Maranatha!
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Christmas is in the air! Can you feel it? Certainly all of the retailers hope you can. The world hammers us with Christmas. And there is certainly nothing wrong with getting into the “Christmas spirit.” But Holy Mother Church has a different idea about these weeks leading up to Christmas. That is why we celebrate […]
Beware the Rut
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Today is the last day of the Church year. Tomorrow begins a brand new liturgical year with the season of Advent. In the first reading from the end of the book of Revelation, we see this final beautiful view of heaven. “Night will be no more, nor will they need light from lamp or sun, […]
Jesus’ Words
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In Revelation 20, St. John gives us a glimpse of the final judgement. Hopefully, reading these words can give us a new perspective on the importance of how we live our lives. “All the dead were judged according to their deeds.” John also sees a “new heaven and a new earth. The former heaven and […]
All About Thanksgiving
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Today is Thanksgiving Day in the U.S. Happy Thanksgiving! I have a link to today’s readings at the bottom of today’s post. These are optional readings for Thanksgiving Day. But rather than comment on the readings, I want to take a moment to reflect on Thanksgiving. Did you know that the word Eucharist translates to […]
Another Paradox
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Another heavenly vision from St. John in Revelation 15 for today’s first reading. St. John sees those who had won the victory over the beast singing “the song of Moses…the song of the Lamb.” It is a beautiful song. See for yourself! In today’s Gospel passage from Luke 21, Jesus talks about some of the […]
Harvest Signs
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We get a couple of very apocalyptic readings today. In Revelation 14, we see one “like a son of man” reaping his harvest on the earth. But it’s good news-bad news. The first harvest is good. The second harvest gets thrown into “the great wine press of God’s fury.” Which harvest will you be in? […]
A Widow’s Trust
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In today’s first reading from Revelation 14, we see once again the figure of the Lamb. He has with him a hundred and forty-four thousand who have his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads. The Scripture says of them, “On their lips no deceit has been found; they are unblemished.” It reminds […]
The Perfect King
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Today the Church celebrates the end of the liturgical year. Fittingly enough, it is the Feast of Christ the King. All of the readings today point to the kingship of Christ. In the Gospel reading from Matthew 25, Jesus talks about what it will be like when He comes in to His Kingdom, and how […]
Post-Resurrection Life
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The first reading today from Revelation 11 is filled with imagery of martyrs, prophets of old, Rome and more. I encourage you to read a bit of background on what John describes. In the Gospel from Luke 20, some Saducees, who don’t believe in the resurrection of the body, throw a trick question at Jesus […]
Friday, November 21, 2014
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Gus kicks off the show with Prayer Time. Listeners call in and share their prayer intentions with Gus who offers them all off in a communal prayer. Also, Gus is joined by Catholic blogger Shaun McAfee to talk about his latest article entitled “13 Things You Should NEVER Say to a Priest.” To read his […]
Thursday, November 20, 2014
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Gus is back live after Listener Appreciation Day on the Catholic Channel! Gus kicks the show off by thanking everyone who participated and helped make it a huge success. He also dips into the Seize the Day mailbag and reads a few complimentary and not-so complimentary emails and talks about the pros and cons of […]
The Sweet and the Sour
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In the Gospel reading today from Luke 19, we see Jesus cleansing the temple area of those who are selling things. He says, “It is written, My house shall be a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves.” We then read that “every day He was teaching in the temple […]
Know Jesus, Know Peace
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In the first reading today from Revelation 5, we see a striking figure in John’s vision of heaven. An angel asks the question, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?” And then we see Him. “A Lamb that seemed to have been slain.” The next time you’re at Mass and the […]
Wednesday, November 19, 2014
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It’s a Seize the Day Shuffle today as Gus makes his way back to Tampa following his appearance at Listener Appreciation Day at the SiriusXM studios in New York City. We’re back live tomorrow. Enjoy a couple more pictures from yesterday’s unprecedented event!
