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The Fourth Sunday of Advent – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast

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The Fourth Sunday of Advent – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff

On the Fourth Sunday of Advent, Msgr. Esseff reflects on the life of the Blessed Virgin Mary; her profound humility and obedience, which serve as the cornerstone of salvation through Christ. Drawing on scriptural passages, he highlights Mary’s pivotal role in the Incarnation, her identification with the “lowly,” and her deep faith in God’s will. He intertwines Mary’s example with the Christmas story. It inspires us to embrace the simplicity, humility, and joy embodied by the Holy Family. He also shares his personal experiences celebrating Christmas in Peru, illustrating how material poverty often coincides with spiritual richness and authentic joy.

Families should cultivate virtues of love, sacrifice, and service. Msgr. Esseff recounts the lives of saints and personal heroes, including his own mother and grandfather, as examples of humility and holiness in everyday life.

Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions

The Role of Humility in Salvation How does Mary’s humility and submission to God’s will inspire your understanding of obedience in your own spiritual life?
Mary as the Model Disciple In what ways can you imitate Mary’s faith and trust in God during times of uncertainty or difficulty?
The Simplicity of Christmas How can you embrace the simplicity and humility of the Holy Family in your own Christmas preparations and celebrations?
Recognizing Spiritual Richness in Poverty What lessons can you draw from the spiritually rich yet materially poor communities Monsignor Esseff describes, and how can they transform your perspective on gratitude?
The Transformative Power of the Nativity How can reflecting on the nativity scene help you encounter Christ more deeply in your daily life and relationships?
Living as Witnesses of Joy and Peace How can you radiate the joy and peace of Christmas to others in your family, community, and workplace?
The Saints as Examples of Holiness Who are the everyday “saints” in your life that inspire you to grow in holiness, and how can you emulate their virtues?
Preparing Your Heart for Christ What steps can you take during Advent to spiritually prepare your heart for Christ’s arrival this Christmas?

Gospel LK 1:39-45

“Mary set out
and traveled to the hill country in haste
to a town of Judah,
where she entered the house of Zechariah
and greeted Elizabeth.
When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting,
the infant leaped in her womb,
and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit,
cried out in a loud voice and said,
“Blessed are you among women,
and blessed is the fruit of your womb.
And how does this happen to me,
that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears,
the infant in my womb leaped for joy.
Blessed are you who believed
that what was spoken to you by the Lord
would be fulfilled.”

Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton. He was ordained on May 30, 1953, by the late Bishop William J. Hafey, D.D. at St. Peter’s Cathedral in Scranton, PA. Msgr. Esseff served a retreat director and confessor to St. Mother Teresa. He continues to offer direction and retreats for the sisters of the missionaries of charity around the world. Msgr. Esseff encountered St. Padre Pio, who would become a spiritual father to him. He has lived in areas around the world, serving in the Pontifical missions, a Catholic organization established by St. Pope John Paul II to bring the Good News to the world especially to the poor. Msgr. Esseff assisted the founders of the Institute for Priestly Formation and continues to serve as a spiritual director for the Institute. He continues to serve as a retreat leader and director to bishops, priests and sisters and seminarians and other religious leaders around the world.

The Magnificat – Venerable Bede from the Office of Readings

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From a commentary of Luke by Venerable Bede, priest

(Lib 1, 46-55: CCL 120, 37-39)

The Magnificat

Mary said: My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior. The Lord has exalted me by a gift so great, so unheard of, that language is useless to describe it, and the depths of love in my heart can scarcely grasp it. I offer then all the powers of my soul in praise and thanksgiving. As I contemplate his greatness, which knows no limits, I joyfully surrender my whole life, my senses, my judgment, for my spirit rejoices in the eternal Godhead of that Jesus, that Savior, whom I have conceived in this world of time.

The Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.

Mary looks back to the beginning of her song, where she said: My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord. Only that soul for whom the Lord in his love does great things can proclaim his greatness with fitting praise and encourage those who share her desire and purpose, saying: Join with me in proclaiming the greatness of the Lord; let us extol his name together.

Those who know the Lord, yet refuse to proclaim his greatness and sanctify his name to the limit of their power, will be called least in the kingdom of heaven. His name is called holy because in the sublimity of his unique power he surpasses every creature and is far removed from all that he had made.

He has come to the help of his servant Israel for he has remembered his promise of mercy. In a beautiful phrase Mary calls Israel the servant of the Lord. The Lord came to his aid to save him. Israel is an obedient and humble servant, in the words of Hosea: Israel was a servant, and I loved him.

