What Are You Working For?
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St. Stephen is considered the “proto-martyr” or first martyr. In today’s first reading from Acts, we see St. Stephen being put on trial, with many false witnesses coming to testify against him. In the Gospel, we continue with John 6. We hear Jesus say to the people, “Do not work for food that perishes but […]
The Importance of Scripture
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In today’s first reading from Acts 3, St. Peter talks about the empty tomb. And in today’s Gospel from Luke 24, Jesus appears to two of His disciples walking on the road to Emmaus. After Jesus was made known to them “in the breaking of the bread,” They said, “Were not our hearts burning within us […]
Thank a Deacon!
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For today’s Gospel reading, we’re back in John 6. The disciples are out on a boat when they see Jesus walking toward them on the water. It was dark and naturally the disciples had never seen anything like this before, so they were afraid. But Jesus calms their fears, saying, “It is I. Do not […]
Closed Doors, Open Windows
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In our Gospel reading today, we begin a journey through John 6. Later in the chapter we will be reading and reflecting on the Bread of Life discourse, Jesus’ principle teaching on the Eucharist. But at the beginning of John 6, we read today about a miraculous feeding of the multitudes. Coincidence? I think not. […]
How Much of the Spirit Do You Want?
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In today’s first reading from Acts 5, Peter and the Apostles were called on the carpet by the Sanhedrin for teaching in the name of Jesus. Their response? “We must obey God rather than men.” Words for us to live by. In the Gospel reading from John 3, we see a very important thought from […]
Personalizing John 3:16
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In today’s first reading from Acts 5, we see the first of numerous jail breaks in the Acts of the Apostles. Seems that the authorities wanted to keep the Apostles silent, to stop them from preaching Jesus. So they kept throwing them in the pokey. But God would have none of it. So He sent […]
Tuesday, April 25, 2017
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Catholic author Bret Thoman joins us from Italy where he is in the midst of walking the Camino of Saint Benedict, a walking trail from St. Benedict’s birthplace, Norcia, to the monastery where he died and where his body is kept, Montecassino. He’s doing this to draw awareness to the damage caused by last year’s devastating earthquake […]
Monday, April 24, 2017
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Over the weekend, one of Gus’s nieces got married. Also, his daughter and son-in-law celebrated their fifth wedding anniversary over the weekend. Gus talks with listeners about their wedding day memories. And, it wouldn’t be a Seize the Day Monday without a little Tell Me Something Good!
Resist the Devil
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Today is the Feast of St. Mark. Mark was a cousin of Barnabas, accompanied St. Paul on his first missionary journey and later went with him to Rome. He was a disciple of St. Peter whose teaching was the basis for Mark’s Gospel. The Gospel reading today is the end of Mark’s Gospel, where Jesus […]
Born Again in Baptism
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Another awesome first reading today from Acts 4. After Peter and John were released, the disciples all got together and prayed, “And now, Lord, take note of their threats, and enable your servants to speak your word with all boldness.” The Scripture says “they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak […]
Sharing God’s Mercy
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Today, the second Sunday of Easter, is Divine Mercy Sunday. So, rather than do a reflection on the daily Scriptures (I’ll trust you to do that on your own!), I thought we could take just a moment to reflect on God’s mercy. If you do a search of the Scriptures, you will find hundreds of […]
Holy Boldness
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In Acts today, we see Peter and John before the Sanhedrin saying, “It is impossible for us not to speak about what we have seen and heard.” And in the Gospel from Mark 16, Jesus tells the Eleven to “Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.” Peter and John give […]
Friday, April 21, 2017
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Billy Kangas sits down with Gus in the Conversion Corner. Billy was raised in the Lutheran faith and his conversion began when he started asking himself tough questions about the nature of authority in his own denomination, but couldn’t quite buy the idea of papal authority. Gradually, he came around. Check out Billy’s recent appearance on […]
A Fishy Number
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In today’s reading from Acts 4, Peter and John spend the night in the clink and the next day they proclaim Jesus to the powers that be. The Scripture tells us that Peter was “filled with the Holy Spirit.” As we should be! In the Gospel reading from John 21, the disciples have an encounter […]
Thursday, April 20, 2017
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Today, Gus talks about the First Reading from today’s mass, taken from the Acts of the Apostles, where St. Peter, at Solomon’s portico, addressed those in attendance about Jesus and how they handed him over to Pilate in their ignorance. Afterwards, Gus talks with listeners about times in their lives when they were ignorant in […]
Ignorance is Bliss?
