Return
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Jesus was asked, “Which is the first of all the commandments?” (First in importance, not in number.) Do you know His reply? Hint: He said not one commandment, but two. Read His response in today’s Gospel reading from Mark 12. The first line from today’s first reading from Hosea 14 really sums up the theme […]
If Today You Hear His Voice
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Today’s first reading from Jeremiah 7 and the Responsorial Psalm from Psalm 95 are closely linked. More in a moment. In today’s Gospel reading from Luke 11, Jesus is accused of driving out demons by the power of Beelzebul. Jesus questions how that could be. Read His response. The Lord says through the prophet Jeremiah, […]
Passing on the Faith
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The observance of God’s laws was of paramount importance to the Israelite people. God gave his laws to Moses, who taught them to and enjoined them on the people. More on that in a moment. In our Gospel reading from Matthew 5, Jesus gives the people the same message. “Do not think I have come […]
Tuesday, March 1, 2016
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Gus recaps Archbishop Gregory Aymond’s recent article entitled “What Has Happened to Civility in Politics,” which appeared in the Clarion Herald and talks with listeners about the 2016 Republican Primaries and gets their opinions on the environments surrounding them. Then, contemporary Catholic musicians Greg Boudreaux and Andrea Thomas call in to talk about a new initiative they’re […]
Of Elephants and Forgiveness
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Today’s first reading from Daniel 3 contains one of the most beautiful and heartfelt prayers in all of Scripture. It is the prayer of Azariah, while he was in the fiery furnace. Take some time today to read it over; to pray the prayer with Azariah. I think you’ll be touched. In the Gospel reading […]
Monday, February 29, 2016
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Gus begins talking about the movie “Spotlight” winning Best Picture last night at the Academy Awards and particularly the short acceptance speech made by Michael Sugar, the film’s producer, where he hopes the film resonates with the Vatican and urges Pope Francis to “protect the children and restore the faith.” Also, Gus has a very […]
Put Away Pride
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Our first reading today is from 2 Kings 5. It is a story about a man named Naaman. Naaman was not a child of Israel. He was a commander in the army of Aram. He was a Syrian. In the Gospel reading today from Luke 4, Jesus recalls to the people that Naaman, a foreigner, […]
He Knows You
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Many parishes (including mine) will use the readings for Year A in the liturgical cycle today. We do this because our RCIA candidates and catechumens will be going through what is called “scrutinies” over the next three weeks. Today I want to reflect on the Year A Gospel reading from John 4 – the encounter […]
The Way Home
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What a beautiful first reading we have today from Michah 7. The prophet says, “You will cast into the depths of the sea all our sins.” When we confess our sins and receive absolution, God does just that. He wipes the slate clean; He casts all our sins into His ocean of mercy. The Gospel […]
Envy Kills
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Today’s readings feature two stories of envy, one real, the other a parable. In the first reading from Genesis 27 we see the story of Joseph. His father, Israel “loved Joseph best of all his sons, for he was the child of his old age.” Naturally, the brothers didn’t much like this. They were filled […]
Thursday, February 25, 2016
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It’s Seize the Day’s final day in Jacksonville, Florida and Gus is visited by none other than the Bishop of the Diocese of St. Augustine, Florida, Felipe de Jesús Estévez. Bishop Estévez shares his vocation story and talks about what’s going on in his diocese. Listen to the entire interview here. Also, since Gus will be off […]
Better Listen Now
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You’ll see lots of similarities between today’s first reading from Jeremiah 17 and our Responsorial Psalm from Psalm 1. In fact, they look nearly identical. Needless to say, both contain a great message. Today’s Gospel reading is the story of Lazarus and the rich man, from Luke 16. A rich man ignores poor Lazarus his […]
Wednesday, February 24, 2016
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Gus is in his third day at the parish mission at Holy Family Catholic Church in Jacksonville, Florida. Today, he talks with the pastor Fr. Tim Cusick about his vocation story. Fr. Cusick had attended Holy Family in his childhood and took over as pastor in 2010. Also, Dr. Steven Soud joins Gus on location […]
What You’ve Signed On For
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I’m sure you’ve heard the old expression “No good deed goes unpunished.” Ain’t it the truth? Just take a look at the Scriptures. The prophets of old were simply doing what they were told by God to do. It didn’t end well for them. Jeremiah questions God about this in our first reading today from […]
Tuesday, February 23, 2016
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Gus continues to broadcast from his parish mission at Holy Family Catholic Church in Jacksonville, Florida and devotes much of his opening segment to the meaning of today’s Gospel where Jesus tells his disciples and the gathered crowd to “call no one on earth” father and how that doesn’t apply to priests, etc. Today’s on-location […]
Call No Man Father
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There’s a verse in today’s Gospel reading that anti-Catholics will use to try to refute Catholicism. If you’ve ever heard this objection, I want to help. Here is the chapter in my first book, A Minute in the Church, that covers this objection. I hope you find it helpful! Call No Man Father Why do […]
Monday, February 22, 2016
