Join Fr. Mauritius Wilde O.S.B. and Kris McGregor in this special Discerning Hearts Video Podcast as they discuss the effects of the novel Coronavirus Global Pandemic in Rome and at Sant’Anselmo all’Aventino Monastery. Fr. Mauritius offers important spiritual guidance during this time which comes from the Holy Rule of Benedict.
Father Mauritius Wilde, OSB, Ph.D., did his philosophical, theological and doctoral studies in Europe. He is the author of several books and directs retreats regularly. He serves as Prior at Sant’Anselmo in Rome.
Drawing from the Sacred Scriptures given to us from the Mass celebrated on the 4th Monday of Lent, Msgr. Esseff reminds us to remember who we are and union with Christ Jesus. He also comments on the division that still radiates from the politicians of our day and how we can pray in this situation.
At that time Jesus left [Samaria] for Galilee.
For Jesus himself testified
that a prophet has no honor in his native place.
When he came into Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him,
since they had seen all he had done in Jerusalem at the feast;
for they themselves had gone to the feast.
Then he returned to Cana in Galilee,
where he had made the water wine.
Now there was a royal official whose son was ill in Capernaum.
When he heard that Jesus had arrived in Galilee from Judea,
he went to him and asked him to come down
and heal his son, who was near death.
Jesus said to him,
“Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will not believe.”
The royal official said to him,
“Sir, come down before my child dies.”
Jesus said to him, “You may go; your son will live.”
The man believed what Jesus said to him and left.
While the man was on his way back,
his slaves met him and told him that his boy would live.
He asked them when he began to recover.
They told him,
“The fever left him yesterday, about one in the afternoon.”
The father realized that just at that time Jesus had said to him,
“Your son will live,”
and he and his whole household came to believe.
Now this was the second sign Jesus did
when he came to Galilee from Judea.
Msgr. Esseff addresses the global pandemic of the coronavirus and COVID-19. He speaks of the growing darkness that looming on the horizon becoming every more apparent approaching our land. Msgr. Esseff reorients us to gaze upon the light that will show us the way. He offers wise spiritual counsel to guide us through the uncharted waters lay before us. This is the great wake up call for the world. Do you truly hear it?
Brothers and sisters:
You were once darkness,
but now you are light in the Lord.
Live as children of light,
for light produces every kind of goodness
and righteousness and truth.
Try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.
Take no part in the fruitless works of darkness;
rather expose them, for it is shameful even to mention
the things done by them in secret;
but everything exposed by the light becomes visible,
for everything that becomes visible is light.
Therefore, it says:“Awake, O sleeper,
and arise from the dead,
and Christ will give you light.”
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. 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 St. Pope John Paul II. 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.
A SPECIAL SEEKING TRUTH CATHOLIC BIBLE STUDY FOR OUR TROUBLED TIMES
GENESIS 48, 49 and 50
Our final lesson of Genesis begins with an in-depth look at the typology between the Joseph of Egypt and Joseph of Bethlehem. In 1870, Pope Pius IX declared St. Joseph as the patron saint of the universal Catholic Church. In that document, Pope Pius recognized the connections between the two men. Just as Pharaoh made Joseph the lord of his household, prince over all his possessions, protector of all the grain in the land, so too did the Lord choose another Joseph, the earthly guardian of Jesus, to be the lord and chief of his household and possessions and guardian of his choicest treasures. Joseph, the husband to Mary, was the father of the beginning of the Church on earth. He was the foster father to Jesus and the defender and protector of the Holy Family.
From his many roles come many other titles for Joseph of Bethlehem. He was also Joseph of Nazareth, indicating the Holy Family’s home when they return from Egypt. As instructed in a dream (Matthew 2:13-15), he became Joseph the Immigrant, fleeing to Egypt with Mary and infant Jesus, thus fulfilling the words of the prophet Hosea: “Out of Egypt I called my son.” Other titles for St. Joseph include Joseph most just and Joseph most chaste. He is also called mirror of patience, the model of obedience, the model of artisans, the illustrious son of David and the Terror of Demons. Scripture does not record a single word of Joseph and his presence is missing during the public ministry of Jesus, leading most scholars to assume he must have died before then. Artists have depicted Joseph being comforted by Mary and Jesus on his death bed, which explains why Joseph is the patron saint of a happy death. Like Mary, no one claims to have the relics of Joseph.
