Passing On the Faith
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The observance of God’s laws was of paramount importance to the Israelite people. God gave his laws to Moses, who taught them to and enjoined them on the people. More on that in a moment. In our Gospel reading from Matthew 5, Jesus gives the people the same message. “Do not think I have come […]
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
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It’s the Feast Day of the Annunciation of Our Lord to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Gus honors it in two ways. First, he asks listeners to call in and describe any misnomers they’ve heard from friends and/or family about Catholics’ devotion to the Blessed Mother. Second, after stating that the announcement to Mary by St. […]
The Annunciation
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Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord. It is exactly 9 months before Christmas. Let me be the first to wish you a Merry Christmas this year! In the first reading, we see the prophesy from Isaiah: “The virgin shall be with child, and bear a son, and shall name […]
Monday, March 24, 2014
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This morning, Gus welcomes Becket Fund for Religious Liberty attorney Eric Baxter to discuss the Hobby Lobby/HHS Mandate case that’s being argued before the Supreme Court and the American Atheists trying to prevent the WTC Cross being kept out of the 9/11 Memorial Museum. To read more about that story, click here. Also, we’re almost […]
Not “One of Us”
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In today’s first reading from 2 Kings 5:1-15, we see the story of Naaman the Syrian. Naaman was a high ranking military official in Syria, but not an Israelite. He was also a leper. The prophet Elisha gave him instructions on how to cleanse himself of his leprosy. Reluctantly, he listened to the words of […]
Pope Francis’ Call
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Today at Mass, our RCIA candidates and catechumens will be undergoing their scrutinies. It’s always very moving. The Gospel reading is from John 4, the story of the woman at the well. Jesus meets up with a Samaritan woman at a well. Two unusual things automatically pop into mind here. First, the woman was a […]
Our Part in the Story
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Some beautiful imagery in today’s first reading from Micah 7. We see that God “delights in clemency…will cast into the depths of the sea all our sins.” Then Psalm 103 reminds us that “The Lord is kind and merciful.” And speaking of kindness and mercy, our Gospel reading is from Luke 15, the story of […]
Kill the Messenger
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In the first reading today from Genesis 37, we see some of the story of Joseph. He was Israel’s favorite son, and his brothers didn’t like that so much. So they decided to kill him. In the end cooler heads prevailed they wound up “only” selling him into slavery. But the plot to kill the […]
Thursday, March 20, 2014
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Gus starts off the show with Bill Donaghy, speaker from the Theology of the Body Institute in Philadelphia. The institute is hosting a national congress featuring many of the nation’s top Theology of the Body educators this summer in Philadelphia. The theme for this year’s congress is “Love, Mercy & the New Evangelization”, focusing how the […]
Listening to the Church
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You trust God, right? Of course you do. But can you trust God more? Can you trust God in every area of your life? I believe that we probably don’t have to look too far to find areas of our lives where we don’t so much trust God. Ask Him to increase your trust in […]
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
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Today, it’s the Feast of St. Joseph, foster-father of Jesus, and Gus declares it an unofficial Father’s Day. He lets listeners call in to brag on their fathers. In keeping with the feast day, Gus welcome Fr. Gary Caster, author of Joseph, the Man Who Raised Jesus, to give us a little more insight on […]
A Dad Like No Other
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Today the Church celebrates the Feast of St. Joseph. In our first reading from 2 Samuel, God says that his Son would spring from the line of David. “I will make his royal throne firm forever.” Joseph, though not Jesus’ biological father, was from the line of David. There are two options for a Gospel […]
Tuesday, March 18, 2014
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Lent is a major time of preparation for all Catholics in their spiritual lives and it’s also a big time of preparation for soon-to-be Catholics going through the Right of Christian Initiation of adults, or RCIA. Gus talks with listeners who went through the RCIA experience. Also, Greg & Lizzy Boudreaux join Gus to talk […]
Tuesday, March 18, 2014
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Lent is a major time of preparation for all Catholics in their spiritual lives and it’s also a big time of preparation for soon-to-be Catholics going through the Right of Christian Initiation of adults, or RCIA. Gus talks with listeners who went through the RCIA experience. Also, Greg & Lizzy Boudreaux join Gus to talk […]
Relationship
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I read an interesting survey once that found that 12% of Americans believe in a “higher power” but not a “personal God.” I’m guessing that these are the folks that would tell you that they are “spiritual but not religious.” What about this notion of a “personal God?” Our first reading today shows us just […]
Monday, March 17, 2014
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Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Today, Gus welcomes Philip Freeman, author of the book St. Patrick of Ireland, to tell us more about St. Patrick, the man. Get the book by clicking below. Also, Gus joins Jason Workmaster into the Conversion Corner. Jason is an Evangelical convert to Catholicism and you can read more about his […]
St. Patrick’s Prayer
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Happy St. Patrick’s Day! I’m going to go a bit out of the normal today and not do a reflection on the daily readings. In honor of St. Patrick, I want to share with you the beautiful St. Patrick’s Breastplate. Many people may know a small part of this beautiful prayer (specifically the next-to-last stanza), […]
What We Will Become
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Today’s Gospel reading is Matthew’s version of the Transfiguration. This is when Jesus takes Peter, James and John up to the top of the mountain and reveals His heavenly glory. Moses and Elijah appear with him. And a voice comes from a cloud that says, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; […]
Deserving?
