Thursday, May 5, 2016
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Gus talks about today’s first reading, Ephesians 1:17, which his wife used to pray for his conversion years ago. She customized the prayer for Gus and he talks about the profound effect it had on him and recommends it to listeners. Then, Gus is joined in-studio by his friend Andy Smith, a writer at the Tampa […]
Ascension Thursday
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Today the Church celebrates the Feast of the Ascension. In most dioceses around the country, today is not a Holy Day of obligation. For most, this feast will be celebrated this Sunday. If you are in a diocese or archdiocese in New York, Boston, Hartford, Newark, Philadelphia or the state of Nebraska, then today is […]
Wednesday, May 4, 2016
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Gus talks about the funeral he attended yesterday of a teenage girl who died suddenly while at tennis practice last week. He didn’t know her but her parents knew of Gus and invited him to be a reader at her funeral. It prompts Gus to ask listeners who’ve lost a child to call in and […]
God is Always Near
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Today in our first reading from Acts 17, we see Paul giving one of his great speeches, this time to the Greeks in the Areopagus. More on his message in a moment. In the Gospel reading from John 16, Jesus speaks of the Holy Spirit, telling the Apostles, “But when he comes, the Spirit of […]
Tuesday, May 3, 2016
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Gus talks about the zombie movie genre, of which he’s a big fan, and asks listeners what they think about it. Can it be considered demonic? Then, Dr. Stan Williams joins Gus in his Tampa studio to talk about his conversion story and his new memoir, “Growing Up Christian.” Dr. Williams was a regular guest in […]
Our “Duh” Moments
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Today is the Feast of Saints Philip and James. They were both Apostles. Philip was from Bethsaida, and a fisherman. This James (there were two Apostles by that name) was a cousin of Jesus and is referred to as James the Lesser – not because he was less important that James the son of Zebedee, […]
Monday, May 2, 2016
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Angelo Stagnaro, Catholic writer, journalist and professional magician calls in to talk about a recent piece of his that appeared recently in the National Catholic Register entitled “16 Common Errors That Catholics Should Avoid Like the Plague.” He and Gus go over a few of them, including “When you die, they become angels” and “All religions […]
When Things are Upside Down
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We live in a rapidly changing world, don’t we? Ever feel like things are completely topsy-turvy, upside down? More on that in a moment. In our first reading today from Acts 16, we meet a woman named Lydia, whose heart God opened. In today’s Gospel reading from John 15-16, Jesus continues telling His disciples of […]
Keeping Jesus’ Word
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In our Gospel reading today from John 14, Jesus says, “Whoever loves me will keep my word…whoever does not love me does not keep my words.” I want to think today about that notion of keeping Jesus’ words. Do you love Jesus? Of course you do! So do I. Yet I see this saying of […]
The World Hates You
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A comforting headline today, huh? Jesus spoke often about love. It’s kind of what He was all about. But today we hear Him speak of hate. And not just generically, but very specifically. He tells the disciples, “Because you do not belong to the world, and I have chosen you out of the world, the […]
Friday, April 29, 2016
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Ken Klukowski, senior counsel & director of Strategic Affairs for First Liberty Institute, calls in to give Gus an update on two religious freedom issues currently being fought in court. First up, is Gus Aaron and Melissa Klein, the Oregon couple who lost their bakery for running it according to their religious beliefs. The second […]
No Greater Love
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For the Gospel reading today, we’re back in John 15, where Jesus says, “This is my commandment: love one another as I love you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” Laying down one’s life. Usually when we think of this, we think of some really heroic […]
Complete Joy
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In today’s first reading from Acts 15, we see that the early Church was hierarchical. There was a dispute about whether the Gentiles needed to be circumcised and follow the Mosaic laws in order to be saved. Paul and Barnabas knew that this was not a matter that could be settled on a local level. […]
Wednesday, April 27, 2016
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Gus asks listeners to call in who have retired and asks them how they’ve overcome some of the retirement pitfalls like boredom and depression. This discussion was inspired by our volunteering discussion the others. Many listeners called in to say how their volunteerism, whether at church or with a charitable organization, turned out to be […]
Of Vines and Branches
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In today’s Gospel reading from John 15, we hear Jesus say, “I am the vine, you are the branches.”This gives us a good opportunity to meditate a bit today on botany, and how well this saying of Jesus relates to us. Have you ever tended plants, particularly vines? They are interesting. You can hack away […]
Tuesday, April 26, 2016
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Gus talks about a show he’s been watching lately on TLC called “Long Lost Family,” which reunites adopted children with their biological family and vice versa. Inspired by this, Gus asks listeners who’ve been through adoption to call in an share their stories.
