The Discerning Hearts Blog Archives

“Rachel weeping for her children…” – Reflections of Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts

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Msgr. Esseff not only laments the horror of the massacre of the Holy Innocents in Bethlehem

2000 years ago, but the tragedy of the continued holocaust of children within their mother’s womb that occurs

today. He reflects on the passage from Revelation which recounts the hatred the devil has for the womb of the woman: The enemy HATES life. Msgr. Esseff reminds us of the VICTORY of Christ and discusses the forgiveness and hope found with God. He shares the stories of two seperate women named Maria, both of whom touched his life and who can help show us the way.

The Holy Innocents – the first witnesses to Christ, truly, the first martyrs – Discerning Hearts

“The Feast of the Holy Innocents reminds us that shortly after the coming of Hope into the world, in the form of God as a new-born child, the fallen World has its own sickening and brutal response.

Some of the tragic news we hear each day echoes the inhuman tragedy of the massacre of the innocents. We witness the same kind of brutality that Herod unleashed on the innocent children of Judea every day in a myriad of unspeakable actions: murder, abortion, war, exploitation, slavery and countless other types of violence and oppression, much of which is against innocent children.

Herod’s actions are not only echoed in the extreme examples of evil cited above. In the actions of secularists, materialists and atheists, who seek to emulate Herod in their attempts to eradicate God from the world in favour of their own interests and agendas, we see various social effects manifesting that, in one way or another, enable a whole plethora of great and small evils to stir in men’s hearts.”– Traditio et Virtus

We remember today, O God, the slaughter of the holy innocents Of Bethlehem by King Herod. Receive, we pray, into the arms of your mercy all innocent victims; and by your great might frustrate the designs of evil tyrants and establish your rule of justice, love, and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

The Holy Innocents – the first witnesses to Christ, truly, the first martyrs

“The Feast of the Holy Innocents reminds us that shortly after the coming of Hope into the world, in the form of God as a new-born child, the fallen World has its own sickening and brutal response.

Some of the tragic news we hear each day echoes the inhuman tragedy of the massacre of the innocents. We witness the same kind of brutality that Herod unleashed on the innocent children of Judea every day in a myriad of unspeakable actions: murder, abortion, war, exploitation, slavery and countless other types of violence and oppression, much of which is against innocent children.

Herod’s actions are not only echoed in the extreme examples of evil cited above. In the actions of secularists, materialists and atheists, who seek to emulate Herod in their attempts to eradicate God from the world in favour of their own interests and agendas, we see various social effects manifesting that, in one way or another, enable a whole plethora of great and small evils to stir in men’s hearts.”– Traditio et Virtus

We remember today, O God, the slaughter of the holy innocents Of Bethlehem by King Herod. Receive, we pray, into the arms of your mercy all innocent victims; and by your great might frustrate the designs of evil tyrants and establish your rule of justice, love, and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

“God is Love” the legacy of St. John the Apostle – Reflections from Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts

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Msgr. Esseff, on his patronal feast day, discusses St. John the Evangelist. He recalls the message found in the Gospel of St. John, his letters, and stories from St. Polycarp. Msgr. Esseff discusses the relationship

of Our Lady with John, and the gift Jesus made of her to John and to us all. He also shares how deeply the Sacred Heart is found in the teachings of St. John.

PS-6 Personal Plan for Holiness – the Communion of Saints

The importance of our family in faith, the Communion of Saints….Join Teresa Monaghen, of Pro Sanctity, as she offers a “Personal Plan for Holiness”. Listen along with these short, but beautiful meditations which encourage us tocontinue on our journey as “saints in the making”!

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Learn more about Pro Sanctity at www.prosanctity.org

“Father, forgive them…” – Reflections from Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts

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Msgr. Esseff reflects on the feast of St. Stephen the Martyr, the massacre in Nigeria at Christmas services, and his experiences in Lebanon. The story he shares is particularly poignant and compelling. He shares what we are called to do for Christ

and what the future holds. He discusses how important the devotion to the Sacred Heart is for us personally and for the world.

“I can tell you what Christmas is all about….”

“Allow God to gaze upon you” – Reflections from Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts

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Msgr. Esseff shares some of his challenges, and yet, through it all God has been his strength. Allow God to gaze upon you. Ask the Father when He has found delight in you. Rest

with that. He shares a story of when he was a young boy, 10 cents, and the meaning of Christmas.

Be sure to visit Msgr. Esseff’s website: Building a Kingdom of Love

“You Are Not Alone” – Reflections from Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts

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Msgr. Esseff discusses the great love the Blessed Virgin Mary has for all of us. He

shares his personal experiences with the Blessed Mother and a special encounter with her love, especially through the gift of her Son. He encourages us to remember that we are never alone.

“A message of Hope” – Reflections from Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts

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Msgr. Esseff reflects on Mary’s “yes” to the Archangel Gabriel. He also talks about the violent events in Egypt, Syria and other parts of the Middle East, as well as the tragedy of

the typhoon in the Philippines. He shares his personal experience of being in Peru during the May 1970 earthquake, and how God taught him a very important lesson about how God brings about a greater good.

Msgr. Esseff also talks about the importance of doing God’s will…to love in Truth. How do we know what is authentic love? And he offers a teaching on the angels, in particular, the Guardian Angels.

Be sure to visit Msgr. Esseff’s website: Building A Kingdom of Love