Saint Mary Magdalene
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Today is the feast of St. Mary Magdalene. There are different options for the first reading, so I’ll let you read them and mull them over yourself. You can choose from Song of Songs 3:1-4 or 2 Corinthians 5:14-17. The Gospel is from John 20. It is the story of Mary’s meeting with Jesus after […]
Passover and Holy Mass
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Each year on Holy Thursday, the first reading for the Mass of the Lord’s Supper is taken from Exodus 11-12. That same reading is today’s first reading. In the Gospel reading from Matthew 12, the Pharisees call Jesus out because His disciples were “working” on the sabbath. Today’s first reading contains God’s instructions for the […]
Thursday, July 20, 2017
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Gus resumes yesterday’s extremely hot topic of how we dress at mass. After the show, Gus was inundated with emails about the topic and opinions were pretty well mixed. Gus again takes it to the listeners and gets their thoughts on dressing up or dressing down for mass.
I AM
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In the first reading today from Exodus 3, we read more of the interaction between God and Moses when God reveals Himself in the burning bush. Our Gospel reading is a familiar one from Matthew 11. Take it to heart and you will find rest in Jesus. When God told Moses to go and speak […]
Wednesday, July 19, 2017
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Gus talks about dress codes at mass and whether or not it’s an invitation to get dressed up or we should just be happy people are coming and not be mindful of what they wear. If you feel that there should be a dress standard, are you being judgmental? Gus takes it to listeners and […]
Holy Ground
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In today’s first reading from Exodus 3, Moses has an encounter with God. Moses spies a bush that is on fire, yet is not being consumed by the flames. Curious at the sight, he goes in for a closer look. And God calls out to him. “Moses! Moses!” He answered, “Here I am.” God said, […]
Tuesday, July 18, 2017
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Gus reads the controversial report on U.S. Catholicism, written by Jesuit priest Fr. Antonio Spadaro (pictured below) and Marcello Figueroa for the Italian Jesuit publication La Civiltà Cattolica, entitled “A Suprising Ecumenism.” Afterwards, Gus gives his take on the article and then gets listener reaction. Later, Gus talks about mass and how people can, at times, struggle […]
Lessons Not Learned
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In the first reading today from Exodus 2, we see the beginning of the story of Moses. 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 did not repent. Jesus has some pretty harsh words for these […]
Jesus the Divider
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One of the titles of Jesus is Prince of Peace. Yet in today’s Gospel reading from Matthew 10, Jesus says just the opposite. “Do not think that I have come to bring peace upon the earth. I have come to bring not peace but the sword.” He then goes on to tell how He will […]
Of Seeds and Sowers
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In the Gospel reading today from Matthew 13, Jesus tells the parable of the sower of the seeds. After telling his parable, the disciples didn’t understand. Jesus seems a bit perturbed. But He explains the parable to them. He explains that the seed is the “word of the kingdom.” Then He goes on to explain […]
Acknowledging Jesus
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In today’s first reading, we see the end of the story of Joseph in Genesis 49 and 50. After Jacob had died, Joseph’s brothers were still afraid that Joseph might exact revenge on them for what they had done to him. But Joseph had no such plans. And he reassures them that he forgives them, […]
Friday, July 14, 2017
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The Catholic Church has faced political, social and philosophical threat since its beginning so Gus talks with listeners about some of the greatest threats to the Catholic faith today. Later, Bryan Mercier (pictured below) Catholic speaker and writer, sits down with Gus in the Conversion Corner. Bryan is a Catholic revert. Check out his conversion story […]
Of Hate and Endurance
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What a beautiful reunion we read about today in our first reading from Genesis 46. Jacob/Israel thought that his youngest son, Joseph, had been eaten by wild beasts. But then his other boys come back from Egypt and spill the beans about the truth of what happened. Israel was now very old, and all he […]
Thursday, July 13, 2017
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Fr. Doug Grandon calls in, from the Netherlands, to sit down with Gus in the Conversion Corner and share his conversion and vocation story. Fr. Grandon is in the Netherlands with 13 FOCUS students, and some nuns from the Nashville Dominicans, on a missionary trip. Also, Gus talks about a recent opinion piece written by […]
God’s Bigger Plan
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In the Gospel reading today from Matthew 10, Jesus sends out the Twelve and gives them their “marching orders.” He says to them, “Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give.” The same holds true for us. God has given us everything freely. We should be willing to share the gifts that […]
