Be Thankful
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Today is Thanksgiving Day in the U.S. Happy Thanksgiving! I have a link to today’s readings at the bottom of today’s post. But rather than comment on the readings, I want to take a moment to reflect on Thanksgiving. Did you know that the word Eucharist translates to “thanksgiving?” Isn’t it interesting that, as Catholics, […]
The Handwriting is on the Wall
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I think that many people are unaware that many common expressions actually oringinated in the Bible. Today is another example of that. We’ll talk about it in a sec. For our Gospel passage today, we’re back in Luke 21, with Jesus talking about the end of time. I talk often about how Christianity is not […]
Monday November 23rd to Friday November 27th
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Gus is taking an extended Thanksgiving holiday this week so Seize the Day will be in best of’s. Tune in to hear some truly great recent moments and Happy Thanksgiving to all our listeners and readers from Gus Lloyd and all of us here on Seize the Day!!
End Times
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Ever heard the expression “feet of clay?” It means when someone has a fatal flaw. Usually someone admired or thought highly of. We use the expression when someone lets us down. Really, we all have feet of clay. Well…at least I do. Anyway, that expression came from today’s first reading from Daniel 2. Daniel interprets […]
God Provides
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A theme in today’s readings is that God provides. In the first reading from Daniel 1, Daniel and his companions don’t want to eat the food of the king. So they convinced the servants of the king to let them eat only vegetables. After a ten day test, they looked healthier and more robust than […]
The Perfect King
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Today the Church celebrates the end of the liturgical year. Fittingly enough, it is the Feast of Christ the King. All of the readings today point to the kingship of Christ. In the Gospel reading from John 18, Pilate asks Jesus flat out if he is a king. “Are you the King of the Jews?” […]
The Price of Wickedness
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In the Gospel reading today from Luke 20, some Sadducees ask Jesus a trick question regarding the resurrection of the dead. (The Sadducees did not believe in the resurrection of the dead.) Jesus answers the question and in the end affirms our belief in the Communion of Saints when He says, “[God] is not God […]
Friday, November 20, 2015
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Gus plays the trailer for the new motion picture “Spotlight,” which tells the story of those who uncovered the Boston priestly sex abuse scandal and gets listener reaction. Some callers commented on the film while others commented on the scandal itself. Gus also plays a round of Get to Know Me, where callers who get on the […]
Follow the $$$
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In the first reading today from 1 Maccabees 4, we read about the origins of Hannukah. Do you know what that Jewish feast, celebrated to this day, is all about? Read and find out! In the Gospel reading from Luke 19, we see Jesus throwing the merchants out of the temple area. The big shots […]
Thursday, November 19, 2015
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Elise Harris, writer for Catholic News Agency and the National Catholic Register, talks with Gus this morning about the reports that circulated yesterday in the Daily Herald that Mother Teresa would be canonized in September 2016. The Vatican nixed that notion, stating that the cause for her canonization had not concluded yet and no date has […]
The Time of Your Visitation
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Another great story today from 1 Maccabees. Today we meet Mattathias. Mattathias had had enough of the baloney (this is a family blog) that was being shoved down the throats of his people. When he sees a fellow Jew offering sacrifice to a false god, “his just fury was aroused; he sprang forward and killed him […]
Wednesday, November 18, 2015
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Gus continues his discussion about hosting Syrian refugees. He talks with listeners about how they feel about it and whether they think we should continue giving asylum to Syrian refugees fleeing ISIS persecution, stop it altogether or find a happy medium. Gus also talks with Shaun McAfee, founder of EpicPew, about the subject. Shaun is […]
Another Hero of Faith
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In our first reading today from 2 Maccabees 7, we meet yet another hero of faith. She is a mother who exhibits amazing faith and bravery. Some may think otherwise, but I think so, and I’ll tell you why in a moment. In the Gospel passage from Luke 19, Jesus tells a parable about three […]
Tuesday, November 17, 2015
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Fr. Michael Champagne, of the diocese of Lafayette, Louisiana, joins Gus today to tell Seize the Day listeners about his mobile confessional, which is actually a converted ambulance. Fr. Michael tells Gus how he brings confession to those who can’t bring themselves to the confessional. Check out the story in more detail here. Also, Gus talks […]
A Model of Courage
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In today’s readings, we meet two great characters of the Bible! The first is one who is probably very little known, the other very well known, especially with kids. He is Zacchaeus. You know the story…Zacchaeus is a little squirt of a guy who climbs up a tree to see Jesus. Jesus calls out to […]
