Wednesday, December 13, 2017
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Today, we had Phase III of Project Christmas. This time, we raised over $17,000 for SBPUSA, a charity based out of New Orleans that is helping rebuild homes in the greater Houston area in the wake of Hurricane Harvey, which ravaged the area in late August. If you were unable to call in but would still […]
Fly Like an Eagle
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We’re back in Isaiah for our first reading today. The final verse in today’s reading is Isaiah 40:31. I’ll talk about it in a moment. Our Gospel passage today is a short one, from Matthew 11. Jesus tells the people, “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you […]
Tuesday, December 12, 2017
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Gus talks about the news that came out of the Vatican last week that Pope Francis was contemplating changing the English translation of the line in the Our Father that says “lead us not into temptation” to “let us not enter into temptation.” The story is mostly false. The pope is not seeking to change the […]
Our Loving Mother
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Today the Church celebrates the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. When the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to Juan Diego on a hill in Tepeyac, Mexico, in December of 1531, she declared, “I am your most merciful Mother; I want to show my loving clemency and compassion to those who call upon me in their […]
Monday, December 11, 2017
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Gus plays a contemporary Christian song, played often around this time of year, called “Mary Did You Know.” Some controversy has arisen of late, from many Catholics, who call the song heretical because of its implication that Mary did not know the baby is her womb was the Messiah. Gus reads a few excerpts from […]
Be Strong, Fear Not!
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I’m hearing more and more about how so many people are frightened today. Not just because of terrorist attacks or random violence. Sure, that’s part of it, but it goes to something much deeper. Today’s readings give us hope and some powerful advice. In the first reading from Isaiah, we read this: “Strengthen the hands […]
Pointing the Way to Jesus
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Today is the Second Sunday of Advent. For the Gospel reading, we go to the beginning of the Gospel according to Mark. It all starts with John the Baptist. John knew that he had a job to do – to point the way to the Messiah. It would seem that John did not know that […]
The Teacher
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As you read today’s first reading from Isaiah 30, I hope your mind is immediately drawn to Jesus. We see these prophesies so perfectly fulfilled in Jesus. More on that in a moment. In the Gospel reading today, we see Jesus sending out the Twelve, with authority. He tells them, “Without cost you have received; […]
Friday, December 8, 2017
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Today is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, a holy day of obligation in the Catholic Church. Gus explains that this feast day doesn’t celebrate the Immaculate Conception of Jesus, rather the Immaculate Conception of Mary and explains the Church teaching on why the Catholic Church believes, undeniably, that Mary was conceived immaculately. Later, in […]
Mary’s Immaculate Conception
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Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. It is a Holy Day of obligation. Let’s talk briefly today about what the Immaculate Conception is, and isn’t. Probably the most common misconception (no pun intended) that people have is that the Immaculate Conception refers to the moment when Jesus was conceived in the womb of Mary. […]
Thursday, December 7, 2017
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Today is Phase 2 of Project Christmas and, once again, we’re joined by Operation Once-in-a-Lifetime and its founder Patrick Sowers. We raised over $11,000 for two needy families If you were unable to call in and donate and still wish to, you can do so by clicking here. Also, Gus goes over a recent article […]
All Talk, No Action
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Having a strong foundation is vital – for buildings and for people. Having a strong foundation is one of the themes we see in today’s readings. In our Gospel reading today from Matthew 7, Jesus says, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the Kingdom of heaven, but on the one who […]
Wednesday, December 6, 2017
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Jim Campbell, senior counsel for Alliance Defending Freedom, calls in to give Gus the details of yesterday’s Supreme Court oral arguments between the attorneys for Jack Phillips and the Masterpiece Cakeshop, who refused to make a wedding cake for a same-sex couple, and the attorneys for the plaintiffs. Jim also gives us the history of how […]
Behold our God!
