Tuesday, April 7, 2015
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On Seize the Day, Easter continues to roll on. In the wake of his call segment yesterday in which Gus asks listeners who just converted to Catholicism to call in and talk about the process, Gus talks to listeners about what role Catholic school played in their faith journey, after one caller said that Catholic […]
Easter Monday, April 6, 2015
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Happy Easter from Gus Lloyd and the Seize the Day crew! Gus continues the annual Seize the Day tradition of talking to newly-minted Catholics; that is, converts who completed their RCIA process by being baptized and confirmed in the Catholic faith at the Easter vigil. Folks who completed their conversion call in throughout the show! […]
Hearing Your 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 […]
Do Not Be 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 […]
Alleluia!
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Happy Easter! He is risen! Today we get to add back into the liturgy a word that has been missing for over forty days now. Alleluia! For the reflection today, I’ll simply share the lyrics of a favorite song. Sing along if you know it! (Hint: you probably did sing or will sing it today.) […]
Holy Saturday
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Holy Saturday is an interesting day. It reminds me of waiting in the doctor’s office waiting room after you have had some tests run. You’re kind of in a state of limbo. Hopeful that the results will come back good, but still having that creeping sense of doubt. I suppose this is what Jesus’ disciples […]
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. […]
Holy Thursday, April 2, 2015
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Since Seize the Day is not live tomorrow, Good Friday, Gus chose to do an extended Prayer Time session today. We hear from Eric Scheidler, executive director of the Pro-Life Action League, to talk about their America in the Way of the Cross for Victims of Abortion initiative, commemorating the deaths of the 57 million children lost […]
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, April 1, 2015
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Gus took a look at the Interfaith Summit that Cardinal Dolan hosted yesterday and played clips featuring his special guests Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf, Rabbit Elliot Cosgrove and Pastor A.R. Bernard. You can listen to a special rebroadcast Thursday April 2nd, @ 7:00 am EDT. Also, we hear from Mike Eisenbath, Catholic columnist for the St. Louis Review, […]
Tuesday, March 31, 2015
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Lots of heavy discussion today regarding religious freedom and the Indiana Religious Freedom Restoration Act among other issues. First, Matthew Franck, director of the William E. and Carol G. Simon Center on Religion and the Constitution of the Witherspoon Institute, calls in to the program to talk about a New Jersey law crafted to ban the Archdiocese […]
The Judas in Me
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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 […]
Monday, March 30, 2015
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Gus returns to Seize the Day following a week away conducting a Lenten parish mission. First, we’re joined by a special guest. Adam Sandler(….umm… we think it was him – see below) stopped by the Catholic Channel studios to sing his new holiday-themed song “Happy Easter.” Actually, it was comedian, actor, writer Tim Girrbach. […]
Peter and Me
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Our first reading today is from Isaiah 49, the second oracle 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 we would […]
A Gift to the Lord
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Today is Monday of Holy Week. Our first reading today is from Isaiah 42. The first oracle of the Servant of the Lord. “Here is my servant whom I uphold, my chosen one with whom I am pleased, upon whom I have put my Spirit.” As we read these words, we recall how they describe […]
The Quick Turn
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Today is Palm Sunday or Passion Sunday. It marks the start of Holy Week. Today’s Gospel reading is the longest of the year. Today we hear (and even participate in) the Passion narrative. Palm Sunday marks the day of Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. The people honored Him as a king. That’s why we get […]
Dying for Many
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As we approach Palm Sunday, the story of the final week of Jesus’ life unfolds. In the first reading from Ezekiel 37, the prophet speaks of the return of the Davidic Kingdom. Of course, Jesus came to fulfill the Davidic Kingdom in a perfect way. In the Gospel reading from John 11, Caiaphas, the high […]
Believe the Works
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In today’s first reading from Jeremiah 20, we hear the people plotting against Jeremiah. But they will not be victorious; they will not have their way. Jeremiah says, “But the Lord is with me, like a mighty champion: my persecutors will stumble, they will not triumph…Praise the Lord, for he has rescued the life of […]
I AM in Us
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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 […]
Monday, March 23rd to Friday, March 27th
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Gus is away on parish mission this week and our resident college football expert, and former Catholic Channel host, Bob Dunning is filling in for him. Be sure to tune in for lots of great conversation and compelling guests. Lots of room for you to join in!
