Jesus’ Grandparents
Posted on
Today the Church celebrates the Feast of Saints Joachim and Anne. Tradition tells us that these were the parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary. For the record, Joachim and Anne are not mentioned in the Scriptures. As the parents of Mary, Joachim and Anne were Jesus’ grandparents. As a new grandfather (my first grandson, Beckett, […]
Friday, July 25, 2014
Posted on
Friday means Prayer Time on Seize the Day. Gus takes the prayer intentions of his callers and offers them all up as a communal prayer. If you want to be a part of Prayer Time, call in next Friday. Also, Gus is joined by Arina Grossu, director of the Center for Human Dignity at the Family […]
Saint James
Posted on
Today we celebrate the Feast of St. James. This James is the son of Zebedee and the brother of St. John the Apostle. He is known as James the Greater. This isn’t because he was considered greater that the other Apostle James, but because he is mentioned first in the Gospels. Our first reading is […]
Thursday, July 24, 2014
Posted on
Gus dedicates a lot of time to singer Tom Petty today. It seems that the singer is not a fan of the Catholic Church as evidenced by his new song “Playing Dumb,” which addresses the priest sex abuse scandal. In a recent interview with Billboard Magazine, Mr. Petty says that “no one’s got Christ more […]
Thursday, July 24, 2014
Posted on
Gus dedicates a lot of time to singer Tom Petty today. It seems that the singer is not a fan of the Catholic Church as evidenced by his new song “Playing Dumb,” which addresses the priest sex abuse scandal. In a recent interview with Billboard Magazine, Mr. Petty says that “no one’s got Christ more […]
Are You Listening?
Posted on
People can be a bit dense, slow on the uptake. I know – I tend to be one of those people. This is kind of a theme that runs through the readings today. God tried and tried to get through to his people. But in the first reading from Jeremiah 2, the Lord says, “Two […]
Wednesday, July 23, 2014
Posted on
Lots of compelling discussion today on Seize the Day. First, Gus asks his listeners if theirs is a marriage divided; that is, what role does faith play in your marriage? Are you both Catholic and do you go to mass together, or is your spouse of a different faith and spend your Sunday worship apart? […]
No Limits
Posted on
Today in the first reading, we begin a journey through the book of the prophet Jeremiah. At the opening of the book, we read about the call of Jeremiah. Our Gospel reading is from Matthew 13, a chapter that is filled with the parables of Jesus. Today we read the parable of the sower. When […]
Tuesday, July 22, 2014
Posted on
Do you believe in signs? That’s what Gus asked his listeners today. Do you feel like God has ever sent you a sign as a response to a prayer and is it OK to ask God for a sign? Gus also asks his listeners another question: do you remember the day you gave yourself over […]
A Page From Mary’s Story
Posted on
Today is the feast of St. Mary Magdalene. There are different options for the first reading, so I’ll let you read them and mull them over yourself. You can choose from Song of Songs 3:1-4 or 2 Corinthians 5:14-17. (You may also get the reading for Tuesday of the Sixteenth Week of Ordinary Time.) The […]
Monday, July 21, 2014
Posted on
Gus kicks off Monday with radio personality and Catholic blogger Elizabeth Ficocelli in the Conversion Corner. Elizabeth was raised Lutheran but always felt a strong bond with Catholicism, which eventually led to her conversion. To learn more about her, visit her Web site by clicking here. Also, inspired by a funny note from a pastor […]
Three Things
Posted on
If you took a survey and asked this question: What does God require of you? I’m sure you’d get plenty of answers. More on that in a moment. In our Gospel reading today from Matthew 12, some scribes and Pharisees come to Jesus asking Him for a sign. Jesus tells them that they will receive only […]
To Being Wheat
Posted on
For the Gospel reading today, we’re back in Matthew 13 for some more parable action. Jesus gives and then explains the parable of the wheat and the weeds. (Note: when you hear the reading at Mass, the explanation may not be read.) This is where a man sows good seed in his wheat field and […]
Evil Doesn’t Pay
Posted on
In our first reading today from Micah 2, we see once again what God has planned for those who plan iniquity. The responsorial Psalm mirrors this. In our Gospel reading, we see Jesus telling those He heals not to make him known, so that the words of the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled. People do […]
Evil Doesn’t Pay
Posted on
In our first reading today from Micah 2, we see once again what God has planned for those who plan iniquity. The responsorial Psalm mirrors this. In our Gospel reading, we see Jesus telling those He heals not to make him known, so that the words of the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled. People do […]
Friday, July 18, 2014
Posted on
Friday means Prayer Time on Seize the Day. Gus takes calls from listeners all across the country with their special intentions and offers up a communal prayer. Inspired by that segment, Gus asks his listeners if they’ve ever been unemployed and how that experience affected them spiritually. Also, Steven Aden, senior counsel at Alliance Defending […]
God’s Desire
Posted on
In the first reading today from Isaiah 38, King Hezekiah is on his death bed. He cries and prays, and the LORD answers his prayer and the prophet Isaiah informs the king that he will be given another fifteen years of life. In the Gospel reading from Matthew 12, the Pharisees see Jesus’ disciples picking […]