Go To the Lost Sheep
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Joseph was the beloved son of Israel. His brothers were extremely jealous and sold him into slavery. Joseph rose in Egypt to become Pharaoh’s right hand man. In our first reading from Genesis 41 and 42, you don’t see that story, but you need to know it to get the context of the reading. (It […]
Tuesday, July 11, 2017
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In honor of St. Benedict’s feast day, Gus gives a Benedictine twist to Bible Roulette where he gives out each of St. Benedict’s 12 Steps of Humility, from his Rule of St. Benedict, to callers. Also, in keeping with the feast day, Gus talks with listeners about their favorite religious order, since St. Benedict is […]
Big Time Wrestling
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Another fascinating story today in our first reading from Genesis 32. Today we read about Jacob wrestling with a divine being. After something of a stalemate, Jacob gets his name changed. More in a moment. In the Gospel reading, Jesus tells the disciples, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the […]
How to Bring Healing
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Everyone knows the classic song “Stairway to Heaven,” right? Did you know the title of the song is based on a passage from Scripture? We find it in today’s first reading from Genesis 28. Jacob has a dream about a stairway that goes up to heaven. Check it out. In our Gospel reading from Matthew […]
Jesus’ Yoke
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In today’s Gospel reading from Matthew 11, we hear familiar saying of Jesus. “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my […]
A Deceptive Blessing
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Today’s first reading from Genesis 27 is one that is tough to read and perhaps even tougher to understand. Isaac is an old man and wants to anoint his heir with a blessing. His oldest son, Esau, is the one who is to receive the blessing. But that’s not how things went down. Rebekah, Esau […]
Friday, July 7, 2017
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Gus talks about a real-life conundrum he heard about recently. A man’s wife passed away and wanted to be cremated with her ashes scattered over the ocean. Not long after her death, the widower had a conversion experience and became Catholic. The Catholic Church condones cremation but the ashes may not be scattered Now, he’s […]
Follow Me
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In today’s first reading from Genesis 23 and 24, we see the story of Isaac finding his wife Rebekah. In the Gospel reading from Matthew 9, we read the story of the call of Matthew. “As Jesus passed by, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs post. He said to him, ‘Follow […]
Thursday, July 6, 2017
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Today Gus shared Pope Francis’ prayer intention for the month of June – to pray for those who are distant from the faith. Click here to watch the video from the Vatican on this. In light of that, Gus asked listeners to share the story of how they found the Catholic Channel and where they […]
The Ultimate Test
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Today in our first reading from Genesis 22, we see Abraham put to the test by God. Could it be the ultimate test? I think so, and I’ll tell you why in a moment. In the Gospel reading from Matthew 9, we see the story Jesus healing a paralytic. But more than just healing him […]
Wednesday, July 5, 2017
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Fr. Richard Rojas sits down with Gus in the Conversion Corner. Fr. Richard grew up Presbyterian and eventually became an Anglican priest. It was in the latter church that he discovered his affinity for the Catholic faith. Check out his recent appearance on the Coming Home Network here. Also, Gus talks a little about Charlie […]
Casting Out Jesus
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In today’s readings we see three instances of casting out. When Sarah was afraid that Abraham would die childless, she encouraged him to have a child with her servant, Hagar. After having her own child, Sarah insisted Abraham cast out Hagar and her son. Saddened, Abraham complies. In today’ Gospel, Jesus has an encounter with two […]
God Bless America!
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I know this blog is supposed to be about the daily readings, but I’m going to veer from that for today. I’ll keep it short. I want to talk for a moment about America. Many people are uncomfortable mixing religion with patriotism. For the most part, I am, too. Many people think that if you […]
Doubting Thomas
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Today the Church celebrates the Feast of Saint Thomas the Apostle. In the first reading from Ephesians 2, St. Paul tells us that the household of God, the Church, is built upon the foundation of the Apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the capstone. And the Gospel reading from John 20 is the […]
The Rewards of Hospitality
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In Matthew 10, Jesus sends out the Twelve. He tells them many things, mostly about the cost of discipleship and what sort of things they would run into as His disciples. “Whoever does not take up his cross and follow after me is not worthy of me.” At the end of this chapter, Jesus tells […]
Is Anything Too Marvelous?