The Peace of Christ
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In the first reading today from Acts 14, Paul and Barnabas tell the people, “It is necessary for us to undergo many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God.” This is a message that is not very popular. Therefore, many today want to avoid this part of the message. They want to paint Christianity as […]
Monday, April 25, 2016
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Gus talks about volunteering for church or, any sort of charitable organization, and talks with listeners who volunteer. He also asks them, what do they get out of it? Also, Diana von Glahn, the Faithful Traveler, calls in to talk about her upbringing, her documentary ministry and the debut of her upcoming project “A Papal Pilgrimage […]
Feast of St. Mark
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Today is the Feast of St. Mark, the author of one of the Gospel accounts. The first reading is from 1 Peter 5, where St. Peter mentions “Mark, my son.” The Gospel reading is from Mark 16 and contains Mark’s version of the great commission. Mark is not believed to have been the biological son […]
How to Love One Another
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In the Gospel reading today from John 13, Judas has just left the upper room. Jesus says to the Eleven, “I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another.” Seems pretty simple, doesn’t it. The new commandment, wrapped up in three words. Love […]
Greater Works
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In the first reading today from Acts 13, we see more of the adventures of Paul and Barnabas. After riling up some of the Jews, they (the Jews) stirred up a persecution against the two, and they were tossed out of that territory. Paul and Barnabas shook the dust from their feet and moved on. […]
Friday, April 22, 2016
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This week, we’ve been talking about the tragic death of Fr. Rene Robert, a priest from the diocese of St. Augustine, Florida, who was found brutally murdered in Georgia. A friend of the late priest, Fr. John Gillespie, pastor of San Sebastian Parish in St. Augustine, Florida, calls in to talk about what made Fr. Rene so […]
Of Troubled Hearts
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In the first reading from Acts 13 today, Paul continues his message of salvation through Jesus in the temple at Antioch. In the Gospel reading today, we’re in John 14, at the Last Supper. Jesus tells the Apostles, “Where I am going, you know the way.” Confused, Thomas says, “Master, we do not know where […]
Thursday, April 21, 2016
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Gus talks about what happened to him this morning when he was jogging. He left @ 3:00 am and saw a huge fire in the distance near where his friends’ parents live. He went back in the house and called his friend to let him and his wife know. It turns out it wasn’t their […]
Speaking Positive Words
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Paul is in the synagogue in Antioch in today’s first reading. The synagogue officials ask if he has a word of exhortation for the people. In the Gospel from John 13, we hear Jesus saying, “Whoever receives the one I send receives me.” I was intrigued by the invitation given to Paul in today’s reading […]
Wednesday, April 20, 2016
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Dan Gonzalez sits in the Conversion Corner with Gus to tell his “reversion” story. Dan is the creator of the MassExplained app for Smart Phones, iPads and Kindles. He also tells Gus about his newest app, Catholic Words & Games. Also, Gus talks May-December marriages; that is, a marriage where there’s a significant age difference between […]
Set Apart
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In our first reading today from Acts, we see Barnabas and Saul being “set apart” by the Holy Spirit and sent out to proclaim the Word of God. In the Gospel reading today from John 12, Jesus says, “I came into the world as light,” and “I did not come to condemn the world but […]
Tuesday, April 19, 2016
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Gus talks about Lino Rulli getting married later this week. Lino is in his early 40’s so Gus talks about people getting married later in life (the average age for men is 29) and takes the discussion to his listeners by asking them at what age they got married and whether or not it was the right age. […]
They’ll Know We are Christians
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In Acts 11 today, we see the story of a growing Church. People in great numbers are turning to the Lord. Barnabas brings Saul with him to Antioch, and they stay there for a whole year, preaching and teaching. Acts 11:26 tells us “it was in Antioch that the disciples were first called Christians.” In […]
Monday, April 18, 2016
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Gus has a Round Table discussion on Pope Francis’ recent apostolic exhortation “Amoris Laetitia,” and, in particular the controversial Chapter 8, which discusses communion for divorced-and-remarried Catholics. His guests are Carl Olson, editor of the Catholic World Report, and Daniel Cossachi, adjunct professor of religious studies at Fairfield University and contributor for America Magazine. Listen […]
Hindering God
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In today’s Gospel reading from John 10, we hear Jesus say, “I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.” What is the abundant life about which Jesus speaks? Too often we think of abundance as money or possessions. WRONG! In fact, those things can actually lead away from the abundant […]
The Voice of the Shepherd
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In today’s Gospel reading from John 10, Jesus says, “My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” Let’s talk sheep. On a recent pilgrimage to the Holy Land, I learned a bit about sheep. Being a city boy all my life, I never spent any time with sheep and sometimes didn’t […]
Do You Also Want to Leave?
