Wednesday, May 25, 2016
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Rodney Stark, author of the new book “Bearing False Witness: Debunking Centuries of Anti-Catholic History,” calls in to talk about many of the various anti-Catholic myths that have been around for centuries that he addresses in the book, including clerics believing the world was flat during the time of Columbus, antisemitism, Pope Pius XII being a […]
Tuesday, May 24, 2016
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Former professional soccer player, Chase Hilgenbrinck, now a priest, calls in to talk about his vocation story. Fr. Chase started out at Clemson then played for the Chilean club Ñublense before finishing up his career with the New England Revolution of the MLS. Listen to the interview in its entirety here. Gus talks about Return on Investment, in […]
Jesus Calling!
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In the Gospel reading today from Mark 10, Jesus has an encounter with Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, who begins crying out, “Son of David, have pity on me!” The crowd kept trying to silence him, but he persisted. “Son of David, have pity on me!” Jesus stops and tells the disciples to “Call him.” The disciples go to Bartimaeus […]
To Serve
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Our time here on earth is short. In today’s first reading from 1 Peter 1, St. Peter quotes the prophet Isaiah – “All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flower of the field; the grass withers, and the flower wilts…” Since our time here is so short, how shall we best […]
Return On Investment
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If you’ve ever invested in anything, you’ve no doubt expected a return on investment (ROI). This doesn’t always have to do with money, by the way. We invest much time and energy into our jobs, career, relationships, hobbies, etc. And, generally speaking, we get something in return. Peter “asks” about this in today’s Gospel reading […]
Monday, May 23, 2016
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Steve Hemler, author of The Reality of God: The Layman’s Guide to Scientific Evidence for the Creator, calls in to talk about the new book, which helps Catholics/Christians dialogue with atheists. Then, Gus talks with listeners who are currently questioning the existence of God or have struggled with it in the past. He also talks with […]
A Hard Truth
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In the first reading today, we begin the first Letter of St. Peter. Did you ever wonder what the purpose is of our trials in life? St. Peter gives us the answer. “For a little while you may have to suffer through various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith…may prove to be for […]
Trinity Sunday
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Today we celebrate the Feast of the Most Holy Trinity; three Persons, one God. The readings today reflect that. in the first reading from Proverbs we see an inkling of the Trinity: “When the Lord established the heavens I was there…” And our Gospel reading is from John 16, where Jesus talks about the Father […]
Sacraments
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How about this…two sacramental reading days in a row! Yesterday we talked about the sacrament of marriage and today we read about the sacrament of the anointing of the sick AND Confession! James 5 teaches this very clearly. More on that in a moment. In today’s Gospel from Mark 10, we hear Jesus say, “Let […]
Friday, May 20, 2016
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Gus talks about a term he’s heard more often lately called “Cultural Catholicism.” He talks with listeners about it and gets their interpretations. Most agree it’s a term for those Catholics who go to mass only on Christmas and Easter and get their kids through the Sacraments. Others define it differently as the local church […]
God and Marriage
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Whew! What a week it has been in the Scriptures! Our first reading today from James 5 has so many lessons for us, about perseverance, judging and the compassion and mercy of the Lord. James also tells us, “Let your ‘Yes’ mean ‘Yes’ and your ‘No’ mean ‘No.’ ” Very important words about Christian integrity. […]
Thursday, May 19, 2016
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Gus talks about the stereotype that Catholics don’t read the Bible and invites listeners to call in and talks about their experiences with Bible study groups or just studying the Bible themselves. Also, Gus talks with Thomas Masty, retired Director for the Boston University Center for Ethics and Character, now known as the Center for Character […]
Drastic Measures
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Scathing words to the rich today from James 5. Funny thing about wealth, isn’t it? We work so hard to accumulate it here on earth, to the point where it imperils our souls. Yet we can’t take it with us. Harsh words for the richest people in the world. (And I ain’t talking about Bill […]
Wednesday, May 18, 2016
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Gus began the show reading the story of Cardinal Robert Sarah’s address at the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast, in which the Cardinal called many of the things happening in the USA “demonic idolatry.” Read the story here. Gus talks about family heirlooms, particularly baptismal and communion gowns and veils. He invites listeners to call in […]
Tomorrow
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In today’s first reading, St. James talks about tomorrow. Something we need to think about today. So we will. In the Gospel from Mark 9, Jesus says, “For whoever is not against us is for us.” These words of Jesus always remind me of the unity that we have with other Christians. After all, no […]
Tuesday, May 17, 2017
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Gus talks about the Obama administration’s mandate that all government buildings, including schools, need to allow those confused about their gender to use whatever bathroom they wish and reads the USCCB’s statement on it, which they call “deeply disturbing.” He dedicates much of the show to listener reaction. Also, Gus talks with Becket Fund Legal Counsel […]
Lover of the World
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The battle of pride vs. humility is a recurring theme in the Scriptures. We see it in today’s readings from James 4 and Mark 9. St. James reminds us that “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” And Jesus says, “If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of […]
Monday, May 16, 2016
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Dr. John Bruchalski joins Gus in the Conversion Corner. John is a revert and an OBGYN who, prior to coming back to the Church, participated in many abortions. After his reversion, he helped form Divine Mercy Care, one of the largest pro-life medical facilities in the country. Also, Gus talks about how it was Confirmation […]
Belief and Unbelief
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Welcome back to Ordinary Time! Wisdom comes in two forms: heavenly wisdom and earthly wisdom. St. James speaks of the two in today’s first reading from James 3. Which type of wisdom are we working on most? In our Gospel reading today from Mark 9, Jesus’ disciples try to remove an unclean spirit from a […]
Veni, Sancte Spiritus
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Today is Pentecost Sunday. We celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit, and the birthday of the Church. We see this event in the first reading from Acts 2. At Mass today, you’ll hear the Veni, Sancte Spiritus- sometimes called the Golden Sequence. I thought is appropriate to share today. Come, Holy Spirit, come! And […]
Apostolic Succession
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Today the Church celebrates the Feast of St. Matthias. The two readings are ones that we have already had during the Easter season. The Gospel is from John 15, where Jesus says, “It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain…” […]
Friday, May 13, 2016
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Gus talks about the recent news Pope Francis made by saying he will convoke a council to examine whether or not women can serve as deacons. Gus talks about whether that can happen or not and brings the question to listeners. Then, Ron DeHass, founder of Covenant Eyes, call in to talk about his accountability […]
Do You Love Me?
