Building Kingdom of Love Archives

Palm Sunday: Uniting With Christ – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast

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Palm Sunday: Uniting Our Pain With Christ – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff

Msgr. John Esseff passionately proclaims the resurrection of Jesus Christ not just as a past event but as a living reality. He invites all people—regardless of background or faith tradition—to hear the Good News that Jesus has conquered death and now lives, offering eternal life and peace. Merely being baptized or identifying as a Christian isn’t enough without a personal encounter with the risen Christ. Citing examples from his ministry, including a then-recent prison baptism, this encounter transforms lives. The period following Easter is not a conclusion, but a beginning—a mystagogical season leading to Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit empowers the faithful to witness like Peter, who only truly changed after receiving the Spirit.

Msgr. Esseff calls the next fifty days a sacred time of preparation for a deeper union with Christ and a bold mission to witness His resurrection to the world. He challenges us to reflect on their own transformation and purpose, asking how they will share Christ’s life in the world today. He affirms that Jesus continues to enter hearts and lives through baptism, the Word, and the sacraments, offering love, peace, and eternal life to all who receive Him.

Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions

Have I truly encountered the risen Jesus in a personal and transformative way?
What does my baptism mean to me today, and how is it shaping my daily life?
How am I participating in the 50-day journey from Easter to Pentecost with openness to the Holy Spirit?
Do I live as someone who believes in the resurrection, or merely observe it as a tradition?
In what ways am I witnessing to Christ in my home, parish, and community?
Have I allowed Jesus to enter the broken areas of my life with His healing and resurrection power?
How often do I open Scripture to listen for Jesus and allow His Word to touch my heart?
What is the Holy Spirit prompting me to do in response to the gift of the resurrection?
Do I recognize my mission to help others encounter the living Jesus through love and service?
How will I intentionally grow in union with Christ in these days leading to Pentecost?

At The Procession With Palms – Gospel MT 21:1-11

When Jesus and the disciples drew near Jerusalem
and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives,
Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them,
“Go into the village opposite you,
and immediately you will find an ass tethered,
and a colt with her.
Untie them and bring them here to me.
And if anyone should say anything to you, reply,
‘The master has need of them.’
Then he will send them at once.”
This happened so that what had been spoken through the prophet
might be fulfilled:
Say to daughter Zion,
“Behold, your king comes to you,
meek and riding on an ass,
and on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.”
The disciples went and did as Jesus had ordered them.
They brought the ass and the colt and laid their cloaks over them,
and he sat upon them.
The very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road,
while others cut branches from the trees
and strewed them on the road.
The crowds preceding him and those following
kept crying out and saying:
“Hosanna to the Son of David;
blessed is the he who comes in the name of the Lord;
hosanna in the highest.”
And when he entered Jerusalem
the whole city was shaken and asked, “Who is this?”
And the crowds replied,
“This is Jesus the prophet, from Nazareth in Galilee.”

Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton. Msgr. Esseff served 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 and sisters and seminarians and other religious leaders around the world.

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

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The Fifth Sunday of Lent – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff

Msgr. John Esseff explores the Gospel passage of the woman caught in adultery and Christ’s merciful response in contrast to the harsh judgment of the Pharisees. He invites us to recognize their own sinfulness and brokenness rather than focusing on the faults of others. Jesus alone offers the healing and transformation that leads to holiness. The encounter is not just about avoiding judgment but about experiencing a deep personal union with Christ, who refuses to condemn and instead offers freedom and a new beginning.

Lent is portrayed as a journey of letting go of self-reliance and past failures, and stepping into deeper trust and hope in Jesus. He cautions against the traps of envy, unforgiveness, and despair, which can hinder one’s growth in union with God. Through the sacraments and the Holy Spirit’s guidance, one is drawn more fully into the life of Christ, who alone is righteousness and peace.

Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions

How do I respond when confronted with the sins of others—do I seek mercy or judgment?
In what ways have I failed to recognize my own need for Christ’s healing and forgiveness?
What areas of my life still resist full union with Jesus?
Do I cling to past sins and failures, or do I trust in God’s power to transform me?
Am I envious of the blessings others receive instead of rejoicing in them as gifts to the Body of Christ?
How have I allowed fear or anxiety to overshadow my trust in God’s providence?
Do I truly believe that Christ alone is my righteousness and not my personal efforts?
When was the last time I allowed the Holy Spirit to reveal the deeper wounds in my heart?
Have I used the sacrament of Reconciliation this Lent to bring my brokenness to Christ?
How can I grow in the peace and serenity that come from a deeper relationship with Jesus?

