Monday of the Twenty-Seventh Week in Ordinary Time – 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 St. Luke 10:25-37...

A letter from St Francis of Assisi to all the faithful

“It was through his archangel, Saint Gabriel, that the Father above made known to the holy and glorious Virgin Mary that the worthy, holy and glorious Word of the Father would come from heaven and take from her womb the real flesh of our human frailty. Though he was wealthy beyond reckoning, he still willingly chose to be poor with his blessed mother. And shortly before his passion he celebrated the Passover with his disciples. Then he prayed to his Father saying: Father, if it be po...

Day 9 – Living Mercy – St. Faustina Novena for the Discerning Heart

From the Diary of St. Faustina, 1317 – Jesus speaks to Faustina:

“If a soul does not exercise mercy somehow or other, it will not obtain My mercy on the day of judgment. Oh, if only souls knew how to gather eternal treasure for themselves, they would not be judged, for they would forestall My judgment with their mercy.”

Jesus makes it clear to St. Faustina that mercy must be lived out in our daily lives. We cannot simply receive God’s mercy with...

Sunday of the Twenty-Seventh Week in Ordinary Time – 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 St. Matthew 21:33-43

Jesus sai...

Day 9 – St. Francis of Assisi Novena for the Discerning Heart with Msgr. John Esseff

Day 9: Detachment

St. Francis, you understood that to follow Christ perfectly, one must be detached from all that is not God. You surrendered not only your material possessions, but even your own will, seeking only to do the will of the Father. In your complete detachment from worldly desires, you found true freedom in Christ. You remind us that we are pilgrims on this earth and that our true home is in Heaven.

Let us pray:
Ho...

Day 8 – Bringing Joy to Others – St. Faustina Novena for the Discerning Heart

From the Diary of St. Faustina, 1074 – Jesus speaks to Faustina:

“My daughter, I desire that you live very close to My heart. Meditate upon the love and mercy of your Creator. When you come to know Me more deeply, you will be able to bring much joy to others. Speak of My mercy to all, so that souls may be strengthened and comforted. Bring joy to the world through My mercy.”

St. Faustina lived her life close to the hea...



Saturday of the Twenty-Sixth Week in Ordinary Time – 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 St. Luke 10:17-24...

Friday of the Twenty-Sixth Week in Ordinary Time – 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 St. Matthew 18:1-5,10

The disci...

The Guardian Angels – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr John Esseff

Msgr. Esseff discusses the important role of guardian angels in the life of every person. He shares personal reflections on his childhood experiences and how angels have been part of his spiritual life. Guardian angels are assigned to individuals from the moment of conception and remain with them throughout life, even after death, working to inspire prayers for those in purgatory.

There is an an importance in developing a personal relationship with one’s guardian angel, and Msgr. Esseff suggests that...

From a sermon of St Bernard of Clairvaux

He has given his angels charge over you to guard you in all your ways. Let them thank the Lord for his mercy; his wonderful works are for the children of men. Let them give thanks and say among the nations, the Lord has done great things for them. O Lord, what is man that you have made yourself known to him, or why do you incline your heart to him? And you do incline your heart to him; you show him your care and your concern. Finally, you...

Day 8 – St. Francis of Assisi Novena for the Discerning Heart with Msgr. John Esseff

Day 8: Compassion

St. Francis, your heart was filled with compassion for all people and creatures, for you saw in them the love of the Creator. You were moved by the sufferings of others and sought to ease their pain with the mercy of Christ. Your compassion extended even to the animals, for you recognized that they, too, were part of God’s creation. You remind us that we are called to be vessels of God’s compassion, showing His love t...

Day 7 – Mercy for Others – St. Faustina Novena for the Discerning Heart

From the Diary of St. Faustina, 367 – Jesus speaks to Faustina:

“My heart overflows with great mercy for souls, and especially for poor sinners. If only they could understand that I am the best of Fathers to them and that it is for them that the Blood and Water flowed from My Heart as from a fount overflowing with mercy.”

Jesus tells St. Faustina that His heart overflows with mercy, especially for sinners. He invites us to draw near to Him, kno...

Day 7 – St. Francis of Assisi Novena for the Discerning Heart with Msgr. John Esseff

Day 7: Service

St. Francis, you lived out the Gospel commandment to love your neighbor as yourself, serving the poor, the sick, and the marginalized with great humility and love. You saw in each person the image of Christ, especially in the suffering and the outcast. You remind us that charity is the heart of the Christian life and that in serving others, we serve Christ Himself, who said, “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and...

Day 6 – Strength from the Cross – St. Faustina Novena for the Discerning Heart

From the Diary of St. Faustina, 1558 – Faustina writes:

“In difficult moments I will fix my gaze upon the silent heart of Jesus, stretched upon the cross, and from the exploding flames of His merciful heart will flow down upon me power and strength to keep fighting.”

St. Faustina drew strength from the cross of Christ in her moments of trial, focusing on the silent heart of Jesus, who suffered for love of us. She saw that from His pierce...

Thursday of the Twenty-Sixth Week in Ordinary Time – 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 St. Luke 10:1-12

The Lord...

