Wednesday, February 4, 2015
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Gus welcomed Martin Pistorius to the Catholic Channel studios in New York City today for a one-on-one interview about his harrowing ordeal. Martin contracted meningitis as a young boy, which left him in a paralytic, vegetative state for 12 years, completely aware of his surroundings but unable to communicate. Eventually, Martin’s aromatherapist discovered his cognitive abilities […]
Discipline
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Today we’re going to talk about discipline. Not a fun topic, I know. If you clicked over to another web site right now, I wouldn’t blame you! But in today’s first reading from Hebrews 12, discipline is a main theme. So talk about it we must. In the Gospel reading from Mark 6, Jesus is […]
Tuesday, February 3, 2015
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Inspired by today’s Gospel reading (Mark 5: 21-43), which recounts the story of Jesus’ healing of the synagogue leader Jairus’ daughter, Gus talks about miracle healings and asks listeners what role illness and healing has played in their respective spiritual journeys. Also, Lorraine and Chris Wallace stop by the Catholic Channel studios to talk about her […]
Faith and Healing
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In today’s first reading from Hebrews 12, the Sacred Author tells us “we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses.” A wonderful reminder that we are never alone. The angels and saints are constantly interceding for us. Take comfort in that, my friend! In the Gospel reading today from Mark 5, we see […]
Monday, February 2, 2015
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Gus talks Super Bowl commercials today! He asks listeners to call in and tell how they felt about this year’s batch. Gus’ favorite, by the way, was the Snickers ad with Danny Trejo and Steve Buscemi. Watch it by clicking here. We also hear from John Michael Talbot, prolific Catholic musician and founder of the Brothers […]
Friday, January 30, 2015
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Saturday is the feast of St. John Bosco, founder of the Salesian order, and Fr. Mike Mendl, communications director of the Salesian Society, calls in to talk about their founder. You can learn more about the Salesians by clicking here. Gus also talks about the Super Bowl, coming up this Sunday, and he takes predictions; […]
Monday, January 26, 2015
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Gus recaps the March for Life and is joined by Maureen Ferguson, senior policy adviser at the Catholic Association to talk about some pro-life legislation that passed in the House of Representatives and some that didn’t.
A Promise Kept
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Today is the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord. Also known as Candlemas, this is the day when candles will be blessed. There will be three readings today. In the first reading from Malachi 3, God says through the prophet, “And suddenly there will come to the temple the Lord whom you seek, and […]
Knowing Jesus
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We see a very interesting story in our Gospel reading today from Mark 1. Jesus drives an unclean spirit out of a man. When Jesus confronts the spirit, it cries out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are – the Holy […]
Faith?
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Faith is a theme that runs through the readings today. In the first reading from Hebrews 11, we read the definition of faith. Are you familiar with it? Read it! The sacred author talks about Abraham and others who died in faith. In the Gospel reading from Mark 4, Jesus is asleep in a boat […]
Enduring Our Sufferings
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In today’s Gospel reading from Mark 4, Jesus tells a couple of parables, both of an agrarian nature. In the first He talks about how a seed grows, yet we know not how. Why? It is the mystery of life, and that God alone is the giver and taker of life. The second is a […]
Thursday, January 29, 2015
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Gus continued his celebration of Catholic Schools Week by taking a walk down memory lane and having listeners share their experiences with Catholic education. Jennifer Fulwiler visited for a few minutes today to talk about The Jennifer Fulwiler Show on The Catholic Channel. While her show airs Thursdays at 1 p.m. eastern time, next week […]
Invitation
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I love today’s reading from Hebrews 10. The Sacred Author gives us some great advice. More on that in a moment. We get some scary words from Jesus today in our Gospel reading from Mark 4. “The measure with which you measure will be measured out to you.” Yowza! You mean that we will be […]
Wednesday, January 28, 2015
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To celebrate the Feast of St. Thomas Aquinas, Gus talked with Dr. Kevin Vost, author of The One-Minute Aquinas. He gave a brief history of the Angelic Doctor and shared some of his wisdom. If you’d like to get the book, click below. Gus got an update from Jeff Gardner, who called from Iraq. He […]
Accepting the Word
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Christ’s death on Calvary is called the final sacrifice. In the first reading from Hebrews 10, we read about how “this one [Christ] offered one sacrifice for sins.” The reading today ends with this: “Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer offering for sin.” As Jesus said from the cross, “It is […]
