Msgr. Esseff reflects on the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. He describes in detail the true horror of this means of execution and what it meant to be crucified in the time of Jesus. But he also talks about the great love that God has for us in embracing the Cross for our sake and what it means for us today. A very powerful reflection.
We begin our study of the beautiful Gospel of John with an overview lecture. John the Evangelist wrote this powerful book for a specific purpose: “So that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name (Jn 20:31).” Sharon starts off with some background information about John, son of Zebedee, who with his brother James, are surnamed by Jesus as the Sons of Thunder. Salome, their mother, petitions the Lord on behalf of her sons that they be granted a seat beside him in heaven. Salome is also one of the myrrh bearing women who prepare the crucified Lord’s body for burial. John, the youngest of the Apostles, refers to himself as the one whom Jesus loved, illuminating the intimate relationship they shared. John was an eye witness to the defining events of Christ’s ministry, including the Transfiguration as well as the resurrections of Lazarus, Jairus’ daughter and, most importantly, Jesus himself. John, the only Apostle present at the foot of the cross, was entrusted with the care of Mary, bringing her to safety in Ephesus where she lived until her assumption. John’s Gospel differs from the synoptic Gospels, presenting a highly theological perspective of the life of Christ. Unlike the synoptic writers who begin with historical facts surrounding the life of Christ, John begins at the beginning, drawing us back to Genesis and the creation of the world. His Gospel is rich with imagery, irony, symbolic themes. It contains the seven signs and the seven “I am” statements. John’s Gospel contains unique stories not found elsewhere: the Samaritan woman at the well, the wedding feast at Cana, the raising of Lazarus, the woman caught in adultery, the doubt of Thomas. His bread of life discourse lays the foundation for our understanding of the Eucharist. Highly sacramental, the Gospel of John reveals the nature of baptism, reconciliation, Eucharist, confirmation, matrimony and Holy Orders.
Sharon Doran serves as the teaching director of “Seeking Truth.” An experienced Bible Study teacher, Sharon has a passion for scripture that will motivate and challenge you to immerse yourself in God’s Word and apply His message to your everyday life.
“Seeking Truth” is an in-depth Catholic Bible Study, commissioned by the Archdiocese of Omaha in response to John Paul II’s call to the New Evangelization as well as Pope Benedict XVI’s exhortation for all Catholics to study scripture. To learn more go to www.seekingtruth.net
In this episode, we discuss Day 6 and how we are ascending Mt. Tabor the place of the Transfiguration of Jesus and his encounter with Elijah and Moses in the presence of Peter, James, and John. And then we journey to Cana!
Make your way through the Holy Land to experience Him, follow in His footsteps, and see Him in the works He performed – your footsteps will become His. Celebrate votive Masses in the very places where these miraculous gifts became pages in the Gospel. See where He was back then, and feel how He is still there today!
Places we will visit:
Holy Land · The Negev · Ein Gedi · Jordan · Jericho · Nazareth · Mount Carmel · Stella Maris · Muhraka ·Carmelites · Tabor · Cana · Capharnahum · Mount of Beatitudes · Tabgha · Jerusalem · Bethlehem · Temple Mount · Mt. of Olives · Gallicantu · Via Dolorosa · Mt. Zion · Emmaus
In this episode:
Day6
Thursday, May 28 | Tabor – Cana
In the morning, we will proceed to Mt. Tabor in the Jezreel Valley (Zc12:11), 11 miles west of the Sea of Galilee. According to Origen, St Jerome and St Cyril of Jerusalem, this is the site of the Transfiguration (Mt 17:1) where Jesus appeared in his Glory between Elijah and Moses. Also, the site in the first covenant, in the mid – 12th century BCE of the battle between Barak and Sisera, under the leadership of Deborah the Israelite Judge of that time (Jg4:5). We will ascend the Mount Tabor by foot in silence (1,886 feet). After praying and contemplating the Moso-Arab Church, a jewel of art, We will celebrate the Eucharist in this magnificent place, ponder on the person of Elijah in Judaism and his presence in the New Testament. Lunch. Descent of Mount Tabor by foot. Cana, where Christ performed his first miracle at the request of his mother is on our way to the Lake. In Cana (Jn2:1-11) we will take time to read and pray. If doable, the couples who wish too can perform the renewal of their wedding vows. After Cana, en-route for the Lake of Galilee called also the Sea of Kinnereth (Nb34:1). The next three days we will ponder on the Public life of Jesus. Dinner and overnight on the Sea shore of the Lake. Free evening.
