Mary’s Magnificat
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In today’s first reading from 1 Samuel 1, we see Hannah giving up her only son to the service of the Lord. Eli, the priest, had prayed that Hannah might be granted the desire of her heart, a son. After Samuel was born, she gave him to Eli to be brought up to serve the […]
Wednesday, December 21, 2016
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Gus concludes Project Christmas in traditional fashion with Cynthia Lake Farrell and the Children’s Dream Fund. We raise money for two needy children who are battling life-threatening illnesses. If you weren’t able to call in or get through, you may do so by clicking here. Also, since it’s the penultimate Seize the Day of 2016, […]
Welcoming Mary
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Today’s Gospel reading from Luke 1 is the story of the Visitation, when Mary went to visit her cousin, Elizabeth, who herself was pregnant with John the Baptist. “Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, ‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.” […]
Tuesday, December 20, 2016
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A few days ago, Gus received an email from a listener who said she was leaving because of the election results, so he talks with listeners about people leaving the faith because of the presidential election results. Also, high school coaching legend John Knuth calls in to share his story of drawing closer to God […]
Monday, December 19, 2016
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Inspired by today’s Gospel reading (Luke 1: 5-25), which recounts the birth of St. John the Baptist to aged parents, Gus asks listeners to share their miracle baby stories. Gus also plays some Seize the Day Christmas traditions, including “You’re A Mean One, Catholic Guy,” “The Little Drummer Boy” duet with Lino and Mary’s Dream and […]
LOVE is With Us
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In today’s first reading from Isaiah 7, we see the prophecy that is at the heart of Christianity. “Therefore, the Lord himself will give you this sign: the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall name him Emmanuel.” The virgin birth. And the Gospel reading from Luke 1 shows the fulfillment of this […]
Miracle Babies
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Today’s readings tell the stories of two miracle babies – Samson and John the Baptist. The mothers of both of these boys were barren. Everyone assumed they would never have children. God had another plan. Each of these babies had a special mission in God’s plan. Samson was destined to deliver Israel from the power […]
Dream Big!
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Today is the Fourth Sunday of Advent. Christmas is just one week away! In today’s first reading, we see the prophesy from Isaiah 7: “Therefor the LORD himself will give you this sign: the virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall name him Emmanuel.” In the Gospel reading from Matthew 1, the story […]
All in the Family
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Well, it is one week before Christmas Eve! Are you feeling it yet? Beginning today, the liturgy begins to unfold the story of Christmas. In the first reading today from Genesis 49, we hear Jacob telling his sons, “The scepter shall never depart from Judah, or the mace from between his legs, while tribute is […]
Friday, December 16, 2016
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Gus launches Project Christmas Phase III with Operation Once in a Lifetime and Sgt. Patrick Sowers. In an hour, they raised over $45,000 for three needy military veterans and their families, thanks in much to a singular donation of $30,000! If you were unable to call in or get through but would still like to […]
A House of Prayer
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We hear more about John the Baptist in today’s Gospel reading from John 5. Jesus says, “John was a burning and shining lamp, and for a while you were content to rejoice in his light. But I have testimony greater than John’s.” In the first reading from Isaiah 56, the LORD says, “For my house […]
Thursday, December 15, 2016
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Gus talks about having kids later in life and talks with listeners who’ve either had children later in life or if they are a child who was born later in their parents’ life. And, Gus talks again with listeners about physician-assisted suicide and whether or not the person involved should receive Last Rites or not. This […]
Wednesday, December 14, 2015
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Gus talks about two groups of Canadian Catholic bishops who’ve given conflicting statements on whether or not a priest can give Last Rites to a person about to commit physician-assisted suicide. So, Gus asks listeners whether or not the sacrament should be administered and opinions are greatly varied. Also, Gus shares a story about a couple […]
My Love Shall Never Leave You
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In today’s Gospel reading from Luke 7, Jesus reveals the truth about John the Baptist. “This is the one about whom Scripture says: Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, he will prepare your way before you.” In the first reading from Isaiah 54, the Lord gives us words we must always hang […]
Go and Tell
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In the first reading today from Isaiah 45, you get the sense that God has a message for the people. Five times God says, “I am the Lord, there is no other!” (Or something very similar.) Only God is God…get the message? In the Gospel reading from Luke 7, John sends two of his disciples […]
Tuesday, December 12, 2016
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Gus talks with listeners about traveling today. He talks with listeners about their commutes and jobs that require traveling. He also discusses the effects it has on their home lives, and whether or not they get any spiritual benefit out of it. Also, Gus’ giving mood continues as he continues to give out some more […]
Changed Minds, Changed Hearts, Changed Ways
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A genuine encounter with Jesus changes a person. In today’s readings we read about people who have encountered God and changed. In the first reading from Zephaniah 3, we see that most of the people have rejected God. But the LORD says, “For then I will change and purify the lips of the peoples, that […]
Monday, December 12, 2016
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Tony Ryan, director of marketing for Ignatius Press, calls in for the Ignatius Press Book of the Week. This week, it’s Guadalupe Mysteries. In this glorious, lavishly illustrated book, the renowned author-photographer team Grzegorz Gorny and Janusz Rosikon take the reader on an illustrated pilgrimage to Our Lady of Guadalupe. They tell the amazing story of […]
Friday, December 9, 2012
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Gus is in a giving mood this morning as he does a Not-So-Secret Santa and gives away various Christmas presents to listeners from our prize closet. Later on, Bob Dunning calls in and talks coaching changes in college football and gives his Heisman Trophy prediction.