Monday, November 16, 2015
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Gus gives his reaction to the Paris terrorist attacks this past Friday, November 14th, and admits he struggles with hating these perpetrators and hoping for their demise and praying for their conversion. He takes it to the listeners and asks how they deal with it. Also, Frank Rocca, Vatican correspondent for the Wall Street Journal, calls […]
A Bumpy Ride
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In the Gospel reading today from Luke 18, Jesus is on his way to Jericho when a blind man on the side of the road shouts out, “Son of David, have pity on me!” The crowd around tries to silence him, but he shouts all the more, “Son of David, have pity on me!” Jesus […]
The Bottom Line
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You can always tell when we’re getting close to the end of the liturgical year. The Gospel readings are more of Jesus’ words about the return of the Son of Man. We sometimes refer to this as the “end times.” There are many who will say that we are in the end times right now. […]
Persistence in Prayer
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In the first reading today from Wisdom 18, we get kind of an overview of the Passover and Israel’s escape from Egypt. In the Gospel reading from Luke 18, Jesus tells the story of a widow who wants to get a ruling from a corrupt judge. She continues to pester him to give her a […]
Friday, November 13, 2013
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Ashley McGuire, senior fellow at the Catholic Association, calls in to Seize the Day to talk about the Little Sisters of the Poor‘s lawsuit against the Obama administration going to the Supreme Court. You can check out her article on the subject here. Also, Gus talks about Catholic school today and asks listeners to call […]
Finding the Creator in Creation
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In today’s Gospel reading from Luke 17, Jesus talks about what things would be like on the day of His return. The first Christians were convinced that that day was very soon. They knew they needed to be ready. We need to live out our faith as if that day is imminent as well. In […]
Thursday, November 12, 2015
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Deacon Jeffrey Lewis sat down in the Conversion Corner with Gus this morning on Seize the Day. Deacon Lewis is a convert from the Episcopalian Church. He was not practicing his faith and it took him nearly dying while attempting to rescue a man who fell through ice for God to get his attention. Check out […]
Wisdom
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Our first reading today is again from the Book of Wisdom. What an amazing book! In it, Wisdom is always referred to as a female personal pronoun, she. More in a moment. In the Gospel reading today from Luke 17, the Pharisees want to know from Jesus when the Kingdom of God would come. Jesus […]
Wednesday, November 11, 2015
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We honor our military veterans today by talking with listeners who served their country in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines or Coast Guard. Gus thanks them by rewarding those who get on the air with a prize. Also, Gus talks with Sheila Laughton, program manager of Loyola Spirituality Center, which provides spiritual direction to military […]
Thank You, Jesus!
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Those who aspire to leadership and positions of power are in deep. Leaders of people have a gigantic responsibility. Today’s first reading from Wisdom 6 gives us a glimpse of what God expects from those in authority. I certainly wouldn’t want the gig. We must always remember to pray for those who have it. Today’s […]
Tuesday, November 10, 2015
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Gus talks about a conversation he had with a friend recently where his friend revealed that his daughter was involved in a toxic relationship and said that this increased his prayer life. So, Gus asks listeners if they’ve ever been in a toxic relationship or if someone they loved had been in one. Also, Gus has […]
What We are Obliged to Do
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Our first reading today is one that we just recently saw. On All Soul’s Day we read from the book of Wisdom. We’ll spend the rest of this week reading from Wisdom for our first readings. “But the souls of the just are in the hand of God…They seemed, in the view of the foolish, […]
Monday, November 9, 2015
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Gus gets the show started with Deacon Greg Kandra, founder of one of the most popular Catholic blogs, the Deacon’s Bench. He talks about the site’s big move to Aleteia as well as his work as a writer and producer for CBS News for over 20 years. We also do a couple rounds of Tell Me […]
The Temple
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Today the Church celebrates the Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica. the Lateran Basilica was erected by Constantine. It is known as the mother church of Christendom. We have three readings today, from Ezekiel, 1 Corinthians, and the Gospel of John. They all have to do with the temple. I want to concentrate […]
A Spiritual Stretch
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A couple of widows make an appearance in today’s readings. In the first reading, Elijah has an encounter with a widow. Because of her faithfulness in believing the prophet, God provided her with a year’s worth of food. In the Gospel reading from Mark 12, a poor widow puts two small coins into the treasury […]
God or Mammon?