A few words:
Dear Pilgrim, I invite you prayerfully to discern joining me in undertaking a once in a lifetime journey with a remarkable woman of faith, Sr. Magdalit of the Community of the Beatitudes. Her years of lived experience in Israel and leading pilgrimages throughout the Holy Land will avail us of unique opportunities for prayer, spiritual teaching, and fellowship. Together, we hope to lead you into a new encounter with the great mysteries of our faith and a renewal of your devotion to the Lord. Our eyes will see and our hands will touch the great marvels that live among the people and in the sacred geography on which God was born, walked, died and rose. I hope that the Lord calls you to join us.
In Christ, Dr. Anthony Lilles
In this episode, we discuss Day 4 and Elijah’s confrontation and defeat of Queen Jezebel’s 450 prophets of Baal. Then we transition to Nazareth! We discuss the Virgin Mary and the significance of the Annunciation.
Make your way through the Holy Land to experience Him, follow in His footsteps, and see Him in the works He performed – your footsteps will become His. Celebrate votive Masses in the very places where these miraculous gifts became pages in the Gospel. See where He was back then, and feel how He is still there today!
Places we will visit:
Holy Land · The Negev · Ein Gedi · Jordan · Jericho · Nazareth · Mount Carmel · Stella Maris · Muhraka ·Carmelites · Tabor · Cana · Capharnahum · Mount of Beatitudes · Tabgha · Jerusalem · Bethlehem · Temple Mount · Mt. of Olives · Gallicantu · Via Dolorosa · Mt. Zion · Emmaus
In this episode:
Wednesday, May 27 | Mount Carmel – Stella Maris – Muhraka – Carmelites. Nazareth
In the morning we will visit the grotto of Elijah in Stella Maris. The emplacement (ruins) where the first monk started to live modeling their lives on Elijah. From there we will go up to Muhraka were Elijah confronted the 450 Baal of Queen Jezebel (1kg 18:20-40). Mass. Time of Lectio. Lunch. Transition with Mary: she is the one who will protect the order of Carmelite. In the afternoon, head towards Nazareth. Visit the Greek Church the Fountain of St Gabriel and the Basilica of the Annunciation which is built over the remains of the House where the Angel Gabriel appeared to the Virgin Mary to announce that she was to become the Mother of God (Lk 1:26). Dinner and overnight in Nazareth. Free evening.
A few words:
Dear Pilgrim, I invite you prayerfully to discern joining me in undertaking a once in a lifetime journey with a remarkable woman of faith, Sr. Magdalit of the Community of the Beatitudes. Her years of lived experience in Israel and leading pilgrimages throughout the Holy Land will avail us of unique opportunities for prayer, spiritual teaching, and fellowship. Together, we hope to lead you into a new encounter with the great mysteries of our faith and a renewal of your devotion to the Lord. Our eyes will see and our hands will touch the great marvels that live among the people and in the sacred geography on which God was born, walked, died and rose. I hope that the Lord calls you to join us.
