Our Perpetual Institution
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Each year on Holy Thursday, the first reading for the Mass of the Lord’s Supper is taken from Exodus 11-12. That same reading is today’s first reading. In the Gospel reading from Matthew 12, the Pharisees call Jesus out because His disciples were “working” on the sabbath. Today’s first reading contains God’s instructions for the […]
R&R with Jesus
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In the first reading today from Exodus 3, Moses has a question for God. “When the children of Israel ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what am I to tell them?” God replies, “Tell the children of Israel: I AM sent me to you.” This became God’s name, and in the New Testament, we hear […]
Wednesday, July 15, 2015
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Today Gus talked about and got reaction from listeners about the undercover video that shows a Planned Parenthood doctor talking about selling the body parts of aborted babies. You can read more about it here. Gus talked with Dr. Stephen Krason of Franciscan University of Steubenville about the aftermath of the Supreme Court’s Obergefell decision […]
God Speaks
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God reveals himself to us in many ways. In the Gospel reading today from Matthew 11, Jesus says that the Father has “revealed [these things] to the childlike.” We see a very interesting way of God speaking in our first reading from Exodus 3. God spoke to Moses in a burning bush. Except the bush […]
Tuesday, July 14, 2015
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Gus shared an email from a listener today who wondered if all Catholic parishes are unfriendly and unwelcoming. Listeners called to share their stories. Gus had a double blessing talking with Rhonda Gruenwald, who is a convert to the faith and author of Hundredfold: A Guide to Parish Vocation Ministry. Visit her web site here. […]
The Danger of Not Repenting
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We see the early life of Moses in today’s first reading from Exodus 2. Moses should have been tossed into the river at birth. But God had a different plan. He was saved from death and became part of the royal family. In today’s Gospel reading from Matthew 11, Jesus pronounces woes on Chorazin, Bethsaida […]
Monday, July 13, 2015
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Gus shared this morning about his trip to Houston, TX over the weekend to speak at a fundraising banquet for vocations and the seminary. He had the pleasure of sitting next to Cardinal Daniel DiNardo. He also told about how he has received the Imprimatur for his new book, A Minute in the Church: The […]
Taking Up Your Cross
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A new chapter begins in the lives of the children of Israel in today’s first reading from Exodus 1 – slavery. The Egyptians made the Hebrews their slaves, and Pharaoh commands that every Hebrew boy child be killed. In the Gospel reading from Matthew 10, Jesus finishes His discourse to the Apostles as he sends […]
They Preached Repentance
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In the Gospel reading from Mark 6, we see Jesus sending out the Twelve. He tells them what they need to do. So what do they do? “So they went off and preached repentance.” Gee, I’ll bet that made them really popular guys! Let’s assume that telling people they need to repent is not going to […]
Acknowledging Jesus
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In today’s first reading, we see the end of the story of Joseph in Genesis 49 and 50. After Jacob had died, Joseph’s brothers were still afraid that Joseph might exact revenge on them for what they had done to him. But Joseph had no such plans. And he reassures them that he forgives them, […]
Shrewd and Simple
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What a beautiful reunion we read about today in our first reading from Genesis 46. Jacob/Israel thought that his youngest son, Joseph, had been eaten by wild beasts. But then his other boys come back from Egypt and spill the beans about the truth of what happened. Israel was now very old, and all he […]
Thursday, July 9, 2015
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Gus starts off by chuckling through a bogus story about how Pope Francis is seeking to change, or revise, the 10 Commandments. If you want a good laugh, click here. Then, our second hour is chock full of guests. First up, is Bishop Michael Byrnes, auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of Detroit. In addition to […]
A Greater Purpose
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In the Gospel reading today from Matthew 10, Jesus sends out the Twelve and gives them their “marching orders.” He says to them, “Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give.” The same holds true for us. God has given us everything freely. We should be willing to share the gifts that […]
Wednesday, July 8, 2015
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Gus Lloyd is back from his Taste of Italy pilgrimage and does his first live show from Tampa in two weeks! He wastes no time in getting the audience involved by asking them if anybody was instrumental in getting them back to their faith. Also, later on, he asks listeners to weigh in on whether or not […]
Sent Out
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In today’s first reading, we see part of the story of Joseph from Genesis 41 and 42. I encourage you to read the whole story of Joseph, beginning in Genesis 37. This will give you the background for the first reading. It’s an amazing story. Our Gospel reading today from Matthew 10 is the naming […]
Divine Wrestling
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Another fascinating story today in our first reading from Genesis 32. Today we read about Jacob wrestling with a divine being. After something of a stalemate, Jacob gets his name changed. More in a moment. In the Gospel reading, Jesus tells the disciples, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the […]
Two Healings