Saying Yes
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Today we celebrate the Feast of the Annunciation. In the first reading we see that famous prophecy from Isaiah…”the virgin shall be with child, and bear a son, and shall call him Emmanuel, which means ‘God is with us!’ ” Then in the second reading from Hebrews, we hear it recounted that Christ said, “Behold, […]
The Antidote
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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 […]
Sin No More
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In today’s readings, we see the stories of two women who are about to be killed. In the first reading from Daniel, we see the story of Susanna. Two wicked men falsely accuse her of a crime punishable by death. But their falsehoods are revealed by Daniel. It really is a magnificent story, one that […]
Can You Hear Him?
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We’ll be using the readings for Year A again this week. For the Fifth Sunday of Lent, the theme of the readings is being raised from the dead. In the first reading from Ezekiel 37, God says, “Then you shall know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves and have you rise from […]
Words Like No Other
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Another ominous reading for our first reading today, this time from Jeremiah 11. As we draw closer to Holy Week and Good Friday, we begin to see the readings get darker. In the Gospel reading from John 7, the people continue to conjecture from where the Christ would come. “The Christ will not come from […]
Friday, March 20, 2015
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Gus discusses religious persecution a bit today on Seize the Day. First, he talks to Alliance Defending Freedom’s senior legal counsel Matt Bowman about a Catholic company’s win over the HHS Mandate. U.S. district Judge John Kane for the District of Colorado granted Hercules Industries a permanent injunction against the HHS Mandate. To read more about […]
Persecution
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In today’s first reading from Wisdom 2, we hear from the wicked. They despise “the just one.” They want to “condemn him to a shameful death.” We know, of course, that this is a prophecy of the Christ. In the Gospel reading from John 7, we see that the Jews were trying to kill Jesus. […]
Thursday, March 19, 2015
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There’s a heavy Father’s Day vibe on today’s Seize the Day as we honor the Feast of St. Joseph, husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary and foster-father of Jesus. Gus asks listeners about the role their father played in their spiritual life and if there are any priests in their lives they’d like to honor […]
Actions Speak
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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 […]
Wednesday, March 18, 2015
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Gus talks about a conversation he had with his son-in-law the other day about people getting married at a later age than in times past. Gus does his own study today by asking listeners how old they were when they got married, how long they’ve been married, and what was their families’ reaction. Also, Gus […]
Seeking God’s Will
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In the first reading today from Isaiah 49, we hear this question: “Can a mother forget her infant, be without tenderness for the child of her womb?” Now, you would think that that is a rhetorical question. Yet it isn’t. We have all heard cases of mothers doing unspeakable things to their children. Here is […]
Tuesday, March 17, 2015
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Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Today Gus was joined by Mary Donoghue McCain from DePaul University, who gave us the straight scoop on St. Patrick. Did he really drive the snakes from Ireland? Well, no, not physically. But metaphorically, he brought Christ to the people and thus helped drive Satan (the serpent) out. St. Patrick, pray […]
Prayer of St. Patrick
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Happy St. Patrick’s Day! I’m going to go a bit out of the normal today and not do a reflection on the daily readings. In honor of St. Patrick, I want to share with you the beautiful St. Patrick’s Breastplate. Many people may know a small part of this beautiful prayer (specifically the next-to-last stanza), […]
Monday, March 16, 2015
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Today Gus and his listeners talked a lot about their children. Reflecting on today’s Gospel reading from John 4 where Jesus healed the son of a royal official, Gus asked for stories of miracles involving children. As always, there were some amazing and moving tales. On today’s edition of “Tell Me Something Good,” Gus asked […]
Your Son Will Live
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“Lo, I am about to create a new heavens and a new earth…there shall be rejoicing and happiness in what I create.” These are words of the LORD from today’s first reading from Isaiah 65. Jesus came to bring about this “new heavens and new earth.” Have you been made new during your Lenten journey […]
So We Might See
