After Our Resurrection
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The first reading today from Revelation 11 is filled with imagery of martyrs, prophets of old, Rome and more. I encourage you to read a bit of background on what John describes. In the Gospel from Luke 20, some Saducees, who don’t believe in the resurrection of the body, throw a trick question at Jesus […]
Cleaning House
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In today’s first reading from Revelation 10, St. John is told to eat a scroll. It is sweet as honey in his mouth, but then turns his stomach sour. Find out why. In our Gospel reading from Luke 19, Jesus goes into the temple area and drives out those who were selling things, saying to […]
A Failure to Recognize
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When you go to Mass and the priest says, “Behold the Lamb of God,” what comes to mind? Perhaps one of the things should be from today’s first reading from Revelation 5. Find out what I’m talking about. In our Gospel reading today from Luke 19, Jesus weeps over Jerusalem. “They will smash you to […]
Wednesday, November 16, 2016
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Dr. Matthew Bunson, Our Sunday Visitor correspondent and columnist for the National Catholic Register, joins Gus from the 2016 November Meetings in Baltimore, Maryland to talk about the election of Cardinal Daniel DiNardo (Galveston-Houston, TX) as USCCB president and Archbishop Jose Gomez (Los Angeles) as vice-president. Dr. Bunson also talks about the bishops’ reactions to […]
Tuesday, November 15, 2016
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Gus is back after a few vacation days and he starts his return off talking with Congressman Diane Black (R-TN, 6th District) who gives a little insider reaction to Donald Trump’s election and gives her opinion of what his first 100 days might be like. Afterwards, Gus talks about the division going on in this country […]
Wednesday, November 9, 2016
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It’s official! Donald Trump will be the next president of the United States of America. The race was called (unofficially) at approximately 3:00 am and the nation was caught off guard because every poll got it wrong. Gus dedicates the entire show to listener reaction, which runs the gamut from woefully dismayed to completely elated.
Different Motivations
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Some of the images we read about in the Book of Revelation can seem rather odd. That’s certainly the case in our first reading today from Revelation 4 – strange looking creatures covered with eyes and wings. The important thing is to get the message that God gives us through John’s visions. In the Gospel […]
Time for a Temperature Check
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Our Gospel reading today is the story of Zacchaeus from Luke 19. It is a great story of repentance and redemption. In the first reading today from Revelation 3, we hear Jesus addressing the Churches of Sardis and Laodicea. His words to the Church of Laodicea are a stark reminder to all. “I know your […]
Lost Love
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For the next couple of weeks the first reading at Mass will come from the Book of Revelation. That’s because we’re nearing the end of the liturgical year. The first Sunday of Advent (this year November 27) marks the beginning of the new year in the Church. In today’s first reading from Revelation 1 and […]
Nearing the End?
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What will the end of the world look like? Nuclear holocaust? The rise of a political leader? One world government? Global warming? In the Gospel reading from Luke 21, Jesus is talking about the end times and what signs there will be that the end is near. “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against […]
Will He Find Faith?
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Are you supporting those doing missionary work? You should be. St. John exhorts us to do that in our first reading today from 3 John:5-8. He says of those doing missionary work that “we ought to support such persons, so that we may be co-workers in the truth.” In today’s Gospel reading from Luke 18, […]
Honoring Veterans
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Today is Veterans Day in the USA. How appropriate that in the Church today is the Feast of St. Martin of Tours. St. Martin was a military man. He was baptized at 18 after having a vision of Jesus. There are many similarities between the military life and the spiritual life. The biggest that come to […]
Chasing the Shiny Thing
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In today’s Gospel reading from Luke 17, the Pharisees ask Jesus when the Kingdom of God would come. What they didn’t realize was that they were standing in it. Jesus replies, “The Kingdom of God is among you.” Jesus then goes on to warn His disciples about those who would tell them that “the days […]
Why Catholics are Pro-Life
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Today the Church celebrates the Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica. If you’ve never gotten the opportunity to visit this church in Rome, I hope you will someday. It is magnificent! The theme of today’s readings is the temple. I want to concentrate today on something St. Paul says in today’s second reading […]
Tuesday, November 8, 2016
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Gus focuses on a controversial video posted by Priests for Life, where National Director Fr. Frank Pavone puts an actual aborted baby on the altar in a Catholic church. Gus is not a fan of the approach and gets caller reaction, which is mixed. And, since it’s Election Day, he also takes calls on the candidates […]
By Scott Shea on 2016-11-08
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Following the pope’s reinforcement of the Church discipline of an all-male priesthood, Gus talks about the ratio of women to men in terms of Eucharistic ministers and takes an informal poll of his listeners of what the ratio is in their parish. Later Gus gives away copies of A Minute in the Church: The Mass, if listeners […]
A How-To on How to Live