Thursday, July 17, 2014
Posted on
Gus gets a little macabre today when he asks what song you’d like played at your funeral. The discussion was prompted by a conversation he and his wife had while taking a walk. We had lots of different tunes as chosen by our listeners including Church hymns like On Eagle’s Wings and Panis Angelicus to pop […]
Thursday, July 17, 2014
Posted on
Gus gets a little macabre today when he asks what song you’d like played at your funeral. The discussion was prompted by a conversation he and his wife had while taking a walk. We had lots of different tunes as chosen by our listeners including Church hymns like On Eagle’s Wings and Panis Angelicus to pop […]
Meekness and Humility
Posted on
In today’s first reading from Isaiah 26, the prophet talks about how physical death is not the end for us. In fact, he talks about the resurrection of the dead. Check it out! In our Gospel reading from Matthew 11, Jesus says, “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek […]
Wednesday, July 16, 2014
Posted on
Gus takes the border discussion head on today when he asks his listeners what they would say if their bishop or pastor told them they were going to assist the droves of children of migrant workers who have crossed the border into the U.S. and asked for your help? It’s a heavy question and the […]
Wednesday, July 16, 2014
Posted on
Gus takes the border discussion head on today when he asks his listeners what they would say if their bishop or pastor told them they were going to assist the droves of children of migrant workers who have crossed the border into the U.S. and asked for your help? It’s a heavy question and the […]
Too Big for Their Breeches
Posted on
The Assyrians were a powerful people. They were definitely the bad boys on the block. More on them in a moment. In today’s Gospel reading from Matthew 11, Jesus speaks of how the mysteries of the kingdom have been hidden from the wise and the learned, but revealed to the childlike. Assyria had the most […]
Tuesday, July 15, 2014
Posted on
It’s a very papal edition of Seize the Day! Gus starts off talking about another interview Pope Francis did with the Italian magazine La Repubblica. In it, the holy father supposedly said that 2% of Catholic priests are pedophiles, although the Vatican is disputing that quote. So, Gus asks his listeners what they think when […]
Tuesday, July 15, 2014
Posted on
It’s a very papal edition of Seize the Day! Gus starts off talking about another interview Pope Francis did with the Italian magazine La Repubblica. In it, the holy father supposedly said that 2% of Catholic priests are pedophiles, although the Vatican is disputing that quote. So, Gus asks his listeners what they think when […]
History Repeats
Posted on
An intriguing story in our first reading today from Isaiah 7. A couple of big-shots are planning to attack Jerusalem and overthrow Judah. And God says, “No way!” In the Gospel reading from Matthew 11, Jesus pronounces woes on some towns – Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum – because He performed mighty deeds there, but they […]
Monday, July 14, 2014
Posted on
Gus went to see Dawn of the Planet of the Apes over the weekend and wonders if it’s creepy or not for a grown man with a wife and kids to go see a movie by himself. He also revisits smoking and asks his listeners who were smokers to call in and tell him how long they […]
Monday, July 14, 2014
Posted on
Gus went to see Dawn of the Planet of the Apes over the weekend and wonders if it’s creepy or not for a grown man with a wife and kids to go see a movie by himself. He also revisits smoking and asks his listeners who were smokers to call in and tell him how long they […]
Loving Jesus More
Posted on
Social justice has become somewhat controversial these days. Unfortunately, many have a very skewed notion of what social justice is. Want to get a look at what God says? Read today’s first reading from Isaiah 1. As a courtesy, I’ll give you the long and short of it. “Put away your misdeeds from before my […]
The Power of Story
Posted on
Today’s Gospel reading is from Matthew 13. Matthew 13 is often called “The Parable Chapter.” This chapter is loaded with parables of Jesus, and we’ll hear all of them from this chapter over the course of the next three weeks. In today’s reading, the disciples ask Jesus, “Why do you speak to them in parables.” […]
Here I Am
Posted on
Our first reading today is from Isaiah 6. It is one that you will often hear from Vocation Directors. And rightfully so. More in a moment. In the Gospel reading from Matthew 10, Jesus tells His disciples not to be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. “Rather, be afraid […]
Friday, July 11, 2014
Posted on
It’s Friday so that means it’s time for two of our favorite segments; Prayer Time and Open Forum Friday. Gus takes the listeners prayer requests and, later on, takes their Catholic questions. Also, Gus is joined by Chuck Donovan of the Charlotte Lozier Institute who recently published a study on Downs syndrome. 99% of those […]
If God Brings You To It…
Posted on
While reading today’s first reading and responsorial, you may feel like you’re in the midst of Lent. The reading from Hosea 14 is one that we see during Lent, and the responsorial is from Psalm 51 is a Lenten mainstay. Be sure to read and meditate on both! In the Gospel reading today from Matthew […]
Thursday, July 10, 2014
Posted on
