How Can You Be the Light of Christ? -The Epiphany – Building a Kingdom of Love w/ Msgr. John Esseff

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Do people see Christ in you?

In this podcast episode, Monsignor John Esseff reflects on the significance of the Epiphany, a Christian feast day that celebrates the revelation of God incarnate as Jesus Christ. He begins by reflecting on the beauty of the stars and their symbolism as a guide. Monsignor explains that the Epiphany commemorates the manifestation of Jesus to the Gentiles, represented by the three kings who followed a star to find Jesus and offer gifts, fulfilling ancient prophecies.

He emphasizes that Jesus’ birth was not only for the Jews but for all nations. This universal aspect of Jesus’ mission is highlighted by the fact that the Magi were from different nations. Msgr. Esseff relates this story to the present, asking listeners to consider how Jesus is manifested in today’s world. He suggests that each individual has the potential to reveal Christ to others through their actions and words.

The podcast includes personal anecdotes and reflections on how various individuals, including saints and ordinary people, have radiated the light of Christ in their lives. Msgr. Esseff encourages listeners to be a “star” in their community, radiating the light and love of Jesus through their actions and interactions. He concludes with a call for all Christians to manifest Christ in their daily lives, shining as lights to the nations and continuing the work of the Epiphany in the modern world.

Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions:

Reflection on Embodying Christ’s Teachings: How can you actively demonstrate Christ’s teachings and love through your actions and interactions with others? Consider how your behavior, speech, and overall demeanor can serve as a reflection of Jesus’s message in your community and daily life.
Understanding of Epiphany: How does the story of the Epiphany, with the three kings and the star, deepen your understanding of God’s universal love and plan for salvation? Reflect on the significance of Jesus being revealed not just to the Jews, but to all nations.
Role Models of Faith: Msgr. Esseff mentioned various individuals who radiated Christ’s light in their lives. Who in your life has been a “radiant star,” guiding you closer to Jesus? Reflect on how their example has influenced your faith journey.
Call to Action: Msgr. Esseff emphasizes being a light to the nations. What specific actions can you take in your community or circle of influence to be a source of Christ’s light and love to others?
Personal Epiphanies: Have you experienced any moments of epiphany in your own spiritual journey where Christ was particularly revealed to you? Reflect on these moments and consider how they have shaped your relationship with God and your understanding of your Christian mission.

Reading 1 IS 60:1-6

Rise up in splendor, Jerusalem! Your light has come,
the glory of the Lord shines upon you.
See, darkness covers the earth,
and thick clouds cover the peoples;
but upon you the LORD shines,
and over you appears his glory.
Nations shall walk by your light,
and kings by your shining radiance.
Raise your eyes and look about;
they all gather and come to you:
your sons come from afar,
and your daughters in the arms of their nurses.

Then you shall be radiant at what you see,
your heart shall throb and overflow,
for the riches of the sea shall be emptied out before you,
the wealth of nations shall be brought to you.
Caravans of camels shall fill you,
dromedaries from Midian and Ephah;
all from Sheba shall come
bearing gold and frankincense,
and proclaiming the praises of the LORD.

Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton. Msgr. Esseff served as a retreat director and confessor to St. Teresa of Calcutta. 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 Pope St. John Paul II to bring the Good News to the world, especially to the poor. He continues to serve as a retreat leader and director to bishops, priests, sisters, seminarians, and other religious leaders around the world.

SJC6 – Intense Certitude of Love – St. John of the Cross with Fr. Donald Haggerty – Discerning Hearts Podcast

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Intense Certitude of Love – St. John of the Cross: Master of Contemplation with Fr. Donald Haggerty

Fr. Donald Haggerty and Kris McGregor use the works of St. John of the Cross to discuss the importance of aligning the human will with God’s will, as true spiritual union is found in this conformity. St. John’s focus is not on extraordinary mystical experiences but on living a life of love and charity through small, intentional acts, as exemplified by saints like St. Thérèse of Lisieux. These daily acts of love deepen one’s union with God and cultivate sensitivity to His presence in prayer and life.

The need for discernment in spiritual experiences, cautioning against becoming overly attached to consolations or mystical aspirations, is true spiritual maturity: it involves perseverance through the “seasons” of prayer, including times of dryness and challenge. Drawing on scripture and sacramental life, St. John of the Cross tells us to focus on God Himself rather than seeking personal emotional experiences, allowing love and a desire to please God to guide their actions and deepen their contemplative journey.

Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions

The Role of Love in Spiritual Growth: How do you ensure that your daily actions and spiritual practices are rooted in love and charity?
Aligning Your Will with God’s Will: What steps can you take to conform your desires and decisions more fully to God’s will?
Embracing Small Acts of Holiness: How can you incorporate small, intentional acts of love into your daily life to deepen your spiritual union with God?
Discerning Spiritual Experiences: How do you discern whether a spiritual experience or inspiration is truly from God?
Perseverance in Prayer: How do you remain faithful in prayer through times of dryness or spiritual challenge?
Avoiding Attachment to Consolations: What practices help you focus on God Himself rather than seeking personal emotional or mystical experiences?
Scripture and Sacraments as Foundations: How can you use scripture and the sacraments to enrich your prayer life and relationship with God?
The Call to Serve Others: How are you responding to God’s call to care for the poor, lonely, or suffering in your life?
Balancing Interior and Exterior Devotion: How do you balance personal prayer and contemplation with active love and service to others?
Living a Life of Trust and Surrender: How can you grow in trust, allowing God to guide your life even when His plans are unclear?

An excerpt from St. John of the Cross: Master of Contemplation

“The initial insecurity of a darkened experience in faith, advancing by unknowing, surely requires some adjustment and an assimilation. However, the insecurity need not continue interminably. The deliberate refusal of satisfaction for the intellect in prayer may be for a certain period of purification a radical austerity for the intellect. But the result in time can be to sense a door opening into a purer encounter with God himself. He who is infinite mystery in his being must be approached in the unknown truth of his infinitude as Someone known and loved. Intensity of faith accompanies the more intense love that unites us personally to God. As heard earlier in this chapter and worth repeating: “Only by means of faith, in divine light exceeding all understanding, does God manifest himself to the soul. The greater one’s faith, the closer is one’s union with God” (AMC 2.9.1). A pure, naked faith will come to know the presence of God in a more intense certitude of love. Every other sense of understanding God must be subjugated in prayer to the truth of God as the exceedingly Almighty One who is loved. In the following passage, Saint John of the Cross insists on the vigor of an intense desire needed for the pursuit of God precisely when our intellect in faith is submerged in an incomprehension of God’s ultimate mystery. This longer quotation conveys how narrow and serious is the road into the night of contemplation where a blessed contact with God awaits the depths of a soul in its prayer.”

Haggerty, Donald. Saint John of the Cross: Master of Contemplation (pp. 78-79). Ignatius Press. Kindle Edition.

For more episodes in this series visit Fr. Haggerty’s Discerning Hearts page here

You find the book on which this series is based here.

St. Gregory of Nazianzus – The Doctors of the Church with Dr. Matthew Bunson – Discerning Hearts Podcast

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St. Gregory of Nazianzus – The Doctors of the Church with Dr. Matthew Bunson

Born: 329 AD
Died: January 1, 390 AD

Dr. Matthew Bunson and Kris McGregor explore St. Gregory of Nazianzus (Nazianzen), a doctor of the Church. St. Gregory faced the Arian heresy and a tension between solitude and serving as a priest. His theological contributions include emphasizing “consubstantial” and defending the Trinity. Dr. Bunson highlights his views on Christ’s full humanity, theosis, and the connection between theology and prayer, making special note of Pope Benedict XVI’s insights on St. Gregory as well.

St. Gregory’s teachings provide timeless prescriptions for addressing heresy, offering valuable lessons for today’s challenges in defending the faith.

Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions:

How does St. Gregory of Nazianzus’ struggle between solitude and active service resonate with your own spiritual journey and the challenges of balancing personal prayer with engagement in the world?
In what ways can St. Gregory’s response to the Arian heresy inspire you to actively defend and uphold the Church’s teachings in your community or personal life?
Reflect on the significance of the term “consubstantial” in describing the relationship within the Trinity. How does this theological concept deepen your understanding of God?
Consider St. Gregory’s emphasis on theosis. How can you strive to become more like Christ in your daily life?
How can you integrate prayer into your study of theology to enhance your relationship with God and the Church?

