Fathers for Good Features Magnetic Christianity
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I recently did an interview with the Fathers for Good web site. Fathers for Good is a ministry of the Knights of Columbus. They are doing a great work in the body of Christ. Click on the logo to the right to see the interview! My thanks to the Knights of Columbus and Fathers for […]
The Reviews are Coming In!
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As more and more people read Magnetic Christianity, they’re letting me know what they think. Here are some of the early reviews. I would love to know what you think! Email me your review at GusLloyd@verizon.net and please post it on Amazon.com’ s Magnetic Christianity Page. The Best Book I Have Read in Years Your […]
Magnetic Christianity Passes the Debbie Test!
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What is the Debbie Test? Find out by reading this article that appeared in the Tampa Tribune on Sunday, April 1. My thanks to Michelle Bearden of the Tribune, and to Debbie! I hope you’ll share this article with your friends! ‘Magnetic’ book draws you in By Michelle Bearden Gus Lloyd’s newest book passed the […]
Test of Fire: Election 2012 (Official HD Version – Catholic)
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Some things are more important than high gas prices or a faltering economy. They are life, marriage and freedom. Will you vote the values that will stand the test of fire? Produced by: http://www.creative-lab.com
Prayer for the Protection of Religious Liberty
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O God our Creator, Through the power and working of your Holy Spirit, you call us to live out our faith in the midst of the world, bringing the light and the saving truth of the Gospel to every corner of society. We ask you to bless us in our vigilance for the gift of […]
Faith and Persistence
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God is always ready to give His people another chance. When His people turned their backs on Him, He allowed them to suffer the consequences. But in today’s first reading from Jeremiah 31, the Lord says, “With age-old love I have loved you; so I have kept my mercy toward you. Again I will restore […]
Total Self Giving
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In today’s Gospel reading from Matthew 14, we see Jesus walking on the water in the middle of the night. Peter tells Jesus, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” Jesus says, “Come.” So Peter gets out of the boat and starts to walk on the water. Imagine […]
A Glimpse of the Future
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Today we celebrate the Feast of the Transfiguration. In the first reading, we see the origin of the title “Son of Man” from Daniel 7. It is a kind of prefiguration of the Transfiguration. In the second reading, St. Peter recounts the event as an eyewitness. And the Gospel is from Mark 9, the story […]
A Minute in the Church Gets Bishop’s Approval
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After the first printing of A Minute in the Church, I sent a copy of the book off to my bishop, Bishop Robert N. Lynch of St. Petersburg, FL, asking if he would grant an Imprimatur for the book. Here is the text of the letter I received from Bishop Lynch: Dear Gus, Thank you […]
The New Self
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In today’s Gospel reading from John 6, we hear Jesus as He begins the Bread of Life discourse. In the conversation that Jesus has with the people, the subject of manna comes up. Thus, in the first reading from Exodus 16, we hear about how God miraculously fed the people with manna, the bread from […]
Innocent Blood
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More prophet talk for us today. In the first reading, the priests and prophets want Jeremiah put to death. But Jeremiah tells them, “If you put me to death, it is innocent blood you bring on yourselves.” In the Gospel, we read about more innocent blood, that of John the Baptist. Matthew recounts the story […]
Faithful and Obedient
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In both of our readings today, we see and hear that prophets get “dissed.” In Jeremiah 26, our first reading, we see Jeremiah saying everything that God tells him to say. The people’s response? “You must be put to death!” Gee, that’ll make you want to open your mouth next time, won’t it? Then in […]
In the Hands of the Potter
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Today we see what I hope is a familiar story in Jeremiah 18. Though you may not know the chapter and verse, it is the story of Jeremiah going to watch a potter at work. More in a moment. In the Gospel, we read the final verses in Matthew 13, the “parable chapter.” Jesus tells […]
The Cost of a Pearl
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In Jeremiah 15 today, God speaks of the need for repentance. “Thus the Lord answered me: If you repent, so that I restore you, in my presence you shall stand.” Yet another reminder for us that repentance only brings about good things. In the Gospel reading from Matthew 13, Jesus tells two very brief parables […]
Am I a Weed?
