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 […]
Will He Find Faith?
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In today’s Gospel reading from Luke 18, Jesus tells the story of a widow who continues to bother an unjust judge for a decision. The unjust judge renders a just decision for her because of her persistence. This Gospel reading ends with a question of Jesus. “But when the Son of Man comes, will he […]
Let the Spirit Speak
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In the Gospel reading from Luke 12, Jesus speaks of the importance of standing up for him. “I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before others the Son of Man will acknowledge before the angels of God.” Jesus also speaks to the disciples about allowing the Holy Spirit to speak through them. He speaks of […]
Friday, October 14, 2016
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Gus is live at Array of Hope Studios in Old Tappan, NJ and he’s joined by Catholic musician Lauren Costabile and her father Mario, who co-founded the Array of Hope Ministries. Later, Gus is joined on site by another Catholic musician, Josh Blakesley (pictured below) of the Josh Blakesley Band. He even sings a song live in […]
Thursday, October 13, 2016
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Gus is live from Array of Hope Studios in Old Tappan, NJ where he’s part of a parish event today and tomorrow at Our Lady of the Mother. He’s joined by the parish’s pastor, Fr. Sean Manson, in the Conversion Corner. Later, Gus is joined by Array of Hope Ministries event coordinator Melissa Prazak who talks about how she went […]
He Knows You and Loves You
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The old existential question persists – Why are we here? Actually, St. Paul gives the answer to that question in our first reading from Ephesians 1. “…so that we might exist for the praise of his glory, we who first hoped in Christ.” Got it? You are here to praise God!! In the Gospel reading […]
Chosen to be Holy
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For today’s first reading, we begin a trip through St. Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians. (This is going to be awesome!) St. Paul starts his letters with an introduction and a prayer. Check out this prayer that begins Ephesians. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in […]
Hurt Feelings
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In today’s first reading from Galatians 5, St. Paul lists the fruit of the Spirit. Do you know these nine fruits? Here they are: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Go through that list today and ask God to help you improve in the ones that need improvement in your life. In […]
Tuesday, October 11, 2016
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After recent feedback (both positive and less-than-positive) regarding Gus Lloyd’s newfound devotion to the Rosary, Gus explains the Catholic teaching on the Blessed Virgin Mary and then takes calls about listeners’ questions and/or comments regarding the Church teaching on Mary. Later, Gus talks with listeners who converted to the Catholic Church as a couple.
Faith and Love
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St. Paul made it very clear that salvation through Christ Jesus was available to everyone – Jew and Gentile alike. He also made it clear that the old Levitical laws were no longer binding. In today’s first reading from Galatians 5, St. Paul says, “For in Christ Jesus, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, […]
Freedom and Slavery
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In today’s Gospel reading from Luke 11, Jesus says, “This generation is an evil generation; it seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it, except the sign of Jonah.” Hmm…seems the more things change the more they stay the same. So many today are seeking a sign. They won’t believe until they see […]
One Gave Thanks
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In the Gospel reading from Luke 17, Jesus heals ten lepers. Of the ten healed, only one bothered to come back and give thanks to Jesus. To add insult to injury, the only one to return and give thanks was a Samaritan. Ouch! So, the percentage of those healed who came back was exactly ten […]
Clothed with Christ
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In today’s first reading from Galatians 3, St. Paul says, “For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.” Did you realize that’s what happened at your baptism? When you think about it, clothing is often the thing that identifies a person. For instance, when a crime is committed, police […]
Friday, October 7, 2016
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Gus talks about the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary and how, until very recently, Gus was not a big Rosary guy. He just had a hard time getting into praying it. However, that all changed over the summer when he went on a silent retreat and prayed it every morning and then talks with […]
The Intentional Rosary
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Today is the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary. In fact, October is the month of the Rosary. Rather than reflect on the Scriptures today, I want to share with you my story about the rosary. You see, I was never a big rosary guy. It just wasn’t a devotion I felt drawn to. […]
Thursday, October 6, 2016
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Tom Hoopes, author of “What Pope Francis Really Said,” calls in to talk about his recent National Catholic Register article entitled “How Catholic Opinion Journalists Should Cover Pope Francis,” which covers the many wrong translations and misreporting of Pope Francis’ more “controversial” statements. Next, Gus plays a powerful homily delivered by Fr. John Lankeit at the […]
Open to the Holy Spirit
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In the first reading today from Galatians 3, St. Paul talks about faith vs. works of the law. He asks a question about “the one who supplies the Spirit to you.” More about the Spirit comes in the Gospel. In the Gospel reading from Luke 11, Jesus tells a story about persistence. He then goes […]
Wednesday, October 5, 2016
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Angel Aloma, executive director of Food for the Poor, calls in to talk with Gus about the dire situation in Haiti following Hurricane Matthew‘s landfall yesterday. Also, Gus talks about last night’s VP debate between Mike Pence and Tim Kaine, particularly their comments on abortion, and gets listener reaction. Later, Fr. Tony Cutcher, president of the National […]