Msgr. John Esseff Archives

“You’ll always have the gift and you’ll always have the cross.” – a reflection by Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts

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Msgr. Esseff shares a poignant reflection on rejection, loss, suffering, and aloneness.

We experience various forms of suffering, but as it is said “success has a hundred mothers, failure is an orphan”. Why is the cross so important to those who are united with Him? Its in the cross that we experience His presence. He shares a very compelling story he was given permission to share, which concerns a Sister,

Mother Teresa, anger, forgiveness and love…it’s a heartbreaking tale…one where ultimately love prevails. ”You’ll always have the gift and you’ll always have the cross.” – Bl. Mother Teresa

To obtain a copy of Msgr. Esseff’s book byvisiting here

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

BKL#10 – Building a Kingdom of Love w/ Msgr. John Esseff – Who is a true leader? What does sloth really look like?

Show 10 ” Building a Kingdom of Love” – Who is a true leader? What does sloth really look like?

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Msgr. Esseff reflects on the major area that separates us from God…it’s sloth. What is the truth about sloth? What does laziness really look like? To depend on oneself more than on God….”that I can do anything”, “I can do it”….the man of faith says “God can do it”. Jesus said without the Father, he could do nothing. That He does only what the Father tells him. The solution to sloth is obedience…the obedience to the will of the Father.

Msgr. Esseff takes a strong look at King David and his actions after he becomes king…a leader who became consumed with himself. Then he looks at a true leader…Jesus. Msgr. has a strong message and challenge for families, our country, the world and our Church.

Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton. He was ordained on May 30th 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 Blessed 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 Bl. 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.

To obtain a copy of Msgr. Esseff’s book byvisiting here

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

The Hellos and Good-byes of Life – Learning to Detach: a reflection with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts

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Msgr. Esseff reflects on the “hellos” and the “good-byes” of life. I can’t really be where I am if I don’t say good-bye to where

I’ve been, especially if I leave it jagged. What do you do if you don’t want to leave a place? You are not ready to let go? He shares the pain of having to leave Lebanon and how his mother helped him to detach and allow God’s will move him to acceptance. How do you deal with the anger that can arise? Letting go of not only a place, but also of things and people may be asked of us in order to respond to the Father’s will. The joy comes ultimately in heaven where there are no more good-byes.

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

BKL#4 – Building a Kingdom of Love w/ Msgr. John Esseff – The Power of Baptism: a story of Bl. Mother Teresa, a princess, and a baby named Cecilia

Show 4 ” Building a Kingdom of Love” – The Power of Baptism: a story of Bl. Mother Teresa, a princess, and a baby named Cecilia

Msgr. Esseff reflects on the power of Christ given to us in our baptism. He tells two poignant stories about Bl. Mother Teresa, a princess and a baby named Cecilia. Do we appreciate the gift? Msgr. Esseff also addresses the fears and concerns grandparents have when their children fail to have their own children baptized. Be not afraid…call on the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Holy Rosary.

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To obtain a copy of Msgr. Esseff’s book byvisiting here

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

BKL#2 – Building a Kingdom of Love w/ Msgr. John Esseff – The Good Shepherd

Show 2 ” Building a Kingdom of Love” – “The Good Shepherd“

Msgr. Esseff reflects on the readings from the 4th Sunday of Easter, and in particular, Our Lord’s teachings on role of the Good Shepherd. Also, at the end of this episode, Msgr. Esseff offers a prayer with St. Padre Pio for healing.

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To obtain a copy of Msgr. Esseff’s book byvisiting here

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

BKL#1 – Building A Kingdom Of Love: Reflections w/Msgr. John Esseff

Show 1 ” Building a Kingdom of Love” – “Easter and the Paschal Mystery: What have we been initiated into“

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Msgr. Esseff reflects on the readings of the 3rd Sunday of Easter. By virtue of our baptism, confirmation and reception of the Eucharist, who are we? We learn what Peter and the community are capable of becoming because of the Pentecost experience. During this period of Easter, the Church is preparing us to appreciate the gift of the Holy Spirit and the birth of the Church in Pentecost then…and now! What does that mean for us today? How are we called to be evangelizers and witnesses of the Truth and authentic Hope?

To obtain a copy of Msgr. Esseff’s book byvisiting here

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

Divine Mercy with Msgr. John Esseff

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Msgr. Esseff begins a series of reflections on Divine Mercy and it’s importance in the life of the Church today. He exhorts us to remember that it is not about

something that occurs outside of ourselves, but that the spirit of the Divine Mercy lives in us by virtue of our baptism and through our participation in the sacraments. And we are called to assist Jesus to reaching out to our brothers and sisters, in Him, with Him, and through Him.

Be sure to visit Msgr. Esseff’s website: “Building A Kingdom Of Love”

The Freedom that flows from Forgiveness – Discerning Hearts

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Msgr. Esseff discusses the freedom that comes from forgiveness.

It can be very difficult to for us to forgive, but not for God. How can we forgive those who have really hurt us…emotionally and physically. How is this forgiveness a matter of justice…we forgive for we have been forgiven. What is an unjust wound? How does this all connect to the Divine Mercy?

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

The Transformation of Resentments – Discerning Hearts

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Msgr. Esseff discusses to be truly alive in joy and happiness we have to forgive. Forgiveness is always a choice and in that is

joy. We shouldn’t put conditions on our forgiveness…that can be a challenge for some, but it is necessary. We need to take the person where they are…we don’t love them because they have changed, but we love them where they are at. We can become slaves to our resentments. Resentments, hatred, bitterness, retaliations harden our hearts and destroy us. Allowing the love of Jesus to penetrate our hearts we are freed. We can not perfectly forgive, it is grace from the Father that allows to enter into that forgiveness.

The transformation of resentments is a key:

For ourselves

To name them, the painful moment or event
To look inside as to why and to what it touched so deeply within me
To allow yourself to feel fully the depth of impact of the pain
Talk to yourself about the experience and then begin to journal or share it with another
Choose what will bring peace, joy, relief and tranquility
To cling to continuation of pain brings anxiety, anger, turmoil and desolation

For another

Listen to the painful experience
Don’t talk to them out of their pain, don’t try to fix the situation for them
Offer them a choice to continue in the pain or begin to move out of the pain; to continue in the pain gives the power over to the one they resent and diminishes your own power

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