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In the first reading today from Acts 25, Paul is in Caesarea awaiting trial. He is asked if he wants to go to Jerusalem to have his case heard. Paul declines, knowing that God is sending him to Rome. So Paul appeals his case to the Emperor. Our Gospel reading is from John 21, one […]
Thursday, May 12, 2016
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Dr. Grazie Pozo Christie, policy advisor for the Catholic Association, calls in to give an update on the ACLU’s lawsuits against several Catholic hospitals. The ACLU alleges that the Catholic Church is violating patients’ civil rights through its U.S. hospitals, by not allowing abortions. Then, Gus talks with Johanne Brownrigg, federal gov’t relations Campaign Life Coalition […]
Take Courage
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Did you know that at the Last Supper Jesus prayed for you? He did, indeed. We see that in today’s Gospel reading from John 17, He said, “I pray not only for these (His disciples), but also for those who will believe in me through their word.” That’s you, is it not? Do you know […]
Wednesday, May 11, 2016
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Audrey Assad (pictured below), popular Contemporary Christian music artist (and a Catholic), calls in to talk about her new album “Inheritance” and “Onething Live: Love Makes Us Strong,” a project she’s involved in with several other artists, including Matt Maher. Gus plays a couple of her new songs, including “Even Unto Death” and “How Can I […]
Responding to Our Consecration
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We hear Paul finishing his farewell address to the Church in Ephesus in today’s first reading from Acts. Interestingly, Paul recounts words of Jesus that do not appear in any of the four Gospels. “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” In his address, Paul talks about “all who are consecrated.” And in […]
Tuesday, May 10, 2016
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Today, Gus talks with listeners about priests with heavy accents and what there experience has been like. Most who called in described it as difficult but there’s grace there. Then, he invites listeners to call in and talk about their favorite Contemporary Christian artist. Gus even plays a sample of some favorite artists of callers […]
Your Ministry
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Sometimes we can get our priorities a bit out of whack, wouldn’t you say? I’m sure there was a time in St. Paul’s life when that was true. But in today’s first reading from Acts 20, he talks about what is really important. More on that in a moment. For the Gospel today, we’re back […]
Monday, May 9, 2016
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Documentary film director Sean Bloomfield talks about his latest work “Apparition Hill,” where he documents the experience of eight people who went to Medjugorje. They came from all walks of life. There were faithful people, not so faithful people and even a couple atheists. One of the film’s subjects, Rich Vosler, also joined Gus for […]
Friday, May 6, 2016
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Gus talks with his son Patrick Lloyd, the voice of “Good morning child of God,” in studio about his work, so far, in TV, his career ambitions and going from a Jesuit high school to a state college. He and Gus talk with listeners about their careers and if what they’re doing now is what […]
Debates and Arguments
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St. Paul was a very persuasive guy. Time and again he persuaded people about Jesus being the Christ of God. They weren’t persuaded by St. Paul, but in today’s Gospel reading from John 16 we hear the Apostles saying to Jesus, “We believe that you came from God.” Today we see Paul in Ephesus, in […]
A Prayer for Unity
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We call the “Our Father” The Lord’s Prayer. And rightly so, since it is the prayer that Jesus taught us to pray. But down through the ages, theologians have also thought of today’s Gospel reading from John 17 as The Lord’s Prayer. This is Jesus’ great prayer to the Father for unity among believers. “Father, […]
Scripture and Evangelizing
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In our Gospel reading today from John 16, Jesus again speaks about asking the Father in the name of Jesus. He promises the disciples that “the hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures but I will tell you clearly about the Father.” In the first reading today, we meet […]
Grief Will Become Joy
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OK, a bit of goofiness to start us off today…at the end of our first reading, we read that Paul had his head shaved because he had taken a vow. I seriously considered doing a reflection on Paul’s shaved head. (Of course, on the importance of keeping vows.) Oh, well…maybe some other time. At the […]
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 […]