For more on St. Gregory of Nazianzus and his teachings:

Gregory Nazianzen
– Orations
– Letters

For more from Dr. Matthew Bunson check out his Discerning Hearts page

Dr. Matthew E. Bunson is a Register senior editor and senior contributor to EWTN News. For the past 20 years, he has been active in the area of Catholic social communications and education, including writing, editing, and teaching on a variety of topics related to Church history, the papacy, the saints, and Catholic culture. He is faculty chair at Catholic Distance University, a senior fellow of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology, and the author or co-author of over 50 books including The Encyclopedia of Catholic History, The Pope Encyclopedia, We Have a Pope! Benedict XVI, The Saints Encyclopedia and best-selling biographies of St. Damien of Molokai and St. Kateri Tekakwitha.

St. Basil the Great – The Doctors of the Church with Dr. Matthew Bunson – Discerning Hearts Podcast

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St. Basil the Great – The Doctors of the Church with Dr. Matthew Bunson

Born: 330 AD, Kayseri, Turkey
Died: January 1, 379 AD, Kayseri, Turkey
Siblings: Gregory of Nyssa, Macrina the Younger, Theosebia

Dr. Matthew Bunson and Kris McGregor discuss the life of St. Basil the Great. St. Basil defended Christ’s divinity during the Arian controversy, contributed significantly to understanding the Holy Trinity and pneumatology. Pope St. Pius V declared him a doctor of the Church in 1568 amid the Council of Trent. St. Basil’s commitment to social teachings, exemplified as bishop of Caesarea, reflects his deep concern for the dignity of every person.

The significance of his family, including siblings like St. Gregory of Nyssa, is acknowledged. St. Basil’s emphasis on eternal life and indifference to worldly achievements serves as a key aspect of his legacy.

Dr. Bunson provides insights into the multifaceted contributions of St. Basil as a defender of faith, social advocate, and influential figure in the development of monastic traditions.

Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions:

How does St. Basil’s defense of Christ’s divinity during the Arian controversy inspire your understanding of the importance of precise theological language in discussions about faith?
In what ways can we, like St. Basil, actively engage in social teachings and demonstrate a deep concern for the dignity of every person in our communities?
Reflect on St. Basil’s contributions to monasticism, particularly his emphasis on communal living, care for the poor, and humility. How can these principles be applied to your own spiritual journey?
Consider the significance of St. Basil’s family, including St. Gregory of Nyssa. How does the family dynamic contribute to their collective impact on the Church, and how might our own families reflect and support our faith?
St. Basil placed great importance on eternal life over earthly achievements. How can we adopt a similar perspective in our daily lives, focusing on spiritual growth and the pursuit of the divine rather than worldly success?

For more from Dr. Matthew Bunson check out his Discerning Hearts page

Day 1 – The Iron Mountain of Stability – From the writings of St. Hildegard von Bingen – Discerning Hearts Podcasts

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The Iron Mountain of Stability – From the writings of St. Hildegard von Bingen – Discerning Hearts Podcasts

Quote: “I saw a great mountain the color of iron, and enthroned on it One of such great glory that it blinded my sight. On each side of him there extended a soft shadow, like a wing of wondrous breadth and length. Before him, at the foot of the mountain, stood an image full of eyes on all sides, in which, because of those eyes, I could discern no human form.” (Scivias, Part I, Vision 1)

Commentary: St. Hildegard’s vision of the iron mountain reflects the enduring strength and stability of God’s Kingdom. Paragraph 271 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that God governs creation with wisdom, strength, and gentleness. This resonates with Chapter 19 of the Rule of St. Benedict, which reminds us to cultivate humility and reverence in God’s presence. The image of “eyes on all sides” symbolizes God’s omniscience, calling us to live in trust and openness before Him.

Reflection/Call to Action: reflect on the ways God has been your unshakable foundation amidst life’s challenges. In prayer, ask for the grace to trust in His wisdom and all-knowing guidance, even when the path ahead seems unclear. Consider journaling about moments where God’s stability brought peace to your heart, and resolve to live with greater confidence in His enduring presence

For more selections and DH Commentary from the writings of St. Hildegard von Bingen visit here

About St. Hildegard of Bingen
St. Hildegard of Bingen (1098–1179) was a Benedictine abbess, mystic, theologian, and visionary whose profound spiritual insights and writings continue to inspire. Declared a Doctor of the Church in 2012, she is celebrated for her work Scivias (“Know the Ways”), which captures her vivid visions of God’s glory and the divine order of creation. A pioneer in music, natural science, and theology, Hildegard’s life embodies the Benedictine charism of humility, reverence, and dedication to God’s will.