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Seize the Day is live this week from a parish mission at Holy Family Catholic Church in Jacksonville, Florida, at which Gus will be a featured speaker. Former New York Giants Head Coach Tom Coughlin is Gus’ guest this morning on Seize the Day. Tom talks with Gus about his Tom Coughlin Jay Fund Foundation. He also […]
The Papacy
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Today the Church celebrates the Feast of the Chair of St. Peter. Some might look at that and say, “Boy, you Catholics are really strange! Imagine celebrating a piece of furniture!” That’s not what the feast day is about. Today we celebrate the office of the Papacy. Peter was the first Pope, the Vicar of […]
What We Will Be
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For the Second Sunday of Lent, the Gospel reading is the story of the Transfiguration from Luke 9. Jesus takes Peter, James and John up on the moutain and is “transfigured before them.” In other words, Jesus took on the appearance of who He truly is, the eternal Son of God. Imagine what this must have […]
Perfect
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I’m always struck by one of the verses in today’s first reading from Deuteronomy 26. “And today the Lord is making this agreement with you: you are to be a people peculiarly his own.” I love that phrase, “peculiarly his own.” Have you ever thought of yourself that way? As “peculiarly his own?” If not, […]
Friday, February 19, 2016
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Gus starts off the morning with Prayer Time and then talks about Pope Francis’ comments when asked about Donald Trump‘s plan to deport undocumented immigrants, as well as his pledge to build a wall between the United States and Mexico, by a reporter on his flight back to Rome. The pope said, “A person who thinks only about building […]
The Importance of Relationships
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When we sin, when we do evil, we open ourselves up to punishment. That seems fair, right? Apparently, not everyone thinks so. Check out today’s first reading from Ezekiel 18 for more. In the Gospel reading from Matthew 5, we see the importance of relationships. We all could be closer to God. No matter how […]
Thursday, February 18, 2016
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Gus reads an email from a listener who is an RCIA sponsor for his wife and he tells Gus what a difficult time she’s having not being able to receive the Eucharist for eight months. He asks for advice and Gus takes it to the listeners and talks with them about times they or a loved one […]
A Loving Father
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Jesus came to show us the Father, a father filled with love for his children. More in a moment. In the first reading today from the Book of Esther, we hear Queen Esther pouring her heart out in a beautiful prayer to God. She is asking God for help in a dire situation. In today’s […]
Wednesday, February 17, 2016
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Andrew Beckwith, president of the Massachusetts Family Institute, calls in to talk about a court ruling in his state that Fontbonne Academy, an all-girls Catholic school in Milton, Mass., violated state anti-discrimination laws by rescinding a job offer to a cafeteria director after it discovered he was in a same-sex marriage. The ruling suggested that […]
They Repented
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Jonah is the focus of the readings today. The first reading is from the Book of Jonah, chapter 3. Jonah has gone into the city of Nineveh and told them to repent. Word gets to the king, who calls a fast and calls all the people to repentance. They repented of their evil ways, and […]
Tuesday, February 16, 2016
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Gus asks listeners today where they sit at mass and why. We had several interesting calls; lots of front row sitters, a man who has to sit a ways back because he’s hard of hearing and even one lady who said she and her husband sit at the end of the pew each Sunday because […]
Lead Us Not Into Temptation
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God’s word always has a purpose, and it will never return to him void, always achieving the end for which he sent it. We hear this in our first reading today from Isaiah 55. In our Gospel reading from Matthew 6, Jesus teaches the disciples the Lord’s Prayer. It may be the first prayer you […]
Monday, February 15, 2015
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Gus Lloyd brings you a LIVE Seize the Day on President’s Day! Gus talked about taking his two grandsons to mass this past weekend and right after communion, the oldest, Beckett (with a booming voice), announced to the congregation, “I went poo-poo!” After sharing this story, Gus gets funny “kids at mass” stories from listeners. […]
Action and Inaction
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In the first reading today from Leviticus 19, the Lord tells Moses to tell the people how to conduct themselves. Though not the Ten Commandments, this reading sounds similar. It ends with the great commandment, the one that Jesus spoke of when asked which is the greatest of the commandments…”You shall love your neighbor as […]
How Satan Tempts
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Today is the First Sunday of Lent. Our Gospel reading is from Luke 4. St. Luke recounts the forty days that Jesus spent fasting and praying in the desert before He began His public ministry. While He was in the desert, Satan came to tempt and test him. We must always remember that Jesus, though […]
Seeing the Doctor
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We hear more today about things that are pleasing to God in our first reading from Isaiah 58. The Lord also talks about how we should conduct ourselves on the sabbath. “If you honor it by not following your ways, seeking your own interests, or speaking with malice – Then you shall delight in the […]
Friday, February 12, 2016
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Bill May, founder of the Marriage Reality Movement and president of Catholics for the Common Good, calls the program to talk about his initiative Take Back Marriage, which he launched in cooperation with Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone of the Archdiocese of San Francisco. Then, inspired by a caller on Ash Wednesday whose penance is to compliment […]
A Pleasing Fast
