Discerning Hearts - Catholic Podcasts

Day 9 – Life Eternal

O Lord, infant Jesus, bring us to live eternal with You! Jesus, your nativity was not without purpose. Your purpose was to bring us to You. We pray that you will bring us to Life Eternal with you this Christmas.

Divine Infant,
after the wonders of Your birth in Bethlehem,
You wished to extend Your infinite mercy to the whole world
by calling the Wise Men by heavenly inspiration to Your crib,
which was in this way changed into a royal throne.
You graciously re...

Caryll Houselander image used with permission from TRINITY ICONS

Day 24:  A Gentle Love Born in Our Hearts

How small and gentle his coming was. He came as an infant. The night in which He came was noisy and crowded; it is unlikely that in the traffic of the travelers to Bethlehem the tiny wail of the newly-born could be heard.

God approaches gently, often secretly, always in love, never through violence and fear. He comes to us, as he Himself has told us, in those whom we know in our own lives. Very often we d...

A Christmas Novena – Day 9 – Life Eternal

O Lord, infant Jesus, bring us to live eternal with You! Jesus, your nativity was not without purpose. Your purpose was to bring us to You. We pray that you will bring us to Life Eternal with you this Christmas.

Divine Infant,
after the wonders of Your birth in Bethlehem,
You wished to extend Your infinite mercy to the whole world
by calling the Wise Men by heavenly inspiration to Your crib,
which was in this way changed into a royal thro...

An Advent Journey for the Discerning Heart:
Prepare your heart for Christ through Scripture, the saints, and the gentle practice of daily listening.

Part Four: Welcoming Christ with a Heart Fully Awake

DAY 25 – Adoration

“O come, let us worship and bow down, let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker.”
Psalm 95.6 RSV

Adoration is the stillness of a heart that has recognized the nearness of God. It is not an emotion or a technique. It is the quiet interior posture that rises when the soul realizes: He is here.<...

Wednesday of the 4th Week of Advent – An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart

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. Luke 1:39-45

Mary set out and...

Episode 9 – Diocletian – Villains of the Early Church with Mike Aquilina

Mike Aquilina discusses the Roman emperor Diocletian, whose name became permanently linked to one of the most prolonged and systematic persecutions in Christian history. Unlike earlier rulers driven by instability or rage, Diocletian was a capable administrator who sought to stabilize an overextended empire through careful political restructuring. His hostility toward Christians emerged gradually, shaped by the belief that refusal to participate in state religion threatened divine favor and imperial unity. The persecution unfolded methodically—through loss of property, status, and life itself—and endured for many years, p...

O Emmanuel

O Emmanuel, our king and our lawgiver,

the hope of the nations and their Saviour:

Come and save us, O Lord our God

Sharon Doran serves as the teaching director of “Seeking Truth.” An experienced Bible Study teacher, Sharon has a passion for scripture that will motivate and challenge you to immerse yourself in God’s Word and apply His message to your everyday life.

“Seeking Truth” is an in-depth Catholic Bible Study, commissioned by the Archdiocese of Omaha in response to John Pa...



Seventh Antiphon – December 23nd: O Emmanuel

O Emmanuel,[1] king and lawgiver,[2] desire of the nations,[3] Savior of all people, come and set us free, Lord our God.

We have here a variation on the theme that Jesus, who is Emmanuel – God with us – is present in the Church and in the world as king and lawmaker; yet we need him to come again, we desire him to come and set us free from ourselves through Christ, through his saving birth, life and teaching, death and resurrection and his return in glory, all of which...

Caryll Houselander image used with permission from TRINITY ICONS

Day 23: Resting in Christ, Living His Love

In Advent, Christ rested in Mary—still, silent, helpless, utterly dependent. The Creator trusted Himself to His creature.

He trusted the expression of His love to her, the expression of God’s love for the world, and of His love of His Father. Just as the work of His love would be trusted to us, in His life in us.

He was dumb, her voice was His voice. He was still, her footsteps were His journeys. He was...