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In the first reading today from Jeremiah 14, the prophet mourns when he looks out over the destruction caused by the sins of the people. He laments, “Have you cast Judah off completely? Is Zion loathsome to you?” He then cries out to God for mercy. In the Gospel reading from Matthew 13, Jesus explains […]
Pride and Rot
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Today’s first reading from Jeremiah 13 seems a very odd tale at first. God tells Jeremiah to go buy a loincloth, then go hide it, then go get it again. Inevitably, the loincloth rots. In the Gospel from Matthew 13, Jesus tells two parables, the parable of the mustard seed and of the yeast. God […]
The Hand of the Lord Feeds Us
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In today’s readings, we see the theme of God feeding His people. In the first reading from 2 Kings 4, a man gives the prophet Elisha twenty barley loaves. Elisha tells him to give it to the people to eat, though there are a hundred people. The man objects, wondering how so few loaves can […]
The Weeds and the Wheat
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Today’s Gospel reading from Matthew 13 is the parable of the weeds and the wheat. A bad guy comes and sows weed seeds into a man’s wheat field. When the servants find out, they ask the master if they should pull the weeds. The master says that they will be separated at harvest time. Jesus […]
Being Rich Soil
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The prophets all had a common message. We see the crux of it at the beginning of today’s first reading from Jeremiah 3. “Return, rebellious children, says the Lord, for I am your Master.” In today’s Gospel reading from Matthew 13, Jesus explains the parable of the sower. When I read about the different kinds […]
Can You Hear?
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People can be a bit dense, slow on the uptake. I know – I speak from experience. This is kind of a theme that runs through the readings today. God tried and tried to get through to his people. But in the first reading from Jeremiah 2, the Lord says, “Two evils have my people […]
Believing and Speaking
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Today we celebrate the feast of St. James. This James was the son of Zebedee and the brother of St. John the Apostle. He wore the martyr’s crown as he was put to death by Herod around the year 42 A.D. The Gospel reading today is from Matthew 20, where the mother of James and […]
A Drop in an Ocean
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In the Gospel reading today from Matthew 12, Jesus is told that his mother and his brothers are outside the house wanting to speak to Him. Jesus says, “Whoever does the will of my heavenly Father is my brother, and sister, and mother.” Jesus often spoke in family terms. Isn’t it comforting to know that […]
God’s Requirements
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Ask people the question: What does God require of you? I’m sure you’ll get plenty of answers. More on that in a moment. In our Gospel reading today from Matthew 12, some scribes and Pharisees come to Jesus asking Him for a sign. Jesus tells them that they will receive only the sign of Jonah […]
Come Away and Rest
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In the Gospel reading today from Mark 6, the Apostles return from their mission trip that Jesus had sent them on. They “reported all they had done and taught.” Jesus then says to them, “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” He knew that they were probably exhausted. Working for […]
It All Comes Out in the Wash
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In our first reading today from Micah 2, we see once again what God has planned for “those who plan iniquity.” The responsorial Psalm mirrors this. In our Gospel reading, we see Jesus telling those He heals not to make Him known, so that the words of the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled. People do […]
Mercy, Not Sacrifice
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A wonderul story of healing in today’s first reading from Isaiah 38. Hezekiah is dying and he cries out to the Lord. God hears his cry and gives him another 15 years. Hope he used it well! In the Gospel from Matthew 12, the Pharisees dog Jesus’ disciples for “working” on the Sabbath. Jesus says […]
Meek and Humble of Heart
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In today’s first reading from Isaiah 26, the prophet talks about how physical death is not the end for us. In fact, he talks about the resurrection of the dead. Check it out! In our Gospel reading from Matthew 11, Jesus says, “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek […]
Child-ISH vs. Child-LIKE
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More words of warning today from Isaiah 10. In the Gospel reading, Jesus says that the Father has “revealed (these things) to the childlike.” What does it mean to be childlike? Well, let me say this – there is a huge difference between being child-LIKE and being child-ISH. Unfortunately, I find myself being childish more […]
Learning from the Past
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An intriguing story in our first reading today from Isaiah 7. A couple of big-shots are planning to attack Jerusalem and overthrow Judah. And God says, “No way!” In the Gospel reading from Matthew 11, Jesus pronounces woes on some towns – Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum – because He performed mighty deeds there, but they […]
Jesus the Divider
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Wonderful advice from Isaiah 1 in our first reading today…”Cease doing evil; learn to do good.” In the Gospel from Matthew 10, Jesus tells the Apostles that he will be a source of division. Isn’t Jesus sometimes a paradox in our families? Some families are united by their mutual love for Jesus. Weddings, Baptisms, Anniversaries…many […]
Shaking the Dust from Your Feet
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In the Gospel reading today fromMark 6, Jesus sends out the Twelve two by two, with authority over unclean spirits. At the end, He says, “Whatever place does not welcome you or listen to you, leave there and shake the dust off your feet in testimony against them.” This “shaking the dust” was a symbolic […]
The Attitude of Isaiah
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Our first reading today is from Isaiah 6. It is one that you will often hear from Vocation Directors. And rightfully so. More in a moment. In the Gospel reading from Matthew 10, Jesus tells His disciples not to be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. “Rather, be afraid […]
God Will See You Through
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While reading today’s first reading and responsorial, you may feel like you’re in the midst of Lent. The reading from Hosea 14 is one that we see during Lent, and the responsorial from Psalm 51 is a Lenten mainstay. Be sure to read and meditate on both! In the Gospel reading today from Matthew 10, […]
Freely Sharing Christ
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Thank God for His mercy. In today’s first reading from Hosea 11, we read about God’s great mercy, tenderness and love. Listen to the tender feelings God has as He speaks of Ephraim. “My heart is overwhelmed, my pity is stirred. I will not give vent to my blazing anger.” In the Gospel today from […]
Seek the Lord
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In the Gospel reading today from Matthew 10, we see the listing of the Twelve Apostles. Then Jesus sends out the Twelve, telling them to “go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ ” One of Jesus’ main missions was […]
For What are You Laboring?
