Discerning Hearts - Catholic Podcasts Discerning Hearts

Our Lady of Fatima and the Power of the Holy Rosary – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff

Msgr. John Esseff reflects on the importance of prayer, particularly through the rosary, in bringing about peace in the world; including the significance of Our Lady of Fatima’s messages and the power of praying the rosary daily.

Msgr. Esseff shares stories of miraculous protection during times of war, emphasizing the rosary as a powerful weapon for peace and conversion. He urges listeners to pray fervently, believing that through Mary’s intercession, God can bring about peace in even the most troubled regions.





Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions:



* The Power of Prayer: How does the podcast highlight the significance of prayer, particularly through the rosary, in fostering peace in the world?

* Our Lady of Fatima’s Message: What are the key elements of Our Lady of Fatima’s message regarding prayer and peace, as discussed in the podcast?

* The Efficacy of the Rosary: How does Monsignor Esseff illustrate the efficacy of the rosary through personal anecdotes and stories of miraculous protection?

* Mary’s Intercession for Peace: In what ways does Monsignor Esseff emphasize the role of Mary’s intercession in bringing about peace, especially in troubled regions?

* The Call to Action: What call to action does the podcast present to listeners regarding praying the rosary and seeking Mary’s intercession for peace?





Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton. He was ordained on May 30, 1953, by the late Bishop William J. Hafey, D.D. at St. Peter’s Cathedral in Scranton, PA. Msgr. Esseff served a retreat director and confessor to St. Teresa of Calcutta. He continues to offer direction and retreats for the sisters of the Missionaries of Charity around the world. Msgr. Esseff encountered St. Padre Pio, who would become a spiritual father to him. He has lived in areas around the world, serving in the Pontifical Missions, a Catholic organization established by St. Pope John Paul II to bring the Good News to the world especially to the poor. Msgr. Esseff assisted the founders of the Institute for Priestly Formation and continues to serve as a spiritual director for the Institute. He continues to serve as a retreat leader and director to bishops, priests and sisters and seminarians, and other religious leaders around the world.

Second Mode of Discernment – “What am I to do?” The Discernment of God’s Will in Everyday Decisions with Fr. Timothy Gallagher

Fr. Timothy Gallagher and Kris McGregor discuss the second mode of discernment according to St. Ignatius of Loyola. This mode involves a consistent attraction of the heart toward one option over a period of time, particularly during spiritual consolation.

They examine an experience from St. Ignatius’s life where he discerned whether the Jesuits should continue living in radical poverty. Ignatius sought God’s guidance through Mass for 40 consecutive days, experiencing spiritual consolation and a consistent inclination toward radical poverty until the 40th day, when he faced spiritual desolation and doubts.

Fr. Gallagher reminds us of the importance of spiritual guidance in discernment, noting that it’s a process over time rather than a single moment of clarity. He illustrates this mode with the stories of Richard, who discerned a call to Jesuit life, and Jessica, who felt drawn to religious life over time.



Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions:



* Understanding Second Mode Discernment: How does St. Ignatius describe the second mode of discernment, and what are its key components?

* Ignatius’s Experience and its Significance: Reflect on Ignatius of Loyola’s discernment regarding the vow of poverty. What significance does his experience hold for understanding second mode discernment?

* Spiritual Consolation and Desolation: How does Fr. Gallagher differentiate between spiritual consolation and desolation in the context of discernment?

* The Role of Spiritual Guidance: What is the importance of seeking spiritual guidance in the discernment process, according to Fr. Gallagher?

* Pattern of Consistent Attraction: Discuss the significance of experiencing a consistent attraction toward one option over time in discernment according to the second mode.

* Richard’s Discernment Journey: Analyze Richard’s discernment process. How did his experience exemplify second mode discernment?

* Jessica’s Experience: Reflect on Jessica’s discernment journey. How did her story illustrate the consistent attraction of the heart over time?

* Comparison with First Mode Discernment: Compare and contrast first mode discernment with second mode discernment, considering aspects like clarity and doubt.

* Challenges and Resolving Conflicts: Explore the challenges individuals might face when their desires conflict with the attractions of the heart in discernment. How can these conflicts be resolved?

* The Importance of Time in Discernment: Fr. Gallagher emphasizes the significance of giving discernment the time it needs. Reflect on the importance of patience and perseverance in the discernment process.







From The Discernment of God’s Will in Everyday Decisions:

“Three Times in which a Sound and Good Choice May Be Made

The first time is when God Our Lord so moves and attracts the will that, without doubting or being able to doubt, the devout soul follows what is shown to it, as St. Paul and St. Matthew did in following Christ our Lord.

The second time is when sufficient clarity and understanding is received through experience of consolations and desolations, and through experience of discernment of different spirits.

The third time is one of tranquility, when one considers first for what purpose man is born, that is, to praise God our Lord and save his soul, and, desiring this, chooses as a means to this end some life or state within the bounds of the Church, so that he may be helped in the service of his Lord and the salvation of his soul. I said a tranquil time, that is, when the soul is not agitated by different spirits,

Novena to the Holy Spirit – Day Four

Begin be reciting the following prayer…

O Holy Spirit, Divine Consoler!

I adore you as my True God.

I offer You my whole heart,

and I render You heartfelt thanks for all the benefits

You have bestowed upon the world.

You are the author of all supernatural gifts and enriched the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God, with all favors,

I ask you to visit me by Your grace and Your love,

and grant me the favor I so earnestly seek…

State your request here…

O Holy Spirit,

spirit of truth, come into our hearts:

DAY FOUR

O God,

Who today by the light of the Holy Spirit did instruct the hearts of the faithful,

give us, by the light of the same Holy Spirit,

a love for what is right and just and a constant enjoyment of His comforts.

Pray Holy Spirit, that I may strive to learn more of my faith;

that I may ever be conscious that reason in all its human magnificence is capable of grasping but a glimpse of the reality that is God.

Pray that I may accept as the motto of my life:

“All for the greater glory of God”

and grant me the favor I so earnestly seek in this novena…

State your request here…

Come, O Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful,

and kindle in them the fire of Your love. Amen.



Monday of the Seventh Week of Eastertide – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast

As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly.  For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.

Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”

Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…

From the Holy Gospel According to John 16:29-33

His disciples said to Jesus, ‘Now you are speaking plainly and not using metaphors! Now we see that you know everything, and do not have to wait for questions to be put into words; because of this we believe that you came from God.’ Jesus answered them:

‘Do you believe at last?

Listen; the time will come – in fact it has come already –

when you will be scattered,

each going his own way and leaving me alone.

And yet I am not alone,

because the Father is with me.

I have told you all this

so that you may find peace in me.

In the world you will have trouble,

but be brave: I have conquered the world.’

What word made this passage come alive for you?



What did you sense the Lord saying to you?

Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:

His disciples said to Jesus, ‘Now you are speaking plainly and not using metaphors! Now we see that you know everything, and do not have to wait for questions to be put into words; because of this we believe that you came from God.’ Jesus answered them:

‘Do you believe at last?

Listen; the time will come – in fact it has come already –

when you will be scattered,

each going his own way and leaving me alone.

And yet I am not alone,

because the Father is with me.

I have told you all this

so that you may find peace in me.

In the world you will have trouble,

but be brave: I have conquered the world.’

What did your heart feel as you listened?

What did you sense the Lord saying to you?

Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:

His disciples said to Jesus, ‘Now you are speaking plainly and not using metaphors! Now we see that you know everything, and do not have to wait for questions to be put into words; because of this we believe that you came from God.’ Jesus answered them:

‘Do you believe at last?

Listen; the time will come – in fact it has come already –

when you will be scattered,

each going his own way and leaving me alone.