Your Merciful 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 sorrows.” […]
Like a Prophet
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Happy Gaudete Sunday! The Third Sunday of Advent is known as Gaudete Sunday. Gaudete means “rejoice.” It is the first word of the Introit, or entrance antiphon, in the Mass. Today we light the pink candle on the Advent wreath. Rejoice! The Lord is near! Today’s Gospel reading from Matthew 11 once again focuses on […]
Expect the Unexpected
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Today’s first reading is from the Book of Sirach. The author talks of Elijah, “whose words were a flaming furnace.” Then in the Gospel reading from Matthew 17, the disciples ask Jesus, “Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?” Jesus answers and tells them that “Elijah has already come.” But the scribes […]
Simple But Not Easy
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Love always desires the good. God is love. Therefore, God always desires the good. He always wants what is best for us. He also knows that often what we want is not what is best for us. In the first reading from Isaiah 48, it’s put like this: “I, the LORD, your God, teach you […]
Thursday, December 8, 2016
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Gus took the day off yesterday so he could travel back home following the Catholic Channel’s 10-Hour 10th Anniversary Show but he came back today in spades with Phase II of Project Christmas. Today, we raised approximately $5,000 for two refugee families sponsored by Catholic Charities of Central Florida‘s Refugee Resettlement Program. If you weren’t […]
Tuesday, December 6, 2016
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Today was the monumental 10-Hour 10th Anniversary Show on the Catholic Channel. It’s been 10 years and two days since the channel’s launch. As a matter of fact, Gus was the first voice heard on the Catholic Channel. For this occasion, Gus came up to the Catholic Channel studios in New York City and co-hosted […]
Solemnity of the 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. […]
Hope in the Lord
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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 […]
Monday, December 5, 2016
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Gus rings in the 10 year anniversary celebration of the Catholic Channel by asking callers how long they’ve been listening and what brought them to the channel. Former Seize the Day producer Emily Marlow, now Emily Kavanaugh, calls in to reminisce about her time on the channel producing Gus and Fr. Paul Keenan’s show “As You […]
Friday, December 2, 2016
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Gus kicks off the day with Prayer Time and, afterwards, talks with listeners about the first prayer they ever learned. Gus brings back “Bible Roulette,” but actually changes it to Catechism Roulette where Gus reads a passage from the Catechism of the Catholic Church to a caller. Later, Gus gives away copies of “A Minute […]
We are Grass
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In today’s first reading from Isaiah 40, Isaiah is told, “Cry out!” He answers to the voice, “What shall I cry out?” We’ll talk about it in a moment. In today’s Gospel from Matthew 18, Jesus tells about the guy who has 100 sheep, and one gets lost. So he leaves the 99 behind to […]
Bringing Those We Love to Jesus
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I love today’s first reading from Isaiah 35 for the admonition that God gives. It is one that I hope you and I will follow every day. “Strengthen the hands that are feeble, make firm the knees that are weak, say to those whose hearts are frightened: Be strong, fear not! Here is your God, […]
Evidence of Repentance
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John the Baptist is one of the most important figures in salvation history. That’s why the Church concentrates on him so much during the season of Advent. In today’s Gospel reading from Matthew 3, we hear the longest soliloquy of John the Baptist. In it, he says, “Produce good fruit as evidence of your repentance.” […]
Walk This Way
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Today is the second day in a row where we see the word “pity” in the Gospel reading. In today’s Gospel from Matthew 9 and 10, we see that Jesus’ heart was “moved with pity” for the people, “because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd.” Today’s first reading from Isaiah 30 […]
Clear Vision
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In the first reading today from Isaiah 29, the Lord God says through the prophet: “And out of the gloom and darkness, the eyes of the blind shall see.” If you had to guess what the Gospel reading would be about, what would your guess be? Jesus giving sight to a blind man? Well, you’re […]
Thursday, December 1, 2016
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Gus talks about an immediate answer to prayer he got yesterday, which brought him to tears so he talks with listeners about times in their lives that’s happened to them.