Tuesday, January 27, 2015
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Today Gus recounted a recent “divine appointment” that he had on his flight home from Washington, DC. He sat next to Esther, who was struggling with her faith after losing her father. Esther said that God must have sent Gus to sit next to her and encourage her. Gus’ listeners then recalled divine appointments in […]
I Come to do Your Will
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“I come to do your will.” This is a line that we hear over and over again in the liturgy today. It appears twice in the first reading from Hebrews 10, and it is part of the response in today’s Responsorial Psalm from Psalm 40. This theme continues in the Gospel reading from Mark 3. […]
Thursday, January 22, 2015
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Gus was live today at the 2015 March for Life on the National Mall in Washington D.C. where he was joined by pro-life activists from all over the country including Lila Rose from Live Action, Joe Baker from Save the Storks, Peggy Hartshorn of Heartbeat International, singer-songwriter Marie Miller, Metropolitan Tikhon, primate of the Orthodox Church […]
Wednesday, January 21, 2015
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Today, Gus was joined by Catholic News Agency writer Alan Holdren to talk about Pope Francis’ recent comments on birth control and on Catholics who “breed like rabbits.” We also get a call from Ed Whelan, president of the Ethics and Public Policy Center, who talks about the Supreme Court’s impending decision on national same-sex marriage. […]
Stir Into Flame
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Today the Church celebrates the feast of Saints Timothy and Titus. It is a special day for my parish, as I attend St. Timothy Parish. Because it is a shared feast day, we have an option of two first readings, one from 2 Timothy and one from Titus. I’d like to concentrate today on the […]
Following Jesus
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In today’s Gospel reading from Mark 1, we read about the call of the first disciples. Jesus sees Simon and Andrew and says to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” The Scripture tells us, “they abandoned their nets and followed him.” Shortly after the same thing happens with James […]
Out of His Mind
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The blood of animals was very important in the old covenant. But the New Covenant is sealed with the Blood of Christ. In today’s first reading from Hebrews 9, the sacred author talks about the power in the Blood. Today’s Gospel reading from Mark 3 is just two verses. Here it is: Jesus came with […]
The Twelve
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The first reading today from Hebrews 8 talks about covenant. Jesus came to earth to usher in the New Covenant. A covenant is an exchange of persons. It requires total self-donation. As Christ died for us (total self-donation), are we willing to totally donate ourselves to Him? In the Gospel reading from Mark 3, we […]
Defending Life
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Today in the United States is the Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children. It falls on the anniversary of the Roe vs. Wade Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion in America – a sad day, indeed. It is also the annual March for Life in Washington, DC. Some people wonder why […]
A Priest Forever
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The author of Hebrews was big on Melchizedek, and his “relationship” to Jesus. More on that in a moment. In the Gospel reading from Mark 3, Jesus heals a man with a withered hand on the sabbath. Once again the Pharisees, itching for a reason to come against him, well…come against him. The question has […]
Tuesday, January 20, 2015
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Gus saw American Sniper over the weekend and was so moved by the film that he went and saw it again. He devotes much of the show to discussion about the movie and gets caller reviews. We hear from a lot of military veterans. Also, Pope Francis made some more headlines on the plane ride […]
Friday, January 16, 2015
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Inspired by today’s reading (Mark 2: 1-12), where four men lowered their paralytic friend down through the ceiling so Jesus could heal him, Gus asks his listeners to call in and talk about their faith-filled friends who they either led back to Church or who led them back. Also, Emiliy Zender calls in to talk […]
Spiritual Sluggishness
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In today’s Gospel reading from Mark 2, Jesus says something very telling to the Pharisees. “The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath. That is why the Son of Man is lord even of the sabbath.” In a way, Jesus was revealing to them that He is the one who makes the […]
Our Great High Priest
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Today in Hebrews 5, we see a theme that we touched on last week; that Jesus learned obedience from what he suffered. The author of Hebrews was big on this concept. In the Gospel reading from Mark 2, Jesus says, “No one pours new wine into old wineskins. Rather, new wine is poured into fresh […]
Looking?