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In today’s first reading from Titus 2, St. Paul has advice for everyone – older men, older women, younger women and younger men. Yep! I think that covers us all! After addressing these individual groups, he says this: “For the grace of God has appeared, saving all and training us to reject godless ways and […]
Forgiveness and Mercy
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Jesus covers a lot of ground in a few short words in today’s Gospel reading from Luke 17. Par for the course, eh? He talks about causing others to sin, forgiveness and faith. I want to concentrate on forgiveness today. Jesus said, “If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. And […]
Not God of the Dead
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The first reading today from 2 Maccabees is an amazing story of courage in the face of terrible persecution. Read it for yourself, because it ties directly in with today’s Gospel reading. In the Gospel reading today from Luke 20, Jesus talks about marriage and the resurrection. Some Sadducees, who did not believe in the […]
Spiritual Juggling
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St. Paul went through a lot in his life. Early on, he had it all. He was well off, well educated, well liked. But later he was beaten, thrown in prison and eventually martyred. In today’s first reading, he tells the secret of getting along in both situations. Read Philippians 4:13 for the answer. In […]
A Win-Win
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In today’s first reading from Philippians 3, St. Paul talks about people whose “God is their stomach; their glory is in their ‘shame.’ Their minds are occupied with earthly things.” St. Paul reminds that “our citizenship is in heaven.” We always need to be thinking of the eternal. In the Gospel reading today, Jesus tells […]
Of Sheep and Coins
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As Christians, we know that our confidence can be found in God alone. When we have confidence in our flesh, we are in big trouble. Because the flesh will always let us down. See what St. Paul says about confidence in today’s first reading. In today’s Gospel reading from Luke 15, Jesus tells two parables. […]
All Souls’ Day
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Today we celebrate the Feast of All Souls. It is the day we remember all the souls in Purgatory. Purgatory can be a controversial topic, and hard to explain. So, I would like to help you with that. Following is one of the chapters of A Minute in the Church on Purgatory. I hope this […]
Tuesday, November 1, 2016
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It’s the Feast of All Saints so Gus explains the Catholic teaching on the Communion of Saints and why Catholics pray to saints. Later, in honor of the Holy Day of Obligation, Gus talks asks listeners what saint they would have lunch with if they can and why. Also, Rob Hendriks, of Branches Catholic Ministries, calls […]
Monday, October 31, 2016
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Gus’ associate pastor, Fr. Kevin Yarnell joins him, at his studio in Tampa, in the Conversion Corner. Fr. Kevin is a later-in-life vocation and a long-time teacher at Tampa Jesuit High School. In light of today’s readings, and his 60 Second Reflection, which stress the virtue of humility, Gus talks with listeners about applause at […]
The Communion of Saints
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Today is the Solemnity of All Saints, one of my favorite days of the year. Today is a Holy Day of Obligation, and rightfully so. We celebrate all the holy men and women who have achieved our goal: sainthood. We celebrate the Communion of Saints. As Catholics, we view the Body of Christ as being […]
True Humility
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The golden thread that runs through the readings today, Philippians 2:1-4 and Luke 14:12-14, is humility. Humility can be difficult to describe. Is it being quiet and introspective? Just because someone doesn’t make a lot of noise does not necessarily mean that they are humble. So what is it? I think we see it come […]
Lessons from a Wee Little Man
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The character in today’s Gospel passage from Luke 19 is a favorite of kids the world over. Every time I read this story, I can hear the little song in my head that we used to sing to our children. “Zacchaeus was a wee little man, a wee little man was he. He climbed up […]
Seeking the Lowest Place
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In the first reading from Philippians 1, St. Paul struggles with whether he would rather stick around on earth or go home to be with the Lord. Not a true death wish, but recognizing that the life to come will be eternity with Christ. But Paul realizes that he has a mission on earth to […]
Friday, October 28, 2016
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Gus remembers Fr. Mike Morris, Army chaplain and old friend, who passed away yesterday. Fr. Morris was diagnosed with terminal cancer several years back and finally succumbed to it. Gus interviewed Fr. Mike back in November 2014. around the time of the Brittany Maynard euthanasia controversy, and we replayed that interview in its entirety. Later, Susan […]
St. Jude
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Today is the Feast of Saints Simon and Jude, Apostles. They share a feast day because tradition holds that they were martyred on the same day. The readings are the same as the feast days of other Apostles; Ephesians 2:19-22, and Luke 6:12-16, which is the listing of the Twelve. St. Jude, also known as […]
Thursday, October 27, 2016
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Author/Poet Sally Read joins Gus in the Conversion Corner to talk about her conversion from atheism, which she details in her new book entitled “Night’s Bright Darkness: A Modern Conversion Story.” Also, Gus talks about cremation and relics. Recently, the Vatican issued an emphasis on the Catholic guidelines for cremation, which states that ashes can’t be […]
Wednesday, October 26, 2016
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Bishop Anthony Taylor, of the Diocese of Little Rock, Arkansas, where Gus just completed a parish mission, calls in to share his vocation story, when he got the call from Rome, his favorite and least favorite things to do as bishop, and what’s unique about his diocese. Also, after talking about his 60 Second Reflection, […]
Put on the Armor of God!