In Christ, Dr. Anthony Lilles
In this episode, Dr. Lilles discusses the Fourth Mansions Chapter 3 part 2 of the “Interior Castle” which covers:
1. The Prayer of recollection compared to the inhabitants of the castle. 2. The Shepherd recalls His flock into the castle. 3. This recollection supernatural. 4. It prepares us for higher favours. 5. The mind must act until God calls it to recollection by love. 6. The soul should here abandon itself 8. into God’s hands. 7. The prayer of recollection, and distractions in Prayer. 8. Liberty of spirit gained by consolations. 9. The soul must be watchful. 10. The devil specially tempts such souls. 11. False trances and raptures. 12. How to treat those deluded in this way. 13. Risks of delusion in this mansion.
Anthony Lilles, S.T.D. is an associate professor and the academic dean of Saint John’s Seminary in Camarillo as well as the academic advisor for Juan Diego House of Priestly Formation for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. For over twenty years he served the Church in Northern Colorado where he joined and eventually served as dean of the founding faculty of Saint John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver. Through the years, clergy, seminarians, religious and lay faithful have benefited from his lectures and retreat conferences on the Carmelite Doctors of the Church and the writings of St. Elisabeth of the Trinity.
In this episode, we discuss Day 3 and the significance of the Jericho for Elijah. We discuss Qumran and the Essenes in relation to John the Baptist.
Make your way through the Holy Land to experience Him, follow in His footsteps, and see Him in the works He performed – your footsteps will become His. Celebrate votive Masses in the very places where these miraculous gifts became pages in the Gospel. See where He was back then, and feel how He is still there today!
Places we will visit:
Holy Land · The Negev · Ein Gedi · Jordan · Jericho · Nazareth · Mount Carmel · Stella Maris · Muhraka ·Carmelites · Tabor · Cana · Capharnahum · Mount of Beatitudes · Tabgha · Jerusalem · Bethlehem · Temple Mount · Mt. of Olives · Gallicantu · Via Dolorosa · Mt. Zion · Emmaus
In this episode:
Tuesday, May 26 | Jordan – Jericho – Nazareth
After breakfast, we will pass in front of Qumran (Jr32:14), the site where some of the Dead Sea Scrolls were found and go towards Jericho to the Baptismal site (Jn1:29) on the Jordan River. We will renew our baptismal vows, feet in the water, or totally immersed. There will be the shift from ‘the Father to the Son’ in our Trinitarian journey. From the Jordan banks, drive to Jericho where Elijah ascended in a chariot of fire (2kg 2:5-15) and were Jesus healed the blind man. We will celebrate the Eucharist at Jericho’s Parish. Enjoy lunch in a beautiful restaurant nearby. After lunch, see a sycamore tree like the one of Zacchaeus the tax collector (Lk19:1-10), and continue along the Jordan Valley to Mount Carmel to our lodging. Dinner and overnight in Stella Maris. In the evening, fraternal time.
A few words:
Dear Pilgrim, I invite you prayerfully to discern joining me in undertaking a once in a lifetime journey with a remarkable woman of faith, Sr. Magdalit of the Community of the Beatitudes. Her years of lived experience in Israel and leading pilgrimages throughout the Holy Land will avail us of unique opportunities for prayer, spiritual teaching, and fellowship. Together, we hope to lead you into a new encounter with the great mysteries of our faith and a renewal of your devotion to the Lord. Our eyes will see and our hands will touch the great marvels that live among the people and in the sacred geography on which God was born, walked, died and rose. I hope that the Lord calls you to join us.