Those who refuse to be humble cannot be saved. They cannot say with the prophet: See, God comes to my aid; the Lord is the helper of my soul. But anyone who makes himself humble like a little child is greater in the kingdom of heaven.

The promise he made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children for ever. This does not refer to the physical descendants of Abraham, but to his spiritual children. These are his descendants, sprung not from the flesh only, but who, whether circumcised or not, have followed him in faith. Circumcised as he was, Abraham believed, and this was credited to him as an act of righteousness.

The coming of the Savior was promised to Abraham and to his descendants for ever. These are the children of promise, to whom it is said: If you belong to Christ, then you are descendants of Abraham, heirs in accordance with the promise.

COLLECT
O God, who, seeing the human race fallen into death,
willed to redeem it by the coming of your Only Begotten Son,
grant, we pray,
that those who confess his Incarnation with humble fervor
may merit his company as their Redeemer.
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.

Excerpts from the English translation of The Liturgy of the Hours (Four Volumes) © 1974, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved.

O Rex Gentium – The O Antiphons Reflections with Sharon Doran Podcast

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O Rex Gentium

O King of the nations, and their desire,

the cornerstone making both one:

Come and save the human race,

which you fashioned from clay.

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 New Evangelization as well as Pope Benedict XVI’s exhortation for all Catholics to study scripture. To learn more go to:www.seekingtruth.net

O Rex Gentium – The O Antiphon Reflections from Fr. Giles Dimock, O.P. – Discerning Hearts Podcast

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Sixth Antiphon – December 22^nd: 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 disfigured by sin.

[1] Haggai 2:8

[2] Is. 28:16

[3] Eph. 2:14

[4] Gen. 2:7

[5] Eph. 2:20

For more visit: O Antiphons Reflections from Fr. Giles Dimock O.P.

The O Antiphon reflections are from Musings: Liturgical and Charismatic authored by Fr. Giles Dimock, O.P. and published by Discerning Hearts®

You can find the book here

Day 22: Surrendering to Christ’s Life Within Us – From the writings of Caryll Houselander – Discerning Hearts Podcasts

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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 to depend on a human being giving herself to Him in His infancy, giving her own humanity to the actual making of that infant’s humanity and giving Him her life in which to rest.

If all in whom Christ lives at all, in whom He is an infant—which means anyone whose soul is alive at all—surrendered themselves to Him, resting in Him, that He might rest in them, in each one of them the world’s redemption would begin as it began in Mary, the Mother of God.

Christ is formed in us, and we are formed into Christ, when we rest in Him and He rests in us.

Commentary: Caryll Houselander powerfully conveys that Christ, even as an infant, was fully divine and fully capable of redeeming the world. The Incarnation was a complete expression of God’s presence from the very beginning, even in the smallest and most hidden moments of His life. Yet, by His own choice, Christ lived a fully human life of growth, dependence, and suffering, all beginning with Mary’s “yes” and her nurturing of His humanity. Houselander suggests that we, too, can participate in this mystery by surrendering to Christ within us, allowing His presence to grow and work through us.

For Catholics, this resonates with the understanding of Mary as the model disciple and with the call to embody Christ in our own lives, so that the world’s redemption may continue through our union with Him.

Personal Reflection: Reflect on how you might rest in Christ today, surrendering your own desires and fears to allow Him to take root in you. In what ways can you make space for Christ to “grow” within, following Mary’s example of trust and openness?

Caryll Houselander The Passion of the Infant Christ, Sheed & Ward, 1949

For more reflections visit:
Caryll Houselander – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts

Image © Trinity Icons / Joseph M. Malham
Image used with permission
To purchase your own copy, visit Trinity Icons

A Christmas Novena – Day 7 – Discerning Hearts Podcast

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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 graciously received those holy men
who were obedient to the Divine call
and hastened to Your feet.
They recognized and worshipped You as Prince of Peace,
the Redeemer of mankind,
and the very Son of God.

Show us also Your goodness and almighty power.
Enlighten our minds,
strengthen our wills,
and inflame our hearts to know You,
to serve You,
and to love You in this life,
that we may merit to find our joy in You eternally in the life to come.

Jesus, most powerful Child,
We implore You again to help us
with the intentions we hold in the depths of our hearts.

Divine Child, great omnipotent God,
I implore through Your most Holy Mother’s most powerful intercession,
and through the boundless mercy of Your omnipotence as God,
for a favorable answer to my prayer during this Novena.
Grant us the grace of possessing You eternally
with Mary and Joseph
and of adoring You with Your holy angels and saints.
Amen.

