60 episodes

Fr. Timothy Gallagher, Dr. Anthony Lilles, Deacon James Keating, Archbishop George Lucas, Msgr. John Esseeff and so many other Catholic Spiritual leaders and teachers/catechists offer the best teachings in the rich Catholic Spiritual/Discernment tradition. From the lives of the saints to the basics of Catholic Social teaching, from the Sacred Liturgy to prayer in everyday moments of our lives, we walk together as we fulfill our call to be saints in the making. By the renewal of our minds, we form ourselves so that may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect. (Rom 12:2)

Discerning Hearts - Catholic Podcasts Discerning Hearts

    • Religion & Spirituality
    • 4.8 • 444 Ratings

Fr. Timothy Gallagher, Dr. Anthony Lilles, Deacon James Keating, Archbishop George Lucas, Msgr. John Esseeff and so many other Catholic Spiritual leaders and teachers/catechists offer the best teachings in the rich Catholic Spiritual/Discernment tradition. From the lives of the saints to the basics of Catholic Social teaching, from the Sacred Liturgy to prayer in everyday moments of our lives, we walk together as we fulfill our call to be saints in the making. By the renewal of our minds, we form ourselves so that may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect. (Rom 12:2)

    Conference 3: Holy Triduum – That All May Be One: A Holy Week Retreat /w Msgr. John Esseff & Sr. Cor Immaculatum Heffernan

    Conference 3: Holy Triduum – That All May Be One: A Holy Week Retreat /w Msgr. John Esseff & Sr. Cor Immaculatum Heffernan

    Conference 3: The Holy Triduum (Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday) – That All May Be One:  A Holy Week Retreat /w Msgr. Esseff & Sr. Cor Immaculatum Heffernan – Discerning Hearts Online Retreat

    Retreat Directors: Monsignor John A. Esseff and Sister Cor Immaculatum Heffernan, IHM

    The Paschal Mystery

    The Last Supper…Passion…Death…Burial

    Theme: Jesus’ love, humility, suffering, dying – John 13 – 18 

    Holy Thursday The Lord’s Supper



    * Jesus washes the disciples’ feet John 13: 1-20

    * Jesus announces Judas’ betrayal John 13: 21-30

    * The Bread of Life Discourse John 6: 22-51

    * Take and eat…this is my body 26: 26-30

    * Jesus’ passion, death, resurrection



    Eucharist is the gift of Jesus, suffering, dying, rising.

    We are Baptized into Jesus, we are to suffer, die, and rise…

    My Suffering: Wounds in the Sacred Heart of Jesus – When did I suffer, die, rise?



    * As a child – sexual & physical abuse; being made fun of; called names; rejected; did I relate my suffering to Jesus’ suffering?

    * As a teenager – bullying; rejection; divorce of parents; did I realize that the depth of my suffering could be united to the wounds of Jesus?

    * Throughout my life, what were – and are – my little and big crosses? Have I united them to Jesus’ wounded Heart?



     

    Good Friday: The Passion, Death, and Burial of Jesus



    * You are invited to reflect on Jesus and your own experiences of suffering during these days of rejection, abandonment, condemnation, torture, death, and burial.

    * When were you lied about? falsely accused? rejected?  scorned? abandoned?

    * Who was your Peter? Judas?





    The friend who deserted you?  The person who ruined your reputation?



    * Who was your Simon? Veronica?  Mary?  John?



    Suffering and death are not the final answer…



    * The Christian life is one of JOY…always ends in happiness…in GLORY.

    * Mary took Jesus down from the Cross…held Him in her arms… prepared Him for burial…laid Him in the tomb…went home with John – John 19: 38-42



    Holy Saturday with Mary

              Spend Saturday with Mary…be with her…talk to her… listen to her



    Forgiveness Litany

    The Lord spoke very clearly when He said: “And so, when you stand in prayer, forgive whatever you have against anybody so that your Father in Heaven may forgive you your failings, too”. Mark 11: 25

    Lord Jesus, I ask that You give me the grace to forgive any person who has hurt me at any time in my life.  I ask, too, that I may be forgiven those persons whom I have hurt.