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In the first reading today from Acts 9, we see a blossoming Church. It is growing rapidly, even with the great persecution she was suffering. Peter raises a woman from the dead, and because of that, many came to believe. In the Gospel reading today, we finish up in John 6. After Jesus talked about […]
Friday, April 15, 2016
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Gus talks about people who survive cancer and takes calls from listeners who’ve either survived cancer or helped someone get through their cancer battle. And Michele Hendrickson, Capital Area regional coordinator of Students for Life, calls in to talk about the response to Planned Parenthood CEO Cecile Richards’ speaking at the Georgetown University Lecture Fund next […]
Literally?
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Today’s first reading from Acts 9 tells us about the conversion of St. Paul. It’s a story that is always worth reading and reflecting on. Today I want to reflect on the Gospel reading from John 6. Today’s Gospel is at the heart of Catholic theology on the Eucharist. We hear Jesus saying, “Unless you eat the […]
Thursday, April 14, 2016
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Gus talks with listeners about the experience of taking somebody to their first mass and how they helped them get through it because it can be very intimidating or confusing to first timers. The conversation ended up including converts talking about their first experience at mass and some listeners’ experiences visiting other Christian churches. And, […]
Listening and Learning
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A very interesting story in our first reading today from Acts 8. The Holy Spirit sends Philip, one of the newly ordained deacons, to interpret the Scriptures for an Ethiopian eunuch. After this, the eunuch says, “Look, there is water. What is to prevent my being baptized?” Philip baptizes him, then disappears. This passage always […]
Wednesday, April 13, 2016
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Gus talks about his 60 Second Reflection entitled “I Will Raise You Up,” where he talks about Saul of Tarsus’ persecution of the Church prior to his profound conversion. Saul, as many of you know, went on to become St. Paul. Gus asks listeners to call in if they were ever “persecutors” of the Church. […]
I Will Raise You Up
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In the first reading from Acts 8 today, we read about Saul persecuting the Church. Because of the persecution happening in Jerusalem, all but the Apostles left there. We read about the bold preaching and healing ministry of Philip. We’re back in John 6 for the Gospel reading today. Jesus says, “Everyone who sees the […]
Man of Mercy
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Stephen was about to breathe his last. Do you know what his final words were? We shall see. In today’s Gospel reading from John 6, Jesus first utters the words, “I am the bread of life.” We’ll go much deeper in the coming days. After the kangaroo court convicted Stephen of blasphemy, they threw him […]
Monday, April 11, 2016
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Associate Editor of the Stream, Anika Smith, calls in to talk about the California Department of Justice raid on David Daleiden’s house. He’s the founder of the Center for Medical Progress, which was responsible for the Planned Parenthood sting operation, which posted video evidence of high ranking executives bartering for fetal organs and tissue. Anika describes exactly what went […]
The Face of an Angel
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In today’s first reading from Acts 6, we read about the persecution of Stephen. In the Gospel, we continue in John 6. Today’s passage is the beginning of the Bread of Life discourse. The people come looking for Jesus after He had fed the multitude. Stephen had been hauled before the Sanhedrin, the high court […]
Primacy of Peter
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The second half of today’s Gospel reading from John 21 is, I think, one of the the most moving scenes in the New Testament. After the resurrection, Jesus and Simon Peter are on the beach. They just finished breakfast when Jesus turns to Simon Peter and says, “Simon, son of John, do you love me […]
The Vocation of 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 […]
Friday, April 8, 2016
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Seize the Day has full coverage of the release of Pope Francis’ new apostolic exhortation “Amoris Laetitia,” which translates into “The Joy of Love.” The document, which focuses on encouraging the family, urges the faithful to consider the complexities of people’s lives and to respect people’s consciences when it comes to moral decisions. Gus talks with […]
Letting Go and Letting God
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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. […]
Thursday, April 7, 2016
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Gus talks about the Cry Room that’s featured at so many churches, where parents with young children can sit an not disturb the congregation. Gus asks listeners if they’re pro or anti-cry room and, if they were building a church, would they include one or not? Then, Gus welcomes Deacon Robert Connor to the Conversion […]
Obedience to God
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There is a theme today in the readings: obedience. We hear Peter and the Apostles talk about it in the first reading from Acts 5. And in the Gospel reading from John 3 we read, “Whoever disobeys the Son will not see life.” Peter and the Apostles are dragged before the Sanhedrin, the high court […]
Wednesday, April 6, 2016
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Gus talks about the differences between big churches and small churches and all the different types of experiences people can have in them. He gets listener reaction, which morphs into stories of positive and negative experiences at church. And, Catholic artist/sculptor Guy Tedesco calls in to talk about his artwork, which is finely-sculpted large pieces that […]
Follow the Light
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What a cool story today from Acts 5. The Apostles once again get thrown into the hoosegow when, in the middle of the night, an angel comes and opens the doors to the prison and lets them out. This is getting to be something of a pattern for these guys! Our Gospel reading for today […]