In Christ, Dr. Anthony Lilles
We begin our study of the beautiful Gospel of John with an overview lecture. John the Evangelist wrote this powerful book for a specific purpose: “So that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name (Jn 20:31).” Sharon starts off with some background information about John, son of Zebedee, who with his brother James, are surnamed by Jesus as the Sons of Thunder. Salome, their mother, petitions the Lord on behalf of her sons that they be granted a seat beside him in heaven. Salome is also one of the myrrh bearing women who prepare the crucified Lord’s body for burial. John, the youngest of the Apostles, refers to himself as the one whom Jesus loved, illuminating the intimate relationship they shared. John was an eye witness to the defining events of Christ’s ministry, including the Transfiguration as well as the resurrections of Lazarus, Jairus’ daughter and, most importantly, Jesus himself. John, the only Apostle present at the foot of the cross, was entrusted with the care of Mary, bringing her to safety in Ephesus where she lived until her assumption. John’s Gospel differs from the synoptic Gospels, presenting a highly theological perspective of the life of Christ. Unlike the synoptic writers who begin with historical facts surrounding the life of Christ, John begins at the beginning, drawing us back to Genesis and the creation of the world. His Gospel is rich with imagery, irony, symbolic themes. It contains the seven signs and the seven “I am” statements. John’s Gospel contains unique stories not found elsewhere: the Samaritan woman at the well, the wedding feast at Cana, the raising of Lazarus, the woman caught in adultery, the doubt of Thomas. His bread of life discourse lays the foundation for our understanding of the Eucharist. Highly sacramental, the Gospel of John reveals the nature of baptism, reconciliation, Eucharist, confirmation, matrimony and Holy Orders.
Sharon Doran serves as the teaching director of “Seeking Truth.” An experienced Bible Study teacher, Sharon has a passion for scripture that will motivate and challenge you to immerse yourself in God’s Word and apply His message to your everyday life.
“Seeking Truth” is an in-depth Catholic Bible Study, commissioned by the Archdiocese of Omaha in response to John Paul II’s call to the New Evangelization as well as Pope Benedict XVI’s exhortation for all Catholics to study scripture. To learn more go to www.seekingtruth.net
In this episode, we discuss the reason we have named this a “Trinitarian” pilgrimage. We also discuss why this pilgrimage is “in the company of Elijah”
Make your way through the Holy Land to experience Him, follow in His footsteps, and see Him in the works He performed – your footsteps will become His. Celebrate votive Masses in the very places where these miraculous gifts became pages in the Gospel. See where He was back then, and feel how He is still there today!
Places we will visit:
Holy Land · The Negev · Ein Gedi · Jordan · Jericho · Nazareth · Mount Carmel · Stella Maris · Muhraka ·Carmelites · Tabor · Cana · Capharnahum · Mount of Beatitudes · Tabgha · Jerusalem · Bethlehem · Temple Mount · Mt. of Olives · Gallicantu · Via Dolorosa · Mt. Zion · Emmaus
In this episode:
Day1
Saturday, May 23 | Depart US
Departure for your overnight flights to the Holy Land.
Day2
Sunday, May 24 | Arrive Holy Land
Arrival at Ben Gurion Airport. We’ll be met by our representative. A luxury motor coach will transfer us to the Negev, 18 miles from Beer Sheva (Gn21:25), towards Arad (Judges 1:16) our destination. We will overnight in Kfar ha Nokdim a typical and original Bedouin Style Guest Rooms in the desert. Dinner, time for settling in, late Mass. Special readings adapted to Elijah in the desert.
Day3
Monday, May 25 | The Negev – Ein Gedi – Day of walk in the desert
After breakfast, the coach will leave us at the head of a trail for an hour walk. we’ll take a route in a magnificent rocky landscape, perfect to reflect on God the Father’s promises through his prophets and Elijah’s ministry (1kg 17). Mass in the wilderness (open air). In the afternoon, the coach will drive us on the Arava side (Ez47:8-12). Drive along the Dead sea to Ein Gedi, a beautiful oasis in the region were King David hid while fleeing Saul (1Sm24:2). Time of teaching and Scripture reading. We will meditate on Elijah and his encounter with God (1Kg 19: 1-14). Finish the day in the beauty of the desert. Dinner and overnight at Ein Gedi Hotel, few miles from Jericho.