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St. Paul wraps up his letter to the Romans in today’s first reading. “To the only wise God, through Jesus Christ be glory forever and ever. Amen.” And amen! In the Gospel reading today from Luke 16, Jesus speaks again about our relationship with things. “You cannot serve God and mammon.” Mammon is the Greek […]
Friday, November 6, 2015
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Lots of prayer on today’s Seize the Day. First, Gus talks with listeners about answered prayer. Was there ever a moment in your life when you prayed to God about something and received an obvious answer? Afterwards, Gus takes listener prayer requests. Gus also replays his Conversion Corner interview with Jeff and Lois Heron from […]
Prudent Servants
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If anyone had a right to boast, it was St. Paul. A prolific writer, eloquent speaker, man of great charisma…the guy had it all. But he would never boast of himself. In today’s first reading from Romans 15, he says, “For I will not dare to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through […]
Thursday, November 5, 2015
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Gus talks with listeners about atheism today. He invites callers who have friends or family members, or who may even be atheist themselves, and talk to them about the effects it has had on them and their family. Also, Dr. Grazie Pozo Christie, policy adviser for the Catholic Association, calls in to talk about how […]
Hide and Seek
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In the first reading today from Romans 14, St. Paul writes, “None of us lives for oneself, and no one dies for oneself. For if we live, we live for the Lord, and if we die, we die for the Lord; so then, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s.” The rub on […]
Wednesday, November 4, 2015
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Gus talks with listeners about addiction today. After getting a letter from a listener named Lloyd who spoke of a family member who smokes vociferously, he asks Gus if this person is slowly committing suicide. Gus takes it to the listeners and gets their thoughts on it. Also, we do a little bit of Catholic […]
Love and Hate
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Love and hate are two things we hear about in today’s readings. In the first reading from Romans 13, St. Paul says, “Owe nothing to anyone, except to love one another; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.” In the Gospel reading from Luke 14, Jesus tells a large crowd, “If anyone […]
Tuesday, November 3, 2015
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National Catholic Register Rome Correspondent Edward Pentin calls in to the program first thing to talk about the two Vatileaks arrests that occurred in the Vatican yesterday. Francesca Chaouqui and Monsignor Lucio Angel Vallejo Balda were arrested Monday and charged with leaking confidential information and documents. Chaouqui has since been freed due to her cooperation in the […]
Come to the Feast!
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Today’s first reading from Romans 12 is amazingly rich. In the first part of the reading, St. Paul talks about different jobs within the Body of Christ. The second part of the reading is what I like to call the gospel in a nutshell. Spend a few minutes today really reflecting on how you are […]
Monday, November 2, 2015
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Today is the Feast of All Souls in the liturgical calendar of the Catholic Church and Gus invites listeners to call in who wish to remember a loved one who passed away recently. Then, Gus talks with Mary Rose Verrett, co-founder of Witness to Love and director of marriage and family life at St. Joseph’s Church […]
All Souls and Purgatory
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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 in A Minute in the Church. I hope this helps. A family […]
The Saints
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Today is the Solemnity of All Saints. This is one of my favorite days of the liturgical calendar. I’m a big fan of the Saints, and I ain’t talking about the football team from New Orleans. (No offense, my Louisiana friends!) This is the day when we celebrate all those holy men and women who […]
Caller ID
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It’s great to do nice things for people who will reciprocate. But Jesus gives us a different vision in the Gospel reading from Luke 14. In the first reading today, there is a passage from Romans 11 that has always had a great deal of meaning to me. St. Paul writes, “For the gifts and […]
Friday, October 30, 2015
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On the eve of Halloween, Gus talks with listeners about their feelings on the holiday. Do you participate? Do you not? Do you feel the “culture of death” has taken hold of it? Gus also talks about the Catholic roots of Halloween. Also, there was a proposal on October 29th by Parade Chairman John L. […]
Thursday, October 29, 2015
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Gus has a couple powerful listener segments today. First, he asks them about church shopping and whether or not they’ve gone to different churches in an effort to find one that they like. Also, Gus talks about finding healing in marriage and talks with listeners whose marriages were seemingly on the rocks but then experienced […]
The Sabbath
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St. Paul was a Jew – a devout and learned Pharisee. After his conversion, his heart was broken that his own people, the Jews, would not accept the message of the Messiah. We see some of that heartbreak on today’s first reading from Romans 9. It reminds me of the heartbreak so many of us […]
The Love of Christ
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St. Paul’s letter to the Romans is such great reading. Today we hear St. Paul asking the question, “What can separate us from the love of Christ?” He then gives a list of things that we are afraid of. More on that in a moment. In the Gospel reading from Luke 13, some Pharisees come […]
Wednesday, October 28, 2015
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Dr. Edward Sri calls into Seize the Day today to discuss his new book “Love Unveiled: The Catholic Faith Explained.” In addition to being an author and speaker, Dr. Sri is the co-founder of FOCUS, content director and host of Symbolon and general editor of Opening the Word: Your Journey through the Sunday Readings, among other […]
Tuesday, October 27, 2015
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Gus talks with listeners about Eucharist adoration and whether they’ve ever had a profound experience while doing that. Also, Jeff and Lois Heron sit down with Gus in the Conversion Corner. Check out their conversion story on the Coming Home Network Web site here. And, Gus also dissects Pope Francis’ closing speech from the 2015 […]
Saint for Lost Causes
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Today is the Feast of Saints Simon and Jude, Apostles. Typically I do your :60 on the daily Scripture readings. But I want to veer from the format today. The readings are the same as the feast days of other Apostles; Ephesians 2:19-22, which I recently wrote about, and Luke 6:12-16, which is the listing […]