From the NAB Gospel LK 15:1-3, 11-32

“Tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to Jesus,
but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying,
“This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
So to them Jesus addressed this parable:
“A man had two sons, and the younger son said to his father,
‘Father give me the share of your estate that should come to me.’
So the father divided the property between them.
After a few days, the younger son collected all his belongings
and set off to a distant country
where he squandered his inheritance on a life of dissipation.
When he had freely spent everything,
a severe famine struck that country,
and he found himself in dire need.
So he hired himself out to one of the local citizens
who sent him to his farm to tend the swine.
And he longed to eat his fill of the pods on which the swine fed,
but nobody gave him any.
Coming to his senses he thought,
‘How many of my father’s hired workers
have more than enough food to eat,
but here am I, dying from hunger.
I shall get up and go to my father and I shall say to him,
“Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.
I no longer deserve to be called your son;
treat me as you would treat one of your hired workers.”’
So he got up and went back to his father.
While he was still a long way off,
his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion.
He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him.
His son said to him,
‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you;
I no longer deserve to be called your son.’
But his father ordered his servants,
‘Quickly bring the finest robe and put it on him;
put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.
Take the fattened calf and slaughter it.
Then let us celebrate with a feast,
because this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again;
he was lost, and has been found.’
Then the celebration began.
Now the older son had been out in the field
and, on his way back, as he neared the house,
he heard the sound of music and dancing.
He called one of the servants and asked what this might mean.
The servant said to him,
‘Your brother has returned
and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf
because he has him back safe and sound.’
He became angry,
and when he refused to enter the house,
his father came out and pleaded with him.
He said to his father in reply,
‘Look, all these years I served you
and not once did I disobey your orders;
yet you never gave me even a young goat to feast on with my friends.
But when your son returns
who swallowed up your property with prostitutes,
for him you slaughter the fattened calf.’
He said to him,
‘My son, you are here with me always;
everything I have is yours.
But now we must celebrate and rejoice,
because your brother was dead and has come to life again;
he was lost and has been found.’””

The Prodigal Son – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast

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The Prodigal Son – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff

Msgr. John Esseff reflects on the power of God’s mercy and the transformative grace offered through the sacrament of reconciliation, especially during Lent. Drawing from the parable of the Prodigal Son and St. Paul’s message on reconciliation, he urges anyone burdened by sin—whether hidden or known—to return to God. He shares a story of a woman who struggled to forgive herself despite confessing her sins, illustrating how many carry shame and guilt long after repentance. God, however, sees not condemnation but the face of Christ in each person, inviting all to be made new. No sin, no matter how depraved, is beyond God’s forgiveness when there is a turning of the heart back to Him.

The sacrament of confession is not only about forgiveness but deep inner healing. He likens the process to the Israelites transitioning from manna to the fruits of the promised land—one must take active steps to return and receive grace. For Catholics, this includes the sacrament of reconciliation; for others, it may involve confession to a trusted, compassionate person. He insists nothing should be held back when seeking healing. Even those carrying deep wounds—from abortions to addictions—are invited to the mercy of Jesus, who took all sin upon himself on the cross.

Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions

How is God inviting me to place my mind in my heart during prayer?
In what ways have I experienced metanoia as more than just repentance, but a turning of my whole self toward Christ?
Do I allow Jesus to truly love me in my brokenness, or do I hide behind shame or pride?
What role does compunction—sorrow for sin born of love—play in my spiritual life?
How can I better guard my heart from the noise, anxieties, and distractions of the world?
Am I allowing the Jesus Prayer or similar practices to bring silence and stillness into my prayer life?
What does spiritual fatherhood (or motherhood) look like in my vocation, and how am I being formed in it?
How do I respond when God asks me to forgive someone who has not apologized or acknowledged their wrongdoing?
Where do I need to trust Jesus more deeply, especially in the midst of suffering or disappointment?
Have I recognized the spiritual battle in my life, and am I using the Word of God as a weapon against temptation?