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In today’s first reading from Deuteronomy 26, agreements are made. The people make an agreement with God, to walk in his ways, obey his commandments and hearken to his voice. And God makes an agreement with the people, that they will be “peculiarly his own.” In the Gospel reading from Matthew 5, Jesus says, “But […]
Friday, March 14, 2014
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Today, Gus is joined by L. Martin Nussbaum, the attorney representing the 200 Catholic employers involved in class-action suit against the Obama administration and the HHS Mandate. To read more about the lawsuit, click here. Also, if you’re interested in learning more about Catholic health benefits, click here. Also, Lent is a time of spiritual renewal […]
It’s Not Fair!
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I just love the first reading today from Ezekiel 18. The Lord God says, “You say, ‘The Lord’s way is not fair!’ Hear now, house of Israel: Is it my way that is unfair, or rather, are not your ways unfair?” In our Gospel reading from Matthew 5, Jesus raises the bar on our behavior […]
Thursday, March 13, 2014
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Today is the first year anniversary of Pope Francis’ election and he’s the main subject of today’s Seize the Day broadcast. Fr. Mark Morozowich joins Gus in the first hour. He’s the Dean and Associate Professor of Liturgical Studies and Sacramental Theology at Catholic University of America and he gives his summation of the pope’s first year. […]
Living the Golden Rule
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The first reading today is from the Book of Esther. It is a fascinating story and one that I recommend you read. (The whole book is just a few pages long.) In today’s reading, we hear the beautiful prayer of Queen Esther before she is to go and plead that the king will spare her […]
Wednesday, March 12, 2014
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Today, Gus again asks the listeners if they’ve ever caught any backlash from people in their family, community or workplace because of their Catholic faith. Also, Gus talks about Paula Deen. The embattled former Food Network star is speaking at a Catholic fundraiser at St. Mark’s Catholic Church in Madison, Kentucky and the pastor, Fr. […]
The Power of Positive Actions
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Today’s readings are about Jonah. Most people know the story from when they were kids. Or at least part of the story. If you were to ask 100 people about the story of Jonah, my guess is that the vast majority would only know one fact. He was the guy that got swallowed up by […]
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
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Gus gets personal and asks the listeners if they’ve ever felt persecuted because of their Catholic faith; be it at work, in their community or even among their own family. Also, Gus is joined by Monsignor Stanley Deptula, Vice Chancellor of the Catholic Diocese of Peoria and Head of the Archbishop Fulton Sheen Foundation, and talks […]
God’s Blueprint
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What a beautiful reading today from Isaiah 55. We’ll talk about it in a moment. Our Gospel reading today from Matthew 6 is where Jesus teaches his disciples to pray. He teaches them the “Our Father.” But that’s not the end of the story. Immediately after the prayer, Jesus tells them, “If you forgive men […]
Monday, March 10, 2014
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It’s Monday so Gus asks his listeners to Tell Me Something Good. Listeners call in and share their good news and experiences. Also, Fr. David Convertino, executive director of development for the Franciscan Friars, calls in to talk about their new smart phone app called “Lent in My Pocket.” For each day of Lent and Holy […]
I Was Hungry
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“The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul.” That is the first line in today’s Responsorial Psalm from Psalm 19. In the first reading from Leviticus, we hear some of these “laws of the LORD.” This reading hearkens us back to the ten commandments. Our Gospel reading today is one that should be […]
Our Desert Experience
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Today’s Gospel reading from Mark 1 tells us that, before the beginning of his public ministry, Jesus went into the desert for forty days, where he was tempted by Satan. This notion of forty is found throughout the Scriptures. Noah endured forty days of rain that flooded the earth. The Israelite people went into the […]
Dr. Jesus
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We hear more today about things that are pleasing to God in our first reading from Isaiah 58. The Lord also talks about how we should conduct ourselves on the sabbath. “If you honor it by not following your ways, seeking your own interests, or speaking with malice – Then you shall delight in the […]
Friday, March 7, 2014
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It’s the first Friday in Lent and Gus asks his listeners what their first meatless meals are going to be. Also, we engage in a little Prayer Time. Every Friday, Gus takes time to listen to the prayer intentions of his audience. Lastly, Fr. Leo Patalinghug joins Gus in studio to talk about his ministry […]
A Life Changing Psalm
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I don’t do this often, but today I want to reflect on our Responsorial Psalm in the Mass. It is Psalm 51, which we use pretty often during Lent. One year for Lent, one of my practices was to pray Psalm 51 every day. There were days when I would literally go through Psalm 51 […]
Thursday, March 6, 2014
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Today, Gus welcomes Ellyn von Huben, Catholic writer and blogger as well as the creative assistant for the Archdiocese of Chicago, to discuss her recent article “7 Ways to Observe Lent in Your Home.” You can check out her article here. Gus also talks about his Ash Wednesday experience yesterday where he and his grandson Beckett […]
