Tornado Watches, Snakes, and the Holy Spirit

Tornado Watches, Snakes, and the Holy Spirit

• Tornado Watch Context: Hosts record during a tornado watch in Tulsa, Oklahoma, joking about their indifference to watches (less severe than warnings) and the confusing terminology.
• David humorously claims to become a "seasoned meteorologist" each spring, sensing storms "in his bones" and using terms like "hook echo".
• Brief tangent on Ralph Nader, who ran for president (circa 2000, Bush vs. Gore) and claimed never to have eaten McDonald’s, deemed unbelievable at the time due to McDonald’s ubiquity and lack of stigma.

Main Discussion

Minihan Household Adventures

• Possum Incident: While Adam was away, his wife Haylee killed a possum in their chicken coop with a .44 Magnum (jokingly exaggerated), impressing Adam via text.
• Snake in the House: Upon returning from a trip, Adam’s family found a large snake (not a rat snake, possibly a king snake) in their home.
• A child’s blood-curdling scream alerted Haylee; Adam initially deferred to her but helped after learning of the snake.
• Snake was fast, striking, and required corralling kids into a closet for safety; Adam trapped it using a box and cardboard, later regretting not feeding it to their seven roosters.
• Diocesan Rat Snake Story: Adam recalls handling a 5+ foot rat snake at the Diocese of Tulsa early in his job, earning awe from coworkers and a social media post.

Nashville Recording Mishaps

• Forgotten Suit Pants: At a black-tie event in Nashville with Fr. Mike Schmitz, Matt Walsh, Michael Knowles, and Harrison Butker, David forgot his patterned suit pants, non-replaceable due to the unique design.
• Father-in-law Dan O’Brien and Jim Spencer overnighted them via UPS, arriving 45 minutes before recording.
• Equipment Failure: Their recording case’s main power supply cord was severed in transit, requiring significant pivoting.
• David predicted the need to “pivot” before the trip, likening their adaptability to NBA players; the weekend involved constant problem-solving but was ultimately fun.

Catholic Radio Station Launch

• McAlester Station: David and Adam helped launch 90.9 FM in McAlester, Oklahoma, a full-power Catholic radio station built on a shoestring budget.
• Located on parish grounds (no studio costs, using existing internet/power), it reaches McAlester’s community, including three correctional facilities (e.g., “Big Mac” maximum security prison).
• Launched on the Feast of the Ascension (moved to Sunday in Tulsa’s mission diocese), aligning with the Great Commission to evangelize.
• Aims to evangelize incarcerated individuals without the red tape of prison ministry; David gave a speech post-Mass, nearly upstaged by Adam’s readiness to intervene.
• Prayer request for the station’s success.

Eucharistic Procession in Tulsa

• National Eucharistic Procession Stop: Tulsa hosted a stop in the nationwide procession, attended by 500–800 people (David’s estimate).
• Counter-evangelists (not protesters) with megaphones followed the procession, slandering the Church; persistent but civil, they lacked goodwill due to rudeness.
• Police (not necessarily Catholic) found them annoying; hosts advise listeners to prepare for similar disruptions at other stops.
• Defense of Faith Question: David ponders if modern Christians are too pacifist compared to Crusade-era defense of faith, citing G.K. Chesterton’s The Ball and the Cross (an atheist’s slander of Mary prompts a Catholic to challenge him to a duel).
• Asks Adam if the pendulum has swung too far from defending honor; discussion deferred to post-break.

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Second Segment: Defense of Faith and Holy Spirit Introduction

• Defense of Faith (Continued):
• Adam rejects pacifism as un-Christian but also opposes militancy (e.g., raiding abortion clinics); struggles with nuance of defending honor, especially for Our Lady vs. personal family.
• Honor culture’s decline reduces cultural awareness of slander’s gravity; suggests a “shortsword” or “backhand glove” metaphorically, emphasizing prudence and charity in response.
• No clear answer but encourages pondering the balance between passivity and aggression.
• Holy Spirit Topic Introduction: With Pentecost approaching, David aims to explore the Holy Spirit’s role, often the least discussed Trinity person, using the Catechism.
• St. Paul: Can’t say “Jesus is Lord” without the Holy Spirit; knowledge of the Father and Son depends on the Spirit.
• Catechism (quoting St. Gregory of Nazianzus): Trinity’s revelation progresses—Old Testament reveals Father, New Testament reveals Son, and now the Spirit dwells among us for clearer vision.
• Holy Spirit as “CEO,” executing divine action, though all Trinity persons act together (avoids heresy with disclaimer).