From the NAB Gospel LK 15:1-3, 11-32

“Tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to Jesus,
but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying,
“This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
So to them Jesus addressed this parable:
“A man had two sons, and the younger son said to his father,
‘Father give me the share of your estate that should come to me.’
So the father divided the property between them.
After a few days, the younger son collected all his belongings
and set off to a distant country
where he squandered his inheritance on a life of dissipation.
When he had freely spent everything,
a severe famine struck that country,
and he found himself in dire need.
So he hired himself out to one of the local citizens
who sent him to his farm to tend the swine.
And he longed to eat his fill of the pods on which the swine fed,
but nobody gave him any.
Coming to his senses he thought,
‘How many of my father’s hired workers
have more than enough food to eat,
but here am I, dying from hunger.
I shall get up and go to my father and I shall say to him,
“Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.
I no longer deserve to be called your son;
treat me as you would treat one of your hired workers.”’
So he got up and went back to his father.
While he was still a long way off,
his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion.
He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him.
His son said to him,
‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you;
I no longer deserve to be called your son.’
But his father ordered his servants,
‘Quickly bring the finest robe and put it on him;
put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.
Take the fattened calf and slaughter it.
Then let us celebrate with a feast,
because this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again;
he was lost, and has been found.’
Then the celebration began.
Now the older son had been out in the field
and, on his way back, as he neared the house,
he heard the sound of music and dancing.
He called one of the servants and asked what this might mean.
The servant said to him,
‘Your brother has returned
and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf
because he has him back safe and sound.’
He became angry,
and when he refused to enter the house,
his father came out and pleaded with him.
He said to his father in reply,
‘Look, all these years I served you
and not once did I disobey your orders;
yet you never gave me even a young goat to feast on with my friends.
But when your son returns
who swallowed up your property with prostitutes,
for him you slaughter the fattened calf.’
He said to him,
‘My son, you are here with me always;
everything I have is yours.
But now we must celebrate and rejoice,
because your brother was dead and has come to life again;
he was lost and has been found.’””

The Annunciation – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast

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The Annunciation – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff

Msgr. John Esseff reflects on the Feast of the Annunciation, which falls in the heart of Lent. He shares how personal and significant this date is to him, as it marks the wedding anniversary of his parents. Their story, including seeking a dispensation to marry during Lent and defying an arranged marriage, mirrors the boldness and surrender exemplified by Mary’s own “yes” to God; drawing a connection between Mary’s total openness to God’s will and the Lenten call to deeper prayer, sacrifice, and discernment. Mary’s response to the angel, her understanding of Scripture, and her unwavering virginity reflect a soul in perfect union with God’s purpose.

Msgr. Esseff explores the moment of the Annunciation as a profound revelation—not only of Mary’s divine motherhood but also of the Trinity. The Father sends the Son, conceived by the Holy Spirit, marking the incarnation of God’s Word in the womb of one who had already received that Word in her heart. Her fiat—”Let it be done to me according to your word”—becomes the model of perfect prayer and surrender. He invites us to ponder God’s will in their daily lives as Mary did, suggesting that prayer is not about asking but about receiving and responding.

Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions

How does Mary’s “yes” to God challenge me to trust more deeply in His will for my life?
In what ways can I better listen to God in prayer as Mary did during the Annunciation?
Do I invite the Holy Spirit to help me discern God’s will in my daily decisions?
How does Mary’s example teach me about the meaning and purpose of obedience in the spiritual life?
What role does Scripture play in helping me understand and respond to God’s call, as it did for Mary?
How can I offer my own body, time, and choices to God like Mary offered herself?
In the midst of Lent, how is God inviting me to deeper union with Him through prayer and sacrifice?
What can I learn from Mary’s silence and pondering heart about interior prayer and reflection?
How does the mystery of the Trinity revealed at the Annunciation shape my understanding of who God is?
What does Mary’s life teach me about saying “yes” to God even when the path is uncertain?

From the NAB Gospel: Luke 1:26-38

The angel Gabriel was sent from God
to a town of Galilee called Nazareth,
to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph,
of the house of David,
and the virgin’s name was Mary.
And coming to her, he said,
“Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.”
But she was greatly troubled at what was said
and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.
Then the angel said to her,
“Do not be afraid, Mary,
for you have found favor with God.
Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son,
and you shall name him Jesus.
He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High,
and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father,
and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever,
and of his Kingdom there will be no end.”
But Mary said to the angel,
“How can this be,
since I have no relations with a man?”
And the angel said to her in reply,
“The Holy Spirit will come upon you,
and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.
Therefore the child to be born
will be called holy, the Son of God.
And behold, Elizabeth, your relative,
has also conceived a son in her old age,
and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren;
for nothing will be impossible for God.”
Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.
May it be done to me according to your word.”
Then the angel departed from her.

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 worldwide. 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, sisters, seminarians, and other religious leaders worldwide.

The Call to be 100 Percent Love – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff Podcast

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Msgr. Esseff reflects on the readings for the 3rd Sunday of Lent. We are called to be 100% love. He recalls a young man named Kevin, his death, and the call to repentance and to love. Don’t be secure in your own eyes, we need to have the eyes of Christ. We need to enter into the deepest parts of hearts to encounter the healing touch of Jesus. We are not captives, we are not slaves, we are God’s children and we are called to freedom.

From the NAB

Gospel LK 13:1-9

Some people told Jesus about the Galileans
whose blood Pilate had mingled with the blood of their sacrifices.
Jesus said to them in reply,
“Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way
they were greater sinners than all other Galileans?
By no means!
But I tell you, if you do not repent,
you will all perish as they did!
Or those eighteen people who were killed
when the tower at Siloam fell on them—
do you think they were more guilty
than everyone else who lived in Jerusalem?
By no means!
But I tell you, if you do not repent,
you will all perish as they did!”And he told them this parable:
“There once was a person who had a fig tree planted in his orchard,
and when he came in search of fruit on it but found none,
he said to the gardener,
‘For three years now I have come in search of fruit on this fig tree
but have found none.
So cut it down.
Why should it exhaust the soil?’
He said to him in reply,
‘Sir, leave it for this year also,
and I shall cultivate the ground around it and fertilize it;
it may bear fruit in the future.
If not you can cut it down.'”

The Transfiguration and the Glory of God – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast

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The Transfiguration and the Glory of God – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff

Msgr. Esseff reflects on the Transfiguration of Jesus, drawing connections between Mount Tabor and Calvary to illustrate the necessity of faith in both moments of glory and suffering. Jesus’ radiant presence on Tabor reveals His divine nature, yet this same Jesus must pass through suffering and death to bring salvation.

The call to “listen to Him” is central to Lent, inviting us to deepen their trust in God. Using Abraham’s faith as an example, we should rely on God’s promises, even in uncertain times, and to recognize the power of Christ within them.

Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions

How does the Transfiguration reveal both the glory and the suffering of Christ, and what does this mean for your own faith journey?
In what ways have you experienced or witnessed the radiant presence of holiness in others?
What does it mean to “listen to Him” in your daily life, especially during Lent?
How does Abraham’s trust in God challenge you to deepen your own faith?
Are there areas in your life where you struggle to surrender fully to God’s will?
How does receiving the Eucharist or going to Confession transform your spiritual life?
What sacrifices or commitments can you make during Lent to strengthen your faith?
Do you truly trust in God’s power to provide for your needs and answer your prayers?
How can you radiate Christ’s presence to those around you through your actions and words?
What steps can you take to more fully live out the faith you profess in the Creed?

From the NAB Gospel: LK 9:28B-36

“Jesus took Peter, John, and James
and went up the mountain to pray.
While he was praying his face changed in appearance
and his clothing became dazzling white.
And behold, two men were conversing with him, Moses and Elijah,
who appeared in glory and spoke of his exodus
that he was going to accomplish in Jerusalem.
Peter and his companions had been overcome by sleep,
but becoming fully awake,
they saw his glory and the two men standing with him.
As they were about to part from him,
Peter said to Jesus,
“Master, it is good that we are here;
let us make three tents,
one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
But he did not know what he was saying.
While he was still speaking,
a cloud came and cast a shadow over them,
and they became frightened when they entered the cloud.
Then from the cloud came a voice that said,
“This is my chosen Son; listen to him.”
After the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone.
They fell silent and did not at that time
tell anyone what they had seen.”

Temptation and Spiritual Warfare – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast

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Temptation and Spiritual Warfare – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff

In this episode of Building a Kingdom of Love, Monsignor John Esseff reflects on the Epistle of St. James and every Christian’s daily spiritual battle. He explores the nature of temptation, emphasizing that it is the ordinary way Satan works in our lives, luring us according to our weaknesses. Monsignor Esseff stresses the importance of recognizing our tendencies toward sin—whether pride, self-reliance, jealousy, fear, or lust—and surrendering them completely to God. He reminds us that even great saints like St. Peter and St. Paul struggled with temptation but overcame it through total reliance on Christ. This episode is a powerful call to vigilance, prayer, and dependence on God’s grace to withstand temptation.

Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions

What are the primary temptations you struggle with in your daily life? How have you seen patterns of sin or weakness develop over time?
St. James teaches that God does not tempt us but allows trials for our growth. How can you view your temptations as opportunities to deepen your reliance on Christ?
Monsignor Esseff discusses how Satan studies each of us to exploit our weaknesses. How can you be more vigilant in recognizing and resisting these attacks?
The Lord’s Prayer asks, “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” How can praying this with sincerity change your approach to spiritual warfare?
Self-reliance is a major obstacle in the spiritual life. In what ways do you try to handle struggles on your own instead of surrendering them to God?
What spiritual practices—such as prayer, fasting, or the sacraments—help you guard against temptation? Are there areas where you need to strengthen your defenses?
Temptation is not a sin, but giving in to it leads us away from God. How can you distinguish between being tempted and willfully choosing sin?
Many people struggle with shame from past sins, like the priest Monsignor mentioned who experienced childhood humiliation. How can God heal past wounds that may still influence your choices today?
The devil wants to isolate us in our struggles, but God calls us to community. How can seeking guidance from a spiritual director, priest, or trusted friend help you overcome temptations?
St. Paul said, “What I want to do, I do not do, but what I hate, I do” (Romans 7:15). How does this struggle resonate with you, and how can you invite God’s grace to transform your heart?

Preparing for Lent – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast

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Preparing for Lent – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff

Msgr. John Esseff reflects on the significance of Lent and its deep spiritual purpose rooted in Jesus’ 40 days in the desert. The ashes of Ash Wednesday remind us of our mortality and call us to repentance, marking the beginning of 40 days of fasting, prayer, and almsgiving. Even though Lent is a penitential season, Sundays remain celebrations of the Resurrection.

He shares his personal experience with fasting in the Peruvian desert, explaining how physical deprivation heightened his spiritual clarity and deepened his prayer life. Fasting should not be about mere dieting but about uniting our sacrifices with Christ’s. For those unable to fast physically, he suggests fasting from judgment or envy while feasting on recognizing Christ in others. Almsgiving is closely tied to fasting, as seen in St. Teresa of Calcutta’s example, where the food her sisters gave up directly fed the poor. Lent is meant to transform us so that by Easter, we are more fully conformed to Christ, carrying the spiritual fruits beyond the season itself.

Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions

How does Jesus’ 40 days in the desert relate to your own Lenten journey and struggles with temptation?
What does receiving ashes on Ash Wednesday mean to you personally, and how does it shape your perspective on repentance?
How can fasting become a more intentional spiritual practice rather than just a physical challenge?
In what ways can you incorporate prayer more deeply into your Lenten observance this year?
What is one area of your life where you need to “fast” from a negative habit or attitude and “feast” on virtue instead?
How does the connection between fasting and almsgiving challenge your approach to generosity?
What steps can you take to deepen your understanding of the Liturgy of the Hours or daily Mass during Lent?
How can reflecting on your mortality help you live more intentionally as a disciple of Christ?
What specific sacrifices can you make this Lent to grow closer to God and imitate Christ more fully?
How can your Lenten practices lead to a lasting transformation beyond Easter?

Pray the Liturgy of Hours

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. 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 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 Beatitudes – Building a Kingdom Love with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast

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The Beatitudes – Building a Kingdom Love with Msgr. John Esseff

Msgr. John Esseff explores the distinction between joy and happiness, highlighting that true joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit and is deeply rooted in fulfilling God’s will. Reflecting on the Beatitudes and the example of St. Francis of Assisi, he illustrates how authentic joy is often found in humility, suffering, and selflessness rather than worldly success. Joy comes from an interior life aligned with Christ, who lives within the baptized, enabling believers to find peace even amidst trials and rejection.

Unforgiveness breeds anger and unhappiness, often becoming an identity trap and requiring the need for self-forgiveness, recounting poignant stories of individuals burdened by past sins, and emphasizes that God’s infinite mercy can heal even the deepest wounds. True humility and joy arise from recognizing one’s unique identity in God’s creation, embracing one’s true self, and allowing Christ’s resurrection to transform personal wounds into sources of grace and radiance for the world.

Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions

The Source of True Joy: Reflect on how living according to God’s will and embracing humility, as exemplified by the Beatitudes, brings authentic joy beyond worldly measures.
Embracing Forgiveness: Consider how holding onto unforgiveness toward others, oneself, or past wounds can hinder spiritual joy and how Christ’s mercy invites healing.
Christ Within Us: Ponder the reality of Christ living within the baptized and how daily union with Him shapes attitudes, choices, and inner peace.
Unique Identity in God: Meditate on the uniqueness of your creation by God, recognizing that your true self is a gift to the world and a source of joy when fully embraced.
Transforming Wounds into Grace: Reflect on how personal wounds, like those of the risen Christ, can become glorious through His healing, offering hope and witness to others.

