O glorious Saint Joseph,faithful follower of Jesus Christ,
to you we raise our hearts and hands
to implore your powerful intercession
in obtaining from the benign heart of Jesus
all the helps and graces necessary
for our spiritual and temporal welfare,
particularly for the grace of a happy death
and the special favor we now request…

(State your request here.)

O guardian of the Word Incarnate,
we feel animated with confidence that your prayers
in our behalf will be graciously heard before the...

A Lenten Spiritual Journey with Discerning Hearts: From Ashes to Glory – Discerning Hearts Podcast

Day 25: “The Greatest Commandment”

Reader:

Scripture Reading:
Mark 12:28–34
One of the scribes came near and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that Jesus answered them well, he asked Him, “Which commandment is the first of all?” Jesus answered, “The first is, ‘Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all you...

3rd Saturday of Lent – 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. Luke 18:9-14

Jesus spoke the following parable to...



The Cross of Christ Transforms. . .How We See Ourselves

Steps to Take as You Follow Christ

Ask—From what do I need Jesus to save me?

Seek—God’s forgiveness for your sins. Ask God to transform you into the image of his Son, so that you may be an instrument of God’s grace to others.

Knock—Meditate on 1 Corinthians 6:9–11.

You know perfectly well that people who do wrong will not inherit the kingdom of God: people of immoral lives, idolaters, adulterers, catamites, sodomites, thieves, usurers, drunka...

The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life: Learning to Listen to God with a Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor

Episode 24 – The Ninth Degree of Humility

In this episode of The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life, Kris McGregor reflects on the Ninth Degree of Humility in Chapter 7 of the Holy Rule. St. Benedict turns to restraint in speech, showing how humility appears in the way a person speaks and in the choice to remain silent. Words have real power. They can encourage, clarify and strengthen, but they can also wound, unsettle an...

Jonathan Swift & Gulliver’s Travels – Great Works in Western Literature with Joseph Pearce

In this episode of The Great Works in Western Literature, Kris McGregor and Joseph Pearce explore Jonathan Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels, one of the most brilliant satirical works in Western literature. Through the strange voyages of Lemuel Gulliver, Swift exposes the intellectual fashions of the Enlightenment, particularly the growing confidence that science and human reason alone could replace the wisdom of philosophy and theology. Pearce explains that Swift, an ordained Christian minister, uses satire to challenge the pride of modern thinking and defe...



O glorious Saint Joseph,faithful follower of Jesus Christ,
to you we raise our hearts and hands
to implore your powerful intercession
in obtaining from the benign heart of Jesus
all the helps and graces necessary
for our spiritual and temporal welfare,
particularly for the grace of a happy death
and the special favor we now request…

(State your request here.)

O guardian of the Word Incarnate,
we feel animated with confidence that your prayers
in our behalf will be graciously heard before the...

In place of the disability to express ourselves, to sing – The Holy Rule of St. Benedict with Fr. Mauritius Wilde O.S.B

In this episode of The Holy Rule of St. Benedict: A Spiritual Path for Today’s World, Kris McGregor and Fr. Mauritius Wilde, OSB, reflect on St. Benedict’s guidance on prayer and the place of singing in the spiritual life, particularly as expressed in Chapter 19 of the Rule. While silence prepares the heart to listen, St. Benedict also calls monks to raise their voices in song. Singing the Psalms becomes a powerf...

The 9th, 10th, and 11th Stations – Stations of the Cross with Deacon James Keating

Reflecting and deeply meditating on the Passion of the Christ, Deacon Keating guides us through the 9th station (Jesus fall a 3rd time), the 10th station (Jesus is stripped of His garments), and the 11th station (Jesus is nailed to the Cross) along the Way of the Cross.

Deacon James Keating reflects on the ninth station, where Christ falls for the third time, as a moment that mirrors the exhaustion and discouragement people encounter in their own suffering. Ly...