Question on Divine Revelation

• Adam notes God’s slow self-revelation (Father in Old Testament, Son over 30 years, Spirit post-Ascension) mirrors Jesus’ gradual revelation, suggesting a model for manhood.
• Contrasts with modern “microwave culture” and social media’s demand for instant openness (e.g., sharing deepest secrets), lacking decorum and dignity.
• David agrees: Over-sharing is “ennoble”; small, face-to-face communities historically allowed meaningful relationships without forced exposure.

Break 2: Return to Discussion

• Divine Hiddenness (Continued):
• God’s slow revelation was for humanity’s readiness; social media fosters a consumer mentality where people “consume” others’ lives without true relationship.
• Example: Atheist Bible scholars know Jesus’ life but lack relationship, unlike personal encounters built over time.
• Holy Spirit’s Role: Through sacraments (e.g., Baptism, Confirmation), the Spirit subtly leads us to the Son, then the Father, reversing the Trinity’s condescension.
• Catechism: Holy Spirit is the “oil” anointing the Son, encountered first in meeting Christ; a free gift requiring only acceptance.
• Paragraph 1699: “Life in the Holy Spirit fulfills the vocation of man,” often taken for granted.

Break 3: Confession Story

• David’s Confession Experience: At the 2025 Oklahoma Catholic Men’s Conference, David confessed to a Lebanese priest he initially judged (due to communication concerns).
• Priest’s directness (“This is very bad. You cannot do this”) was refreshing, avoiding excuses; best confession due to tough love.
• Penance: Say “Come, Holy Spirit” 12 times throughout the day, not consecutively.
• Impact: Noticing the Spirit’s quick response in daily moments led David to habitually invoke the Spirit, enhancing awareness.

Podcast-Exclusive Segment: Fruits of the Holy Spirit

• Charismatic Movement Hesitation:
• Adam admits invoking the Holy Spirit transactionally (in tough situations) rather than relationally, due to mystery and past experiences.
• Poor catechesis in the charismatic movement (1960s–1990s), influenced by Protestant culture (e.g., TV preachers), caused confusion; practices like “re-baptism in the Spirit” raise red flags.
• Mother Angelica’s experience: Allowed charismatic prayers but later distanced herself, reflecting nuanced concerns.
• Adam recognizes intellectual error in dismissing the Spirit (“throwing baby out with bathwater”) but struggles emotionally due to cultural baggage.
• Fruits of the Holy Spirit: David shifts to Catechism’s teaching that the moral life is sustained by the Spirit’s gifts (unearned, permanent dispositions for docility).
• Fruits (from children’s song): Charity, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, generosity, gentleness, faithfulness, modesty, self-control, chastity.
• Encourages simple invocations like “Come, Holy Spirit” or the Jesus Prayer to acknowledge the Spirit’s constant work.
• Praying in the Spirit: David references Fr. Mike Schmitz’s mention of “praying in the Spirit” (from Nashville interview), unsure of its meaning vs. regular prayer.
• Cites biblical examples (e.g., Simeon/Anna “in the Spirit” at the Presentation); hopes to clarify with Fr. Mike later.

Closing Thoughts

• Takeaway: Increase awareness of the Holy Spirit through simple prayers (“Come, Holy Spirit”) to fulfill man’s vocation and sustain moral life.
• Catechism Recommendation: Read paragraphs 683–780 for insights into the Holy Spirit’s names and symbols.

Action Items for Listeners

• Invoke the Holy Spirit: Say “Come, Holy Spirit” in daily moments to increase awareness and docility.
• Read Catechism: Explore paragraphs 683–780 on the Holy Spirit’s role, names, and symbols.
• Pray Simply: Use short prayers like the Jesus Prayer or “Come, Holy Spirit” for instant connection.
• Reflect on Honor: Ponder the balance of defending faith with prudence and charity in modern contexts.
• Support McAlester Station: Pray for 90.9 FM’s success in evangelizing McAlester and its correctional facilities.

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