Fear and Love
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Some of the images we read about in the Book of Revelation can seem rather odd. That’s certainly the case in our first reading today from Revelation 4 – strange looking creatures covered with eyes and wings. The important thing is to get the message that God gives us through John’s visions. In the Gospel […]
Tuesday, November 18, 2014
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Today was Listener Appreciation Day on the Catholic Channel. Gus, along with several listeners, made the journey to the SiriusXM studios in New York City to kick off this unprecedented, all-day channel-wide event. Gus broadcast the show in front of a live studio audience and got to know just about each one much better. And […]
Monday, November 17, 2014
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Today, Gus welcomes Dr. Matthew Cabeen to the Conversion Corner. Dr. Cabeen is a biologist and a postdoctoral fellow at Harvard University and a convert to Catholicism from Evangelical Christianity. To watch Dr. Cabeen’s conversion story on the Coming Home Network, click here. Also, Mary Rezac, journalist at the Catholic News Agency, calls in to […]
The Danger of Being Lukewarm
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Our Gospel reading today is the story of Zacchaeus from Luke 19. It is a great story of repentance and redemption. In the first reading today from Revelation 3, we hear Jesus addressing the Churches of Sardis and Laodicea. His words to the Church of Laodicea are a stark reminder to all. “I know your […]
Friday, November 14, 2014
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Gus gives a summation of the USCCB Fall Meetings, which closed yesterday, and talks about some of the reports that came out of it, including one particular one that talks about lukewarmness among young Catholics who have taken the stance to “agree to disagree” with Church teaching. Catholic News Agency D.C. Correspondent Matt Hadro joins […]
The Desire of Your Heart
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In the first reading today, we begin a brief trip through the Book of Revelation. Today Jesus speaks to the church in Ephesus. He says, “Yet I hold this against you: you have lost the love you had at first. Repent…” Sounds pretty harsh, huh? Another reason why He stressed perseverance in faith and love […]
Do Something!
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Today’s first reading from Proverbs talks about a worthy wife. I am blessed to have one myself. In the second reading, St. Paul tells the Thessalonians that they are “children of the light and children of the day.” And in the Gospel reading from Matthew 25, Jesus tells the parable of the talents. In the […]
Faith on Earth?
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Are you supporting those doing missionary work? You should be. St. John exhorts us to do that in our first reading today from 3 John:5-8. He says of those doing missionary work that “we ought to support such persons, so that we may be co-workers in the truth.” In today’s Gospel reading from Luke 18, […]
Losing for Gain
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Our first reading today is from 2 John. This is the shortest book in the Bible, just 13 verses. But what a power-packed 13 verses! St. John writes, “For this is love, that we walk according to his commandments.” He then talks about those who would lead people astray. “Anyone who is so ‘progressive’ as […]
Thursday, November 13, 2014
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Gus devotes much of the morning to Sister Cristina. She’s the nun who won Italy’s version of “The Voice” earlier this year and became an international sensation. Her self-titled debut album was just released and Gus plays a few tracks, including her interpretation of Madonna’s “Like A Virgin,” and he asks his listeners to call […]
The Kingdom, The Church
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Today’s first reading is taken from St. Paul’s letter to Philemon. Here Paul urges his old friend to welcome back his slave, Onesimus. Onesimus had been travelling with and assisting Paul, and Paul had become very fond of him. In fact, he refers to Onesimus as “my child, whose father I have become in my […]
Wednesday, November 12, 2014
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Gus talks about ecumenism and how it’s something that Pope Francis has really emphasized since the start of his papacy. Gus takes it to the listeners and asks how they would react if one of their kids told them they wanted to attend a non-Catholic service. Also, Gus is joined in the Conversion Corner by […]
The Other Good Samaritan
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Faith in Christ requires change. For many of us, that means a lot of change. St. Paul alludes to this in the first reading from Titus 3. “For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, deluded, slaves to various desires and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful ourselves and hating one another.” Sounds a lot […]
Tuesday, November 11, 2014
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Happy Veterans Day to all you out there who served from Gus Lloyd and all of us from Seize the Day! In honor of your service, Gus takes calls from veterans and asks them to tell a little bit about their time spent in service to our country. Gus also talks about his father’s service […]
Veteran’s Day
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Today is Veteran’s Day in the USA. How appropriate that in the Church today is the Feast of St. Martin of Tours. St. Martin was a military man. He had a radical conversion after having a vision of Jesus. In the Gospel reading today from Luke 17, Jesus talks about living up to our obligations. […]
Monday, November 10, 2014
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It’s a Monday morning on Seize the Day and that always means it’s time for Tell Me Something Good. Gus and his listeners share their good news and recent blessings in an effort to beat back the Monday blahs. And, in lieu of Veterans Day, which is tomorrow, we revisit our interview with Fr. Mike […]
Friday, November 7, 2014
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Gus opens up with Prayer Time for his listeners who call in with their special intentions. Later on, Phil Lawler, editor of Catholic World News, calls in to talk about how the media has misreported many Catholic news stories, especially where Pope Francis is concerned. To read Phil’s report on that, click here. And, Gus […]
An Increase in Faith