A few words:
Dear Pilgrim, I invite you prayerfully to discern joining me in undertaking a once in a lifetime journey with a remarkable woman of faith, Sr. Magdalit of the Community of the Beatitudes. Her years of lived experience in Israel and leading pilgrimages throughout the Holy Land will avail us of unique opportunities for prayer, spiritual teaching, and fellowship. Together, we hope to lead you into a new encounter with the great mysteries of our faith and a renewal of your devotion to the Lord. Our eyes will see and our hands will touch the great marvels that live among the people and in the sacred geography on which God was born, walked, died and rose. I hope that the Lord calls you to join us.
In Christ, Dr. Anthony Lilles
“Three Moments of the Day: Praying with the Heart of Jesus” by Fr. Christopher Collins S.J. is outstanding!
Our conversation with Fr. Collins may leave you feeling that you’ve received a wonderful spiritual “booster shot”! What seemed old is beautifully new again. What we may have taken for granted is revealed to have delightfully renewing facets for us to explore. Highly, highly recommended!
From the book description:
On the strength of the Apostleship of Prayer’s worldwide reach, retreat master Christopher Collins introduces a powerful approach to both the Sacred Heart devotion and classic Ignatian spirituality.
In the tradition of Michael Gaitley’s bestselling 33 Days to Morning Glory, Three Moments of the Day presents a classic Catholic tradition in a way that is fresh and compelling. Jesuit retreat master Christopher Collins introduces three simple, yet powerful prayer habits that are at the foundation of both the Sacred Heart devotion and Ignatian spirituality and that assist the reader in turning intentionally toward the Sacred Heart of Christ. Readers are guided through morning offering, evening reflection, and how to ponder the gift of the Eucharist throughout the day.
“Fr. Collins has written a dynamic and entertaining invitation to the Church: Let Jesus love us and heal us at the depth of our wounds. Here, in this accessible source, we can encounter the fire of the Sacred Heart, a fire of love searching for us all.” ––Deacon James Keating, Director of Theological Formation, Institute for Priestly Formation, Creighton University
“This simple yet profound program of three moments a day will bless all who undertake it. In this book, a rich spiritual content is conveyed in heartfelt and accessible language.” —Timothy M. Gallagher, O.M.V., Author of The Discernment of Spirits
“Contemplative Hunger” is a beautifully reflective expression of our experience with the “still, small voice of God”. Fr. Donald Haggerty, a priest of the Archdiocese of New York, has been a Professor of Moral Theology at St. Joseph’s Seminary in New York and Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Maryland. He has a long association as a spiritual director for Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity. From this background, Fr. Haggerty writes about the value of silence, truth, and the need for interior surrender to God. He also illumines the link between contemplation and love for poverty and the poor. Fr. Haggerty identifies the longing of souls for a deeper contemplative encounter and the need to nurture it properly. A truly lovely work that could very well become a classic in spiritual writing.
“A great invitation stirs within these pages to embark on the ultimate quest for God and holiness.”
— Fr. Augustine Di Noia, O.P.
“Fr. Haggerty provokes, encourages, and reassures Christians who struggle to remain faithful to prayer when the Lord seems to be silent. This work offers a very fresh, attractive, and compelling challenge, inviting readers to take heart, to expect more, and to give more to the Lord.” –Sr. Sara Butler, M.S.B.T.
“Father Haggerty reveals that the most active of saints found the wellspring of their energies in the prayer of contemplation, by developing the habit of talking to God, intimately.” –Fr. Romanus Cessario, O.P.
In this episode, we discuss Day 6 and how we are ascending Mt. Tabor the place of the Transfiguration of Jesus and his encounter with Elijah and Moses in the presence of Peter, James, and John. And then we journey to Cana!
In this episode, Dr. Lilles discusses the Fourth Mansions Chapter 3 part 2 of the “Interior Castle” which covers:
For other audio recordings of various spiritual classics you can visit the 
“Three Moments of the Day: Praying with the Heart of Jesus” by Fr. Christopher Collins S.J. is outstanding!