    Significant areas of forgiveness may include:

    God, I forgive YOU for:

    Lord, I forgive MYSELF for:

    Lord, I truly forgive my MOTHER for:

    Jesus, I forgive my FATHER for:

    Lord, I extend my forgiveness to my BROTHERS and SISTERS for:

    Lord, I forgive my RELATIVES for:

    Jesus, I forgive my HUSBAND/WIFE for:

    Jesus, I forgive the PEOPLE with whom I work for:

    Jesus, I forgive my BOSS for:

    Lord, I forgive those of DIFFERENT RELIGIOUS BELIEFS for:

    Lord, I forgive those who have harmed me ETHNICALLY or RACIALLY for:

    Jesus, I pray especially the grace to forgive the ONE PERSON who has HURT ME the MOST:

    Lord, I beg pardon of all those persons whom I HAVE HURT most deeply:

    Thank You, Jesus, that I am being freed of the evil of unforgiveness.

     May Your Holy Spirit fill me with light and let every dark area of my mind be enlightened.



    Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton. He served as 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.  He has lived in areas around the world,

    • 51 min
    PoC-44 Holy Thursday: The Power of the Cross Lenten Meditation

    PoC-44 Holy Thursday: The Power of the Cross Lenten Meditation

    

    Taking Up Our Cross. . .In Imitation of Christ

    Steps to Take as You Follow Christ

    Ask—Am I willing to do small things for Christ?

    Seek—Volunteer to do a task that no one wants to do, a menial or unpleasant one, all the while uniting yourself with the Passion and death of Jesus.

    Knock—Meditate on Philippians 2:5–8.

    Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross.









    Paul says that we should have the mind of Christ, and Jesus told Peter that he was thinking like men and not God. How is having the mind of Christ different than the thoughts that we are apt to naturally have about life issues? Do your thoughts clash with the gospel message? Are you trying to be like the god you imagine, or the God Jesus revealed by his cross?









    Transform Your Life——Seek to follow the example of Christ in all that you do. Be solicitous for the care of others. Learn the truth that in dying to self you are born into eternal life.



    The author of The Power of the Cross: Applying the Passion of Christ in Your Life, Michael Dubriuel, passed away in 2009.  His wife, author Amy Welborn, has made his book available as a free e-book! We HIGHLY encourage you to download this exceptional work.

    The Power of the Cross is now available as a free e-book,

    check out more information by going here

    Check out more at the Discerning Hearts’ Michael Dubruiel page

    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.

    • 2 min
    Holy Thursday – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast

    Holy Thursday – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast

    

    Holy Thursday – 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 of St. John 13:1-15

    It was before the festival of the Passover, and Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to pass from this world to the Father. He had always loved those who were his in the world, but now he showed how perfect his love was.

    They were at supper, and the devil had already put it into the mind of Judas Iscariot son of Simon, to betray him. Jesus knew that the Father had put everything into his hands, and that he had come from God and was returning to God, and he got up from table, removed his outer garment and, taking a towel, wrapped it round his waist; he then poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel he was wearing. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, ‘Lord, are you going to wash my feet?’ Jesus answered, ‘At the moment you do not know what I am doing, but later you will understand.’ ‘Never!’ said Peter ‘You shall never wash my feet.’ Jesus replied, ‘If I do not wash you, you can have nothing in common with me.’ ‘Then, Lord,’ said Simon Peter ‘not only my feet, but my hands and my head as well!’ Jesus said, ‘No one who has taken a bath needs washing, he is clean all over. You too are clean, though not all of you are.’ He knew who was going to betray him, that was why he said, ‘though not all of you are.’

    When he had washed their feet and put on his clothes again he went back to the table. ‘Do you understand’ he said ‘what I have done to you? You call me Master and Lord, and rightly; so I am. If I, then, the Lord and Master, have washed your feet, you should wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example so that you may copy what I have done to you.’

    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:

    It was before the festival of the Passover, and Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to pass from this world to the Father. He had always loved those who were his in the world, but now he showed how perfect his love was.

    They were at supper, and the devil had already put it into the mind of Judas Iscariot son of Simon, to betray him. Jesus knew that the Father had put everything into his hands, and that he had come from God and was returning to God, and he got up from table, removed his outer garment and, taking a towel, wrapped it round his waist; he then poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel he was wearing. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, ‘Lord, are you going to wash my feet?’ Jesus answered, ‘At the moment you do not know what I am doing, but later you will understand.’ ‘Never!’ said Peter ‘You shall never wash my feet.’ Jesus replied, ‘If I do not wash you, you can have nothing in common with me.’ ‘Then, Lord,’ said Simon Peter ‘not only my feet, but my hands and my head as well!’ Jesus said, ‘No one who has taken a bath needs washing, he is clean all over. You too are clean, though not all of you are.’ He knew who was going to betray him, that was why he said, ‘though not all of you are.’