TM10 – A Heart Set on Holiness – St. Therese and Marie: The Story of Two Cousins with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcast

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Episode 10 – A Heart Set on Holiness – St. Thérèse and Marie: The Story of Two Cousins with Fr. Timothy Gallagher

Fr. Timothy Gallagher and Kris McGregor explore the final months of St. Thérèse of Lisieux and her profound spiritual journey amidst extreme physical suffering. They delve into her ability to remain joyful and other-centered despite her struggles, as highlighted through the letters of her cousin Marie.

These letters vividly portray Thérèse’s perseverance in love, her humor even in the face of immense pain, and her heroic efforts to console those around her. This disposition exemplifies her “little way” of offering herself entirely to God, turning ordinary moments of suffering into extraordinary acts of love and faith.

St. Thérèse’s deeply selfless nature, as she consistently sought to lighten the burdens of her sisters and caregivers, demonstrates a heroic commitment to pleasing God and others through love.

Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions

Embracing Joy Amidst Suffering: How can you cultivate a joyful and other-centered disposition in moments of personal pain or hardship?
Living the “Little Way”: What small, ordinary acts of love and sacrifice can you offer to God in your daily life?
Strength in Community: How do your relationships reflect the love and support exemplified by St. Thérèse and her sisters in their Carmel community?
Responding to God’s Call: What steps can you take to faithfully respond to God’s invitation to holiness in your current circumstances?
Encouraging Holiness in Others: How can you inspire and support those around you to grow in their faith and spiritual life?
Offering Suffering for Others: In what ways can you offer your struggles for the spiritual benefit of others, as St. Thérèse did?
Trusting in God’s Grace: How does St. Thérèse’s unwavering trust in God challenge you to deepen your own reliance on His grace?
Leaving a Legacy of Love: What legacy of faith, love, and joy are you leaving for those who come after you?

About this Series

Fr. Timothy Gallagher reflects upon the enduring legacy of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, exploring how her life and spirituality were deeply influenced by her family and how it offers profound insights into everyday holiness. He examines the role of family and spiritual friendships in nurturing faith, the importance of compassionate care for others, and how Thérèse’s example can inspire listeners to seek sanctity in their daily lives. He also brings forth more details of the spiritual bond between the Martin and Guérin families, offering a model for fostering deeper connections within one’s own family and community.

Father Timothy M. Gallagher, O.M.V., was ordained in 1979 as a member of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary, a religious community dedicated to retreats and spiritual formation according to the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. Fr. Gallagher is featured on the EWTN series “Living the Discerning Life: The Spiritual Teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola.” For more information on how to obtain copies of Fr. Gallaghers’s various books and audio, which are available for purchase, please visit his website: frtimothygallagher.org

Did you know that Fr. Timothy Gallagher has 14 different podcast series on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts?
Visit here to discover more!

SISL19 – Conclusion – Struggles in the Spiritual Life with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcasts

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Conclusion – Struggles in the Spiritual Life with Fr. Timothy Gallagher O.M.V.

In this episode, Fr. Timothy Gallagher explains how St. Ignatius’ teachings provide practical, clear, and compassionate tools for discerning spiritual movements like consolation and desolation. By understanding these movements and responding to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, individuals can deepen their relationship with God. God’s tender and transformative engagement with humanity, as seen in Jesus’ encounters in the Gospels, is an encouragement to embrace spiritual growth with openness and trust.

Fr. Gallagher reflects on Christian joy, drawing from St. Paul VI’s Gaudete in Domino, which describes true joy as rooted in union with the Triune God, transcending material and natural pleasures. He incorporates St. Thérèse of Lisieux’s wisdom, emphasizing God’s sufficiency and the transformative power of grace to persevere through life’s spiritual struggles.

You can pick up a copy of the book here.

Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions

Understanding Spiritual Movements: How do you recognize and respond to moments of spiritual consolation and desolation in your own life?
God’s Tender Presence: In what ways do you experience God’s gentle and transformative love in your struggles?
Rooted in Joy: How can the joy of union with the Triune God shape your perspective on material and natural joys?
The Power of Grace: What first step is God inviting you to take, trusting in His grace to carry you forward?
Journeying Toward Holiness: How does understanding spiritual struggles as part of your path to sanctity inspire hope and perseverance in your faith journey?

An excerpt from the chapter, “Conclusion”:

“The day was August 8, 1897, the month before her death. Thérèse lay on her sickbed. Her sister Pauline was with her in the room. As she lay there, Thérèse pondered her life. In particular, she remembered the Christmas night eleven years earlier when she received what she had called “the grace of my complete conversion.” On that “night of light,” God’s grace and an act of courage liberated her from the nervousness and sensitivity that had oppressed her for years. Thérèse thought, too, of Judith in the Old Testament and of the courage with which she had acted. Thérèse began to speak.

Many, she told her sister, feel that they lack such courage. Then she said, “God never refuses that first grace that gives one the courage to act; afterwards, the heart is strengthened, and one advances from victory to victory.” That is the message of this book. A path to liberation from discouragement, confusion, and pain in the spiritual life exists.

God has not called us to captivity but to freedom. Clarity regarding the struggle is possible, and remedies are available. Begin. Take the first step. Take it now. And take it knowing that “God never refuses that first grace that gives one the courage to act; afterwards, the heart is strengthened, and one advances from victory to victory.” May that grace and that courage bless our spiritual lives.”

Gallagher O.M.V, Fr. Timothy ; Gallagher O.M.V, Fr. Timothy. Struggles in the Spiritual Life: Their Nature and Their Remedies (p. 144). Sophia Institute Press. Kindle Edition.

To find more episodes from this series, visit the Struggles in the Spiritual Life Podcast

From the book’s description: “Here is a powerful, life-changing book that will help you understand and conquer the struggles you face in your spiritual life. It’s a book for those who love the Lord and desire holiness yet often feel adrift or stagnant in their search for spiritual growth.

All of us encounter valleys on our journey with the Lord — those periods of spiritual desolation that are a painful yet unavoidable feature of our prayer life. Spiritual desolation is as complex as we are, so understanding what is happening and responding to it properly are critical to reaching the heights of holiness.

With warmth and understanding, Fr. Gallagher carefully identifies in this book the various forms of spiritual and nonspiritual desolation and supplies the remedy for each. You’ll learn how to discern whether your struggles derive from medical or psychological conditions or whether those struggles are spiritual and permitted by the Lord for reasons of growth. In each case, you’ll be given the remedy for the struggle. You’ll also learn the forms of spiritual dryness and of the Dark Night — and how to respond to them.

In chapter after chapter, Fr. Gallagher presents a particular struggle as experienced by fictional characters and then provides the advice he gives to those who come to him for spiritual direction about that struggle. You’ll gain confidence as you journey through desolation, and you’ll learn to reject the enemy’s ploys to infect you with a sense of hopelessness.”

Did you know that Fr. Timothy Gallagher has 14 different podcast series on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts?
Visit here to discover more!

Holy Family Sunday: Honoring Mother and Father – Building a Kingdom of Love /w Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast

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Holy Family Sunday – Honoring Mother and Father

Msgr. John Esseff reflects on the need for healing mother and father wounds, a topic that resonates with many. With his deep spiritual insight and experience, he reflects on the complex dynamics of family life and the crucial roles of understanding and forgiveness.

Through intricacies of parental relationships and the profound impact of fatherhood, Msgr. Esseff shares personal narratives that illustrate the journey of reconciling with parental figures and the transformative power of forgiveness, and how these familial relationships significantly influence our spiritual and emotional growth.

Central to the reflection is the healing from mother and father wounds, the emotional scars left by strained or absent parental relationships and how the path to healing these deep-seated wounds. We are encouraged to explore forgiveness, not just as a religious act, but as a vital step towards inner peace and spiritual maturity.

Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions:

1. Understanding Parental Influence: Reflect on how your relationship with your parents has shaped your faith and personal beliefs. What positive lessons have you learned, and what challenges have you faced?
2. Healing and Forgiveness: Consider any wounds or unresolved issues you may have with your parents. How can you approach these with a spirit of forgiveness and understanding, as guided by Catholic teachings?
3. Role of Fathers in Faith: How has the role of your father or father figures impacted your spiritual life? Reflect on the importance of fatherhood in the Catholic faith.
4. Caring for Aging Parents: Reflect on the commandment to honor your father and mother. How does this apply to caring for aging parents in today’s world, and how can you balance this responsibility with other duties?
5. Embracing Love and Understanding: How can you better incorporate the virtues of love, patience, and understanding in your family relationships, as modeled by the Holy Family?
6. Personal Transformation through Forgiveness: Share a personal experience where forgiveness led to healing and transformation in your family or community.
7. Spiritual Growth through Family Dynamics: In what ways have your family experiences contributed to your spiritual growth? How can you use these experiences to deepen your faith?
8. Impact of Absent Parents: If applicable, reflect on the impact of an absent parent in your life. How has this shaped your understanding of God as a Father?
9. Prayer and Family Life: How can prayer strengthen your family relationships? Consider developing a prayer routine that includes praying for and with family members.
10. Role Modeling and Legacy: What legacy do you wish to leave for your children or future generations in terms of faith and family values?

Reading 1 SIR 3:2-6, 12-14

God sets a father in honor over his children;
a mother’s authority he confirms over her sons.
Whoever honors his father atones for sins,
and preserves himself from them.
When he prays, he is heard;
he stores up riches who reveres his mother.
Whoever honors his father is gladdened by children,
and, when he prays, is heard.
Whoever reveres his father will live a long life;
he who obeys his father brings comfort to his mother.My son, take care of your father when he is old;
grieve him not as long as he lives.
Even if his mind fail, be considerate of him;
revile him not all the days of his life;
kindness to a father will not be forgotten,
firmly planted against the debt of your sins
—a house raised in justice to you.

Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton. He served as a retreat director and confessor to St. Teresa of Calcutta and encountered St. Padre Pio, who became a spiritual father to him. Msgr. Esseff has lived in various parts of the world, working in the Pontifical missions, a Catholic organization established by Pope St. John Paul II to spread the Good News, especially to the poor. Msgr. Esseff continues his service as a retreat leader and director for bishops, priests, sisters, seminarians, and other religious leaders worldwide.

TM9 – The Passion of Saint Therese – St. Therese and Marie: The Story of Two Cousins with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcast

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Episode 9 – The Passion of Saint Thérèse – St. Thérèse and Marie: The Story of Two Cousins with Fr. Timothy Gallagher

**The last 30 minutes of this episode contains graphic descriptions that some might find disturbing.
Listener discretion is advised.**

Fr. Timothy Gallagher and Kris McGregor examine the profound and often overlooked suffering of St. Thérèse of Lisieux during the final months of her life in 1897. The narrative begins with the context of her perpetual profession as a Carmelite and the subsequent public ceremony where she received the black veil, marking her definitive commitment.

He goes into Thérèse’s deteriorating health, marked by severe tuberculosis, which inflicted immense physical and spiritual pain. Despite the excruciating treatments and the lack of adequate pain relief, Thérèse maintained a remarkable composure, often displaying humor and unwavering faith. Her spiritual struggle, characterized by a profound darkness of faith, is juxtaposed with her outward calm and readiness to embrace suffering and unite it with Christ.

These struggles also took a significant emotional toll on her family and the Carmelite community, reinforcing the deep love and admiration they held for her. These accounts shed light on the lesser-known aspects of Thérèse’s final journey, revealing the depth of her suffering and the strength of her faith.

Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions

Self-Denial and Saving Souls: How can we practically apply Thérèse’s teaching on self-forgetfulness and saving souls to our lives, balancing self-care and self-sacrifice within Catholic self-denial?
The Hidden Suffering of a Saint: How does the delayed revelation of Thérèse’s suffering deepen or challenge our understanding of her “Little Way” and redemptive suffering?
The Body as Temple: Medical Details and Overall Understanding: How do Marie’s medical details about Thérèse contribute to an overall understanding of her, connecting to the Catholic view of the body as a temple?
Discerning Encouragement and Prioritizing Well-being: How do we discern between encouraging perseverance through suffering and prioritizing well-being, especially when caring for others?
The Spirituality of the Holy Face and Finding God in Suffering: How does meditating on Christ’s suffering (the “Holy Face”) inform our understanding of suffering and our relationship with God in difficult times?