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Many parishes will use the readings from Year A today. The Gospel reading is the story of the man born blind from John 9. Jesus heals a man who was born blind. It is one of the longest readings of the Church year. When the man born blind returns to Jesus to thank Him for […]
The Trap of 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 13, 2015
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Today is the second anniversary of the election of Pope Francis. Gus celebrates by asking listeners to call in and rate the job he’s done so far. He also speaks with Ashley McGuire, senior fellow at the Catholic Association, about the pontificate of Pope Francis and recollects the day he was elected. Ashley just so […]
Love God, Love Neighbor
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Today’s first reading from Hosea 14 contains some of the most beautiful imagery in Scripture. It shows us God’s loving heart for his people. Even though they had turned away, He will welcome them back, if they just ask for His forgiveness. “I will heal their defection, says the Lord, I will love them freely.” […]
Thursday, March 12, 2015
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Gus starts off by announcing the newest addition to his family! Little Wyatt was born yesterday. He’s Gus and Michelle’s second grandchild! Go to Gus’ Facebook page to see pictures! Also, Fr. Dwight Longenecker joins us again; this time to talk about the threats made by ISIS against the pope and Rome. To read Fr. […]
Armed for Battle
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In the first reading today from Jeremiah 7, we read the story of a nation that has abandoned God. God says, “Walk in all the ways that I command you, so that you may prosper. But they obeyed not, nor did they pay heed. They walked in the hardness of their evil hearts and turned […]
Wednesday, March 11, 2015
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Seize the Day is loaded with great guests today, but we start off with Cardinal Dolan’s homily from yesterday’s funeral mass of the late Cardinal Emeritus Edward Egan, former cardinal archbishop of New York and the founder of the Catholic Channel. Eternal rest grant to him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May […]
Tuesday, March 10, 2015
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Gus starts off talking with listeners about praying with strangers. Have you ever had the occasion to pray with a stranger and what was that like for you? And, we need to clear out our prize closet so Gus plays a few spirited rounds of Catholic Quiz to test his listeners’ Catholic knowledge. We also […]
Monday, March 9, 2015
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Monday means Tell Me Something Good on Seize the Day where Gus shares his recent good news and blessings and encourages listeners to call in with theirs. Also, Deacon Keith Fournier calls in to talk about Catholics being pushed out of commerce in the wake of recent same-sex marriage court decisions and the current political […]
Obey and Teach
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The family is the first school for children. Even if we send them off to a school at some age, we as parents are called to be the primary teachers of our children, especially when it comes to the faith. This is job that never ends. How important do you think this is? See what […]
Forgive, Forgive, Forgive, Forgive…
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Today’s first reading contains one of the most beautiful prayers in all of Scripture. It is the prayer of Azariah from Daniel 3. Azariah and his two companions had been thrown into the fiery furnace by the king, because they prayed to the one true God. While in the furnace, this is the prayer that […]
Be a Prophet!
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What a fascinating story we see in our first reading from 2 Kings 5. Naaman the Syrian, a respected military man, was a leper. He asks the king of Israel to heal him, but he can’t. So the prophet Elisha volunteers to heal him. Naaman doesn’t like what Elisha tells him, but does it anyway, […]
Break Down Those Barriers
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At my parish, we use the readings for Year A at today’s Mass. Our RCIA candidates and catechumens will be undergoing their scrutinies. It’s always very moving. The Gospel reading is from John 4, the story of the woman at the well. Jesus meets up with a Samaritan woman at a well. Two unusual things […]
A Brother, A Son, A Father
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Some beautiful imagery in today’s first reading from Micah 7. We see that God “delights in clemency…will cast into the depths of the sea all our sins.” Then Psalm 103 reminds us that “The Lord is kind and merciful.” And speaking of kindness and mercy, our Gospel reading is from Luke 15, the story of […]
Friday, March 6, 2015
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Seize the Day returned live today as Gus paid tribute to Cardinal Emeritus Edward Egan, former cardinal archbishop of New York and founder of the Catholic Channel. We were joined by several guests, including two of the late cardinal’s brother bishops; Archbishop Joseph Kurtz of the archdiocese of Louisville, Kentucky and current president of the […]