal 3, a dishonorable effort to amend the state constitution appearing on the current election ballot.
For one thing, Proposal 3 would legalize all types of abortion — including dismemberment, or so-called “partial-birth abortion” — right up to immediately before delivery. For another, it would lay a legal foundation for wholesale mutilation and sterilization of gender-conflicted children, without parental consent.
This is something which must be stopped. And Monica is rallying the troops to do just that.
Her interview and other provocative discussions can be accessed via Podbean, the well known podcasting platform. Just go here…
https://billkassel.podbean.com
Episodes currently posted…
MY RADIO SHOW IS NOW ON
A GREAT PODCAST PLATFORM
I’m pleased to announce that “Free Expression with Bill Kassel” is now available on the podcast platform, PodBean.
Silly name, but a really good distributor of alternative media. In fact, PodBean is one of the largest podcast outlets, with an excellent assortment of top Christian programs. Check out the latest episode of “Free Expression”…
In this segment…