St. Jerome – The Doctors of the Church: The Charism of Wisdom with Dr. Matthew Bunson

Dr. Matthew Bunson and Kris McGregor explore the life and contributions of St. Jerome, a Doctor of the Church best known for his translation of the Bible into Latin, creating the Vulgate. His fiery personality, shaped by his intellectual brilliance and sensitivity, often lead to conflict with others.

St. Jerome, born in 342 AD, had a profound love for scripture, classical literature, and the Christian faith, which led him to Rome and eventually the...

Day 6 – St. Francis of Assisi Novena for the Discerning Heart with Msgr. John Esseff

Day 6: Joy

St. Francis, your heart was filled with heavenly joy, even in the midst of trials and sufferings. You understood that true joy comes from a heart that is united with Christ and surrendered to God’s will. You rejoiced in the Lord always, knowing that even the Cross, when borne with love, leads to eternal joy. In a world that seeks fleeting happiness, your life reminds us that joy is found not in comfort or pleasure, but in l...

St. Thérèse of Lisieux Novena – Day Nine

St. Therese you have said:

“When I die, I will send down a shower of roses from the heavens, I will spend my heaven by doing good on earth.”

Saint Therese, flower of Carmel,
you said you would spend your heaven
doing good upon the earth.
Your trust in God was complete.

Listen to my prayer;
bring before God my special intention…
Pray for me that I may have something of your confidence
in t...

Day 5 – Overcoming Discouragement and Anxiety – St. Faustina Novena for the Discerning Heart

From the Diary of St. Faustina, 1488 – Jesus speaks to Faustina:

“The greatest obstacles to holiness are discouragement and an exaggerated anxiety. These will deprive you of the ability to practice virtue. All temptations united together ought not disturb your interior peace, not even momentarily. Sensitiveness and discouragement are the fruits of self-love. Place your trust not in yourself but in God.”

Jesus warns us that discouragement and anxiety are the greatest obstacles to holiness. These feelings often arise from...



Wednesday of the Twenty-Sixth Week in Ordinary Time – 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 St. Luke 9:57-62<...

St. Thérèse of Lisieux Novena – Day Eight

St. Therese you have said:

“And it is the Lord, it is Jesus, who is my judge. Therefore I will try always to think leniently of others, that He may judge me leniently, or rather not at all, since He says: “Judge not, and ye shall not be judged.”

Saint Therese, flower of Carmel,
you said you would spend your heaven
doing good upon the earth.
Your trust in God was complete.

Listen to my prayer;

Day 5 – St. Francis of Assisi Novena for the Discerning Heart with Msgr. John Esseff

Day 5: Poverty

St. Francis, you embraced Lady Poverty, imitating Christ who was born in a humble manger and died naked upon the Cross. By detaching yourself from the things of this world, you found the riches of Heaven, for “where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21). You remind us that the true wealth of a soul is found in loving and serving God above all else, and that spiritual poverty is the path to perfect freedo...

Day 4 – Humility Before God – St. Faustina Novena for the Discerning Heart

From the Diary of St. Faustina, 593 – Faustina writes:

“A humble soul does not trust itself, but places all its confidence in God. God defends the humble and delivers him from snares and miseries. The humble man, though he be amidst great sufferings, keeps his peace, for he trusts in God and does not depend on himself.”

Humility is a virtue that allows us to recognize our complete dependence on God. St. Faustina reminds us that the humble soul trusts in...



Feast of the Archangels – 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 St. John 1:47-51

When Jesus sa...



When to Apply the Rules

Temptation Under the Appearance of Good –
Second Week Rule One

In this episode, Fr. Timothy Gallagher explains when the Second Week Rules become necessary. As a person grows in prayer, generosity, and love of God, the enemy may change tactics. Instead of discouraging through spiritual desolation, he may tempt under the appearance of good. A thought can be good and holy. It can even be accompanied by spiritual consolation. Yet that alone does not mean it should be followed.

Fr. Gallagher then introduces Rule O...

Day 4 – St. Francis of Assisi Novena for the Discerning Heart with Msgr. John Esseff

Day 4: Love of Creation

St. Francis, you praised God through all of His creation, seeing in every creature the hand of the Creator. In your “Canticle of the Creatures,” you praised the Lord for Brother Sun and Sister Moon, recognizing that all of nature reflects God’s goodness and beauty. You remind us that creation is a gift from God, entrusted to us as stewards, and that we are called to use it for His glory and the good of other...

St. Thérèse of Lisieux Novena – Day Seven

St. Therese you have said:

“Do you realize that Jesus is there in the tabernacle expressly for you – for you alone? He burns with the desire to come into your heart… don’t listen to the demon, laugh at him, and go without fear to receive the Jesus of peace and love…”

Saint Therese, flower of Carmel,
you said you would spend your heaven
doing good upon the earth.
Your trust in God was complete.

Listen to my p...

Day 9 – The Celestial Choir of Angels – St. Michael and the Holy Angels Novena

V/. O God, + come to my assistance
R/. O Lord, make haste to help me.