A Christmas Novena – Day 8 – Holiness

O Lord, infant Jesus, inspire us to be repulsed by sin! You, Lord, are holy but we are not. We pray that you will make us holy and keep us from temptation this Christmas.

Divine Infant,
after the wonders of Your birth in Bethlehem,
You wished to extend Your infinite mercy to the whole world
by calling the Wise Men by heavenly inspiration to Your crib,
which was in this way changed into a royal throne.
You graciously received those holy men<...

Tuesday of the 4th Week of Advent – An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart

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 book of St. Luke 1:67-79

An Advent Journey for the Discerning Heart:
Prepare your heart for Christ through Scripture, the saints, and the gentle practice of daily listening.

Part Four: Welcoming Christ with a Heart Fully Awake

DAY 24 – Joy

“Behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will come to all the people; for to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”
Luke 2:10–11 RSV

Joy is the fruit of love recognized. It is not the same as happiness or emotional excitement. Happines...

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 consis...

O Rex Gentium

Sharon Doran serves as the teaching director of “Seeking Truth.” An experienced Bible Study teacher, Sharon has a passion for scripture that will motivate and challenge you to immerse yourself in God’s Word and apply His message to your everyday life.

“Seeking Truth” is an in-depth Catholic Bible Study, commissioned by the Archdiocese of Omaha in response to John Paul II’s call to th...



Sixth Antiphon – December 22nd: O Rex Gentium

O King of all the nations, the only joy of every human heart,[1] O Keystone[2] of the mighty arch of man;[3] come and save the creature you fashioned from the dust.[4]

This antiphon rejoices that the Lord is king not just of the Jews but us Gentiles as well, who makes them one people, one temple, in which he is the keystone, the crowning glory that holds all in place.[5]  We beg the Lord to return again to save weak humanity made in Gods’ image but dis...

Caryll Houselander image used with permission from TRINITY ICONS

Day 22:  Surrendering to Christ’s Life Within Us

The Infant Christ is the whole Christ. Christ was not more God, more Christ, more man, on the Cross than He was in His Mother’s womb. His first tear, His first smile, His first breath, His first pulsation in the womb of His Mother, could have redeemed the world.

In fact Christ chose the life of growth and work and suffering and the death on the Cross which we know, but, by His own choice, all this was t...

A Christmas Novena – Day 7 – Forgiveness

O Lord, infant Jesus, move us to forgive others as you forgive us! Your Divine Mercy is unending! We pray for Your Divine Mercy on us and that we may participate in Your mercy by forgiving others this Christmas.

Divine Infant,
after the wonders of Your birth in Bethlehem,
You wished to extend Your infinite mercy to the whole world
by calling the Wise Men by heavenly inspiration to Your crib,
which was in this way changed into a royal throne.
You...

An Advent Journey for the Discerning Heart:
Prepare your heart for Christ through Scripture, the saints, and the gentle practice of daily listening.

Part Four: Welcoming Christ with a Heart Fully Awake

DAY 23 – Wonder

“And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.”
Luke 1.41 RSV

Wonder is the interior awakening that happens when the heart recognizes God’s nearness. It is not dramatic, not emotional intensity, and not the pursuit of super...

Monday of the 4th Week of Advent – An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart

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 book of St. Luke 1:57-66

The 4th Sunday of Advent – The  Joy of Christ’s Coming – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff

In this final Sunday of Advent reflection, Msgr. John Esseff and Kris McGregor turn to the mystery of the Incarnation through the Gospel of Matthew and the prophecies of Isaiah. The episode traces God’s faithful promise to send a Savior, moving from the darkness that followed the fall of Adam and Eve through the long hope of Israel and into the quiet obedience of Joseph and the fiat of Mary.

Msgr. Esseff reflects...

Finding Joy and Hope in Challenging Times – Advent Reflections w/ Dr. Anthony Lilles – Discerning Hearts Podcasts

Dr. Anthony Lilles, focusing on Pope Benedict XVI’s writings,  discusses how illness, physically or emotionally, during Advent can be a unique spiritual opportunity. He emphasizes that suffering and difficulty can be a form of divine visitation, offering a chance for personal growth and deeper connection with God.