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In the Gospel reading today from Matthew 15, Jesus feeds a great multitude. He says, “My heart is moved with pity for the crowd…I do not want to send them away hungry.” The disciples gave Him seven loaves and a few fish. Jesus fed the whole crowd. Afterwards, there were seven baskets of fragments left […]
Tuesday, December 5, 2017
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Gus concluded a parish mission the other night and spoke with a couple whose teenage children have told them they no longer wish to go to mass. Gus speaks to how heartbroken they were and that all he could tell them was that he’d pray for them. Gus asks listeners to call in and share their […]
Revealing the Father
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Our first reading today is from Isaiah 11. “On that day, a shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse, and from his roots a bud shall blossom.” This is a prophecy about how the Messiah, Jesus, would descend from the line of David. (Jesse was David’s father.) We’ll see this reading again as we […]
The Universal Church
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The word “catholic” means universal. We see prophesies about the universality of the Church in today’s readings. In the first reading from Isaiah 2, the prophet says of the mountain of the LORD, “All nations shall stream toward it; many peoples shall come and say: ‘Come, let us climb the LORD’s mountain, to the house […]
Advent and Doing Right
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Christmas is in the air! Can you feel it? Certainly all of the retailers hope you can. The world hammers us with Christmas. And there is certainly nothing wrong with getting into the “Christmas spirit.” But Holy Mother Church has a different idea about these weeks leading up to Christmas. That is why we celebrate […]
Drowsy Hearts
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In the Liturgical year, this might be considered New Year’s Eve. The new Church year starts tomorrow with the First Sunday of Advent. The theme of the Advent readings is always stay awake; be prepared, for you know not the hour. That theme has also been consistent recently. Today is no different. In the Gospel […]
Friday, December 1, 2017
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Gus talks with listeners again about church weddings and how some of the fees can be off-putting to some people. He asks listeners how they feel about it and whether or not they had to pay a fee for use of the church at their wedding. And it’s Friday, so that means we dedicate some […]
His Words Will Not Pass Away
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In our first reading today from Daniel 7, the prophet is privileged to get a vision of heaven. He sees “One like a son of man coming, on the clouds of heaven.” It was Jesus. The One whose “kingship shall not be destroyed. In today’s Gospel reading from Luke 21, Jesus says, “Heaven and earth […]
Thursday, November 30, 2017
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In light of today’s feast day, the Feast of St. Andrew (aka St. Peter’s brother), Gus talks with listeners about siblings. They talk about how many they have and how many practice the faith. Also, Gus talks about how our churches will be filled this Christmas with CEO Catholics, that is, Christmas and Easter Only. Gus […]
Brother Act
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Today is the feast of St. Andrew. Andrew was the brother of Simon Peter. In the first reading from Romans 10, St. Paul asks a number of questions…”How can they hear without someone to preach? And how can people preach unless they are sent?” Did you know that the word “apostle” means “one who is […]
Wednesday, November 29, 2017
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Gus talks about a situation in Washington D.C. where the Archdiocese of Washington D.C. is trying to purchase ads for display in D.C. Metro stations encouraging people go to church on Christmas but the Metro is refusing to allow them because of their religious nature (see below), which has led to a lawsuit. Gus talks with […]
The Handwriting on the Wall
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I think that many people are unaware that many common expressions actually oringinated in the Bible. Today is another example of that. We’ll talk about it in a sec. For our Gospel passage today, we’re back in Luke 21, with Jesus talking about the end of time. I talk often about how Christianity is not […]
Tuesday, November 28, 2017
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Project Christmas begins today! Each year, in the four weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas, we invite one charity on per week to raise money for those in need. Today, was Phase 1: Food for the Poor. Executive Director Angel Aloma gets things started once again for Project Christmas and we raise $11,000 in one hour […]
The End of Days
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Ever heard the expression “feet of clay?” It means when someone has a fatal flaw. Usually someone admired or thought highly of. We use the expression when someone lets us down. Really, we all have feet of clay. Well…at least I do. Anyway, that expression came from today’s first reading from Daniel 2. Daniel interprets […]
Monday, November 27, 2017
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Gus is back live following the Thanksgiving holiday and asks listeners to call in and share their Christmas decorating habits as we head into the Advent/Christmas season. And, it wouldn’t be Monday morning on Seize the Day if Gus didn’t engage in a little good news talk with listeners with Tell Me Something Good!
The Benefits of Following God’s Ways
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Today and for the rest of this week, we’re going to meet and learn about the Prophet Daniel. Today’s first reading is the beginning of the book of Daniel. We’ll talk about him in a moment. In the Gospel reading today from Luke 21, we see the story of the widow’s mite. Jesus witnesses a […]
Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe
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Today the Church celebrates the end of the liturgical year. Fittingly enough, it is the Feast of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, or more commonly referred to as Christ the King. All of the readings today point to the kingship of Christ. In the Gospel reading from Matthew 25, Jesus talks about […]
Wickedness
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In the Gospel reading today from Luke 20, some Sadducees ask Jesus a trick question regarding the resurrection of the dead. (The Sadducees did not believe in the resurrection of the dead.) Jesus answers the question and in the end affirms our belief in the Communion of Saints when He says, “[God] is not God […]
Follow the Money
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In the first reading today from 1 Maccabees 4, we read about the origins of Hannukah. Do you know what that Jewish feast, celebrated to this day, is all about? Read and find out! In the Gospel reading from Luke 19, we see Jesus throwing the merchants out of the temple area. The big shots […]
The Time of Your Visitation
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Another great story today from 1 Maccabees. Today we meet Mattathias. Mattathias had had enough of the baloney (this is a family blog) that was being shoved down the throats of his people. When he sees a fellow Jew offering sacrifice to a false god, “his just fury was aroused; he sprang forward and killed him […]
Parenting for Eternity
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In our first reading today from 2 Maccabees 7, we meet yet another fascinating character. She is a mother who exhibits amazing faith and bravery. Some may think otherwise, but I think so, and I’ll tell you why in a moment. In the Gospel passage from Luke 19, Jesus tells a parable about three servants […]
A Model of Courage
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In today’s readings, we meet two great characters of the Bible! The first is one who is probably very little known, the other very well known, especially with kids. He is Zacchaeus. You know the story…Zacchaeus is a little squirt of a guy who climbs up a tree to see Jesus. Jesus calls out to […]
A Bumpy Ride
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In the Gospel reading today from Luke 18, Jesus is on his way to Jericho when a blind man on the side of the road shouts out, “Son of David, have pity on me!” The crowd around tries to silence him, but he shouts all the more, “Son of David, have pity on me!” Jesus […]
Sins of Omission
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Today’s first reading from Proverbs talks about a worthy wife. I am blessed to have one myself. In the second reading, St. Paul tells the Thessalonians that they are “children of the light and children of the day.” And in the Gospel reading from Matthew 25, Jesus tells the parable of the talents. In the […]
Will He Find Faith?