Gus talked today about Cardinal Timothy Dolan’s response to an ad in the New York Times that blasted the Catholic faith of the five Supreme Court justices who recently ruled for religious liberty in the Hobby Lobby case. Read the article here. Fr. Robert Kaslyn, Dean of the School of Canon Law at Catholic University, […]
Rejecting the Gospel
Posted on
God is a God of mercy. We see this today in the first reading from Hosea 11. “My heart is overwhelmed, my pity is stirred. I will not give vent to my blazing anger.” In the Gospel reading today from Matthew 10, Jesus sends out the Twelve, instructing them on how to conduct themselves. At the […]
Wednesday, July 9, 2014
Posted on
Gus starts off today by talking about a court case in Louisiana that seems to be headed down a path to the Supreme Court. Fr. Jeff Bayhi, a priest in the Diocese of Baton Rouge, is being ordered by a judge to reveal what was said to him in confession regarding the alleged abuse of […]
Wednesday, July 9, 2014
Posted on
Gus starts off today by talking about a court case in Louisiana that seems to be headed down a path to the Supreme Court. Fr. Jeff Bayhi, a priest in the Diocese of Baton Rouge, is being ordered by a judge to reveal what was said to him in confession regarding the alleged abuse of […]
It is Time
Posted on
Hosea, like all the other prophets, lays it on the line in today’s first reading. The bigger and more prosperous Israel got, the further they fell away from God. More on Hosea’s message in a moment. In Matthew 10, we see the list of the Twelve, and Jesus’ command for them to proclaim, “The Kingdom […]
Tuesday, July 8, 2014
Posted on
Today, Gus spends the better part of an hour talking with Fr. Lawrence Love about late-in-life vocations. Fr. Love was ordained a priest two weeks ago at the age of 68, following a long career as a doctor. He’s also a widower and father of two. Also, Catholic News Service’s Rome bureau chief Frank Rocca […]
An Abundant Harvest
Posted on
In the first reading today from Hosea 8, we see another long list of Israel’s offenses, including the making of golden calves and worshiping them. When there is confession and repentance, God no longer remembers our sins. But where there is neither, “He shall still remember their guilt and pusish their sins.” In our Gospel […]
Monday, July 7, 2014
Posted on
Gus returns from a long holiday weekend with Tell Me Something Good. Listeners share their good news with our host in an effort to beat the post-holiday blues. Also, Gus recounts the story of his firstborn daughter nearly drowning, which lead to his reversion, and asks listeners if God has ever used a tragedy or […]
Monday, July 7, 2014
Posted on
Gus returns from a long holiday weekend with Tell Me Something Good. Listeners share their good news with our host in an effort to beat the post-holiday blues. Also, Gus recounts the story of his firstborn daughter nearly drowning, which lead to his reversion, and asks listeners if God has ever used a tragedy or […]
A Match Made in Heaven
Posted on
For our first reading today, we are in the book of Hosea. If you’re not familiar with Hosea’s story, take a few moments to read the book. This was one hard-luck prophet. But a very compelling story. In today’s reading from chapter 2, we see the Lord using the language of marriage. More on that […]
God Reveals
Posted on
In today’s Gospel reading from Matthew 11, Jesus says, “I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to little ones.” Jesus spoke on numerous occasions about being childlike in our relationship with God. This is […]
The New Wine of the Spirit
Posted on
In today’s first reading, the Lord tells of the restoration of Israel that He will bring about. In the Gospel reading from Matthew 9, Jesus talks about putting new wine into old wineskins. Doesn’t work so well. I don’t know about you, but I’ve never used a wineskin. It took me a while and a […]
America the Beautiful
Posted on
Happy 4th of July! I hope you’ll be spending the day with family and, if you’re one of my American readers, reflecting on the founding of this great nation. While I’ve included a link to today’s readings, I want to share something very special today. Last Sunday when I went to Mass, our closing hymn […]
Taking It on Faith
Posted on
Today the Church celebrates the Feast of Saint Thomas the Apostle. In the first reading from Ephesians 2, St. Paul tells us that the household of God, the Church, is built upon the foundation of the Apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the capstone. And the Gospel reading from John 20 is the […]
Wednesday, July 2, 2014
Posted on
It’s just a day after the monumental Hobby Lobby Supreme Court decision and Gus is still processing the information. The SCOTUS decision ruled that the company owners will not be required to violate their faith by including four potentially life-terminating drugs and devices in the company’s health insurance plan or pay severe fines. David Nammo, president […]
Wednesday, July 2, 2014
Posted on
It’s just a day after the monumental Hobby Lobby Supreme Court decision and Gus is still processing the information. The SCOTUS decision ruled that the company owners will not be required to violate their faith by including four potentially life-terminating drugs and devices in the company’s health insurance plan or pay severe fines. David Nammo, president […]
Battling Demons
Posted on
What a great message the Lord gives to the people through the prophet Amos in our first reading today from Amos 5: “Seek good and not evil, that you may live. Hate evil and love good, and let justice prevail at the gate.” God then lets the people know that it is not noisy songs […]