Dr. Lilles encourages listeners to view every life event, including hardships, as an expression of God’s love. He suggests maintaining an ‘inner diary’ of daily positives as a way to acknow...



Sunday of the 4th Week of Advent – An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart

From the book of St. Matthew 1:18–24

This is how Jesus Christ came to be born. His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph; but before they came to live together she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph; being a man of honour and wanting to spare her publicity, decided to divorce her informally. He had made up his mind to do this when the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a d...

O Oriens

O Morning Star,

splendour of light eternal and sun of righteousness:

Come and enlighten those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death.

Sharon Doran serves as the teaching director of “Seeking Truth.” An experienced Bible Study teacher, Sharon has a passion for scripture that will motivate and challenge you to immerse yourself in God’s Word and apply His message to your everyday life.

“Seeking Truth” is an in-depth Catholic Bible Study, commissioned by the Archdiocese of Omaha in response to John Paul II’s call to the N...

Fifth Antiphon –
December 21st: O Oriens

O Radiant Dawn,[1] Splendor of Eternal Light,[2] Sun of Justice;[3] Come and shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death.[4]

The Lord here is invoked as the Light of the World[5] coming as the real sol invictus at the end of time calling us out of darkness into his own wonderful light.  The gloom of mid-winter can be seen as the hopelessness of ancient paganism or our own contemporary angst from which we desperately need deliverance.

[1] Zech. 6:12

[2] Heb...

Caryll Houselander image used with permission from TRINITY ICONS

Day 21:  Trusting with Christ’s Heart

However difficult or however insignificant our life may seem to be, it is precious to God as Christ is precious to God. On each one in whom Christ lives, the whole of the infinite love of God is concentrated at every moment.

If this were realized there could be no one who could not fulfill the first condition of rest, which is trust.

If it were not for Christ in us, we should not be able to trust; we...

A Christmas Novena – Day 6 – Peace

O Lord, infant Jesus, give us Your peace! You are the Prince of Peace and the ultimate fulfillment of your incarnation brings us to you in heaven where peace will come to perfection. We pray for peace this Christmas.

Divine Infant,
after the wonders of Your birth in Bethlehem,
You wished to extend Your infinite mercy to the whole world
by calling the Wise Men by heavenly inspiration to Your crib,
which was in this way changed into a royal throne.

An Advent Journey for the Discerning Heart:
Prepare your heart for Christ through Scripture, the saints, and the gentle practice of daily listening.

Part Four: Welcoming Christ with a Heart Fully Awake

DAY 22 – Mercy

“His mercy is from generation to generation on those who fear Him.”
Luke 1.50 RSV

Mercy is the tenderness of God meeting the truth of who we are. It is not simply forgiveness, though it includes that. Mercy is God’s way of loving human weakness without hesitation. It is His readiness to stoop down, lift up...

O Clavis David

O Key of David and scepter of the House of Israel;

you open and no one can shut;

you shut and no one can open:

Come and lead the prisoners from the prison house,

those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death.

Sharon Doran serves as the teaching director of “Seeking Truth.” An experienced Bible Study teacher, Sharon has a passion for scripture that will motivate and challenge you to immerse yourself in God’s Word and apply His message to your everyda...

Fourth Antiphon –
December 20th: O Clavis David

O Key of David, O royal Power of Israel, controlling at your will the gate of heaven,[1] Come, break down the prison walls of death for those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death,[2] and lead your captive people into freedom

The Lord Jesus is invoked here as the Key of David,[3] the one who can open the gate into the kingdom because he is the gate.[4]  He knocks at the door of our hearts[5] leading us out of the darkness of sin...

Caryll Houselander image used with permission from TRINITY ICONS

Day 20:  Christ, the Word of God’s Love

Neither have we any words to tell of God’s love for us, but God gave His Word, Christ is the Word, telling how God loves the word. Everything that Christ said and did and experienced on earth is the Word saying, “see how God loves you!”