Gospel: Luke 6:17, 20-26

Jesus came down with the Twelve
and stood on a stretch of level ground
with a great crowd of his disciples
and a large number of the people
from all Judea and Jerusalem
and the coastal region of Tyre and Sidon.
And raising his eyes toward his disciples he said:
“Blessed are you who are poor,
for the kingdom of God is yours.
Blessed are you who are now hungry,
for you will be satisfied.
Blessed are you who are now weeping,
for you will laugh.
Blessed are you when people hate you,
and when they exclude and insult you,
and denounce your name as evil
on account of the Son of Man.
Rejoice and leap for joy on that day!
Behold, your reward will be great in heaven.
For their ancestors treated the prophets in the same way.
But woe to you who are rich,
for you have received your consolation.
Woe to you who are filled now,
for you will be hungry.
Woe to you who laugh now,
for you will grieve and weep.
Woe to you when all speak well of you,
for their ancestors treated the false prophets in this way.”

How Do You Respond to the Father? – Building a Kingdom Love with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast

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How Do You Respond to the Father? – Building a Kingdom Love with Msgr. John Esseff

Msgr. John Esseff discusses God’s personal call for each individual and how every person is created with a divine purpose. He reflects on biblical examples, such as Isaiah and Peter, to illustrate how encountering God leads to transformation and mission. A vocation is not limited to religious life but is ultimately a call to holiness, whether in marriage, priesthood, or other states of life.

Using a personal testimony from host Kris McGregor, he explores the challenges and graces of marriage, describing it as a sacramental path to holiness that involves suffering, self-gift, and deep trust in God’s providence. McGregor shares her journey of marriage, parenting, and faith; showing us how God works through difficulties to sanctify spouses, forming them in selfless love. Msgr. Esseff encourages those of us struggling in marriage or discerning their vocation to surrender fully to God’s plan, trusting that even in hardship, He brings resurrection and renewal.

Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions

God’s Unique Plan for You: Reflect on how God has designed you with a specific purpose and how you can be more attentive to His calling in your daily life.
Responding to God’s Call: Consider how Peter and Isaiah reacted to God’s presence and how their examples challenge you to trust and follow God despite personal unworthiness.
Marriage as a Path to Holiness: Think about how marriage, as a vocation, calls spouses to self-giving love and how your own relationships reflect the sacrificial nature of Christ’s love.
Embracing Suffering in Faith: Meditate on how trials and suffering, like those shared in Kris McGregor’s testimony, can be transformative opportunities for spiritual growth and deeper trust in God.
The Power of a Sacramental Vow: Examine the meaning of the vows in marriage or religious life and how you can live them with greater fidelity, recognizing them as a lifelong commitment before God.
Trusting in God’s Providence: Reflect on moments in your life where plans have fallen apart and how you have either resisted or embraced God’s greater design through faith and surrender.
The Call to Self-Giving Love: Consider how Christ’s love is made manifest in your life and whether you are truly giving of yourself in the way God calls you to love others.
Resurrection Through Suffering: Ponder how moments of suffering and loss have led to unexpected blessings or deeper faith, revealing God’s presence even in hardship.
Discerning Your Next Step: Ask yourself what God is calling you to at this moment and how you can respond with greater courage, generosity, and openness to His will.
Witnessing to Christ in Daily Life: Think about how your life—whether in marriage, singlehood, or religious vocation—can serve as a testimony to the love, suffering, and resurrection of Christ.

Reading 2 Col 3:12-21

Brothers and sisters:
Put on, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved,
heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience,
bearing with one another and forgiving one another,
if one has a grievance against another;
as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do.
And over all these put on love,
that is, the bond of perfection.
And let the peace of Christ control your hearts,
the peace into which you were also called in one body.
And be thankful.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly,
as in all wisdom you teach and admonish one another,
singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs
with gratitude in your hearts to God.
And whatever you do, in word or in deed,
do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks to God the Father through him.Wives, be subordinate to your husbands,
as is proper in the Lord.
Husbands, love your wives,
and avoid any bitterness toward them.
Children, obey your parents in everything,
for this is pleasing to the Lord.
Fathers, do not provoke your children,
so they may not become discouraged.