A Lenten Spiritual Journey with Discerning Hearts: From Ashes to Glory – Discerning Hearts Podcast

Day 24: “Shelter in the Heart of God”

Scripture Reading (Jerusalem Bible):

Psalm 91:1–2, 9–16
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”

Because you have made the Lord your refuge, the Most High your dwelling place, no evil shall befall you, no scourge come near your tent. For he will give his...

3rd Friday of Lent – 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. Mark 12:28-34

One of the scribes came up to...



The Cross of Christ Transforms. . .Our Priorities

Steps to Take as You Follow Christ

Ask—How does the cross fit into my stance toward God?

Seek—Acknowledge God’s priority in your life, over your heart (all of your emotions), over your understanding (all of your thoughts), and overall of your strength (all of your actions).

Knock—Meditate on 1 John 4:10–12.

This is the love I mean: not our love for God, but God’s love for us when he sent his Son to be the sacrifice that takes our...

The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life: Learning to Listen to God with a Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor

Episode 23 – The Eighth Degree of Humility

In this episode of The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life, Kris McGregor reflects on the Eighth Degree of Humility in Chapter 7 of the Holy Rule. St. Benedict turns to the humility required to live within a shared life rather than continually shaping life around personal preference. The monk is asked to follow the common rule of the monastery and the example of the elders instead of...

O glorious Saint Joseph,
faithful follower of Jesus Christ,
to you we raise our hearts and hands
to implore your powerful intercession
in obtaining from the benign heart of Jesus
all the helps and graces necessary
for our spiritual and temporal welfare,
particularly for the grace of a happy death
and the special favor we now request…

(State your request here.)

O guardian of the Word Incarnate,
we feel animated with confidence that your prayers
in our behalf will be graciously heard before the throne of...

A Lenten Spiritual Journey with Discerning Hearts: From Ashes to Glory – Discerning Hearts Podcast

Day 23: “The Battle Within”

Scripture Reading (Jerusalem Bible):
Luke 11:14–23
Jesus was casting out a devil and it was dumb; but when the devil had gone out the dumb man spoke, and the people were amazed. But some of them said, ‘It is through Beelzebul, the prince of devils, that he casts out devils.’ Others asked him, as a test, for a sign from heaven; but, knowing what they were thinking, he said to them, ‘Every kingdom divided against itself...

3rd Thursday of Lent – 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. Luke 11:14-23

Jesus was casting out a devil and...



The Cross of Christ Transforms. . .Our Lives

Steps to Take as You Follow Christ

Ask—Do I trust in God?

Seek—Frequently call upon the Lord for his help throughout the day. Life was not intended to be a solitary venture; recognize that God is always present, and is there for us when we call upon him.

Knock—Meditate on Romans 10:11–13.

The scripture says, “No one who believes in him will be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord o...

The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life: Learning to Listen to God with a Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor

Episode 22 – The Seventh Degree of Humility

In this episode of The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life, Kris McGregor reflects on the Seventh Degree of Humility from Chapter 7 of the Holy Rule. St. Benedict moves more deeply into the interior life, describing humility not simply as outward behavior but as a truth the heart gradually comes to accept before God. Through earlier practices of obedience, endurance, honesty, and acceptance of ordinary life, th...

The Papacy: The Apostolic Throne – Roots of the Faith with Mike Aquilina

Mike Aquilina reflects on the origin and continuity of the papacy, beginning with Christ’s words to Peter in the Gospel and continuing through the witness of the early Church. The authority given to Peter did not end with his lifetime but carried forward through successors in Rome. Early Christian history shows that the bishop of Rome consistently served as a central point of leadership, even when the role carried danger rather than prestige. Many of the earliest popes suffered martyrdom, yet the...



O glorious Saint Joseph,
faithful follower of Jesus Christ,
to you we raise our hearts and hands
to implore your powerful intercession
in obtaining from the benign heart of Jesus
all the helps and graces necessary
for our spiritual and temporal welfare,
particularly for the grace of a happy death
and the special favor we now request…

(State your request here.)