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In today’s first reading from Ephesians 6, St. Paul tells us to “put on the armor of God.” He goes on to explain just what that is. More in a moment. In the Gospel from Luke 13, some Pharisees tell Jesus he should get out of the area because Herod wants to kill him. Jesus […]
Tuesday, October 25, 2016
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Gus is live again in Rogers, Arkansas, at the St. Vincent DePaul parish mission, and today he starts off talking with parish Deacon Ronnie Hoyt about his reversion story. Deacon Ronnie was a top Walmart executive who took a year sabbatical to discern his faith and his vocation. Later, Msgr. David LeSieur, pastor at St. Vincent de Paul, […]
A Message for Dads
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In today’s first reading, St. Paul addresses dads. Any time I tackle this topic it is fraught with peril, mainly because so many households now are single parent households where the mom is raising the kids by herself. Actually, that’s why today’s reflection is so important. Here is St. Paul’s advice to dads: “Fathers, do […]
Monday, October 24, 2016
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Gus is live today from a parish mission at St. Vincent DePaul Church in Rogers, Arkansas (aka Walmart country). He’s joined by St. Vincent de Paul parishioner and stay-at-home dad Casey Koutray and pastor Fr. Stephen Gadbury who shares his vocation story. Fr. Stephen is also a virtuoso harmonica player and blows a few bars for Gus, […]
Understanding Husbands and Wives
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In today’s Gospel reading from Luke 13, Jesus tells two short parables about the Kingdom of God. The first compares the Kingdom to a mustard seed, the other to yeast. Our first reading today from Ephesians 5 is one of the most misunderstood passages in all of the New Testament. The longer version is Ephesians […]
Then and Now
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In today’s first reading from Ephesians 4, St. Paul has a couple of challenges for us. Here are his two challenges: “Be imitators of God,” and “Live as children of light.” For both of those very difficult challenges, he gives us a hint how to go about each. For the first he says to “live […]
On Pride
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In the Gospel reading from Luke 18, Jesus tells a parable about two people praying in the temple. A Pharisee thanks God that he is not like all the low-lifes out there, including a tax collector who is with him in the temple. “I fast twice a week, and I pay tithes on my whole […]
Another Chance
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In the Gospel reading today from Luke 13, Jesus tells an interesting parable. A landowner has a fig tree that has borne no fruit after three years. He orders it be cut down. But the gardener asks for another season, another chance. He tells the landowner, “It may bear fruit in the future. If not […]
Thursday, October 20, 2016
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Last night was the final debate between presidential hopefuls Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton. Gus plays four clips from Chris Wallace’s question on abortion and gets listener reaction.
Living the Call
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Today’s first reading is from Ephesians 4:1-6. You may notice that these six verses are all one sentence. St. Paul is famous for his run-on sentences. It can sometimes be brutal if you’re a lector at Mass! St. Paul writes, “I…urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received…” Let’s […]
Fired Up!
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In today’s Gospel reading from Luke 12, Jesus says, “I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing!” Of course, Jesus isn’t talking about burning down the earth. Quite the contrary; He wants to build the earth up by sending down the fire of the Holy Spirit. […]
Wednesday, October 19, 2016
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Lots of interaction with listeners on Seize the Day today! First, Gus talks coffee and donuts with listeners. Does your parish periodically offer coffee and donuts after mass? Do they charge for it? Do you attend? Later, he poses these questions to listeners: Did you ever go to a parish for a long time but found yourself […]
Your Responsibility
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In today’s first reading from Ephesians 3, St. Paul talks about the gifts that God has given him, and his responsibility to use them properly. This is a theme that will come up in the Gospel reading today. St. Paul also tells us about a couple of gifts that God has given to us…”we have […]
Tuesday, October 18, 2016
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Gus talks about Kansas City Archbishop Joseph Naumann’s comments on Democratic VP nominee Tim Kaine (pictured below), which accused him of being a cafeteria Catholic who repeated “the same tired and contorted reasoning to profess his personal opposition to abortion while justifying his commitment to keep it legal.” Afterwards, he gets listener opinion. Later, Gus invites listeners […]
A Bumper Crop of Souls
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Today is the Feast of St. Luke. Luke was a gentile, a physician, a companion of St. Paul and the author of one of the Gospels. Of course, today’s Gospel reading is from Luke, chapter 10. Jesus sent out seventy-two disciples to prepare the way for His visits. He said this, “The harvest is abundant […]
Monday, October 17, 2016
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It’s Monday and Gus talks with Jan Benton, executive director of the National Catholic Partnership on Disability, about how the Catholic Church addresses faithful with special needs and then talks with listeners who have a loved one who is special needs and how the Church has or has not worked with them. Later, Dr. Anne Hendershott, Professor of Sociology & […]
Rich in What Matters
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In our Gospel reading today, Jesus has an encounter with a man which prompts Him to warn the gathered crowd, “Take care to guard against all greed, for though one may be rich, one’s life does not consist of possessions.” Jesus then goes on to tell a story about a wealthy man who accumulates a […]