Series Archives - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts

The Two Standards: Christ or the Enemy – The Heart of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola with Fr. Anthony Wieck S.J.

Fr. Anthony Wieck and Kris McGregor explore a needed “paradigm shift”: move from self-congratulation to grateful partnership with God. Any fruit in ministry or marriage flows from prayerful union with the Lord, not from personal prowess. Comparison with others springs from insecurity; humiliations can become doorways to humility, much like Jesus’ foot-washing example that takes the lowest place. In preaching or service, the call is to be “convex”—pouring love outward—rather...

The Journey Through the Dark Night – Spiritual Desolation: Be Aware, Understand, Take Action with Fr. Timothy Gallagher

Fr. Timothy Gallagher clarifies the difference between spiritual desolation and the “dark night” of St. John of the Cross. Spiritual desolation is the enemy’s discouraging pull away from prayer and hope; the right move is to resist it. The dark night, by contrast, is God’s painful but purifying gift within prayer that prepares a person for deeper union—first at the level of the senses, later at the level of the spirit, each with active cooperation...

Exaltation of the Holy Cross – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff

Msgr. John Esseff reflects on the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. He explains how, for the first centuries of Christianity, the cross was not the central symbol of the faith, since crucifixion was still a horrifying reality in the Roman world. Instead, the fish served as the identifying sign. Over time, the Church came to embrace the cross as the true sign of salvation, recognizing that Jesus’ death was not merely an execution but a free offering of His...

St. John Chrysostom, Pt. 2 – The Doctors of the Church: The Charism of Wisdom with Dr. Matthew Bunson

Dr. Matthew Bunson and Kris McGregor explore the ministry of St. John Chrysostom during his time as Archbishop of Constantinople. Known as “Golden Mouth” for his extraordinary preaching, John arrived in the imperial city with a reputation for holiness and reform. He refused pomp in his consecration and redirected wealth toward care for the poor. From the outset, he challenged the excesses of the court, the clergy, and the wealthy...

St. John Chrysostom, Pt. 1 – The Doctors of the Church: The Charism of Wisdom with Dr. Matthew Bunson

Dr. Matthew Bunson discusses St. John Chrysostom, one of the greatest Doctors of the Church, known as the “golden-mouthed” for his extraordinary eloquence. Born in Antioch in 347, he was raised by his devout mother Anthusa after his father’s early death. She instilled a deep love of the faith and guided him toward an exceptional education. Under the famous pagan teacher Libanius, John excelled in rhetoric and literature, becoming his most...

Introductory Rite and the Liturgy of the Word – The Way of Mystery with Deacon James Keating

Deacon James Keating reflects on how the Mass draws us into communion with Christ and one another. The introductory rites are not a mere formality but a spiritual transition, helping us shift focus from worldly concerns to God’s presence. The penitential rite then deepens this awareness by leading us to recognize our sins and our need for mercy, making us receptive to God’s healing love. He stresses that this moment should not be rushed—it is where we confr...

What Has God Elected to Us? – The Heart of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola with Fr. Anthony Wieck S.J.

Fr. Anthony Wieck and Kris McGregor continue exploring the second week of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. This section has a twofold purpose: first, to grow in knowing, loving, and following Christ more deeply; second, to discern the personal call God has for each individual. St. Ignatius frames this through the “Call of the King,” where Jesus actively invites us to walk, labor, and even suffer alongside Him so that we may...

Embracing Consolation, Understanding Desolation – Spiritual Desolation: Be Aware, Understand, Take Action with Fr. Timothy Gallagher

Fr. Timothy Gallagher and Kris McGregor explore St. Ignatius of Loyola’s teaching on spiritual desolation, distinguishing between its spiritual and non-spiritual forms. Non-spiritual desolation arises from physical or emotional depletion—like fatigue, illness, or stress—which can influence one’s prayer life if not addressed. Examples include the mother losing sleep to care for a sick child or the priest exhausted after Holy Week. Such tiredness, embraced in love, can be holy but still requires recovery. St. Ignatius’ rules, however, focus specifically...

Special Encore: The Canonization of St. Teresa of Calcutta – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff

In this special encore, Msgr. Esseff reflects on his pilgrimage to Rome for the canonization of St. Teresa of Calcutta. He shares personal stories about the journey, the people he encountered, and the profound spiritual experiences he had during the trip.

In his retelling, he describes how 16 pilgrims, many with personal connections to Mother Teresa, made their way to Rome. He recalls the challenges of the journey, particularly the intense heat, and how enduring th...

The Paschal Mystery – The Way of Mystery with Deacon James Keating

Deacon James Keating and Kris McGregor explore how the Paschal Mystery and the Eucharistic liturgy are inseparably united. The Mass is not merely about attendance or obligation but about making oneself available to be taken into Christ’s life, death, and resurrection. True participation requires an interior openness—allowing Christ to shape our hearts and draw us into communion with both Him and others. Rather than reducing Mass to duty, fellowship, or a fleeting emotional experience, he invites listeners to see it as an intent...