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You’ve heard the old expression “Ignorance is bliss.” In the first reading today from Acts 3, St. Peter refers to the people’s ignorance. More on that in a moment. In the Gospel reading from Luke 24, we read about what happened right after the experience of the disciples on the road to Emmaus. Jesus makes […]
Wednesday, April 19, 2017
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Gus talks about two suicides that took place over the last two days. First, former NE Patriots TE Aaron Hernandez was found hanging in his jail cell this morning. Second, Steve Stephens, the Facebook killer who killed 74-year-old Robert Godwin (pictured below) in cold blood and posted the video on Facebook, took his own life during a […]
Emmaus and the Eucharist
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In today’s Gospel reading from Luke 24, we read the story of the disciples on the road to Emmaus. They have an encounter with the risen Jesus, but don’t recognize Him, until “he was made known to them in the breaking of the bread.” What does this mean? As Catholics, we believe that at Mass, […]
Tuesday, April 18, 2017
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Catholic speaker/author Christopher West calls in to talk about his new free eBook “Theology of the Body at the Movies,” where he reviews 26 secular movies that have deeper spiritual meanings than most of us realize. Afterwards, Gus talks with listeners about what movie had a deep spiritual impact on them. Also, Gus talks about the […]
Decisions, Decisions
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Back we go to the day of Pentecost in Acts 2 today. When the people heard about salvation through Christ Jesus, they asked Peter and the other Apostles, “What are we to do, my brothers?” More on that in a moment. In the Gospel reading today, we’re in John 20, reading about St. John’s post-resurrection […]
Monday, April 17, 2017
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It’s two days after the Saturday Easter Vigil, where Catholics going through RCIA are confirmed (and baptized in some cases), so Gus invites newly-minted Catholics to call in and share their experience. And, Steve Baker of Baker Architects calls in to talk about Catholic architecture and why it’s important for our edification and why modern churches […]
Thursday, April 13, 2017
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It’s Holy Thursday and Lent is over, but not necessarily for us. For our final Lenten 40/40/40, Leslie Tardoff, executive director of Save a Family Plan, joins us to talk about their mission, which is a commitment to poverty reduction in India through sustainable development and the overall strengthening of families and communities. Also, Dr. […]
Do Not Be Afraid!
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Happy Easter! I know, I know…Easter was yesterday. That is so old news. But it isn’t! The Church celebrates Easter for fifty days! Wish someone a Happy Easter today. See what kind of look you get, then explain to them that the celebration didn’t end yesterday. In today’s Gospel reading from Matthew 28, we read […]
Happy Easter!!
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Jesus Christ is risen today! Alleluia! Our triumphant Holy Day! Alleluia! Today we celebrate the Resurrection of the Lord. This is the greatest day of the Church year. The day that sin and death were defeated, put in their place. Even death could not hold the Son of God. And this is what the Good […]
Now We Wait
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Today is Holy Saturday. There is no Mass until tonight’s Easter Vigil. The link provided below is for the Easter Vigil readings. Jesus was dead. In the tomb. For His disciples, this had to be a terrible day. He said He would rise from the dead, but how could they really know? This day must […]
A Day to Remember
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Today is the one day of the year when there is no Mass celebrated. The commemoration of Good Friday is the most solemn day of the year. The readings for the Good Friday liturgy are so moving. In the first reading from Isaiah 52, we see prophesied that which Jesus would endure on this day. […]
The Importance of Holy Thursday
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Lent is over today. Now, that doesn’t mean that you stop with your Lenten penances and practices. Those should continue into Saturday evening. Tonight we begin tonight the Sacred Triduum. It is one long liturgical celebration that encompasses Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday. I hope you will make it to church for all […]
Wednesday, April 12, 2017
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Gus talks about two bishops who gave conflicting statement on churches being sanctuaries for illegal immigrants. Manchester, New Hampshire Bishop Peter Libasci said his diocese will not allow illegal immigrants to take refuge by living in its churches and suffer criminal prosecution and fines for harboring those not in this country legally. Conversely, Bishop Robert […]
Tuesday, April 11, 2017
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We’re almost to the end of Lent and Gus talks about what his has been like and gives himself a letter grade. Afterwards, he invites listeners to call in and give their Lenten letter grades. And, for our Lenten 40/40/40 Project, Sister Constance Veit of the Little Sisters of the Poor calls in to talk about […]
The Kiss of Judas
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Want to know what Jesus is all about and what he did for you? Check out today’s first reading from Isaiah 50. It really says it all. On Wednesday of Holy Week, we think about Judas Iscariot, the disciple who betrayed Jesus. In the Gospel reading from Matthew 26, we see Judas cutting a deal […]
Monday, April 10, 2017
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Gus talks about the Passion Narrative from the Gospel of Matthew at yesterday’s mass. Usually the priest, two readers, and the crowd at mass read it, but at Gus’s church, only the deacon read everything. He asks listeners what their experience yesterday was like. Also, Carla Dobrovits, director of Reece’s Rainbow, calls in to participate in our […]
I Will Lay Down My Life for You!
