Be Not Afraid
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Happy Easter! I know, I know…Easter was yesterday. That is so old news. But it isn’t! The Church celebrates Easter for fifty days! Wish someone a Happy Easter today. See what kind of look you get, then explain to them that the celebration didn’t end yesterday. In today’s Gospel reading from Matthew 28, we read […]
Our Triumphant Holy Day
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Jesus Christ is risen today! Alleluia! Our triumphant Holy Day! Alleluia! Today we celebrate the Resurrection of the Lord. This is the greatest day of the Church year. The day that sin and death were defeated, put in their place. Even death could not hold the Son of God. And this is what the Good […]
Welcome Home!
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Another long Lenten journey has come to a close. Tonight we celebrate the great Easter Vigil. Over 100,000 people will be welcomed into the Catholic Church around America. Wow! What an exciting moment. I know it is one that will never be forgotten for the many catechumens and candidates who will be welcomed into full […]
You Were There
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Today is the one day of the year when there is no Mass celebrated. The commemoration of Good Friday is the most solemn day of the year. The readings for the Good Friday liturgy are so moving. In the first reading from Isaiah 52, we see prophesied that which Jesus would endure on this day. […]
Washing Feet
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Lent is over today. We begin tonight the Sacred Triduum. It is one long liturgical celebration that encompasses Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday. I hope you will make it to church for all of the services. Tonight’s Mass of the Lord’s Supper is one of the most moving liturgies of the Church year. […]
Wednesday, March 23, 2016
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Maureen Ferguson, senior policy adviser for the Catholic Association, calls in to talk with Gus about the oral arguments being heard today at the Supreme Court in the Little Sisters of the Poor vs. Burwell case. And, Gus talks about Catholic CEOs (those who only go to mass on Christmas and Easter) and asks listeners […]
The Betrayer
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When we think of the brutality that Jesus suffered for us, we can see that this was all foretold in today’s first reading from Isaiah 50. “I gave my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who plucked my beard; my face I did not shield from buffets and spitting.” He did […]
The Best Intentions
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Our first reading today is from Isaiah 49, more from the prophesies of the Servant of the Lord. “I will make you a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.” Our Gospel reading is from John 13. Here we see Peter at his finest, just moments before […]
The Poor
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During Holy Week, we will be reading the Suffering Servant prophecies from Isaiah for our first readings. They are some of the most moving readings ever. Today is the first oracle of the Servant of the Lord from Isaiah 42. In today’s Gospel reading from John 12, Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus, anoints the […]
A Quick Turn
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Today is one of the most well-attended Mass days of the year. Passion Sunday or Palm Sunday. Outside of Christmas and Easter, more people come to Palm Sunday Mass than any other. Why? Because the Church is giving something away! Free palms for all! I hope that if we see people at Mass today that […]
A Father to Imitate
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Today the Church celebrates the Feast of St. Joseph. In our first reading from 2 Samuel, God says that his Son would spring from the line of David. “I will make his royal throne firm forever.” Joseph, though not Jesus’ biological father, was from the line of David. There are two options for a Gospel […]
Friday, March 18, 2016
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Fr. Gregory Boquet, president-rector of Saint Joseph Seminary College in Covington, Louisiana, calls in to the program to share the unfortunate story of St. Joseph’s Abbey, which was ravaged by flood water last week doing extensive damage. They don’t have flood insurance and they’re seeking to raise money for restorations. Folks can donate at helptheabbey.com. Then, […]
Belief Through Works
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Jeremiah’s friends abandoned him. In fact, they became his foes. He says, “All those who were my friends are on the watch for any misstep of mine.” How often this happens. We speak the truth, and even our friends (and maybe even family) shy away from us. Keep speaking truth! In the Gospel reading today […]
Thursday, March 17, 2016
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Gus talks about St. Patrick’s Day and how we celebrate it in the United States doesn’t really excite him because it’s been co-opted by the world. Nevertheless, he loves Saint Patrick, venerates him and then reads “St. Patrick’s Breastplate.” Gus gets many calls from listeners agreeing with him, but it wasn’t all negative. Some say […]
A Glimpse Into the Trinity
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There are only a very few instances of God changing someone’s name in the Scriptures. Today we see the first of these in Genesis 17. Abram gets a new name. “Your name shall be Abraham, for I am making you the father of a host of nations.” This is pretty groundbreaking stuff, as Abraham and […]
Wednesday, March 16, 2016
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Gus talks with Christy Beam, author of the book “Miracles from Heaven,” which has been turned into a major motion picture starring Jennifer Garner that opens today. Inspired by Christy’s story, which she described as a “trial by fire,” Gus talks with listeners about their trial by fire. Then, Gus talks about a story out of […]
Trial by Fire
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In today’s first reading from Daniel 3, we see the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego getting thrown into the fiery furnace. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego had faith. Faith enough to know that when they got thrown into the furnace, God would set them free. In today’s Gospel from John 8, Jesus talks about being […]
Tuesday, March 15, 2015
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Gus talks about Catholic catechises (religious education for children, mostly) and asks listeners how they would rate theirs growing up. Then, in keeping with that them, Monsignor Charles Pope calls in to talk about his recent National Catholic Register article entitled “4 Big Mistakes We’ve Made With Catechesis.” And, today is Super Tuesday in Florida, Ohio, […]