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In the first reading today, we begin St. Paul’s Letter to Titus. Here St. Paul talks about the qualifications for priests and bishops. In the Gospel reading today from Luke 17, the Apostles say to Jesus, “Increase our faith.” Interesting, isn’t it? I mean, here is a group of guys who have given up everything, […]
The Body – The Temple
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In today’s first reading from 1 Corinthians 3, St. Paul says, “You are God’s building. Do you not know that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” And in the Gospel reading from John 2, Jesus talks about the people destroying the temple and in three days […]
Trustworthy
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St. Paul went through a lot in his life. Early on, he had it all. He was well off, well educated, well liked. But later he was beaten, thrown in prison and eventually martyred. In today’s first reading, he tells the secret of getting along in both situations. Read Philippians 4:13 for the answer. In […]
The Dishonest Steward
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In today’s first reading from Philippians 3, St. Paul talks about people whose “God is their stomach; their glory is in their ‘shame.’ Their minds are occupied with earthly things.” St. Paul reminds that “our citizenship is in heaven.” We always need to be thinking of the eternal. In the Gospel reading today, Jesus tells […]
Thursday, November 6, 2014
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Gus and his family were finally able to lay his sister Nancy’s ashes to rest yesterday and he asks his listeners to share their thoughts on cremation. Also, Gus asks his listeners about giving at mass. Do they give weekly? Monthly? Do they not give at all? In this day of technology, do any of […]
Wednesday, November 5, 2014
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It’s the day after Election Day and the GOP took control of the House and the Senate. Gus talks with Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of the Susan B. Anthony List, about what galvanized the Republican base. Also, Gus is joined by his good friend Fr. Mike Morris who was diagnosed with brain cancer and tells us how he’s […]
This Man Welcomes Sinners
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In the first reading today from Philippians 3, St. Paul says basically, if anyone has a right to boast, it is me. I have the pedigree, followed all the Jewish laws; yet none of it means a thing. He writes, “I even consider everything as a loss because of the supreme good of knowing Christ […]
Tuesday, November 4, 2014
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It’s Election Day and Gus wants to know your voting activity! He asks listeners if they, a). Voted early, b). Are voting later today, or c). Not voting at all. Gus also talks about Cardinal Timothy Dolan’s announcement of 55 parishes in the Archdiocese of New York as part of his “Making All Things New” […]
Counting the Cost
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In the first reading today from Philippians 2, St. Paul writes, “Do everything without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine like lights in the world.” Are we shining the light of Jesus to […]
It’s Always Something
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“At the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.” That’s from our first reading today from Philippians 2. Is your tongue confessing Jesus today? In the Gospel reading from Luke 14, Jesus tells a story […]
Monday, November 3, 2014
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Gus is joined today by Arleen Spenceley, staff writer at the Tampa Bay Times and Catholic blogger, to talk about her upcoming book “Chastity is for Lovers.” To learn more about Arleen and to pre-order her book, click here. Also, Gus talks to Jesuit Brother Guy Consolmagno, Vatican scientist and co-author of “Would You Baptize […]
Humility
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Today’s readings focus on humility. In the first reading from Philippians 2, St. Paul tells us to “humbly regard others as more important than yourselves.” In the Gospel reading from Luke 14, Jesus gives instruction to a Pharisee who invited Him to dinner. “When you hold a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, […]
All Souls and Purgatory
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Today we celebrate the Feast of All Souls. It is the day we remember all the souls in Purgatory. Purgatory can be a controversial topic, and hard to explain. So, I would like to help you with that. Following is the chapter in my book A Minute in the Church on Purgatory. I hope this helps. […]
St. Gus?
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Today we celebrate the Feast of All Saints. For the past 15 years, whenever this day falls on a weekday, I have a tradition of calling everyone with whom I speak on that day as St. (Your Name). It’s really a lot of fun! Why not try it today? Everyone you talk with today, call […]
Friday, October 31, 2014
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It’s a Halloween edition of Seize the Day so Gus invites his listeners to call in and offer up their thoughts on the holiday. Do they let their kids participate? Has it become too secular or too focused on the profane? We also hear from Catholic blogger Brittany Higdon who talks about her recent article “Should […]
A Work in Progress
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In today’s Gospel reading, we see another case of Jesus taking on the controversial topic of “working” on the sabbath. Is it okay to do good on the sabbath, to help and to heal? Of course it is. In the first reading today we begin a journey through St. Paul’s Letter to the Philippians. Today […]
Thursday, October 30, 2014
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Today Gus re-aired his interview with Philip Johnson, the seminarian from the Diocese of Raleigh, NC who has terminal brain cancer. It is also available as a podcast, so you can listen to it any time. Click here to listen, and share it with your friends. Gus also shared some of the audio from a […]
Fearless Living
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Have you put on your armor for battle today? I sure hope so – the armor of God! Do you know what the armor of God is? St. Paul explains in today’s first reading from Ephesians 6. Time to suit up, my friend! In the Gospel reading from Luke 13, some Pharisees come to Jesus […]
Building Our Trust Muscles
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St. Paul has some great instruction for the family in today’s first reading from Ephesians 6. I think this line is particularly needed in our world today: “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up with the training and instruction of the Lord.” Fathers truly need our prayers today! In the […]