    When he had washed their feet and put on his clothes again he went back to the table. ‘Do you understand’ he said ‘what I have done to you? You call me Master and Lord, and rightly; so I am. If I, then, the Lord and Master, have washed your feet, you should wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example so that you may copy what I have done to you.’

    • 13 min
    BTP-LOT15 – Stages of Spiritual Growth – The Life of St. Teresa of Avila – Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles – Discerning Hearts Podcast

    BTP-LOT15 – Stages of Spiritual Growth – The Life of St. Teresa of Avila – Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles – Discerning Hearts Podcast

    Stages of Spiritual Growth – The Life of St. Teresa of Avila – Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles

    Dr. Anthony Lilles and Kris McGregor explore St. Teresa of Ávila’s stages of prayer, from active meditation to mystical contemplation. Using metaphors of drawing water from a well and receiving a spark of fire from God, Dr. Lilles illustrates the journey from effortful prayer to receptive transformation, spiritual maturity, and union with God; hinting at discussions on mystical phenomena in Teresa’s life and her unwavering commitment to love and mission in the Church.





    For more episodes in this series: The Life of St. Teresa of Avila; with Dr. Anthony Lilles

    For an audio version of the book  “The Life of St. Teresa of Jesus” by St. Teresa of Avila

    For other audio recordings of various spiritual classics, you can visit the Discerning Hearts Spiritual Classics page.



    Discerning Hearts reflection questions for this episode:



    * Understanding St. Teresa’s Stages of Prayer: How do St. Teresa of Ávila’s stages of prayer, from active meditation to mystical contemplation, resonate with your own spiritual journey?

    * Metaphors of Water and Fire: Reflect on the metaphors of drawing water from a well and receiving a spark of fire from God. How do these images deepen your understanding of prayer as both effortful and receptive?

    * Recollection and Spiritual Maturity: Consider the concept of recollection and its significance in deepening one’s prayer life. How can cultivating recollection lead to spiritual maturity and a closer union with God?

    * Embracing Spiritual Dryness: St. Teresa speaks of embracing times of spiritual dryness and trusting in God’s timing. How do you navigate periods of spiritual aridity in your own life, and how does St. Teresa’s wisdom inform your approach?

    * Love and Mission in the Church: Reflect on St. Teresa’s unwavering commitment to love and mission within the Church, even amidst profound experiences of prayer. How can her example inspire you to integrate contemplation with active service and mission?





    An excerpt from Chapter 11, discussed in this episode:

    “Of those who are beginners in prayer, we may say, that they are those who draw the water up out of the well—a process which, as I have said, is very laborious; for they must be wearied in keeping the senses recollected, and this is a great labour, because the senses have been hitherto accustomed to distractions. It is necessary for beginners to accustom themselves to disregard what they hear or see, and to put it away from them during the time of prayer; they must be alone, and in retirement think over their past life. Though all must do this many times, beginners as well as those more advanced; all, however, must not do so equally, as I shall show hereafter. Beginners at first suffer much, because they are not convinced that they are penitent for their sins; and yet they are, because they are so sincerely resolved on serving God. They must strive to meditate on the life of Christ, and the understanding is wearied thereby. Thus far we can advance of ourselves—that is, by the grace of God—for without that, as every one knows, we never can have one good thought.

    • 32 min
    PoC-43 Holy Wednesday: The Power of the Cross Lenten Meditation

    PoC-43 Holy Wednesday: The Power of the Cross Lenten Meditation

    

    Taking Up Our Cross. . .Be Prepared

    Steps to Take as You Follow Christ

    Ask—How well do I prepare for the Eucharist I receive at Mass?

    Seek——Try to participate fully in the Eucharist each time you are present; if possible, attend daily. Be mindful of what you do at Mass, what you hear and how you respond. Learn more about the Mass.

    Knock—Meditate on 1 Corinthians 11:27–30.

    Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of profaning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a man examine himself, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For any one who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment upon himself. That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died.









    What does St. Paul mean when he says that those who do not discern bring judgment upon themselves? What can you do to examine yourself before participating in Mass to avoid doing it absent-mindedly?









    Transform Your Life——Know what you celebrate when you are at Mass; mean what you do with every gesture and prayer, and especially when you receive Holy Communion.



