Feet of Clay
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King David had it going on with God. He had been anointed by the prophet Samuel as a young man, eventually became king and was told by God that his kingdom would endure forever through God’s Son. Pretty heady stuff, huh? But there was another side to David. We see it today in 2 Samuel […]
Friday, January 28, 2016
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Sister Grace of the Servant Sisters calls in to Seize the Day today to talk about her order, which specializes in Catholic evangelization through media, and their latest initiative The Miserere Project. Click here to donate or to learn more. Also, we talk with Fr. Michael Alello, pastor of St. Philomena Catholic Church in Labadieville, Louisiana. Fr. […]
A Generational Blessing
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God promised David that his house would stand forever. Not the physical structure, of course, but that the Messiah would descend from him. More in a moment. In today’s Gospel reading from Mark 4, Jesus has some interesting words for His disciples about lamps and lampstands and measuring sticks. Read it. In today’s first reading, […]
Wednesday, January 27, 2016
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Gus talks about the Texas grand jury indictment of David Daleiden and others at the Center for Medical Progress for their undercover videos showing Planned Parenthood executives and doctors negotiating for the illegal sale of fetal organs and tissue. Gus asks listeners if using deception for a greater good is acceptable to them or if that […]
Tuesday, January 26, 2016
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Inspired by our Conversion Corner segment last week with Shannon Zieg, in which she describes her experiences growing up in the Bible Belt as an agnostic, Gus talks hellfire and brimstone sermons, homilies and/or church services. He asks listeners if they’ve ever been to a Catholic church (or any other church for that matter) that […]
Sow and Pray
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In today’s first reading from 2 Samuel, Nathan the prophet gives David a message from the Lord. God promises that from David’s line would come the Messiah. “Your house and your kingdom shall endure forever before me; your throne shall stand firm forever.” In the Gospel reading today from Mark 4, Jesus tells the parable […]
Monday, January 25, 2016
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Gus talks about the March for Life, and getting out of D.C. just as the blizzard was starting and talks with listeners about how they endured Winter Storm Jonas. One listener talks about how she and her party, who attended the March for Life, got stuck on the PA Turnpike and attended the makeshift Turnpike […]
No Cowards Needed
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Today is the Feast of Saints Timothy and Titus. Both men were collaborators with St. Paul and received letters from him that we find in the New Testament. Timothy became the first bishop of Ephesus and Titus the bishop of Crete. St. Paul gives Timothy some great exhortations in his second letter to him. Today […]
Friday, January 22, 2016
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Seize the Day w/Gus Lloyd aired live from the March for Life at the foot of the Washington Monument on the National Mall in Washington D.C. from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. Gus talks with spectators and speakers who’ve come from all across the country, including doctors from the Catholic Medical Association, Christian singer Caitlin […]
Thursday, January 21, 2016
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Gus gets ready for the March for Life in Washington D.C. by speaking with Students for Life America President Kristan Hawkins. She and 2,000 students, involved in Students for Life America, will be at the march on Friday. And, Gus dedicates the final hour of his show talking with men and women who have been involved either […]
Conversion
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Today is the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul. We see the story of Saul’s (Paul’s birth name) conversion in two places in Acts of the Apostles. In chapter 9, the account is told in third person. Luke, the author of Acts, recounts the story. However, in chapter 22 of Acts, St. Paul tells […]
Rejoicing in the Word
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In today’s first reading from Nehemiah 8, we see the story of Ezra the priest reading the book of the law to all the people. He spent hours proclaiming God’s word. (And we think the Palm Sunday Gospel is long!) The people were so moved they wept. Ezra tells them not to weep. He says, […]
Out of Your Mind
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For the first reading today, we start in 2 Samuel. Saul and his son, Jonathan, David’s best friend, have been killed in battle. David laments the death of these two great sons of Israel. The Gospel reading today from Mark 3 is very short; just two verses. Jesus came with his disciples into the house. […]
Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children
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Today in the United States is the Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children. It falls on the anniversary of the Roe vs. Wade Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion in America – a sad day, indeed. It is also the annual March for Life in Washington, DC. Some people wonder why […]
A Jealous Heart
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Goliath was dead. You would think that King Saul would be overjoyed that David, one of his own, had slain the Philistine. And he was…for a short time. More in a moment. In our Gospel reading from Mark 3, Jesus has more run-ins with unclean spirits. Each time He cast them out, he warns them […]
Wednesday, January 20, 2016
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Shannon Zieg joins Gus today in the Conversion Corner. She is a convert from agnosticism who great up in Georgia; the heart of the Bible Belt. Shannon states that, growing up in the area of the United States, the only thing more stigmatizing than being a Catholic was being an agnostic. Next up, Eva Muntean, co-chair […]