Wednesday, November 30, 2016
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Bishop Richard Stika, of the Diocese of Knoxville, calls in to give Gus a little more up close and personal view of the wildfires ravaging Gatlinburg, Tennessee, which is in his diocese. Also, inspired by today’s Gospel reading for the Feast of St. Andrew (Matthew 4: 18-22), which tells the story of Jesus meeting brothers […]
What’s Your Foundation?
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Have you ever been to New York City? If not, you’ve surely seen it before. Skyscrapers all throughout Manhattan reaching to the heavens. Ever wonder how they put those things all so close together, and how they always remain so firm? It’s because of their foundation. Manhattan has this amazingly strong bedrock underneath all those […]
He Ain’t Heavy…
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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 […]
Tuesday, November 29, 2016
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It’s Giving Tuesday and it’s only fitting that Gus kicks off Project Christmas 2016 today with one of our staples, Food for the Poor. Executive Director Angel Aloma (pictured below) calls in and our callers raise $11,000 for the poor in Latin America and Caribbean countries. If you were unable to call in and pledge, […]
Monday, November 28, 2016
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Gus talks about the death of Fidel Castro and the footage he’s seen of people cheering it. While Gus says he understands the sentiment, he has a difficult time cheering somebody’s death; even Fidel Castro’s. He gets some power reaction from listeners on both sides of the argument. Also, Mark Brumley, president and CEO of […]
Childish or Childlike?
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Today’s first reading from Isaiah 11 starts with what should be a familiar prophesy. “On that day, a shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse…” Jesse was Kind David’s father, so the prophet is saying that the Messiah would come from the line of David. In the Gospel reading from Luke 10, Jesus says […]
Our Refuge
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“Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and my servant will be healed.” These are the great words of faith said by the centurion that we see in today’s Gospel reading from Matthew 8. As we echo these words each time we attend Mass, just before […]
Advent
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Today we begin a new year in the Church. Happy Advent! The world wants us to think that this is the Christmas season. But the Christmas season actually STARTS with Christmas! Now, I’m not saying that we shouldn’t get in the Christmas spirit. We should. But our mindset needs to go far beyond shopping and […]
Give Me Strength!
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Today is the final day of the Church year. Tomorrow we begin a new year with the First Sunday of Advent. Today’s Gospel reading from Luke 21 sounds very Advent-ish. Jesus warns His disciples not to fall asleep at the wheel. He says, “Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength […]
One Constant: His Words
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In today’s Gospel reading from Luke 21, Jesus says, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” And so it has been. Seasons come and go. Rulers and kingdoms are here today, gone tomorrow. But for 2000 years now, one thing has remained constant. The words of Jesus. Untold billions of […]
Happy Thanksgiving!
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Happy Thanksgiving! I want to share with you what is a very appropriate Scripture verse for today. A bit of history first. Every year, I make a Scriptural New Year’s resolution. I take a passage of Scripture and put it in front of my face to look at daily – something I need to work […]
Hate and Perseverance
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More of John’s vision of heaven today from Revelation 15 in our first reading. Today we see “those who had won victory over the beast…” Jesus continues to address the people in today’s Gospel reading from Luke 21. He tells them, “You will be hated by all because of my name, but not a hair on […]
The Great Wine Press of God’s Fury
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In today’s readings, we get lots more end times stuff. In the Gospel reading from Luke 21, Jesus talks about things to look for near the end. Many of these have been happening since time immemorial, so I suspect they will be ratcheted up greatly near the end. In the first reading from Revelation 14, […]
Generosity = TRUST
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In today’s first reading from Revelation 14, we see a hundred and forty-four thousand people in heaven. Some take this to literally mean that only a hundred and forty-four thousand people from all time will be saved. That’s not the way it has been understood traditionally. We believe it simply means a great number. The […]
A Loving King
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Today the Church celebrates the end of the liturgical year. Fittingly enough, it is the Feast of Christ the King. All of the readings today point to the kingship of Christ. In the Gospel reading from Luke 23, the people are sneering at Jesus as He hangs on the cross. Above him there was an […]