Glory Be

Day 9 – The Celestial Choir of Angels

The ANGELS primary focus is the caretakership of humanity and the world. While the lowest ranked of all angelic beings—if one accepts the idea of a regulated angelic organization—angels are nevertheless members of the heavenly host and thus possess the profound and beautiful attributes given to them by their C...

Day 3 – The Power of Suffering – St. Faustina Novena for the Discerning Heart

From the Diary of St. Faustina, 57 – Faustina writes:

“Suffering is a great grace; through suffering, the soul becomes like the Savior; in suffering, love becomes crystallized; the greater the suffering, the purer the love. This true, pure love gives the soul strength and power.”

Suffering, when united with Christ, becomes a source of spiritual strength. St. Faustina teaches us that through suffering, love is purified and becomes like that of Christ. How do you respond to the sufferings...

Monday of the Twenty-Sixth Week in Ordinary Time – 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 Luke 9:46-50

...

Which Son Are You? The Call to Conversion – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff

In this episode of Building a Kingdom of Love, Msgr. John Esseff reflects on Jesus’ parable of the two sons and the uncomfortable truth that both sons can be found within each of us. One son refuses his father and later changes his mind. The other says yes but fails to act. Jesus directs the parable toward the chief priests and elders, yet Msgr. Esseff reminds us that its challenge reaches every Christian. We are all sinners in need of conv...

Day 3 – St. Francis of Assisi Novena for the Discerning Heart with Msgr. John Esseff

Day 3: Humility

St. Francis, you embraced the profound humility of Christ, who “emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant” (Philippians 2:7). You considered yourself the least of all and sought not your own glory, but the glory of God. You saw in humility the path to holiness and the surest way to imitate Our Lord, who came “not to be served, but to serve” (Matthew 20:28). In a world that exalts pride and self-promotion, your example calls us to embrace the hidden...

St. Thérèse of Lisieux Novena – Day Six

St. Therese you have said:

“My whole strength lies in prayer and sacrifice, these are my invincible arms; they can move hearts far better than words, I know it by experience.”

Saint Therese, flower of Carmel,
you said you would spend your heaven
doing good upon the earth.
Your trust in God was complete.

Listen to my prayer;
bring before God my special intention…
Pray for me that I may have something of your confidence...

Day 8 – The Celestial Choir of Archangels – St. Michael and the Holy Angels Novena

V/. O God, + come to my assistance
R/. O Lord, make haste to help me.

Glory Be

Day 8 – The Celestial Choir of Archangels

The ARCHANGELS primary duty, as is clear from their appearances in Scripture, is to carry out the will of God as it relates directly to humanity. They bring to the world the prayerful blessings of the Lord and the special concern of God for each and every human life. It is...

Day 2 – Mercy for All Sinners – St. Faustina Novena for the Discerning Heart

From the Diary of St. Faustina, 699 – Jesus speaks to Faustina:

“Let no soul fear to draw near to Me, even though its sins be as scarlet. My mercy is greater than your sins and those of the entire world. Who can measure the extent of My goodness? For you I descended from heaven to earth; for you I allowed Myself to be nailed to the cross; for you I let My Sacred Heart be pierced with a lance, thus opening...

Sunday of the Twenty-Sixth Week in Ordinary Time – 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 St. Matthew 21:28-32

Jesus sai...

Day 2 – St. Francis of Assisi Novena for the Discerning Heart with Msgr. John Esseff

Day 2: Peace

St. Francis, you were a true instrument of peace, not only in your actions but in your entire way of life. You lived out the peace of Christ, which surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7), reconciling enemies, healing divisions, and spreading the message of the Gospel. You understood that true peace begins in the heart, with repentance and conversion, and is nourished through prayer and the Sacraments. You remind us that we must first be reconciled to God before we...

St. Thérèse of Lisieux Novena – Day Five

St. Therese you have said:

“I know now that true charity consists in bearing all our neighbors’ defects–not being surprised at their weakness, but edified at their smallest virtues.”

Saint Therese, flower of Carmel,
you said you would spend your heaven
doing good upon the earth.
Your trust in God was complete.

Listen to my prayer;
bring before God my special intention…
Pray for me that I may have something of your confidence

Day 7 – The Celestial Choir of Principalities – St. Michael and the Holy Angels Novena

V/. O God, + come to my assistance
R/. O Lord, make haste to help me.

Glory Be

Day 7 – The Celestial Choir of Principalities

The PRINCIPALITIES are the first of the choirs most concerned with the earth and are traditionally declared to have the roles of caretakers over every nation, province, county, district, city, town, village, and house, working with the guardian angels, who also are assigned to every spot and person...

Day 1 – Trust in Divine Mercy – St. Faustina Novena for the Discerning Heart

From the Diary of St. Faustina, 1578 – Jesus speaks to Faustina:

“The graces of My mercy are drawn by one vessel only, and that is trust. The more a soul trusts, the more it will receive. Souls that trust boundlessly are a great comfort to Me, because I pour all the treasures of My graces into them. I rejoice that they ask for much, because it is My desire to give much, very much. On the other hand, I am sad when...