Defeating Goliath
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In the Gospel reading today from Mark 3, Jesus has another run-in with the Pharisees about the sabbath. Jesus asks them, “Is it lawful to do good ont he sabbath rather than to do evil, to save life rather than to destroy it?” He then cures a man with a withered hand. Another reminder that […]
Tuesday, January 19, 2016
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Allison LaDoux, director, Respect Life Office and the Office of Marriage and Family for the Diocese of Worcester, MA, calls in to talk about the March for Life, for which she assists, and talks about the campaign they’ve done for a couple years now called #WhyWeWalk. After Allison, Gus asks listeners to call in and share what […]
Monday, January 18, 2016
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Fr. Bryan Massingale, professor at Marquette University who teaches a course on Martin Luther King Jr.’s faith and ethics, talks about the late civil rights leader and explains the similarities/differences between King the legend and King the man. He says that when we take Martin Luther King Jr. off the pedestal, he becomes a greater inspiration […]
What God Sees
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In today’s first reading from 1 Samuel 16, we read about the anointing of David. More on that in a moment. In the Gospel reading from Mark 2, Jesus is questioned by the Pharisees about why his disciples are picking grain on the sabbath, something which was prohibited by the law. Jesus tells them, “The […]
Obedience is Better
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In the first reading today from 1 Samuel 15, we see a bit of the sneakiness of King Saul. Samuel has to call him out on it. More in a moment. In the Gospel reading from Mark 2, Jesus talks about pouring new wine into old wineskins. It just doesn’t work. What He means is […]
The Lesson of Cana
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Jesus’ first public miracle, as told in John’s Gospel, is changing water into wine. It happens at a wedding feast at Cana. This story is the Gospel reading in today’s Mass from John 3. The wedding party runs out of wine. Jesus’ mother, Mary, is concerned. In the few words that we hear Mary utter […]
Time to See the Doctor
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The people of Israel insisted that God give them a king. Despite warnings to the contrary, they persisted. In today’s first reading from 1 Samuel 9, we meet the new king, Saul. In our Gospel reading today from Mark 2, we read about the call of Levi, or Matthew. Levi has Jesus over for dinner. […]
Friday, January 15, 2016
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Gus talked about the movies nominated for Oscars yesterday and addresses the only one he’s seen…The Revenant. He says that there are many movies he won’t see because of content and he asks listeners if there are movies they WILL NOT see because of sexual situations, violence, profanity, etc., or if there’s an actor, actress or director […]
Thursday, January 14, 2016
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National Catholic Register Rome Correspondent Edward Pentin calls in to talk about the possible formal schism in the Anglican Communion and talks about how the deep divides between member churches of the Anglican Communion, over homosexuality and other issues, could precipitate its breakup as early as this week. Afterwards, Gus gets a random call from an Episcopalian […]
Careful What You Wish For
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If you have children (especially teenagers), you’ll relate to today’s reflection. More in a moment. In the Gospel reading from Mark 2, we read the story of a paralytic lowered into the house in which Jesus was teaching through the roof by his friends. Jesus forgives his sins and heals him. In today’s first reading […]
Lessons from Adversity
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When we choose to follow God, life ain’t always a bed of roses. I’m sure you’ve experienced this. Challenges still come our way. People we love get sick and die. Certainly there are times where we experience illness, pain, broken relationships, terrible defeats. It’s nothing new. In our first reading today from 1 Samuel 4, […]
Wednesday, January 13, 2016
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Abortion survivor Melissa Ohden (pictured below) calls in and tells Gus her fascinating story. Her birth mother had a saline infusion in 1977, which should have killed her. She miraculously survived and was adopted by a loving family and earned a Master’s degree in social work. She’s been a voice in the pro-life movement since […]
Tuesday, January 12, 2016
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After speaking about his daily reflection, “Cutting A Deal With God” and Hannah’s experience, in 1 Samuel, in which she cut a deal with God, Gus speaks about the time he did the same; after his daughter was found at the bottom of a swimming pool. Afterwards, Gus asks listeners to call in who “made […]
Monday, January 11, 2016
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Dr. Christopher Kaczor, professor of philosophy at Loyola Marymount University, calls in to the program to talk with Gus about his latest article for the Catholic Thing entitled “Abortion, Murder & the Law.” Dr. Kaczor talks about not all acts of murder are equal and that the pro-life movement does not call for the imprisonment of […]
Listening for God
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In the first reading today, we’re in 1 Samuel 3, reading about the call of Samuel. It is a story that we can take lessons from. In the Gospel reading from Mark 1, Jesus heals Simon’s mother-in-law, then heals all in town that needed healing. After some prayer alone, Jesus tells his disciples that He […]
Cutting a Deal with God
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In today’s Gospel reading from Mark 1, Jesus casts an unclean spirit out of a man while in the synagogue in Capernaum. The people recognized the authority that Jesus had, not only over unclean spirits, but to teach as well. They said, “What is this? A new teaching with authority. He commands even the unclean […]
Catchers of Men?