About this Series

Did you know that Fr. Timothy Gallagher has 14 different podcast series on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts?
Visit here to discover more!

“Proclaim it to the World” – a Christmas message from Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast

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A Christmas message for everyone from Msgr. Esseff!

Is 52:7-10

How beautiful upon the mountains
are the feet of him who brings glad tidings,
announcing peace, bearing good news,
announcing salvation, and saying to Zion,
“Your God is King!”

Hark! Your sentinels raise a cry,
together they shout for joy,
for they see directly, before their eyes,
the LORD restoring Zion.
Break out together in song,
O ruins of Jerusalem!
For the LORD comforts his people,
he redeems Jerusalem.
The LORD has bared his holy arm
in the sight of all the nations;
all the ends of the earth will behold
the salvation of our God.

Gospel Jn 1:1-18.

In the beginning was the Word,
and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
He was in the beginning with God.
All things came to be through him,
and without him nothing came to be.
What came to be through him was life,
and this life was the light of the human race;
the light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness has not overcome it.
A man named John was sent from God.
He came for testimony, to testify to the light,
so that all might believe through him.
He was not the light,
but came to testify to the light.
The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.
He was in the world,
and the world came to be through him,
but the world did not know him.
He came to what was his own,
but his own people did not accept him.But to those who did accept him
he gave power to become children of God,
to those who believe in his name,
who were born not by natural generation
nor by human choice nor by a man’s decision
but of God.
And the Word became flesh
and made his dwelling among us,
and we saw his glory,
the glory as of the Father’s only Son,
full of grace and truth.
John testified to him and cried out, saying,
“This was he of whom I said,
‘The one who is coming after me ranks ahead of me
because he existed before me.’”
From his fullness we have all received,
grace in place of grace,
because while the law was given through Moses,
grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
No one has ever seen God.
The only Son, God, who is at the Father’s side,
has revealed him.

For more from Msgr. John Esseff visit: Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff podcasts

Do people see Christ in you?

Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions:

Reading 1 IS 60:1-6

Intense Certitude of Love – St. John of the Cross: Master of Contemplation with Fr. Donald Haggerty

Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions

An excerpt from St. John of the Cross: Master of Contemplation

For more episodes in this series visit Fr. Haggerty’s Discerning Hearts page here

You find the book on which this series is based here.

St. Gregory of Nazianzus – The Doctors of the Church with Dr. Matthew Bunson

Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions:

St. Basil the Great – The Doctors of the Church with Dr. Matthew Bunson

Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions:

The Iron Mountain of Stability – From the writings of St. Hildegard von Bingen – Discerning Hearts Podcasts

Episode 10 – A Heart Set on Holiness – St. Thérèse and Marie: The Story of Two Cousins with Fr. Timothy Gallagher

Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions

About this Series

Did you know that Fr. Timothy Gallagher has 14 different podcast series on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts? Visit here to discover more!

Conclusion – Struggles in the Spiritual Life with Fr. Timothy Gallagher O.M.V.

You can pick up a copy of the book here.

Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions

An excerpt from the chapter, “Conclusion”:

To find more episodes from this series, visit the Struggles in the Spiritual Life Podcast

Did you know that Fr. Timothy Gallagher has 14 different podcast series on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts? Visit here to discover more!

Holy Family Sunday – Honoring Mother and Father

Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions:

Reading 1 SIR 3:2-6, 12-14

Episode 9 – The Passion of Saint Thérèse – St. Thérèse and Marie: The Story of Two Cousins with Fr. Timothy Gallagher

Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions

About this Series

Did you know that Fr. Timothy Gallagher has 14 different podcast series on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts? Visit here to discover more!

Gospel Jn 1:1-18.

Did you know that Fr. Timothy Gallagher has 14 different podcast series on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts?
Visit here to discover more!

Did you know that Fr. Timothy Gallagher has 14 different podcast series on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts?
Visit here to discover more!

Did you know that Fr. Timothy Gallagher has 14 different podcast series on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts?
Visit here to discover more!