The Up-Look
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Today’s first reading from Numbers 21 tells us the story of God sending saraph serpents among the people of Israel, who had become terrible whiners. God then commands Moses to make a bronze serpent and mount it on a pole. Whenever someone looked up at the serpent, they would be healed and live. In the […]
Monday, March 14, 2016
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Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of the Susan B. Anthony List, calls in to talk about South Dakota becoming the 16th state to limit abortion after five months – more than halfway through pregnancy – because of the unborn child’s ability to feel pain. She also gives us an update on pro-life legislation in other U.S. states. […]
Like Father, Like Son
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Today’s first reading from Daniel 13 is very long, and very intriguing. It’s the story of Susanna, who was accused by two ne’er-do-wells of adultery. She was innocent, and Daniel caught the two in their own lies. This story reads like an episode of Perry Mason! In the Gospel reading from John 8, the Pharisees […]
Mercy in the Year of Mercy
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In today’s Gospel passage from John 8, we read the story of the woman caught in adultery. The scribes and Pharisees bring the woman before Jesus, telling Him that the law says that she must be stoned. They ask Jesus, “What do you say?” And Jesus answers with that most famous reply. “Let he who […]
Wrong Side of the Tracks
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The people were plotting to kill Jeremiah. He was unaware of these plans. After the LORD reveals this to him, Jeremiah cries out for vengeance. “Let me witness the vengeance you take on them, for to you I have entrusted my cause!” In today’s Gospel reading from John 7, the people are still trying to […]
Friday, March 11, 2016
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Today’s is Gus’ grandson Wyatt’s first birthday. Gus recounts that his daughter and her husband didn’t want to know the baby’s gender before birth so he asks listeners if they did that or not and why. Later on, occasional Seize the Day fill-in host Bob Dunning, father of six, calls in to talk about selecting baby names and finding out […]
Speaking Openly
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Today’s first reading from Wisdom 2 is sinister. The wicked plot to put to death the just one. When you read this, you will instantly be reminded of the passion and death of Jesus. In the Gospel reading from John 7, Jesus continues to teach in the temple area, even though He knew that the […]
Thursday, March 10, 2016
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Cyrus Nowrastah, director of “The Young Messiah,” calls in to talk about the new film, which opens tomorrow. Gus got an advanced screening of the movie and gave it a thumbs up. Also, Gus throws out the Easter Mass Invitation Challenge. He challenges listeners to invite a friend or family member, who has fallen away from […]
Coming to Jesus for Life
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Moses often had to act as an intermediary for his people. They had this quirky habit of turning their backs on God. Sound familiar? In today’s first reading from Exodus 32, Moses pleads with God to not destroy his people for their wickedness. In the Gospel reading from John 5, Jesus says to the Jews, […]
Wednesday, March 9, 2016
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Rep. Diane Black (R-TN) calls in to talk about her open letter to actress Amy Brenneman who recently wrote a piece that was featured in Cosmopolitan magazine where she talks openly about the abortion she had at age 21 and why it was a good decision. Rep. Black counters, in a very gentle and caring […]
An Unbreakable Bond
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In the Gospel reading today from John 5, Jesus begins to reveal more clearly who He truly is. He says, “My Father is at work until now, so I am at work.” By calling God his own father, He made Himself equal with God. This didn’t sit well with some folks. In the first reading […]
Tuesday, March 8, 2016
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FOX News contributor and talk show radio host Erick Erickson calls in to talk about the campaign issues of which people of faith find themselves on the unpopular side lately, i.e. same-sex marriage, abortion and various other religious liberty issues. He talks about it all in his new book “You Will Be Made to Care.” […]
Healing Waters
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Water is a theme in today’s readings. In the first reading from Ezekiel 47, the Angel of the Lord brings Ezekiel to the temple, from which water flows. It starts as a trickle and the further they go from the temple the water grows until it becomes a flowing river, feeding everything around. In the […]
Monday, March 7, 2016
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For the second Monday in a row, Gus is joined in the Conversion Corner with a convert from Islam. Nikki, who asks that her real name and location not be revealed, grew up in a Shi’a Muslim family and married into a Sunni Muslim family. Eventually, she fled to the United States where her long […]
“Heal My Son”
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I hear so often from people whose children no longer go to church or practice the faith. I know it is heartbreaking. More in a moment. In today’s first reading from Isaiah 65, we get a beautiful vision of the future. Check it out! A royal official comes to Jesus asking Jesus to heal his […]
On Blindness and Sight
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Today is the Fourth Sunday of Lent. I want to once again reflect on the Gospel for Year A, from John 9. It is the story of a man blind from birth who received his sight from Jesus. The man goes before the Pharisees and they question him about Jesus. When he proclaims that the healing […]
Humility and Pride
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Another beautiful reading from Hosea today for our first reading. Through the prophet, the Lord says, “For it is love that I desire, not sacrifice, and knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.” In our Gospel reading from Luke 18, Jesus tells a parable with two very interesting characters; one a Pharisee and the other […]
Friday, March 4, 2016
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Gus talks with Rick Hinshaw, director of communications at the Catholic League, about the controversial new sitcom “The Real O’Neals,” executive produced by Dan Savage, a gay activist who has made his anti-Catholic sentiments no secret, which reflect in his new project. Rick talks about how the Catholic League is countering this over-the-top parody of […]
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 […]