60 Second Reflections

    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 […]

    Tuesday, April 5, 2016

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    Gus devotes much of his show to what he calls “extra-curricular” Catholics; that is, Catholics who get involved in ministry, who go to conferences, retreats, etc. and the benefits of that. He takes calls from listeners who are involved in all sorts of extra-curricular Catholic activities. Then, John O’Leary, author of the book “On Fire,” calls in. […]

    Monday, April 4, 2016

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    Gus talks about increasing amount of faith-based movies there are out there lately and the fact that they’ve done well at the box office. He asks listeners to call in who saw God’s Not Dead 2, which opened this past weekend. Then, he welcomes Dr. Jeffrey Morrow to the Conversion Corner. Dr. Morrow is a convert from […]

    One Heart and Mind

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    In today’s first reading from Acts 4, we get a glimpse of the first Christian community. We’ll talk more about that in a sec. In the Gospel reading from John 3, we see part of the conversation between Nicodemus and Jesus. Nicodemus was a teacher of Israel, and yet he did not understand what Jesus […]

    She Said YES!

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    Today we celebrate the Feast of the Annunciation. Normally the feast is celebrated March 25, nine months before Christmas. But because March 25 was Good Friday, the feast is transferred to today. In the first reading we see that famous prophecy from Isaiah 7…”the virgin shall be with child, and bear a son, and shall […]

    God’s Mercy

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    Today, the second Sunday of Easter, is Divine Mercy Sunday. So, rather than do a reflection on the daily Scriptures (I’ll trust you to do that on your own!), I thought we could take just a moment to reflect on God’s mercy. If you do a search of the Scriptures, you will find hundreds of […]

    Ordinary Guys

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    In today’s Gospel reading from Mark 16, we hear Mark’s version of Jesus’ great commission: “Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.” Words to live by. Here is how the first reading today starts from Acts 4: “Observing the boldness of Peter and John and perceiving them to be uneducated, […]

    Friday, April 1, 2016

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    Gus talks with LifeSite News writer Lisa Bourne about the American Civil Liberties Union suing the USCCB over the latter’s involvement in helping victims of human trafficking and not providing abortions or sterilization. Afterwards, he gets listeners’ opinions on whether or not the Catholic Church, or any religious entity, should get involved with the federal government. […]

    Doing the Ridiculous

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    Our salvation has a name. That name is Jesus. In today’s first reading from Acts 4, St. Peter makes that message very clear to the authorities who were questioning him. “There is no salvation through anyone else, nor is there any other name under heaven given to the human race by which we are to […]

    Thursday, March 31, 2016

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    Gus talks about Donald Trump’s comments yesterday at an MSNBC Town Hall on abortion in which he changed his position three times in three hours. In his initial comment, Trump told Chris Matthews that he believed women who have abortions should be punished, which was immediately excoriated by Democrats and Republicans alike. Even Jeannie Mancini, president […]

    Ignorance and Conversion

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    You’ve heard the old expression “Ignorance is bliss.” I suppose that’s true in a sense. In the first reading today from Acts 3, St. Peter refers to the people’s ignorance. More on that in a moment. In the Gospel reading from Luke 24, we read about what happened right after the experience of the disciples […]

    Wednesday, March 30, 2016

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    Gus chats with Daniel diSilva, the director of a new documentary entitled “The Original Image of Divine Mercy,” which traces the history of the painting done of St. Faustina’s vision by Eugene Kazimirowski under her and her spiritual director’s supervision. The painting went missing for several years and Daniel documents the hunt in his latest documentary […]

    The Most You Can Do

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    Another great story from Acts 3 for our first reading today. We’ll talk about that in a moment. The Gospel reading from Luke 24 is one of the most interesting stories in the New Testament. It is the story of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus. After spending time with Jesus and not […]

    Tuesday, March 29, 2016

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    Today, Gus honors Mother Angelica, foundress of EWTN, who died Easter Sunday. In addition to talking to EWTN host Teresa Tomeo and Chairman & CEO Michael P. Warsaw about her life, legacy and founding of EWTN, Gus talks with listeners about what impact she had on them and what led them to become followers of […]

    Monday, March 28, 2016

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    Happy Easter from Gus Lloyd and all of us at Seize the Day! That’s one of the great things about being Catholic! Where most of the pop culture world stops celebrating the day of the actual holiday, the Catholic Church is only getting started! In keeping with the Monday-after-Easter Seize the Day tradition, Gus talks […]

    Called By Name

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    In today’s first reading from Acts 2, we hear more of what happened on the day of Pentecost. Peter tells the people, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” This is a […]

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