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

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Sunday 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 1:39-45

Mary set out and went as quickly as she could to a town in the hill country of Judah. She went into Zechariah’s house and greeted Elizabeth. Now as soon as Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leapt in her womb and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. She gave a loud cry and said, ‘Of all women you are the most blessed, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. Why should I be honoured with a visit from the mother of my Lord? For the moment your greeting reached my ears, the child in my womb leapt for joy. Yes, blessed is she who believed that the promise made her by the Lord would be fulfilled.’

What word made this passage come alive for you?

What did you sense the Lord saying to you?

Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:

Mary set out and went as quickly as she could to a town in the hill country of Judah. She went into Zechariah’s house and greeted Elizabeth. Now as soon as Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leapt in her womb and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. She gave a loud cry and said, ‘Of all women you are the most blessed, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. Why should I be honoured with a visit from the mother of my Lord? For the moment your greeting reached my ears, the child in my womb leapt for joy. Yes, blessed is she who believed that the promise made her by the Lord would be fulfilled.’

What did your heart feel as you listened?

What did you sense the Lord saying to you?

Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:

Mary set out and went as quickly as she could to a town in the hill country of Judah. She went into Zechariah’s house and greeted Elizabeth. Now as soon as Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leapt in her womb and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. She gave a loud cry and said, ‘Of all women you are the most blessed, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. Why should I be honoured with a visit from the mother of my Lord? For the moment your greeting reached my ears, the child in my womb leapt for joy. Yes, blessed is she who believed that the promise made her by the Lord would be fulfilled.’

What did your heart feel as you prayed?

What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?

Our Father, who art in heaven,

hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread,

and forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass against us,

and lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

May the Lord bless us, and keep us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life.

Amen

Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.

O Oriens – The O Antiphons Reflections with Sharon Doran – Discerning Hearts Podcast

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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.

O Oriens – The O Antiphon Reflections from Fr. Giles Dimock, O.P. – Discerning Hearts Podcast

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Fifth Antiphon –
December 21^st: 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. 1:3

[3] Mal. 4:2

[4] Luke 1:78

[5] John 8:12

For more visit: O Antiphons Reflections from Fr. Giles Dimock O.P.

The O Antiphon reflections are from Musings: Liturgical and Charismatic authored by Fr. Giles Dimock, O.P. and published by Discerning Hearts®

You can find the book here

Day 21: Trusting with Christ’s Heart – From the writings of Caryll Houselander – Discerning Hearts Podcasts

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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 are too weak; we could not believe in God’s goodness if we had only ourselves to believe with, neither could we love one another if we had only ourselves to love with. We can trust God with Christ’s trust in the Father; that is the trust which is our rest.

Commentary: Caryll Houselander reassures us that each of our lives, no matter how small or difficult they may seem, holds immense value to God because Christ lives within us. God’s infinite love and attention are concentrated on each person in whom Christ dwells. This divine presence grants us the ability to trust in ways that surpass our own limited capacities. Left to our own strength, faith and love may feel impossible, but with Christ alive in us, we can trust with His own unwavering confidence in the Father. For Catholics, this reflects the strength of union with Christ, especially in moments of prayer and sacramental grace, where we are drawn into the mystery of divine trust and rest.

Personal Reflection: Consider an area of your life where you struggle to trust. How might seeing yourself as a dwelling place of Christ help you lean on His strength rather than your own? Today, ask Christ to fill you with His trust in the Father.

Caryll Houselander The Passion of the Infant Christ, Sheed & Ward, 1949

The Fourth Sunday of Advent – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff

Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions

Gospel LK 1:39-45

From a commentary of Luke by Venerable Bede, priest

The Magnificat

Excerpts from the English translation of The Liturgy of the Hours (Four Volumes) © 1974, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved.

O Rex Gentium

Sixth Antiphon – December 22nd: O Rex Gentium

For more visit: O Antiphons Reflections from Fr. Giles Dimock O.P.

For more reflections visit: Caryll Houselander – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts

A Christmas Novena – Day 7 – Forgiveness

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

Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.

O Oriens

Fifth Antiphon – December 21st: O Oriens

For more visit: O Antiphons Reflections from Fr. Giles Dimock O.P.

For more reflections visit: Caryll Houselander – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts

Sixth Antiphon – December 22^nd: O Rex Gentium

For more reflections visit:
Caryll Houselander – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts

Fifth Antiphon –
December 21^st: O Oriens

For more reflections visit:
Caryll Houselander – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts