Msgr. John Esseff Archives

What is “Eternal Life”? How does this understanding affect our prayer? Reflections by Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts

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What is “Eternal Life” and why is it so important for us to understand and live it’s meaning?

Msgr. Esseff breaks open the “magnificent” Chapter 17 of John’s Gospel. He helps us to understand the “eternal” prayer of the heart of Jesus. How does this affect our prayer, especially in our appreciation of “contemplative”

prayer and contemplation? How does this affect our understanding of “time”? Msgr. Esseff discusses Purgatory in a way that takes this into account. What is death in this world? What is true life in this world?

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

The True Temple, God’s Commandents and the Danger of the False Idols – Reflections on the 3rd Sunday of Lent by Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts

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Msgr. Esseff offers a powerful reflection on the readings for the 3rd Sunday of Lent.

He brings together the gifts of the Commandments and the authentic understanding of the true Temple and the dangers we encounter with our false idols. Msgr. Esseff brings forward the issues of today,

such as contraception and marriage, as well as the economy and our drive for material things. He makes very concrete the teachings given in the readings… ultimately we are called to suffer, to die, and to rise with Jesus…the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

“Teach Us How To Pray” – A series on prayer with Msgr. John Esseff Episode 5 – A 90 Day Challenge – to grow in union with Jesus Christ. – Discerning Hearts

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Msgr. Esseff offers a 90 day challenge! The object of Lent and the Easter season is to become more and more transformed into Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit we may glorify the Father through our honor

and praise and obeying his Divine will, through the intercession of Mary and all the Saints, for the salvation of the World. But instead of 40 days, but to set our sights on 90 days…all the way to Pentecost. To become a 90 Day Wonder!

Remember the object is union with Jesus Christ. It’s not about a 40 yard dash, but a 24/7 marathon. What are some of the challenges that might arise, what are the remedies?

Be sure to visit Msgr. Esseff’s website “B uilding A Kingdom of Love”

Pray the Liturgy of Hours

Morning PrayerMid-morningPrayerMid-dayPrayerAfternoon PrayerEvening PrayerNight PrayerOffice of Readings

“Teach Us How To Pray” – A series on prayer with Msgr. John Esseff Episode 3 – Morning Prayer – Discerning Hearts

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Msgr. Esseff teaches the importance of the Liturgy of Hours. He breaks open each portion of Morning Prayer. The Hymn, the psalm, the canticle, again the psalm … we sing praise to God with this section of Morning Prayer. Then God speaks to us in the reading. Then we respond to

with the a short psalm. Then he helps us to appreciate the power of the Benedictus. That is followed by the intentions of the Church. Concluding with the great Our Father. We then bless the Lord and give Him thanks. Jesus unites the world in our prayer of praise to the Father when we enter into the Divine Office.

Be sure to visit Msgr. Esseff’s website “B uilding A Kingdom of Love”

Pray the Liturgy of Hours

Morning PrayerMid-morningPrayerMid-dayPrayerAfternoon PrayerEvening PrayerNight PrayerOffice of Readings

“Teach Us How To Pray” – A series on prayer with Msgr. John Esseff Episode 2 – The Psalms and Prayer – Discerning Hearts

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Msgr. Esseff offers his second lesson in “Teach Us How To Pray”.

He speaks of the importance of Morning and Evening prayers in our lives. The Holy Spirit inspires us to pray and the Church teaches prayer through the Liturgy of the Hours.

Msgr. Esseff goes on to teach on the Psalms. Those who pray the psalms offer powerful praise to the Father. Who actually praises? In the deepest level of our heart, it’s actually Jesus who praises the Father in us when we pray the Psalms and the Father loves us in return. What is essential is that we listen to what God says to us in prayer…Listen.

Pray the Liturgy of Hours

Morning PrayerMid-morningPrayerMid-dayPrayerAfternoon PrayerEvening PrayerNight PrayerOffice of ReadingsBe sure to visit Msgr. Esseff’s website: Building a Kingdom of Love

“Teach Us How To Pray” – A series on prayer with Msgr. John Esseff Episode 1 – Discerning Hearts

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Prayer is assumed as something we know how to do, but do we? The Church has been constantly teaching her children throughout the ages. The Mass, of course, is our central act of prayer. But to truly deepen our prayer, even our worship in the Mass, we must appreciate who God is. God is a Trinity, He revealed Himself to us. He is Three Persons in One God. We experience and express their relationship when we pray “Glory be to the Father, Glory be to the Son,

Glory be the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be world without end”. When we pray “Glory be to the Father”, He really hears us…He is present, He is truly with you. What does that mean when we pray? It is a relationship. The same is true in relation to the Son and the Holy Spirit. Msgr. Esseff, in this first lesson on prayer, breaks this open in a very deep and important way…the importance of Trinity and presence. Msgr. Esseff also begins an introduction to the importance of the Liturgy of the Hours and the Psalms.

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

“What can separate us from God?” – Reflections from Msgr. Esseff – Discerning Hearts

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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.

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

“Rachel weeping for her children…” – Reflections of Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts

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Msgr. Esseff not only laments the horror of the massacre of the Holy Innocents in Bethlehem

2000 years ago, but the tragedy of the continued holocaust of children within their mother’s womb that occurs

today. He reflects on the passage from Revelation which recounts the hatred the devil has for the womb of the woman: The enemy HATES life. Msgr. Esseff reminds us of the VICTORY of Christ and discusses the forgiveness and hope found with God. He shares the stories of two seperate women named Maria, both of whom touched his life and who can help show us the way.

“God is Love” the legacy of St. John the Apostle – Reflections from Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts

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Msgr. Esseff, on his patronal feast day, discusses St. John the Evangelist. He recalls the message found in the Gospel of St. John, his letters, and stories from St. Polycarp. Msgr. Esseff discusses the relationship

of Our Lady with John, and the gift Jesus made of her to John and to us all. He also shares how deeply the Sacred Heart is found in the teachings of St. John.

“Father, forgive them…” – Reflections from Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts

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Msgr. Esseff reflects on the feast of St. Stephen the Martyr, the massacre in Nigeria at Christmas services, and his experiences in Lebanon. The story he shares is particularly poignant and compelling. He shares what we are called to do for Christ

and what the future holds. He discusses how important the devotion to the Sacred Heart is for us personally and for the world.