    The author of The Power of the Cross: Applying the Passion of Christ in Your Life, Michael Dubriuel, passed away in 2009.  His wife, author Amy Welborn, has made his book available as a free e-book! We HIGHLY encourage you to download this exceptional work.

    The Power of the Cross is now available as a free e-book,

    check out more information by going here

    Check out more at the Discerning Hearts’ Michael Dubruiel page

     

    • 2 min
    Wednesday of Holy Week – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast

    Wednesday of Holy Week – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast

    

    Wednesday of Holy Week – 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 of St. Matthew 26:14-25

    One of the Twelve, the man called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, ‘What are you prepared to give me if I hand him over to you?’ They paid him thirty silver pieces, and from that moment he looked for an opportunity to betray him.

    Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus to say, ‘Where do you want us to make the preparations for you to eat the passover?’ ‘Go to so-and-so in the city’ he replied ‘and say to him, “The Master says: My time is near. It is at your house that I am keeping Passover with my disciples.”’ The disciples did what Jesus told them and prepared the Passover.

    When evening came he was at table with the twelve disciples. And while they were eating he said ‘I tell you solemnly, one of you is about to betray me.’ They were greatly distressed and started asking him in turn, ‘Not I, Lord, surely?’ He answered, ‘Someone who has dipped his hand into the dish with me, will betray me. The Son of Man is going to his fate, as the scriptures say he will, but alas for that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! Better for that man if he had never been born!’ Judas, who was to betray him; asked in his turn, ‘Not I, Rabbi, surely?’ ‘They are your own words’ answered Jesus.

    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:

    One of the Twelve, the man called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, ‘What are you prepared to give me if I hand him over to you?’ They paid him thirty silver pieces, and from that moment he looked for an opportunity to betray him.

    Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus to say, ‘Where do you want us to make the preparations for you to eat the passover?’ ‘Go to so-and-so in the city’ he replied ‘and say to him, “The Master says: My time is near. It is at your house that I am keeping Passover with my disciples.”’ The disciples did what Jesus told them and prepared the Passover.

    When evening came he was at table with the twelve disciples. And while they were eating he said ‘I tell you solemnly, one of you is about to betray me.’ They were greatly distressed and started asking him in turn, ‘Not I, Lord, surely?’ He answered, ‘Someone who has dipped his hand into the dish with me, will betray me. The Son of Man is going to his fate, as the scriptures say he will, but alas for that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! Better for that man if he had never been born!’ Judas, who was to betray him; asked in his turn, ‘Not I, Rabbi, surely?’ ‘They are your own words’ answered Jesus.

    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:

    One of the Twelve, the man called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, ‘What are you prepared to give me if I hand him over to you?’ They paid him thirty silver pieces, and from that moment he looked for an opportunity to betray him.

    Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus to say, ‘Where do you want us to make the preparations for you to eat the passover?’ ‘Go to so-and-so in the city’ he replied ‘and say to him, “The Master says: My time is near. It is at your house that I am keeping Passover with my disciples.”’ The disciples did what Jesus told them and prepared the Passover.

    • 12 min

Customer Reviews

4.8 out of 5
444 Ratings

444 Ratings

4.1.maker ,

Truly insightful

This is a wonderful app. The material presented is amazing, thought provoking, and promotes spiritual growth. Very peaceful for me to listen to and I love it!

Lubinlife2day ,

This is one of the best podcasts to grow toward holiness

I love the way Chris MacGregor speaks with her guests. She asks thoughtful and applicable questions that help me grow in my Catholic faith. Thank you for your work!

Mygirls98 ,

Hard to navigate

It so hard to navigate this website

Top Podcasts In Religion & Spirituality

The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Ascension
The Candace Cameron Bure Podcast
AccessMore & Candy Rock
The Bible Recap
Tara-Leigh Cobble
Stay True with Madison Prewett Troutt
Madison Prewett Troutt
Girls Gone Bible
Girls Gone Bible
BibleProject
BibleProject Podcast

You Might Also Like

Restore The Glory Podcast
Jake Khym & Bob Schuchts
All Things Catholic with Dr. Edward Sri
Ascension
Abiding Together
Heather Khym, Michelle Benzinger, Sister Miriam James Heidland
The Road to Emmaus with Scott Hahn
Scott Hahn
Catholic Classics
Ascension
Chris Stefanick Catholic Show
Chris Stefanick | Real Life Catholic