Not content to be a human being, Christ wishes to be each human being, and is in fact born in the soul of every one who will receive Him; and in each one...

A Christmas Novena – Day 5 – Love

O Lord, infant Jesus, inspire in us Your selfless love! You humbled yourself to become like us in all things but sin, and even humbled yourself to die on a cross. We pray that you will help us to love as You love this Christmas.

Divine Infant,
after the wonders of Your birth in Bethlehem,
You wished to extend Your infinite mercy to the whole world
by calling the Wise Men by heavenly inspiration to Your crib,
which was in this way chan...

Saturday of the 3rd Week of Advent – An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart

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 St. Luke 1:39-45

Mary set ou...

An Advent Journey for the Discerning Heart:
Prepare your heart for Christ through Scripture, the saints, and the gentle practice of daily listening.

Part Four: Welcoming Christ with a Heart Fully Awake

DAY 21 – Humility

“He must increase, but I must decrease.”
John 3.30 (RSV)

Humility is the doorway through which Christ enters the heart.

It is not self-humiliation, nor a denial of the goodness God has placed within you. Humility is simply truth: the truth about who God is, and the truth about who we are...

A Christmas Novena – Day 4 – Hope

O Lord, infant Jesus, bring us the Hope that saves! Your birth to the Virgin Mary brought a Hope to the world that continues to sustain us. We pray for a saving Hope this Christmas.

Divine Infant,
after the wonders of Your birth in Bethlehem,
You wished to extend Your infinite mercy to the whole world
by calling the Wise Men by heavenly inspiration to Your crib,
which was in this way changed into a royal throne.
You graciously received those holy...

O Radix Jesse

O Root of Jesse, standing as a sign among the peoples;

before you, kings will shut their mouths,

to you the nations will make their prayer:

Come and deliver us, and delay no longer.

Sharon Doran serves as the teaching director of “Seeking Truth.” An experienced Bible Study teacher, Sharon has a passion for scripture that will motivate and challenge you to immerse yourself in God’s Word and apply His message to your everyday life.

“Seeking Truth” is an in-depth Catholic Bible Study, commissione...

Third Antiphon –
December 19th: O Virga Jesse

O Flower of Jesse’s stem, you have been raised as a sign for all peoples;[1] kings stand silent in your presence;[2] The nations bow down in worship before you.  Come, let nothing keep you from coming to our aid.[3]

Here we call on the Lord as the seed, flower or descendant of the root or stock of Jesse, the father of King David.  The Messiah comes from a royal line sprung from his human ancestor Jesse.  He is the sign born of the Virgin...

Caryll Houselander image used with permission from TRINITY ICONS

Day 19: The Incarnation in Our Suffering World

Christ was born not because there was joy in the world, but because there was suffering in it. Not to riches, but to poverty. Not to satiety but to hunger and thirst. Not to security, but to danger, to exile, to homelessness, to destitution and crucifixion.

His incarnation now, in us, is in the suffering world as it is; it is not reserved for a Utopia that will never be; it does not differ from His first...

An Advent Journey for the Discerning Heart:
Prepare your heart for Christ through Scripture, the saints, and the gentle practice of daily listening.

Part Four: Welcoming Christ with a Heart Fully Awake

DAY 20 – Love

“We love because he first loved us.”
1 John 4.19 (RSV

Love is the fullness of the listening heart.

After days of trust, surrender, silence, and hidden fidelity, the soul is ready for the deepest truth of the spiritual life: all love begins in God. We receive His love first, and grace teaches the heart...

Friday of the 3rd Week of Advent – An Advent Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart

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 Luke 1:26-38

The angel Gabri...

O Adonai

O Adonai, and leader of the House of Israel,

who appeared to Moses in the fire of the burning bush

and gave him the law on Sinai:

Come and redeem us with an outstretched arm.

Sharon Doran serves as the teaching director of “Seeking Truth.” An experienced Bible Study teacher, Sharon has a passion for scripture that will motivate and challenge you to immerse yourself in God’s Word and apply His message to your everyday life.

“Seeking Truth” is an in-depth Catholic Bible Study, commission...