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“Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof…” Those are familiar words to Catholics, as they are said just before we go to receive Jesus in the Eucharist. Many Catholics may not realize they are quoting Scripture when they speak those words. They are part of today’s Gospel reading from Matthew […]
Friday, June 30, 2017
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Gus starts this morning leading into a long weekend with a Catholic true or false quiz and gives away some items that he brought home from his recent pilgrimage to Fatima. For Friday prayer time, we prayed an Intentional Rosary. This is where a listener’s special intention is included with each Hail Mary of a […]
Laughter
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Abram had just had a son, Ishmael. This son was not born of his wife, Sarai. But in today’s first reading from Genesis 17, God tells Abraham that his wife, Sarah, (notice the name changes) will bear him a son. More on that in a moment. In the Gospel reading today, Jesus comes down off […]
Two Giants
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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 […]
True or False
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“Abram put his faith in the LORD, who credited to him as an act of righteousness.” This line is from today’s first reading from Genesis 15. St. Paul also recounts it in his Letter to the Romans, chapter 4. When we put our faith in God, it will be credited to us as righteousness as […]
Tuesday, June 27, 2017
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Gus talks with people who’ve endured, or are currently enduring, cancer treatment and, later, talks with listeners who’ve surpassed, or know someone who has, a critical health diagnosis through faith, hope and attitude. Also, Gus goes over the Supreme Court’s decision to hear case on religious objections to same-sex marriage. The Supreme Court agreed on Monday […]
Giving What is Holy to Dogs
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In our first reading today we find ourselves back in the Book of Genesis, reading about Abram and Lot. For our Gospel reading, we’re back in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 7. What I want to reflect on today will be difficult for some to hear, and will certainly put some people off. […]
Monday, June 26, 2017
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Unfortunately for Gus, he’s being going to a lot of funerals lately so it’s given him reason to think what he would like the liturgy to be for his, including readings and songs. He invites listeners to call in and share their funeral plans. And, it wouldn’t be a Monday on Seize the Day without a […]
Judge Not
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In the first reading today we find ourselves in Genesis 12. We see the LORD telling Abram, “Go forth from the land of your kinsfolk and from your father’s house to a land that I will show you.” So at the tender age of 75, Abram departs. In the Gospel from Matthew 7, Jesus says, […]
Priceless
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Have you ever felt worthless? I suspect we all struggle with those feelings from time to time. Nothing could be further from the truth. We see this in today’s Gospel reading from Matthew 10. Jesus tells the disciples how precious they are in the sight of God. Now, his “compliment” may not sound so special […]
John the Baptist
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Today the Church celebrates the Nativity of John the Baptist. In the first reading today from Isaiah 49, we see the messianic prophesies, all of which certainly could be attributed to John the Baptist. In the second reading from Acts 13, St. Paul talks about how John heralded the word of salvation. And the Gospel […]
Friday, June 23, 2017
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Gus jumps into Friday prayer time right off the bat this morning, praying for the needs of all his listeners. Trent Horn, an apologist with Catholic Answers, called in to talk about his new book, Why We’re Catholic: Our Reasons for Faith, Hope and Love. You can get a copy of the book here. Gus […]
Jesus’ Heart
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Today the Church celebrates the Feast of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. Jesus speaks of His heart in the Gospel reading from Matthew 11: “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and […]
Thursday, June 22, 2017
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Gus gives an update on David Daleiden, the man behind the undercover Planned Parenthood videos which show high-ranking PPFA official bartering for the sale of fetal organs and tissue, which is illegal. A The San Francisco Superior Court dismissed 14 felony counts against Daleiden and the Center for Medical Progress, which had been filed by […]
A Different Gospel
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Apparently there were some preachers coming through Corinth that were preaching a gospel different from the one that St. Paul had been preaching and teaching. And St. Paul addresses this in 2 Corinthians 11. We’ll talk about that shortly. The Gospel reading today is from Matthew 6, where Jesus teaches us how to pray. We […]
Wednesday, June 21, 2017
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Gus plays the clip of his on-air flub yesterday, during the Prayer to St. Michael, and laughs incessantly for about two minutes. He invites listeners to call in and he quizzes them on mass prayers. He starts a prayer that we either hear or say at every Sunday mass and asks the caller to finish […]
God Supplies
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If you read today’s Gospel reading from Matthew 6, you might think it is Ash Wednesday. It’s not, but this is the exact same reading we hear every Ash Wednesday. Jesus teaches about the three pillars of Lent, almsgiving, prayer and fasting. In today’s first reading from 2 Corinthians 9, we see what may be […]
Tuesday, June 20, 2017
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Gus shared the story of a federal judge ruling that a large white Latin cross in a park in Pensacola, FL had to be taken down. Gus then asked listeners if they thought Satan was behind this. Find the story here. Gus then spoke with Daniel Mattson, author of Why I Don’t Call Myself Gay. […]
Monday, June 19, 2017
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Gus reads an email from a listener who happens to be a mechanic who says he discovered Seize the Day from a customer who left it on in his car. Inspired by that, Gus asks listeners if there’s a particular app or Web site or other resource that helps them in their faith and how […]
Genuine Love
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Love is at the core of the message of Jesus. We see this clearly in both of our Scripture passages in today’s Mass. In the Gospel reading from Matthew 5, Jesus tells us we must love our enemies. And in the first reading from 2 Corinthians 8 St. Paul has words that test the genuineness […]