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Everyone knows the classic song “Stairway to Heaven,” right? Did you know the title of the song is based on a passage from Scripture? We find it in today’s first reading from Genesis 28. Jacob has a dream about a stairway that goes up to heaven. Check it out. In our Gospel reading from Matthew […]
Lack of Faith
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Jesus was a miracle worker. We see this again and again. There was a common element to most of the healings He performed: faith. In today’s Gospel reading from Mark 6, Jesus goes back to His hometown. Because people were familiar with Him, they had no faith in Him. Because of this, “he was not […]
Dependence Day
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Happy 4th of July! In the USA, today is Independence Day. It’s the day we celebrate our breaking away from the British empire and declaring ourselves an independent nation. It’s a day of great pride for patriotic Americans. Unfortunately, I’m afraid that we, as a nation, as a people, have taken the notion of independence […]
Awesome Thomas
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Today is the Feast of St. Thomas. That’s right, Doubting Thomas. That story is our Gospel reading. More on that in a moment. Our first reading today from Ephesians talks about the Church being “built upon the foundation of the Apostles and prophets.” I think if you asked many “Bible Christians” what the foundation of […]
Thursday, July 2, 2015
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It’s the final day of the Taste of Italy tour and Gus wraps up with a couple more Meet the Pilgrim/Conversion Corner segments. Today, we meet the John and Gloria Heinz and Denny Zendt. Also, Gus and Fr. Leo discuss the psychology of a pilgrimage and how one deals with the ups and downs that […]
The Test
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Have you ever felt like God is/was testing you? I think we all have at some time. Our first reading today is all about that. In the Gospel reading from Matthew 9, Jesus cures a paralytic; but it’s not so much the physical cure that was the big deal, but the fact that He forgave […]
Wednesday, July 1, 2015
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We’re in the final days of the Taste of Italy pilgrimage and they’ve landed in Rome! Gus starts off talking about some of the challenges he’s faced, including getting sick twice. Gus and Fr. Leo also take time to reflect on the pilgrimage and the spiritual journeys they both have taken. Also, Gus continues to […]
Expelling Jesus
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When Sarah was afraid that Abraham would die childless, she encouraged him to have a child with her servant, Hagar. After having her own child, Sarah insisted Abraham expel Hagar and her son. Saddened, Abraham complies. In today’ Gospel, Jesus has an encounter with two demoniacs. He orders the demons out of them and into a […]
Tuesday, June 30, 2015
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Day 6 of the Taste of Italy pilgrimage finds Gus and the gang in Tuscany, which Gus calls perhaps the most beautiful place in the world. The pilgrims feature prominently today as Gus gets to know the Lando family and Bob and Sue Kisch in his Meet the Pilgrims segment and Dr. Jim Martin sits […]
We Were Perishing
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In the first reading today from Genesis 19, we read about the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. Because of their wickedness, God had his sights set on them. But Abraham’s nephew, Lot, was in the region. Abraham asked that Lot be spared. So angels came and told Lot to get out of Dodge! They said […]
Monday, June 29, 2015
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Gus starts off Day 5 of his pilgrimage by reacting to the Supreme Court’s 5-4 decision in favor of legalizing same-sex marriage nationwide. Gus talks with Fr. Leo about what this means for the Catholic Church in America and how we should respond to it. Also, Gus talks about the abundantly Catholic culture in Italy and […]
The Example of Saints Peter and Paul
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Today the Church celebrates the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul. Interesting, isn’t it? You would think that, given the importance of each, they would both have their own feast day. I mean, after all, Peter was the first Pope, the one who got the keys to the Kingdom. (See today’s Gospel reading.) And Paul […]
Healing Our Children
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Today’s Gospel reading from Mark 5 tells the story of two healings. A synagogue official named Jairus asks Jesus to come to his home and cure his young daughter, who was near death. Jesus agrees to do so. While on the way, a woman touches Jesus’ cloak. Immediately she is healed, because of her faith. […]
Not Worthy, But Made Worthy
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Remember the first reading from yesterday, when Abraham laughed when God told him that he and Sarah would have a son? Well, there are more laughs in today’s first reading. Three men appear at Abraham’s tent, and one tells him that Sarah will bear a son by next year. Sarah hears this and laughs, too. […]
Friday, June 26, 2015
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The pilgrimage continues today in Milan. The pilgrims travel to Expo 2015 and Gus sits down with Charlie Faas, the chief cxecutive officer at Friends of the US Pavilion Expo Milano. He talks with Gus about their efforts to reduce world hunger. Also, Gus conducts a special Prayer Time from Milan where he takes prayer requests from […]
God’s Sense of Humor
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Abram had just had a son, Ishmael. This son was not born of his wife, Sarai. But in today’s first reading from Genesis 17, God tells Abraham that his wife, Sarah, (notice the name changes) will bear him a son. More on that in a moment. In the Gospel reading today, Jesus comes down off […]
Thursday June 25, 2014
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Gus and company explore Milan today as their Taste of Italy pilgrimage rolls on. They visit the beautiful Basilica of St. John Bosco, also know as Don Bosco, and the Milan Cathedral. He also speaks with Stephanie Clancy in his Meet the Pilgrims segment and sits down with Mike and Fran Lewis.