Choosing Our Eternity
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In our first reading today from Deuteronomy, Moses tells the people what they must do in order to enter the promised land. Obey the commandments of the Lord, love Him, walk in his ways. “Choose life, then, that you and your descendants may live, by loving the Lord, your God, heeding his voice, and holding […]
Ash Wednesday, March 5, 2014
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Gus kicks off his Ash Wednesday broadcast with special guest Ryan Young who runs Camp Veritas, a non-profit Catholic organization designed exclusively for the purpose of inspiring and forming young Catholic teens into disciples of Jesus Christ. For more information about Camp Veritas, click here. Also, Gus asks the listeners what they’re giving up this year […]
Lent Begins
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Happy Lent! Doesn’t that sound a bit oxymoronic? I mean, we’re not supposed to be happy during Lent, right? Wrong! Lots of people think that Lent is a time when we walk around in sackcloth and ashes. Let’s make sure we all put on a dour face and let everyone know how difficult our fasting […]
Tuesday, March 4, 2014
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Happy Fat Tuesday! Today Gus talked about Lent, which starts tomorrow. He took calls from listeners about what their Lenten plans are, and talked about his own. This year, Gus plans to read through The Imitation of Christ by Thomas a Kempis, among other things. Have you figured out your Lenten plan yet? Gus talked […]
Call to Holiness
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In the first reading today, St. Peter talks about how the prophets were testifying to Christ. He says that they “were not serving themselves but you.” In the Gospel reading today from Mark 10, Jesus talks about how those who have faith in Him will be repaid. And He says, “But many that are first […]
Monday, March 3, 2014
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Today Gus gave an update on the Girl Scout controversy. Many pro-life groups are boycotting Girl Scout cookies this year because of the organization’s ties with Planned Parenthood. Girl Scouts USA CEO Ana Maria Chavez recently released a video denying any relationship now or ever between GSUSA and PP. The facts show something different. Watch […]
Faith in the Possible
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For our first reading today, we begin the first letter of St. Peter. Today we hear St. Peter reminding us that we will “suffer through various trials.” But this suffering is not worthless. It will help us to “attain the goal of faith, the salvation of your souls.” Thank God for suffering! Our Gospel reading […]
Seek First the Kingdom
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The Sermon on the Mount is so beautiful, and so challenging. Today’s Gospel reading from Matthew 6 starts off with Jesus saying, “You cannot serve God and mammon.” From there, Jesus talks about worrying. That is something I think most people are pretty darn good at. I believe that worry really springs from fear – […]
Sacraments
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Yesterday we talked about the sacrament of marriage and today we read about the sacrament of the anointing of the sick AND Confession! James 5 teaches this very clearly. More on that in a moment. In today’s Gospel from Mark 10, we hear Jesus say, “Let the little children come to me.” Good for us […]
Marriage
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Whew! What a week it has been in the Scriptures! Our first reading today from James 5 has so many lessons for us, about perseverance, judging and the compassion and mercy of the Lord. James also tells us, “Let your ‘Yes’ mean ‘Yes’ and your ‘No’ mean ‘No.’ ” Very important words about Christian integrity. […]
Cutting Out Sin
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Scathing words to the rich today from James 5. Funny thing about wealth, isn’t it? We work so hard to accumulate it here on earth, to the point where it imperils our souls. Yet we can’t take it with us. Harsh words for the richest people in the world. (And I ain’t talking about Bill […]
Wednesday February 26 through Friday February 28th
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While Gus is off speaking at a men’s conference in New Orleans, we’re keeping you entertained on the radio with the Best of Seize the Day. Tune in today through Friday for interesting guests such as singer Michael James Mette, Deacon Henry Libersat, Dr. Lawrence Cunningham and relive great discussions with you, the listener, on […]
Today and Tomorrow
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In today’s first reading, St. James talks about tomorrow. Something we need to think about today. So we will. In the Gospel from Mark 9, Jesus says, “For whoever is not against us is for us.” These words of Jesus always remind me of the unity that we have with other Christians. After all, no […]
Tuesday, February 25, 2014
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Today, Gus talks about Ottawa, Ontario Archbishop Terrence Prendergast’s decision to ban eulogies at Catholic funeral masses and asks the listeners what their thoughts are about it. Also, Thomas More Society President and Chief Counsel Tom Brejcha calls in to discuss a case in which they’re representing 11 Roman Catholic home-schooling families in Fishers, Indiana who are taking […]
Submission and Resistance
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Today we’re going to explore a couple of interesting paradoxes in our readings. First from the Gospel reading from Mark 9. Jesus said, “If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.” The world looks at things from a completely opposite view. In order to be […]
Monday, Feb. 24, 2014
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As per usual on Monday, Gus did an episode of Tell Me Something Good. How has God been at work in your life lately? Share God’s goodness to you with others! Gus interviewed author Thomas Craughwell about his book, St. Peter’s Bones. It’s a fascinating look at how the bones of the first pope were […]