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All of today’s readings bear great contemplation. In the first reading from 1 Samuel 3, we hear Samuel saying, “Speak, for your servant is listening.” Words to live by. In the second reading from 1 Corinthians 6, St. Paul reminds us that our body is a temple of the Holy Spirit. In the Gospel reading […]
Knowing God’s Word
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In our first reading from Hebrews 4, the author of Hebrews tells us about the word of God. More on that in a moment. The Gospel reading from Mark 2 is about the call of Levi, also known as Matthew. Levi was a tax collector. In those days, tax collectors were considered traitors. They were […]
Thursday, January 15, 2015
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Gus started out talking about Hebrews 3:13 from today’s reading, which we often sing at mass during a Responsorial Psalm, “If today you hear His voice, harden not your hearts.” It caused him to ask the question, do you have a go-to prayer? Also, Chuck Jansen, president and founder of Faith for the Journey, calls […]
Faith-filled Friends
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The first reading today from Hebrews 4 talks about entering into God’s rest. How do we enter into that rest? By being steadfast in faith, and obedient to God. In the Gospel reading today from Mark 2, we read the story of four guys who have a friend who is paralyzed. They want to try to […]
While It is Still “Today”
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Today’s Gospel story is from Mark 1, about a leper that comes to Jesus seeking to be healed. We heard Luke’s version of the same story a few days ago. Today’s first reading from Hebrews 3 is one that is very close to my heart. It contains a passage that means so much to me. […]
Wednesday, January 14, 2015
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Gus returns live, following his day-long celebration of the Ohio State Buckeyes triumphant win over the Oregon Ducks in the National Championship Game, with a big show! First, we speak to Fr. Leo Patalinghug live from the Philippines in advance of Pope Francis’ visit to the country. Fr. Leo is Filipino and tells Gus first-hand […]
Been There, Done That
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Back in Hebrews 2 today, we see more about the suffering of Jesus and how that plays to our advantage. More in a moment. In the Gospel reading from Mark 1, we see Jesus healing. He heals Simon’s mother-in-law, then many others who were sick or possessed by demons. He heals them all, then moves […]
Monday, January 12, 2015
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Based on this weekend’s reading (Mark 1: 7-11), which celebrated the baptism of the Lord, Gus does a godparent theme with the listeners. First, he has a contest to find out who the most recent godparent is. The winner gets a free copy of A Minute in the Church, Vol. II. Also, Gus asks listeners how […]
Suffering for a Purpose
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The writer of the Letter to the Hebrews was big on letting his readers know that Jesus, though He is God, experienced all the human stuff that we all go through. He wanted them to know that Christ did not get out of this world scott free, but that He suffered. In the Gospel reading […]
Fishing vs. Catching
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Welcome back to Ordinary Time! In the first reading today we begin the Letter to the Hebrews. This is a letter whose author is unknown. Some scholars attribute it to St. Paul, or certainly someone in his circle, as Timothy is mentioned near the end of the letter. I know we’ll get much out of […]
The Baptism of Jesus
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Today marks the end of the Christmas season, the feast of the Baptism of the Lord. Today we read in Mark 1 about Jesus coming to John the Baptist to be baptized in the Jordan river. John the Baptist says of him, “I have baptized you with water; he will baptize you with the Holy […]
Venial and Mortal Sin
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In Catholic theology, we talk of venial sin and mortal sin. Many will say, “Sin is sin! There is no such thing as mortal sin and venial sin.” Oh, really? Tell that to St. John. He would beg to differ. In the first reading today from 1 John 5, St. John speaks very clearly about […]
Friday, January 9, 2015
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Gus gets back into the Friday groove with Prayer Time. First, he invites past Prayer Time callers to call in if they’ve had an answer to prayers they requested on the air and then we get to today’s requests. We also play a round of Rate the Music. This time it’s a parody song of Fancy by […]
Thursday, January 8, 2015
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Gus talks about the terrorist attacks in Paris, France yesterday on the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo and is dismayed that no prominent Muslim leaders have come out against any of these types of actions. He also asks listeners to call in who have friends or co-workers who are Muslim and what that experience has been […]
Pleading for Cleaning
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“Who indeed is the victor over the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” That question opens today’s first reading from 1 John 5. Who indeed? I hope that “one” is you! In our Gospel reading today from Luke 5, a leper comes to Jesus asking to be cleansed. […]
Pants on Fire
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1 John is an amazing book. I always get so much out of it when I read it. Today is no exception. In fact, today, like every day, St. John is speaking directly to me! He even has the nerve to call me a liar! More on that in a sec. Today’s Gospel reading from […]
Wednesday, January 7, 2015
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Gus talks this morning about how some doctors are overselling the accuracy of prenatal testing, which can lead to women aborting their babies because of a Downs Syndrome or similar challenging diagnosis when, in actuality, it may not be the case. Gus asks his listeners if they ever experienced a misdiagnosis during their pregnancy and what was […]
Fear and Love
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Strong words from St. John today in our first reading from 1 John 4. St. John talks about fear. More on that in a moment. We see fear, too, come into play in our Gospel reading. In Mark 6, we see Jesus walking on the sea. When the disciples see him, they were overcome with […]
Tuesday, January 6, 2015
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Merry Christmas from Gus Lloyd and all of us here at Seize the Day! We don’t mean to confuse you but today is Christmas Eve in many Eastern Orthodox Christian denominations and Dr. Peter Bouteneff, associate professor of systemic theology at St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, explains why exactly that is. It the Latin Rite […]
God is Love
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If you read the epistles of St. John, you come to find out that love was his favorite topic. More on that in a moment. In the Gospel reading today from Mark 6, we see Jesus feeding five thousand men. That didn’t include women and children, so we can assume that the number of people […]
Monday, January 5, 2015
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Gus rings in the New Year by playing Bible roulette with listeners and gives them a Bible quote to use as a means of finding a New Year’s resolution. Also, Fr. Anthony Viviano calls in to the show to talk about his amazing spiritual journey, which began as a teenager when he fathered a child […]