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Welcome back to Ordinary Time! In the first reading today we begin the first Book of Samuel. Today we read about a broken-hearted woman, Hannah. She was barren and wanted desperately to have a child. If you’re married, you’ll probably laugh when you read what her husband said to her. (Hint: he’s a typical male.) In […]
Jesus’ Baptism
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Today the Church celebrates the Baptism of the Lord. We see that moment in Luke’s Gospel where John the Baptist has just baptized Jesus when “the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove, and a voice comes from heaven and says, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well […]
Increase/Decrease
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Catholics believe in different “kinds” of sin. Mortal sin and venial sin. Venial sins are still sins, but not as serious as mortal sins. Mortal sins are those sins that separate us from God. Serious sins where we willfully and intentionally turn our backs on God. We find this notion in today’s first reading from […]
Friday, January 8, 2016
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Gus talks about today’s Gospel reading (Luke 5: 12-16) which prefigures the Catholic Sacrament of Confession. He takes it to the listeners and talks to those who’ve been away from confession for a lengthy period of time. Then, Pastor Larry Wright calls in to the program to talk about his experience New Year’s Eve when […]
Be Made Clean
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Today’s first reading from 1 John 5 begins with a question: “Who indeed is the victor over the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” Who indeed? Well, let’s see…you believe that Jesus is the Son of God, right? Then YOU must be the victor over the world! Pretty […]
Thursday, January 7, 2015
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Gus talks about the Catholic teaching that Christians, Jews and Muslims all worship the same God; that is, they are all monotheistic religions. He takes it to the listeners by asking if they believe Christians and Muslims worship same God, given the recent tensions. Also, yesterday, during Gus’ discussion with listeners about whether or not […]
Big Fat Liar
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1 John is an amazing book. I always get so much out of it when I read it. Today is no exception. In fact, today, like every day, St. John is speaking directly to me! He even has the nerve to call me a liar! More on that in a sec. Today’s Gospel reading from […]
Wednesday, January 6, 2015
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Gus talks about a recent Esquire article, which analyzes a recent online poll about American rage. Part of the survey keys on the existence of the American dream. Gus asks his listeners if they think the American dream is alive or not. Also, Gus sits down with Andrew and Heather Bowen in the Conversion Corner. […]
False Evidence Appearing Real
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Strong words from St. John today in our first reading from 1 John 4. St. John talks about fear. More on that in a moment. We see fear, too, come into play in our Gospel reading. In Mark 6, we see Jesus walking on the sea. When the disciples see him, they were overcome with […]
Tuesday, January 5, 2016
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Adam Janke, program director of St. Paul Street Evangelization calls into the program today to talk about their ministry and a new book they’ve put out entitled “Catholic Street Evangelization: Stories of Conversion and Witness.” Afterwards, Gus talks to listeners and asks them who evangelized them. Also, today is St. John Neumann‘s feast day and Gus is […]
Monday, January 4, 2016
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Gus gets back into the swing of things with his first show of the New Year! He talks New Year’s resolutions past and present. He gives you his and gets yours as well and even offers callers a Scriptural Resolution for 2016. He also engages them in a round of Tell Me Something Good. We […]
God Is Love
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Many people are familiar with the famous phrase of St. John the Evangelist: God is love. We see this in today’s first reading from 1 John 4. In the Gospel reading from Mark 6, we see love in action, as Jesus feeds the multitude. The Scripture tells us, “His heart was moved with pity for […]
Testing the Spirits
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Today we celebrate the feast of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton. Mother Seton was a convert, and acknowledged as the founder of the Catholic school system in America. You would do well to find out more about this amazing woman. Our first reading today is from 1 John. We’ll talk about it in a moment. In […]
The Journey of the Wise
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Today’s Gospel reading tells the story of the Three Kings, or the Three Wise Men. They heard that the King of the Jews had been born and followed a star to find him. King Herod tries to trick them into giving up the location of the child. But they were warned in a dream not […]
Faithful Stick-to-it-iveness
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More great advice from St. John in today’s first reading from 1 John 2. More on that in a moment. Our Gospel reading for today is from the Gospel of St. John. We see the people asking John the Baptist to identify himself, “Who are you?” He admits that he is not the Christ, only […]
A Scriptural Resolution
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Happy New Year! Remember that today is the Feast of Mary, the Mother of God. It is a holy day of obligation. We get to go to Mass! New Year’s Day is always an introspective time for me. I always take a look back at the previous year and reflect on successes and failures of […]
The Message of Christmas
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For today’s first reading, we are back in 1 John 2. Today St. John writes about the antichrist. Very interesting stuff, especially for those hard core “end-timers.” Those are the people who keep telling us that we are in the end times. Well, 1900 years ago, St. John said the same thing. Read today’s reading. St. […]
Love and “The World”
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In today’s first reading, we get some great advice from St. John. More on that in a moment. The Gospel reading today is from Luke 2. Today we read about the prophetess Anna. She was a very old woman and “never left the temple, but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer.” Like Simeon, […]