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?
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
Msgr. Esseff reflects on the true meanings of happiness and joy. What does it really look like? How can we live a life of happiness and joy? Msgr. Esseff discusses the beatitudes and forgiveness and the keys to a proper understanding.
Msgr. Esseff reflects on Pope Benedict XVI’s Easter message. The more we aware of our death, the more we are aware of the resurrection! In a time were the darkness seems to be spreading, Christ is the brightest light of Truth shining shining in our times! We are called to be bearers of the light to the world. How do we do that? It is not “I” who will do it…but Christ who will accomplish the will of the Father through our surrender to Him.
Msgr. Esseff offers a reflection on the Priesthood, particularly in the light of the Holy Thursday liturgy. The priesthood of the baptized is so very important, the role for each of us to be Jesus in the world today; however, those who have been called to the vocation of priesthood have a particular mission to fulfill. Msgr. Esseff discusses the importance of the priests relationship with God, the Father and his unique role in the celebration of the Holy Mass. He also talks of the need of prayer for priests and the value of priestly friendship.
Msgr. Esseff reflects on the readings from the 5th Sunday of Lent. Lord, create in me a new heart. God wants to live in you. How does that happen? We must die. What does that mean? When we come to Jesus we must completely surrender. Physically dying, in some ways, is easy. But surrendering to God, dying to ourselves, now that is hard. If your Lenten journey has not lead you to totally surrender, then you haven’t gotten it yet, but it’s not too late. It’s ultimately about the choices we make. What will your choice be?
Msgr. Esseff offers a teaching on the 3 levels of the heart. He begins by looking at the Sacred Heart of Jesus, then moves to the examination of the layers of our hearts. In understanding of this is vitally important to appreciate how we make decisions and pray…if we are in our own will or God’s will.
Msgr. Esseff reflects on the readings for the 4th Sunday of Lent. What are the darkness of our days? What is the message of this weekend’s liturgy? Mercy and Love! It’s not so much that God is so angry with mankind, but that He loves us so much that He would suffer and die for us, even when we are in sin. He did not come to condemn, but to save. What is required? Faith…faith in His infinite love. What is the sign of that love? Look at the crucifix.
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?
during the Passion of Christ, but also in our own 