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Our first reading today is from Isaiah 49, the second oracle of the Servant of the Lord. “I will make you a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.” Our Gospel reading is from John 13. Here we see Peter at his finest, just moments before we would […]
Of Reeds and Wicks
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Monday of Holy Week. For the next few days, our first readings will be from Isaiah, the prophesies of the Servant of the Lord. We’ll talk about today’s reading in a moment. The Gospel reading today is from John 12. Jesus goes to the home of Mary, Martha and Lazarus. Mary anoints his feet with […]
Passion Sunday
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Today is one of the most well-attended Mass days of the year. Passion Sunday or Palm Sunday. Outside of Christmas and Easter (and perhaps Ash Wednesday), more people come to Palm Sunday Mass than any other. Why? Because the Church is giving something away! Free palms for all! I hope that if we see people […]
One Dies for Many
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As we approach Palm Sunday, the story of the final week of Jesus’ life unfolds. In the first reading from Ezekiel 37, the prophet speaks of the return of the Davidic Kingdom. Of course, Jesus came to fulfill the Davidic Kingdom in a perfect way. In the Gospel reading from John 11, Caiaphas, the high […]
Friday, April 7, 2017
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For our Lenten 40/40/40 Project today, Gus talks with Jon Radulovic, vice president of National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, talks about hospice and how our listeners can contribute to them or to their local hospice care in a variety of ways. To contribute to the NHPCO, click here. Afterward, Gus talks with listeners who’ve had experience […]
Doing the Father’s Works
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In today’s first reading from Jeremiah 20, we hear the people plotting against Jeremiah. But they will not be victorious; they will not have their way. Jeremiah says, “But the Lord is with me, like a mighty champion: my persecutors will stumble, they will not triumph…Praise the Lord, for he has rescued the life of […]
Thursday, April 6, 2017
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Pam Moffitt, president and founder of Tree of Hope Foundation, calls in for our Lenten 40/40/40 Project, which specializes in post-partum depression awareness. To help support Tree of Hope Foundation, click here. Also, Gus talks about Sunday homilies and what people think of the ones they hear on a weekly basis and whether or not […]
Covenant with God
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There are only a very few instances of God changing someone’s name in the Scriptures. Today we see the first of these in Genesis 17. Abram gets a new name. “Your name shall be Abraham, for I am making you the father of a host of nations.” This is pretty groundbreaking stuff, as Abraham and […]
Wednesday, April 5, 2017
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Tom Basile joins Gus in studio. Tom talks about his new book “Tough Sell: Fighting the Media War in Iraq,” which talks about his time in Iraq, during President George W. Bush’s administration, helping implement a free society and the criticism they encountered from the American media. Afterwards, Tom stays for our Lenten 40/40/40 and tells our listeners about a […]
Into the Fire
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In today’s Gospel reading from John 8, we hear Jesus tell the Jews who believed in Him, “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” That statement is always true. Lies and falsehood and deception keep us imprisoned. The truth does, indeed, set us free. This statement plays into our first […]
Tuesday, April 4, 2017
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Gus talks about Fr. Tony Flannery’s comments that people are leaving the Catholic Church because of its teachings on the Holy Trinity, the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Immaculate Conception. He feels they no longer make sense. Fr. Flannery (pictured below) has been suspended by the Vatican since 2013. Gus gets listener reaction. And, as […]
The Antidote for Sin
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Today’s first reading from Numbers 21 tells us the story of God sending saraph serpents among the people of Israel, who had become terrible whiners. God then commands Moses to make a bronze serpent and mount it on a pole. Whenever someone looked up at the serpent, they would be healed and live. In the […]
Monday, April 3, 2017
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Gus talks about the furor over the realization the Vice President Mike Pence never dines alone with a female or goes near alcohol without his wife present. Several people, mostly on the left, criticized the VP’s practice, calling it sexist, misogynistic and chauvinistic. Gus gives his take on it, which is supportive of the VP’s stance, […]
A Second Chance
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In today’s readings, we see the stories of two women who are about to be killed. In the first reading from Daniel, we see the story of Susanna. Two wicked men falsely accuse her of a crime punishable by death. But their falsehoods are revealed by Daniel. It really is a magnificent story, one that […]
The Purpose of Suffering
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Today’s Gospel reading from John 11 is probably the longest reading of the Church year outside the reading of the Passion. It is the story of Jesus raising His friend Lazarus from the dead. Jesus was good friends with Lazarus and his sisters, Mary and Martha. The sisters sent word to Jesus that Lazarus was […]
Prejudging
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Jesus was a very controversial figure. Still is to many. In today’s Gospel reading from John 7, we see some of that controversy. Some people believed Jesus to be the Prophet. Others said He was the Christ. But some doubted because of where He was from. “The Christ will not come from Galilee, will he? […]
Friday, March 31, 2017
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Bill LeMire, of the Laboure Society, calls in for today’s Lenten 40/40/40 Project. The Laboure Society specializes in assists men and women seeking the religious life eliminate their student debt so they can enter the seminary or convent. Gus also talks with listeners about Lenten family traditions and prayers they doing each season and it’s […]
God’s Timing
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In today’s first reading from Wisdom 2, we see Jesus. Not mentioned by name, of course, but the prophesy spells out in great detail the circumstances surrounding the passion and death of Jesus Christ. In our Gospel reading from John 7, the Jews continue in their plot to have Jesus killed. “So they tried to […]
Thursday, March 30, 2017
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Gus talks with Fr. Bismark Chou, pastor of St. John’s Parish in Newark, NJ. Fr. Chou also runs St. John’s Soup Kitchen (pictured below) and, for our Lenten 40/40/40 Project, he talks with Gus about the work they do, who they help and how they can assist them or their local soup kitchen. To donate to […]