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In our first reading today from Isaiah 58, we hear what is truly an acceptable form of fasting. More on that in a moment. In the Gospel reading, the Pharisees ask Jesus why His disciples don’t fast. Jesus replies, “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will […]
Thursday, February 11, 2016
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Today is the World Day of the Sick. Gus shared the beautiful MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS FOR THE 24th WORLD DAY OF THE SICK. Click here to read it. We heard the amazing story of J.J. Hanson, the Director of Advocacy and Public Policy for Voices Against Brain Cancer. J.J. was diagnosed with a […]
The Choice
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In our first reading today from Deuteronomy, Moses tells the people what they must do in order to enter the promised land. Obey the commandments of the Lord, love Him, walk in his ways. “Choose life, then, that you and your descendants may live, by loving the Lord, your God, heeding his voice, and holding […]
Wednesday, February 10, 2016
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It’s Ash Wednesday and the Season of Lent has begun. Gus honors it by talking with listeners about what they’re giving up, taking on or trying to improve this year. Also, Jonathan Teixeira, social media manager at Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS) calls in to talk about their Lenten app called Lentsanity, which helps people […]
Fasting and Abstinence
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Happy Lent! Doesn’t that sound a bit oxymoronic? I mean, we’re not supposed to be happy during Lent, right? Wrong! Lots of people think that Lent is a time when we walk around in sackcloth and ashes. Let’s make sure we all put on a dour face and let everyone know how difficult our fasting […]
Tuesday, February 9, 2016
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Gus is back from the Holy Land after a long pilgrimage with Lino Rulli, the Catholic Guy, and 90+ pilgrims. He recaps his trip and shares some of his more profound and enjoyable moments. He also takes questions from listeners about some of the places they visited. Also, Emily Brown, director of American Life League’s Life Defenders […]
Tradition vs. tradition
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In today’s first reading from 1 Kings 8, Solomon stands before the altar in the magnificent temple that he had built and offers up a prayer to God. This is a beautiful prayer, and I encourage you to read it. In our Gospel reading from Mark 7, we hear Jesus comdemning tradition. Catholics believe that […]
No One Left Behind
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Solomon has taken over as king after the death of his father, David. In today’s first reading from 1 Kings 8, we read about the ark of the covenant being brought from the City of David to Jerusalem, where Solomon has built a magnificent temple for the Lord. When they brought the ark into the […]
Following Jesus’ Orders
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Simon Peter and his cohorts were professional fisherman. They had successfully plied their trade for probably their whole lives. Chances are they learned to fish from their fathers. They made a living at it. No one knew the waters or the tricks of the trade better than they. That is why today’s Gospel story from […]
An Understanding Heart
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In today’s first reading from 1 Kings 3, we meet Solomon. Solomon’s father, David, had just died. The son had ascended to the throne of Israel. More in a moment. In our Gospel reading from Mark 6, we see great crowds coming to find Jesus. “His heart was moved with pity for them, for they […]
Learning From David
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For the past few weeks we have been reading about the life and times of King David. What a fascinating man! Our first reading today is from Sirach 47. It is a brief synopsis of the life of David. The Gospel reading today recounts the beheading of John the Baptist. We can learn much from […]
Reliance on God
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David had a long and adventurous life. In today’s first reading from 1 Kings 2, we read about the death of David. “The length of David’s reign over Israel was forty years: he reigned seven years in Hebron and thirty-three years in Jerusalem.” Upon his death, his son Solomon was seated on the throne. In […]
Time to Man Up
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In the first reading today from 2 Samuel 24, David is given three choices of how God is going to deal with him. All of them seem untenable. More in a moment. In the Gospel reading, Jesus goes to his native place, but He can perform very few mighty deeds there. Why? A lack of […]
A Promise Kept
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Today is the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord. Also known as Candlemas, this is the day when candles will be blessed. There will be three readings today. In the first reading from Malachi 3, God says through the prophet, “And suddenly there will come to the temple the Lord whom you seek, and […]
Legion
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In today’s first reading from 2 Samuel 15, a man comes alongside David and begins cursing and throwing stones at him and his soldiers. One of David’s soldiers asks permission to lop off the man’s head. But David refuses. His response is interesting, and one that should give us pause when people speak ill of […]
What Love Is – And Isn’t
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Our second reading today is 1 Corinthians 13. This is often referred to as “The Love Chapter.” If you’ve ever been to a wedding, chances are you have heard this read there. St. Paul tells us what love is, and what it isn’t. “Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, it is […]
A Look in the Mirror
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David had sinned greatly. This did not escape the LORD’s notice. More in a moment. In today’s Gospel reading from Mark 4, Jesus and His disciples are in a boat when a storm suddenly comes up. The disciples wake Jesus up and ask, “Do you not care that we are perishing?” Be sure to read […]