O guardian of the Word Incarnate,
we feel animated with confidence that your prayers
in our behalf will be graciously heard befo...

A Lenten Spiritual Journey with Discerning Hearts: From Ashes to Glory – Discerning Hearts Podcast

Day 22: “The Law of Love”

Scripture Reading (Jerusalem Bible):

Matthew 22:37-40
“Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.’”

Reflection:

Jesus distills the entire law and...



3rd Wednesday of Lent – 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 5:17-19

Jesus said to his d...



The Cross of Christ Transforms. . .Law and Love

Steps to Take as You Follow Christ

Ask—How much do I love God?

Seek—God’s love for us and his plans for us are greater than our minds can conceive. Starting today, acknowledge these realities by undertaking acts of trust in God throughout the day. Ask God to fill you with his love. Share God’s love with everyone.

Knock—Meditate on Romans 13:8–10.

Avoid getting into debt, except the debt of mutual love. If you love your fellow me...

The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life: Learning to Listen to God with a Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor

Episode 21 – The Sixth Degree of Humility

In this episode of The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life, Kris McGregor reflects on the Sixth Degree of Humility in Chapter 7 of the Holy Rule. St. Benedict turns to the ordinary and often hidden realities of daily life, where humility is shown in the way a person receives work, place and limitation with peace. This degree is not about self-hatred or denying one’s gifts. It i...

O glorious Saint Joseph,
faithful follower of Jesus Christ,
to you we raise our hearts and hands
to implore your powerful intercession
in obtaining from the benign heart of Jesus
all the helps and graces necessary
for our spiritual and temporal welfare,
particularly for the grace of a happy death
and the special favor we now request…

(State your request here.)

O guardian of the Word Incarnate,
we feel animated with confidence that your prayers
in our behalf will be graciously heard be...

A Lenten Spiritual Journey with Discerning Hearts: From Ashes to Glory – Discerning Hearts Podcast

Day 21: “Faithfulness in the Little Things”

Scripture Reading (Jerusalem Bible):

Luke 16:10
“Whoever is faithful in very little is also faithful in much, and whoever is dishonest in very little is also dishonest in much.”

Reflection:

Faithfulness in the little things prepares us for faithfulness in greater things. Jesus reminds us that holiness is not found only in grand gestures but in the small, often unseen acts of love and obedience. The spiritual...



3rd Tuesday of Lent – 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 18:21-35

Peter went up to Je...



The Cross of Christ Transforms. . .How We Forgive

Steps to Take as You Follow Christ

Ask—Do I still harbor past sins for which I have not accepted God’s forgiveness?

Seek—Go to confession regularly. As part of your examination of conscience, review how you have accepted God’s forgiveness for past sins in your life, and review how well you have forgiven others in God’s name.

Knock—Meditate on Ephesians 4:32–5:2.

Be friends with one another, and kind, forgiving each other as readily as God forgave you...

The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life: Learning to Listen to God with a Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor

Episode 20 – The Fifth Degree of Humility

In this episode of The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life, Kris McGregor reflects on the Fifth Degree of Humility in Chapter 7 of the Holy Rule. St. Benedict turns from endurance and restraint to truthful speech, showing that humility also appears in the willingness to bring what is hidden into the light. Silence alone is not enough. A person may say very little and still conceal mu...

I’m Troubled and I’m Tempted; I’m Going to Fail – Struggles in the Spiritual Life with Fr. Timothy Gallagher O.M.V.

Fr. Timothy Gallagher describes how temptation often appears during times of anxiety or discouragement in the spiritual life. Through the story of John, who anxiously waits for medical test results, he illustrates how worry can disturb prayer and open the door to subtle suggestions that lead toward distractions or unhealthy habits. Even though John remains faithful to prayer and resists these impulses, agitation and discouraging thoughts still arise. These interior voices begin to...