And yet I am not alone,

because the Father is with me.

I have told you all this

so that you may find peace in me.

In the world you will have trouble,

but be brave: I have conquered the world.’

What touched your heart in this time of prayer?

What did your heart feel as you prayed?

What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?



Our Father, who art in heaven,

hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread,

and forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass against us,

and lead us not into temptation,

 but deliver us from evil.

Amen

Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.

Where is Jesus? A Reflection on the Ascension – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff

Msgr. John Esseff and Kris McGregor discuss the significance of the Feast of the Ascension and its connection to the presence of Jesus in the Church through the Holy Spirit. Monsignor John Esseff and Kris McGregor discuss the misconception surrounding heaven’s location and Jesus’ role after his ascension.

Jesus is present within believers, and the Kingdom of God resides within each individual. Msgr. Esseff tells us of the importance of love as the central commandment and the power of Jesus within believers to love universally, even those considered unlovable; reminding us of the need to let the light of Jesus shine through actions and words, transforming communities and the world.



Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions:



* Understanding the Feast of the Ascension: What misconceptions about heaven and Jesus’ ascension were highlighted in the discussion?

* The Presence of Jesus in the Church: How is Jesus present in the Church according to the podcast?

* The Kingdom of God Within: Reflect on the significance of the statement “the Kingdom of God is within you” in relation to personal faith.

* The Commandment of Love: How does the podcast emphasize the importance of love as the central commandment?

* The Power to Love Universally: Discuss the concept of loving the seemingly unlovable and the role of Jesus within believers in enabling this love.

* Letting Jesus’ Light Shine Through: Reflect on the challenge of letting Jesus’ light shine through actions and words, as discussed in the podcast.





Matthew 28:16-20 – Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (RSVCE)

“Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age.”

The Revised Standard Version of the Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright © 1965, 1966 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.



Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton. He was ordained on May 30, 1953, by the late Bishop William J. Hafey, D.D. at St. Peter’s Cathedral in Scranton, PA. Msgr. Esseff served a retreat director and confessor to St. Teresa of Calcutta. He continues to offer direction and retreats for the sisters of the Missionaries of Charity around the world. Msgr. Esseff encountered St. Padre Pio, who would become a spiritual father to him. He has lived in areas around the world, serving in the Pontifical Missions, a Catholic organization established by St. Pope John Paul II to bring the Good News to the world especially to the poor. Msgr. Esseff assisted the founders of the Institute for Priestly Formation and continues to serve as a spiritual director for the Institute. He continues to serve as a retreat leader and director to bishops, priests and sisters and seminarians, and other religious leaders around the world.

Novena to the Holy Spirit – Day Three



O Holy Spirit, Divine Consoler!

I adore you as my True God.

I offer You my whole heart,

and I render You heartfelt thanks for all the benefits You have bestowed upon the world.

You are the author of all supernatural gifts

and enriched the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God,

with all favors,

I ask you to visit me by Your grace and Your love,

and grant me the favor

I so earnestly seek…

State your request here…

O Holy Spirit,

spirit of truth, come into our hearts:

DAY THREE

Heavenly Father,

You have called me to be a member

of the mystical body of Your Son, Jesus Christ,

and to be a temple of the Holy Spirit.

I ask You to give me these gifts of the Holy Spirit:

wisdom, that I may understand the follies of this world;

understanding, that I may grasp more fully

the meaning of my existence

and the purpose of all things in the world;

counsel, that I may always choose the proper way;

fortitude, that I may remain faithful to You

under the pressure of temptation.;

piety, that I may revere You in all I do, think or say;

fear of the Lord, that should the motive of love fail me,

I may quickly be awakened to the eternal consequences of my deeds.

Visit me by Your grace

and Your love

and grant me the favor I so earnestly seek in this novena…

State your request here…

 

Come, O Holy Spirit,

fill the hearts of Your faithful,

and kindle in them the fire of Your love.

Amen.