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Our first reading today is from Hosea 8. Hosea had and interesting, and difficult, life. Much of the book of Hosea is beautiful to read. It is a call from God to return to Him. But some of it is not so pleasant. Hosea, like all the prophets, had to deliver some harsh news. Today’s […]
A Minute in the Church Video
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Do Catholics worship statues? Are Catholics breaking a commandment by having statues in their churches? Watch the video below to find out how to answer those questions!
Married to God
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In the Gospel reading today from Matthew 9, we see the story of two healings. A woman who has been suffering for years is healed by her faith, and Jesus brings a little girl back from the dead. Thanks be to God for our great Healer! The first reading today from Hosea 2 is filled […]
The Thorn in Your Side
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In the second reading today from 2 Corinthians 12, St. Paul says that he has been given “a thorn in the flesh.” Now, he never says what exactly that is. I generally think that this may be a predisposition to a particular sin. One of those things that you just can’t seem to get rid […]
Plump With the Spirit
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The people of Israel were in a bad way during the time of Amos. But in today’s first reading from Amos 9, God gives them hope, telling them of the time when He would make all things new. In the Gospel reading from Matthew 9, Jesus talks about putting new wine into old wineskins. Doesn’t […]
Calling All Sinners!
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In the first reading today from Amos 8, the prophet speaks of a time when there would be a famine in the land. “Not a famine of bread, or thirst for water, but for hearing the word of the Lord.” His words would eventually come to pass. For many years, there was no prophet in […]
A Greater Healing
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The job of a prophet was never fun. It was no exception for Amos. In the first reading today from Amos 7, Amos prophesies about Israel being exiled from their land. He then explains that he was not a prophet, but a simple shepherd and arborist. That is, until God revealed another plan for him. […]
God Bless America
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Some people don’t believe in mixing religion and patriotism. If that’s you, then come on back tomorrow. On this Independence Day, I want to share a prayer that is a common patriotic song, one that you may even sing in church. I think it says all that I am thinking. God Bless America! Land that […]
Awesome Thomas
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Today is the Feast of St. Thomas. That’s right, Doubting Thomas. That story is our Gospel reading. More on that in a moment. Our first reading today from Ephesians talks about the Church being “built upon the foundation of the Apostles and prophets.” I think if you asked many “Bible Christians” what the foundation of […]
A Higher Calling
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The first reading today from Amos 2 has to do with crime and punishment. God lets it be known that acts of wickedness will not go unpunished. He issues a warning to those who profess to be part of the covenant and yet do evil in the sight of the Lord. The Gospel reading today […]
Healings Through Faith
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In the Gospel reading today from Mark 5, we see two healings coming from Jesus today; one intentional, the other, not so much…at first, anyway. Jesus is on his way to the home of Jairus, a synagogue offical whose daughter was deathly ill. He asked Jesus to come and heal her. Such faith! While on […]
Not Worthy
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Today’s first reading is from Lamentations. It is a sad, depressing read. After reading over the last few days about the diaspora and the Babylonian exile, this is a cry of anguish. In the Gospel today from Matthew 8, we see Jesus perform many healings, the first of which is on a centurion’s servant, done […]
Giants of the Faith
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Today the Church celebrates two giants of the faith. It is the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul. Interesting, isn’t it? You would think that, given the importance of each, they would both have their own feast day. I mean, after all, Peter was the first Pope, the one who got the keys to the […]
Your Foundation
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Today in 2 Kings 24, we see the story of the Babylonian exile. Israel had yet another wicked king, and the time had come for them to pay the price for their sinfulness. In the Gospel today, Jesus finishes the Sermon on the Mount. When He was done, “the crowds were astonished at his teaching.” […]
Bearing Good Fruit
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A beautiful story today from 2 Kings. The book of the law is found in the temple of the Lord, and is taken to the king. He assembles the elders of Judah and of Jerusalem, and takes all the people up to the temple where the book of the law is read aloud to them. […]