Waiting in the Desert – Crossing the Desert: Lent and Conversion with Deacon James Keating

In this episode, Deacon James Keating and Kris McGregor discuss Lent as a time of vulnerability to God’s mercy, emphasizing bringing sin into Christ’s light for liberation. They contrast morality’s true freedom with sin’s chains and highlight Christ’s presence in our struggles.

Deacon Keating gives us of a message of hope, reassuring listeners that no one is beyond the reach of God’s grace and mercy.

Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions



The Cross of Christ Transforms. . .How We See Jesus

Steps to Take as You Follow Christ

Ask—Am I overly familiar with Christ?

Seek—Read the Gospels every day. Encounter Christ as he is presented and try to imagine him in the world today, doing the same acts, confronting unbelief in the modern world.

Knock—Meditate on 1 Peter 2:4–5.

He is the living stone, rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him; set yourselves close to him so that you too, the holy priesthood that offers...

A Lenten Spiritual Journey with Discerning Hearts: From Ashes to Glory – Discerning Hearts Podcast

Day 20: “Persevering in Prayer and Trusting in God’s Mercy”

Scripture Reading (Jerusalem Bible):

Matthew 18:21-22
“Then Peter came and said to Him, ‘Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?’ Jesus said to him, ‘Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times.’”

Reflection:

Forgiveness is at the heart of the Gospel, yet it is one of the most challenging commands to live out...

3rd Monday of Lent – 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 Luke 4:24-30

Jesus came to Nazara a...

The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life: Learning to Listen to God with a Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor

Episode 19 – The Fourth Degree of Humility

In this episode of The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life, Kris McGregor reflects on the Fourth Degree of Humility from Chapter 7 of the Holy Rule. St. Benedict now turns to perseverance when obedience becomes difficult. Humility is tested not when circumstances are favorable but when strain, misunderstanding or even unjust treatment appear.

The Benedictine way does not romanticize suffering. Instead it forms a he...

The Third Sunday of Lent: The First Scrutiny – Building a Kingdom of Love w/ Msgr. John Esseff Podcast

In this Third Sunday of Lent reflection, Msgr. John Esseff invites listeners into the mystery of the Transfiguration from the Gospel of Matthew, where Jesus reveals his glory on the mountain as he prepares to face suffering and death. The mountain of light is inseparable from the mountain of Calvary. Jesus stands between glory and the cross, revealing that resurrection is reached only through suffering freely embraced in trust and obedience to the Father.

Msgr. Es...

3rd Sunday of Lent – 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 4:5-42

Jesus came to the Samaritan t...



A Lenten Spiritual Journey with Discerning Hearts: From Ashes to Glory – Discerning Hearts Podcast

Day 19: “Thirsting for God: The Call to Prayer and Renewal”

Scripture Reading (Jerusalem Bible):

John 4:13-14
“Jesus said to her, ‘Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.’”

Reflection:

The Samaritan woman came to the well for ordinary water, but she left wit...

The Cross of Christ Transforms. . .How We Worship

Steps to Take as You Follow Christ

Ask—What do I do with God’s spirit?

Seek—

From a prayer posture, concentrate on your breathing. As you inhale, ask God to fill you with the Holy Spirit, to animate your every action to do his will. As you exhale, breathe the name from the core of your being: Jesus. Continue to meditate on him.

Knock—Meditate on Galatians 6:7–9.

Don’t delude yourself into thinking God can be cheated: whe...

The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life: Learning to Listen to God with a Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor

Episode 18 – The Third Degree of Humility

In this episode of The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life, Kris McGregor reflects on the third degree of humility in Chapter 7 of the Holy Rule. St. Benedict brings humility into concrete daily life by placing it within relationships and legitimate authority. Humility is revealed not only in interior intention but in how the heart responds when another’s direction stands between personal preference and faithful acti...