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The time is coming when all things will be made new. Our first reading today from Wisdom 18 and 19 speaks of this. In the Gospel reading from Luke 18, Jesus tells a story about a widow and a judge. The judge is dishonest. He fears neither God nor man. The widow asks him to […]
Friday, November 17, 2017
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In honor of Thanksgiving next week, Gus asks listeners to call in and share what they’re thankful for and/or a Thanksgiving tradition unique to their families. Also, Gus engage’s in that Friday tradition of Prayer Time and also gives away some copies of A Minute in the Church to listeners who promise to give it […]
Seeing the Creator
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In today’s Gospel reading from Luke 17, Jesus talks about what things would be like on the day of His return. The first Christians were convinced that that day was very soon. They knew they needed to be ready. We need to live out our faith as if that day is imminent as well. In […]
Thursday, November 16, 2017
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At Pope Francis’ General Audience yesterday, the holy father told those gathered that the time before mass should be dedicated to prayer and getting us prepared for the Eucharist and not for chit chat. Gus asks listeners if they encounter chit-chatters before mass and how they handle them. Do they shoosh? Give a look? Do […]
Wisdom
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Our first reading today is again from the Book of Wisdom. What an amazing book! In it, Wisdom is always referred to as a female personal pronoun, she. More in a moment. In the Gospel reading today from Luke 17, the Pharisees want to know from Jesus when the Kingdom of God would come. Jesus […]
Wednesday, November 15, 2017
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We talk again today with people who’ve struggled with infertility. On his recent trip to the Holy Land, Gus visited the Chapel of the Milk Grotto in Bethlehem (pictured below) where Catholic tradition says is the place where the Holy Family found refuge during the “slaughter of the innocents”, before they could flee to Egypt. The name, […]
The 90-10 Rule
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I’m awfully glad that I am not a prominent politician; a world leader or government official. First of all, I love what I do and couldn’t imagine doing anything else. But beyond that, leaders of people have a gigantic responsibility. Today’s first reading from Wisdom 6 gives us a glimpse of what God expects from […]
Tuesday, November 14, 2017
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Gus starts off the program with a bang this morning, sharing the news that his daughter Carly got engaged over the weekend to her boyfriend Jose, but before popping the question Jose approached Gus a couple of weeks before and asked him for his daughter’s hand in marriage. Gus invites listeners to call in and share […]
Trophies for All!
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Today’s first reading from Wisdom 2 and 3 is one that we recently heard – on All Souls’ Day. It is one that those of us who have lost loved ones can take great comfort in. In the Gospel reading from Luke 17 we hear Jesus say, “When you have done all you have been […]
Monday, November 13, 2017
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When Gus was in the Holy Land, he ended up buying a new wedding band, He’s been wearing the same one since he got married in 1979 so he asks listeners about their wedding band. Are they still wearing the same one or have they upgraded? And, after Tell Me Something Good, Gus asks listeners to call […]
Causing Others to Sin
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Are you familiar with the Book of Wisdom? If not, be sure to follow along with the readings this week as our first readings will be from this amazing book. Reading it will truly give you wisdom. In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus says, “Things that cause sin will inevitably occur, but woe to the one […]
The Ten Virgins
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Today’s Gospel reading from Matthew 25 can be a tricky one. Jesus tells His disciples a parable, the message of which He sums up at the end. “Therefore, stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour.” The parable is about ten virgins awaiting a bridegroom in anticipation of a wedding feast. Five […]
Trustworthy
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In the Gospel reading from Luke 16, Jesus talks about being trustworthy in matters great and small. Jesus said, “The person who is trustworthy in very small matters is also trustworthy in great ones; and the person who is dishonest in very small matters is also dishonest in great ones.” Honesty/trustworthiness is a virtue that we […]