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MC7 – Practical Steps for Prayer – Meditation and Contemplation with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcast

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Practical Steps for Prayer – Meditation and Contemplation with Fr. Timothy Gallagher

Fr. Timothy Gallagher explores how to integrate Ignatian meditation and contemplation into daily life by offering practical methods for selecting scripture passages. He highlights two primary approaches: using the daily Mass readings for a structured connection to the liturgical year or systematically working through a Gospel with flexibility to revisit passages that resonate deeply. Using simple spiritual commentaries to enrich understanding, he suggests finding a balance between structure and adaptability to sustain daily prayer.

Perseverance is crucial through spiritual ups and downs. Drawing from saints like St. Catherine of Siena and St. John Paul II, who advocate for prayer as the foundation of spiritual growth, Fr. Gallagher shares a practical spiritual program from Venerable Bruno Lanteri, encouraging daily meditation, spiritual reading, and an examen. He concludes with an encouraging reminder from Romans 8:26 that the Holy Spirit aids our weakness in prayer, offering hope and strength for a faithful prayer life.

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Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions

  1. Incorporating Scripture into Daily Prayer: How can I structure my daily prayer using either the daily Mass readings or a systematic reading of a Gospel while remaining flexible to the Spirit’s promptings?
  2. Utilizing Spiritual Commentaries: What role can a simple spiritual commentary play in deepening my understanding of Scripture during prayer?
  3. Persevering Through Spiritual Highs and Lows: How can I remain faithful to daily prayer amidst both spiritual consolation and desolation?
  4. Following Practical Spiritual Practices: How can I incorporate daily meditation, spiritual reading, and an examen into my life as recommended by Venerable Bruno Lanteri?
  5. Relying on the Holy Spirit in Prayer: How can I trust in the Holy Spirit’s assistance when I feel weak or unsure in my prayer life?

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 15 different podcast series on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts?
Visit here to discover more!

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

  1. 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.
  2. Embracing Forgiveness: Consider how holding onto unforgiveness toward others, oneself, or past wounds can hinder spiritual joy and how Christ’s mercy invites healing.
  3. Christ Within Us: Ponder the reality of Christ living within the baptized and how daily union with Him shapes attitudes, choices, and inner peace.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.”

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.  

SJC12 – Dawning Light of the Gift of Contemplation – St. John of the Cross with Fr. Donald Haggerty – Discerning Hearts Podcast


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Dawning Light of the Gift of Contemplation – St. John of the Cross: Master of Contemplation with Fr. Donald Haggerty

Fr. Donald Haggerty discusses St. John of the Cross’s teachings on the early stages of contemplative prayer, focusing on the transition from meditative prayer to the reception of contemplative graces. Many souls struggle during this period, feeling frustration and dryness when their usual methods of prayer no longer yield the same consolation. This period, described in St. John’s writings, can become a spiritual crossroads where misunderstanding can hinder growth, potentially leading to stagnation. It’s necessary to have proper guidance to help souls recognize and cooperate with God’s deeper work, even in the absence of consolations.

He also contrasts this experience with St. Ignatius of Loyola’s teaching on desolation, noting that St. John of the Cross is addressing a different kind of interior struggle—one not marked by a loss of faith or desire for God, but rather a shift in how grace operates in the soul. Many well-intentioned individuals, including religious and laypeople, mistakenly try to force previous methods of prayer, not realizing that God is calling them to a new way of relating to Him.

Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions

  1. The Transition from Meditative to Contemplative Prayer: How have you experienced moments in prayer where familiar methods no longer bring the same sense of connection or consolation, and how did you respond?
  2. Spiritual Crossroads and Interior Growth: When faced with dryness or difficulty in prayer, do you persist in previous methods, or do you seek to understand how God may be inviting you to deeper trust?
  3. The Role of Spiritual Direction: If access to a trained spiritual director is limited, how can you seek guidance through the wisdom of the saints, particularly St. John of the Cross, in navigating deeper prayer?
  4. Discerning Desolation and Contemplative Grace: In times of spiritual dryness, how do you distinguish between the desolation that calls for perseverance and the invitation to surrender to a new mode of prayer?
  5. Trusting God’s Hidden Work in the Soul: How can you cultivate a greater trust in God’s work in your prayer life, even when it feels unclear or different from past experiences?

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

“We are ready now to take up the teaching of Saint John of the Cross on contemplation. However, it can be beneficial to ease a bit into the subject, which is what Saint John of the Cross does in his writings. On a few occasions, for instance, he mentions a primary motive for him in taking up his pen. A matter of critical importance for him—“extremely necessary to so many souls” (AMC Prologue 3)—is the harm done to souls who do not recognize the initial symptoms of contemplative graces and do not adjust their approach to prayer accordingly. The failure to advance into contemplation when the grace is being offered is, for him, a great misfortune. A lack of understanding is the obvious reason and an excuse of sorts; nonetheless, this ignorance is consequential and requires remedy.

The loss is inestimable, not just to particular souls, but to the vast fruitfulness that a contemplative soul can bear for the sake of others. Saint John of the Cross wastes no time in bringing up the issue. The first pages of the Prologue to The Ascent of Mount Carmel express his lament. When he refers to the “dark night” in the following passage, he is referring to the initial experience of purification that occurs as the grace of contemplation commences. What should not be missed in this passage is also the opening phrase. The initial graces of contemplative prayer do not presume the rarity of a saintly life, but a life sincerely engaged in a wholehearted pursuit of virtue.”

Haggerty, Donald. Saint John of the Cross: Master of Contemplation (p. 158). 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.

BTP-LR2 – Day 2 – The Last Retreat by St. Elizabeth of the Trinity- Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles – Discerning Hearts Podcast

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Day 2 – The Last Retreat by St. Elizabeth of the Trinity- Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles

Dr. Anthony Lilles and Kris McGregor explore St. Elizabeth of the Trinity’s retreat writings, particularly her reflections on interior silence and self-possession in Christ. St. Elizabeth describes how true peace comes from gathering one’s interior faculties through silence and surrendering them to God. She highlights the significance of the phrase Nescivi, meaning “I no longer know anything but Him,” illustrating the soul’s complete focus on God despite external turmoil or inner struggles. Drawing from Carmelite spirituality, holy recollection fosters this unity with God, allowing the soul to become a vessel for divine grace and harmony.

The transformative power of suffering and trials gives us a chance to use them as opportunities for deeper union with God rather than obstacles to peace. Dr. Lilles connects Elizabeth’s teachings to the experiences of Mary Magdalene and the contemplative example of Mary of Bethany, emphasizing the need to choose “the one thing necessary”—a heart undistracted by worldly concerns. He also recounts Elizabeth’s personal battle with suffering in her final days, showing how her unwavering focus on Christ enabled her to endure spiritual and physical affliction with profound trust. This episode offers a compelling call to embrace silence, recollection, and surrender as pathways to deeper intimacy with God.

Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions

  1. The Call to Interior Silence: How can you cultivate a habit of holy recollection in your daily life to remain more present to God?
  2. Self-Possession in Christ: In what ways do distractions, emotions, or external pressures pull you away from maintaining a prayerful awareness of Christ?
  3. The Meaning of Nescivi: What does it mean for you personally to surrender everything to God and say, “I no longer know anything but Him”?
  4. Suffering as an Opportunity for Grace: How can trials and hardships in your life be seen as invitations to deeper union with Christ rather than obstacles to peace?
  5. Learning from Mary Magdalene: What aspects of Mary Magdalene’s transformation and devotion inspire you to grow in your own relationship with Christ?
  6. The Role of Holy Recollection in Spiritual Growth: How can you incorporate moments of silent prayer and reflection into your daily routine to foster greater intimacy with God?
  7. Trusting in God’s Hidden Presence: When God feels distant or silent, how can you strengthen your faith and remain steadfast in trust?
  8. The Soul as a Throne of the Holy Trinity: What steps can you take to align your thoughts, emotions, and desires more fully with God’s will so that your soul becomes a dwelling place for His presence?
Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity
Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity

From “Last Retreat Day 2” found in The Complete Works vol 1:

5. It is the same for the soul that has entered into the “fortress of holy recollection”:  the eye of its soul, opened in the light of faith, discovers its God present, living within it; in turn it remains so present to Him, in beautiful simplicity,  that He guards it with a jealous care. Then disturbances from without and tempests from within may arise; its self-esteem may be wounded: “Nescivi”! God may hide Himself, withdraw His sensible grace: “Nescivi .” Or, as St. Paul writes: “For love of Him I have forfeited everything.”  Then the Master is free, free to flow into the soul, to give Himself “according to His measure.”  Blessed-Elizabeth-of-the-TrAnd the soul thus simplified, unified, becomes the throne of the Unchanging One, since “unity is the throne of the Holy Trinity.”

This the text we are using to discuss “Heaven in Faith” you can find it here and order from the Carmelite Sisters

We would like to thank Miriam Gutierrez for providing “the voice” of St. Elizabeth for this series

For other episodes in the series visit the Discerning Hearts page for Dr. Anthony Lilles

Anthony Lilles, S.T.D., has served the Church and assisted in the formation of clergy and seminarians since 1994. Before coming to St. Patrick’s, he served at seminaries and houses of formation in the Archdiocese of Denver and the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. The son of a California farmer, married with young adult children, holds a B.A. in theology from the Franciscan University of Steubenville with both the ecclesiastical licentiate and doctorate in spiritual theology from the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas in Rome (the Angelicum). An expert in the writings of St. Elizabeth of the Trinity and the Carmelite Doctors of the Church, he co-founded the Avila Institute for Spiritual Formation and the High Calling Program for priestly vocations. He also founded the John Paul II Center for Contemplative Culture, which hosts symposiums, retreats, and conferences. In addition to his publications, he blogs at www.beginningtopray.com .

MC6 – Using Colloquy in Prayer – Meditation and Contemplation with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcast

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Using Colloquy in Prayer – Meditation and Contemplation with Fr. Timothy Gallagher

Fr. Timothy Gallagher discusses the significance of the colloquy in Ignatian prayer, describing it as the culminating moment when meditation or contemplation transitions into direct, heartfelt conversation with God. Using examples such as the Beatitudes and the storm at sea, he illustrates how scripture reflection leads naturally into personal dialogue with the Lord. This moment of prayer arises spontaneously when the heart, filled with the Word, begins to speak back to God in trust and petition. St. Ignatius encourages resting in this heart-to-heart communication for as long as the soul desires, making it the deepest part of the prayer experience.

Fr. Gallagher also offers a structured example of praying with scripture through the passage of Bartimaeus in Mark 10. He outlines how one might enter into the scene, imagine the setting, and allow the words and actions of Jesus to stir personal prayer. The process includes reading the passage, asking for a specific grace, and then moving into contemplation, where the heart responds to God’s presence.

St.-Ignatius-5

Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions

  1. Recognizing God’s Plan: Reflect on how God’s unique design for your life shapes your purpose and daily decisions.
  2. Overcoming Feelings of Unworthiness: Consider how Peter and Isaiah’s encounters with God challenge you to trust in His call despite your weaknesses.
  3. Living Marriage as a Vocation: Examine how your marriage or relationships reflect the self-giving love and commitment God calls you to.
  4. Finding Holiness in Suffering: Contemplate how trials in your life can become a path to greater faith and deeper union with Christ.
  5. Understanding the Depth of Vows: Reflect on the lifelong commitment of marriage or religious vows and how they shape your journey to holiness.
  6. Trusting in God’s Timing: Consider how surrendering control to God’s plan can bring peace and clarity in uncertain situations.
  7. Embracing Self-Sacrificial Love: Meditate on how you are called to give of yourself more fully in your relationships and daily life.
  8. Seeing Christ in Family Life: Ponder how Christ is present in your family’s struggles and joys, guiding you toward holiness.
  9. Responding to God’s Invitation: Examine how you can take concrete steps to follow God’s call more faithfully in your current state of life.
  10. Becoming a Witness of Faith: Consider how your actions and choices reflect Christ’s love and serve as a testimony to others.

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 15 different podcast series on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts?
Visit here to discover more!

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

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. 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.
  9. 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.
  10. 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.

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.  

SJC11 – Barricades on the Road to Contemplation, Part 2 – St. John of the Cross with Fr. Donald Haggerty – Discerning Hearts Podcast


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Barricades on the Road to Contemplation, Part 2 – St. John of the Cross: Master of Contemplation with Fr. Donald Haggerty

Fr. Donald Haggerty explores St. John of the Cross’ insights on contemplation and the impact of self-seeking tendencies in prayer. Frustration over a lack of consolations can manifest as irritability in daily life, whereas selfless prayer fosters generosity. Spiritual gluttony, or the relentless pursuit of new devotions and experiences, is another barrier to deepening one’s relationship with God. A spirit of simplicity is recognizing that fulfillment is found in the sacraments rather than chasing spiritual novelties. Spiritual envy, however, is where one covets another’s perceived graces, forgetting that each soul’s path is uniquely shaped by God.

Fr. Haggerty warns against spiritual sloth, where complacency sets in and one neglects the effort required for true spiritual growt; and against excessive self-indulgence in personal weaknesses and suggests active cooperation with God’s grace. St. John of the Cross’ teachings challenge believers to refine their interior dispositions, recognize hidden attachments, and embrace a deeper transformation in their spiritual journey. Regular confession and daily fidelity to one’s vocation, rather than dramatic spiritual experiences, are shown as the true means of progress in the contemplative life.

Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions

  1. Self-Seeking vs. Selfless Prayer: How does my attitude in prayer influence my interactions with others, and do I carry frustrations or irritations from prayer into daily life?
  2. Spiritual Gluttony and Simplicity: Am I constantly seeking new spiritual experiences, or do I find contentment in the sacraments and the simple presence of God?
  3. Prioritizing Vocation Over Spiritual Busyness: Have I ever neglected my responsibilities at home or work in pursuit of excessive spiritual activities, mistaking them for deeper holiness?
  4. The Danger of Spiritual Envy: Do I compare my spiritual life to others, longing for their experiences instead of trusting in the unique path God has given me?
  5. Overcoming Spiritual Sloth: Am I too patient with my weaknesses, expecting God to change me without actively cooperating with His grace?
  6. The Transforming Power of Sacramental Life: Do I fully embrace the grace of confession and the Eucharist, allowing them to shape my soul rather than seeking extraordinary signs?
  7. The Call to Deeper Conversion: Have I considered that God may be inviting me to a “second conversion,” moving beyond surface-level faith into a more profound union with Him?

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

“We can view this next chapter as an argument in defense of the rigors of purification proposed in the many previous instructions. It is a preparatory chapter for taking up a more concentrated examination of the prayer of contemplation in the subsequent chapters. The treatise of The Dark Night begins in book 1 with a vivid treatment of certain imperfections commonly seen in those still in the earlier stages of spiritual pursuit. Saint John of the Cross is referring here to people who have already committed themselves to a habit of spiritual exercises and daily prayer, usually in the structured context of religious life, yet among laity as well, but who typically do not understand yet the serious nature of giving themselves fully to God. They are untried in the rigors of dedicated virtue and have not faced yet the arduous interior struggles that must be withstood over some time before a depth of spiritual quality embraces the soul. There can be no tested endurance in a soul that has not had sufficient time to persevere through hard trials.

This demand is not just a need for seasoning and maturing in the experience of the spiritual life. The essential testing is much more fundamental. As an astute spiritual psychologist, Saint John of the Cross plunges underneath the surface of lives and identifies the motivation of souls in the early period of spiritual pursuit as often sullied and impure. Almost everyone in this early period of the spiritual life professes to be seeking only God, while at the same time the person shows signs of being excessively preoccupied with self in the spiritual pursuit. Saint John of the Cross comments explicitly: “Since their motivation in their spiritual works and exercises is the consolation and satisfaction they experience in them, and since they have not been conditioned by the arduous struggle of practicing virtue, they possess many faults and imperfections in the discharge of their spiritual activities” (DN 1.1.3). In this incisive section at the beginning of The Dark Night, he uses the schema of the seven capital vices to expose seven spiritual vices that generally afflict souls in the early period of a spiritual life. It proves to be an interesting commentary on the factor of underlying self-interest in the pursuit of spiritual life. This tendency to self-preoccupation demands a clear effort of interior mortification if we are to seek God with the selfless spirit that can lead eventually to contemplative graces in prayer.”

Haggerty, Donald. Saint John of the Cross: Master of Contemplation (pp. 141-142). 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.

BTP-LR1 – Day 1 – The Last Retreat by St. Elizabeth of the Trinity- Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles – Discerning Hearts Podcast

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Day 1 – The Last Retreat by St. Elizabeth of the Trinity- Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles

Dr. Anthony Lilles and Kris McGregor discuss St. Elizabeth of the Trinity’s Last Retreat, written during her final illness. In this reflection, Elizabeth expresses her desire to know nothing but Christ, embracing suffering as a path to union with Him. She sees contemplation as a transformative encounter, where deeper knowledge of Jesus leads to becoming more like Him. Elizabeth’s vocation as “Laudem Gloriae” (Praise of Glory) reflects her call to glorify God through suffering, prayer, and silence. Her insights remain relevant, especially through practices like Eucharistic adoration and silent scriptural meditation, which open the heart to Christ’s wisdom.

St. Elizabeth presents the Blessed Virgin as the one who most profoundly understood Christ, making her a model and mother in the spiritual life. Connecting this to St. John Paul II’s teaching on Mary’s maternal mediation, she leads us to embrace the cross. Suffering is an inevitable part of Christian life, but through trust in Christ and the intercession of Mary, it becomes a means of revealing God’s glory. St. Elizabeth’s example demonstrates how even in profound weakness, one can offer everything to God, making suffering a pathway to divine love.

Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions

  1. Embracing Christ in Suffering: St. Elizabeth of the Trinity teaches that suffering can be a path to deeper union with Christ—how can you embrace your own trials with faith rather than resistance?
  2. Contemplation as Transformation: Elizabeth describes mystical prayer as a way of forgetting everything but Christ—how can you cultivate silence and stillness in your daily life to grow in deeper awareness of His presence?
  3. The Role of Mary in Spiritual Growth: Elizabeth points to the Blessed Virgin as the one who most deeply understood Christ—how can you entrust your spiritual journey to Mary and allow her to guide you closer to her Son?
  4. Living as a Praise of Glory: Elizabeth saw her vocation as glorifying God in all circumstances—how can you offer your daily life, even in suffering, as a praise of God’s glory?
  5. The Power of Surrender: Elizabeth’s words reflect a total surrender to God’s will—what attachments or fears keep you from fully trusting in God, and how can you begin surrendering them today?
Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity
Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity

From “Last Retreat Day 1” found in The Complete Works vol 1:

1. “Nescivi.” 1 “I no longer knew anything.” This is what the “bride of the Canticles ” sings after having been brought into the “inner cellar.” 2 It seems to me that this must also be the refrain of a praise of glory on this first day of retreat in which the Master makes her penetrate the depths of the bottomless abyss so that He may teach her to fulfill the work which will be hers for eternity and which she must already perform in time, which is eternity begun and still in progress. 3 “Nescivi”! I no longer know anything, I do not want to know anything except “to

know Him, to share in His sufferings, to become like Him in His death.” 4 “Those whom God has foreknown He has also predestined to become confirmed to the image of His divine Son,” 5 the One crucified by love. When I am wholly identified with this divine Exemplar, 6 when I have wholly passed into Him and He into me, then I will fulfill my eternal vocation: the one for which God has “chosen me in Him ” 7 “in principio,” the one I will continue “in aeternum” when, immersed in the bosom of my Trinity, I will be the unceasing praise of His glory, Laudem gloriae ejus.

 

This the text we are using to discuss “Heaven in Faith” you can find it here and order from the Carmelite Sisters

We would like to thank Miriam Gutierrez for providing “the voice” of St. Elizabeth for this series

For other episodes in the series visit the Discerning Hearts page for Dr. Anthony Lilles

Anthony Lilles, S.T.D., has served the Church and assisted in the formation of clergy and seminarians since 1994. Before coming to St. Patrick’s, he served at seminaries and houses of formation in the Archdiocese of Denver and the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. The son of a California farmer, married with young adult children, holds a B.A. in theology from the Franciscan University of Steubenville with both the ecclesiastical licentiate and doctorate in spiritual theology from the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas in Rome (the Angelicum). An expert in the writings of St. Elizabeth of the Trinity and the Carmelite Doctors of the Church, he co-founded the Avila Institute for Spiritual Formation and the High Calling Program for priestly vocations. He also founded the John Paul II Center for Contemplative Culture, which hosts symposiums, retreats, and conferences. In addition to his publications, he blogs at www.beginningtopray.com .

MC5 – God’s Presence in Silence – Meditation and Contemplation with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcast

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God’s Presence in Silence – Meditation and Contemplation with Fr. Timothy Gallagher

Fr. Timothy Gallagher explores the distinction between meditation and contemplation in the Ignatian tradition, and how both forms of prayer deepen one’s relationship with God. Meditation involves reflecting on Scripture’s meaning, while contemplation uses the imagination to place oneself within a Gospel scene. Imaginative prayer is not mere fantasy but a method deeply rooted in Catholic tradition, practiced by saints like St. Ignatius, St. Teresa of Avila, and St. Francis de Sales. Scripture itself, being rich in narrative and imagery, invites this form of engagement. The saving power of Christ’s life is not confined to the past but remains available through prayer, liturgy, and personal devotion.

He also introduces the concept of the colloquy, a key Ignatian practice in which the soul naturally shifts from contemplation into a personal conversation with God, Mary, or the saints.

St.-Ignatius-5

Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions

  1. Authenticity in Prayer: How can you discern whether your prayer experience, especially in contemplation, is truly an encounter with God rather than just personal imagination?
  2. The Tradition of Imaginative Prayer: What insights from the saints and Scripture itself help you trust that imaginative contemplation is a valid and fruitful way to pray?
  3. Encountering the Living Christ: Since the saving grace of Christ’s life is always accessible, how can you more intentionally enter into His presence through meditation and contemplation?
  4. The Role of the Holy Spirit: How do you recognize the guidance of the Holy Spirit in your prayer, especially when reflecting on Scripture or engaging in imaginative contemplation?
  5. Disposing Yourself for Grace: What practical steps can you take to create the openness necessary to receive the grace God wants to give you in prayer?
  6. Transitioning into Prayer: How can you better prepare your heart before beginning a time of meditation or contemplation to foster a deeper encounter with God?
  7. The Colloquy as Conversation with God: When has your prayer naturally shifted from reflection into direct conversation with God, and how did that change your experience of His presence?
  8. Devotions as Contemplative Prayer: How can practices like the Rosary or the Stations of the Cross become more of a personal encounter with Christ rather than a routine obligation?
  9. Remaining Where Grace is Found: Have you ever experienced a moment in prayer where you felt called to stay with a particular thought, image, or feeling? How did you respond?
  10. Carrying Prayer into Daily Life: How can you take what you receive in prayer—whether in meditation, contemplation, or colloquy—and allow it to shape your daily actions and decisions?

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 15 different podcast series on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts?
Visit here to discover more!

The Presentation in the Temple – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Heart Podcast


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The Presentation in the Temple – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff

Msgr. John Esseff and Kris McGregor reflect on the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple and the deep spiritual significance of this moment. He recounts the Gospel passage from Luke 2:22-40: about the faithfulness of Mary and Joseph in following Jewish law, the prophetic revelation given to Simeon, and the devotion of Anna. It draws attention to the immediacy of encountering Christ—not just in the temple, but within our own hearts, homes, and daily lives. We should recognize Jesus within ourselves first so we can see Him in our families, communities, and ultimately in the world. True relationship begins with Christ dwelling within us, transforming how we see and love those around us.

The mission that follows from this encounter is carrying Christ into the world beyond the church walls. Whether at work, in family life, or in everyday interactions, we need to be conscious of Christ’s presence within them and in those we meet.

Discerning Hearts reflection questions for this episode:

  1. Feast of the Presentation Significance: What significance does the Feast of the Presentation hold, and how does it commemorate the biblical account of Joseph and Mary presenting Jesus in the temple?
  2. Fulfillment of Jewish Law: How did Joseph and Mary, devout Jews, fulfill the requirements of the Jewish law by presenting Jesus in the temple 40 days after His birth?
  3. Encounter with Simeon: Reflect on Simeon’s encounter with the infant Jesus. How does Simeon’s recognition of Jesus as the Messiah reflect the fulfillment of divine promises?
  4. Prophecy and Blessing: Explore the powerful prophecy spoken by Simeon and the blessing bestowed upon Mary and Joseph. How do these prophetic words foreshadow the challenges and significance of Jesus’ life?
  5. Prophetess Anna: Consider the role of Prophetess Anna in the presentation scene. How does her devout life and recognition of Jesus contribute to the unfolding narrative?
  6. Interior Encounter with Jesus: Reflect on Msgr. Esseff’s emphasis on the immediate encounter with Jesus within oneself. How can one cultivate this interior relationship with Jesus in daily life?
  7. Recognizing Jesus in Others: In what ways does Msgr. Esseff encourage recognizing Jesus in family members and others in the community? How does this recognition contribute to building relationships?
  8. The Temple Within: How does Msgr. Esseff underscore the concept of being the temple of God and encountering Jesus within? What practices, like morning prayer, does he suggest for fostering this awareness?
  9. Family as a Sacred Unit: Reflect on Msgr. Esseff’s insights into seeing family members as reflections of Christ. How can recognizing Christ within family members strengthen familial bonds?
  10. Mission Beyond the Church: Consider Msgr. Esseff’s perspective on the mission after leaving the church, bringing Jesus into the world. How does this concept align with the universal availability of Jesus in daily life?
  11. Prayer for Trust: Explore the efficacious novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. How does this prayer, rooted in trust, align with the themes discussed in the podcast?
  12. Applying Psalm Responsorial: Apply the words of the responsorial psalm from the Mass to personal reflection. How can one open the portals of their heart to let the King of Glory, Jesus, enter?

Gospel: Luke 2:22-40

When the days were completed for their purification
according to the law of Moses,
Mary and Joseph took Jesus up to Jerusalem
to present him to the Lord,
just as it is written in the law of the Lord,
Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord,
and to offer the sacrifice of
a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons,
in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord.

Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon.
This man was righteous and devout,
awaiting the consolation of Israel,
and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit
that he should not see death
before he had seen the Christ of the Lord.
He came in the Spirit into the temple;
and when the parents brought in the child Jesus
to perform the custom of the law in regard to him,
he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying:

“Now, Master, you may let your servant go
in peace, according to your word,
for my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you prepared in the sight of all the peoples:
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and glory for your people Israel.”

The child’s father and mother were amazed at what was said about him;
and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother,
“Behold, this child is destined
for the fall and rise of many in Israel,
and to be a sign that will be contradicted
—and you yourself a sword will pierce—
so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
There was also a prophetess, Anna,
the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher.
She was advanced in years,
having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage,
and then as a widow until she was eighty-four.
She never left the temple,
but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer.
And coming forward at that very time,
she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child
to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem.

When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions
of the law of the Lord,
they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth.
The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom;
and the favor of God was upon him.

Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine;

Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton. Msgr. Esseff served a retreat director and confessor to St. Mother Teresa. He continues to offer direction and retreats for the Sisters of the Missionaries of Charity. 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.