Doing the Father’s Will
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What an interesting story we see in our first reading today from Genesis 16. Abram and Sarai have no children. Even at their advanced age, Sarai agrees to let Abram have relations with one of her Egyptian maidservants, Hagar. Abram impregnates her and then the soap opera gets even wilder. Check this story out! For […]
Wednesday, June 24, 2015
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Gus and the pilgrims head to the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Turin, Italy to view the burial shroud of Christ. It’s been on Gus’ bucket list for years and now he can see it up close and he brings you the entire moment from start to finish to reaction. Gus also continues […]
Tuesday, June 23, 2015
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Gus and the pilgrims have finally landed in Italy! Seize the Day will be broadcasting there from today until July 2nd! Today, Gus talks about his first impressions of Italy, as he’s never been there before. He also talks with his co-pilgrimage leader Fr. Leo Patalinghug. Also, Gus talks with Michelle Chenoweth, one of the […]
Mission-Focused
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Today the Church celebrates the birth of John the Baptist. In the first reading from Isaiah 49, we see prophesies that certainly pertain to the life of John the Baptist. In the second reading from Acts 13, St. Paul tells of how John heralded the coming of the Lord Jesus. And the Gospel reading from […]
Of Pearls and Swine
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In our first reading today we find ourselves back in the Book of Genesis, reading about Abram and Lot. For our Gospel reading, we’re back in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 7. What I want to reflect on today will be difficult for some to hear, and will certainly put some people off. […]
The Pain of Beam Removal
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In today’s first reading from Genesis 12, God tells seventy-five year old Abram to pick up everything he owned (which was a lot) and move to a strange new place. “Abram went as the Lord directed him.” Are you sometimes afraid of change? Me, too. And imagine at Abram’s age! May we always have the […]
Great Calm
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In today’s Gospel reading from Mark 4, Jesus and His disciples take a little cruise on the Sea of Galilee. While they’re out, Jesus is taking a nap. (I suspect Jesus didn’t sleep too much in the first place.) Suddenly a violent squall comes upon the sea. The terrified disciples wake Jesus up, assuming He […]
Grace is Sufficient
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In the second reading today from 2 Corinthians 12, St. Paul says that he has been given “a thorn in the flesh.” Now, he never says what exactly that is. I generally think that this may be a predisposition to a particular sin. One of those things that you just can’t seem to get rid […]
Friday, June 19, 2015
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It’s Friday so Gus takes your prayers during Prayer Time. Also, Gus talks random acts of kindness. He asks listeners what’s the most valuable thing, either monetarily or sentimentally, anyone has ever given them? And, Lino Rulli, the Catholic Guy, ventures to the Lloyd household to sit in on Seize the Day. Lino has been in […]
Store Up Treasures in Heaven
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In the world, especially in business, there’s an old expression: Never expose your weakness. I think that’s why so many men don’t cry. They view it as a sign of weakness. In our first reading today, St. Paul turns that notion on its head. He says, “If I must boast, I will boast of the […]
Thursday, June 18, 2015
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Happy Papal Encyclical Day! Today, Pope Francis’ much-anticipated “climate control” encyclical entitled “Laudato Si‘” was released and we have full coverage. Gus talks to experts Dr. Jay Richards, of the Stream, and Dr. Grazie Pozo Christie, of the Catholic Association, and gets their initial reactions. We also take you live to the National Press Club in […]
A False Gospel
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I start today’s reflection with a warning. What you are about to read, you may find offensive. So be it. On a personal note, I do not write these reflections to be popular. I write them to share truth. So if you think I’m being “political” or insensitive, no need to write me a scathing […]
Wednesday, June 17, 2015
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Gus talks reversion this morning. After reading an email he got from a listener named Frank who left the Catholic faith to go to an evangelical Christian church and is now considering returning. Gus asks listeners to call in who left the Catholic Church and came back and talk about what exactly they went through. […]
God Loves a Cheerful Giver
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Our Gospel reading today is the same one we read on Ash Wednesday. In Matthew 6, Jesus teaches about almsgiving, prayer and fasting. Always lessons that we need to be reminded of. In the first reading today from 2 Corinthians 9, St. Paul says, “Each must do as already determined, without sadness or compulsion, for […]
Tuesday, June 16, 2015
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Gus talks about the papal “climate change” encyclical, which was leaked yesterday by the Italian magazine L’Espresso. Frank Rocca, Vatican correspondent for the Wall Street Journal, calls in to talk about how that happened and some of the issues addressed. Following Frank, Gus gets your reaction and how important or unimportant the issue of climate change is to […]
No Reward for Easy
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Are you rich? Most people would probably answer no to that question. They think of only worldly riches. As Christians, we think differently. We think in terms of blessings. We only come by those blessings through Christ’s poverty. In today’s first reading from 2 Corinthians 8, St. Paul puts it like this: “For your sake […]
Monday, June 15, 2015
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We begin with the unfortunate news of the resignation of Archbishop John Nienstedt, of Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota, over his handling of sexual abuse allegations at the hands of a pedophile priest. Nicole Winfield, Vatican correspondent for the Associated Press, spoke with Gus about the criminal charges leveled against the archbishop and others. To listen to the […]