There are many other examples of typology between Joseph of Egypt and Joseph of Bethlehem. Both are sons of Jacob and both are models for the virtue of chastity. Joseph protected Jesus, the Bread of Life, enabling Him to accomplish His plan of salvation for the world. Likewise, Joseph of Egypt stored up grain, protecting the bread of life the world needed during the famine.
Dreams were important to both. In his dreams, angels help Joseph understand his role as the earthly foster father of Jesus and husband to Mary. Joseph had four dreams: Joseph was told to take Mary as his wife as she had conceived by the Holy Spirit (Matthew 1:20-21); Joseph was warned to leave Bethlehem and flee to Egypt (Matthew 2:13); Joseph was told to return to Israel (Matthew 2:19-20); Joseph was told to return to Galilee instead of going to Judea (Matthew 2:22). As we have seen in earlier chapters of Genesis, Joseph of Egypt was himself a dreamer (Genesis 37) but also had the gift to interpret dreams by the power of God (Genesis 40, 41).
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020, this particular lecture was given before an empty room. By order of civil authorities, no more than 10 people could be gathered in one location. The empty shelves at the supermarkets bring to mind the empty grain bins during the famine in Genesis. Just as the Lord allowed the famine, He too has allowed the 2020 pandemic. But as we have been reminded throughout this study of Genesis, “We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).
Joseph acknowledged that his brothers intended to harm him, but that God intended it so that many lives could be saved. As Jacob lay on his death bed, Joseph presented his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim. Jacob claimed them as his own sons, future offspring would belong to Joseph. Ephraim and Manasseh were given the same status as the brothers of Joseph. As he prepared to impart his blessing, Jacob’s eyes were dim with age, just as the eyes of his own father, Isaac, were dim when he gave his blessing to Jacob instead of firstborn Esau. When Jacob blessed Ephraim and Manasseh, he crossed his arms such that his right blessing hand laid upon the younger Ephraim and his left hand upon the older Manasseh. Joseph tried unsuccessfully to correct his father. Just as the younger Jacob received the blessing instead of the older Esau, so too did the younger Ephraim receive the blessing instead of the older Manasseh as it was with other brother pairings in the book of Genesis.
Jacob then pronounced blessings over the remaining brothers. Despite being the firstborn, Reuben did not receive the blessing of birthright because he had slept with Bilhah, the maid of Rachel. Simeon and Levi were criticized for their excessive vengeance against Shechem. Judah, the fourth born, was praised by Jacob, who describes him as a lion, whose lineage will include King David and Jesus. Jacob then went on to describe the future for each of the remaining sons. Before breathing his last, Jacob requested to be buried at the cave at Machpelah, alongside the body of his wife Leah (recall that Rachel died during the birth of Benjamin and was buried along the roadside near Bethlehem). The tomb at Machpelah also holds the graves of Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, and Rebekah and was purchased outright. Joseph traveled to Machpelah accompanied by a large funeral procession of Egyptians who shared in his grief. Joseph’s brothers tried to claim that on his death bed, Jacob commanded Joseph to forgive them. However, Joseph forgave them on his own accord, knowing that God would be the one to judge them.
At the end of Genesis, Joseph died at the age of 110 years. His body was transported back to Canaan for burial. In Genesis 33, Jacob purchased a plot of land in Shechem and from Joshua 24:32, we read “The bones of Joseph which the people of Israel brought up from Egypt were buried at Shechem, in the portion of ground which Jacob bought.” The tomb of Joseph is found in modern-day Nablus, very close to the well where Jacob first met Rachel. At this same well, Jesus encountered the sinful Samaritan woman (John 4) who to this day is revered as St. Photina.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, many Catholics around the world are unable to attend mass and receive Jesus in the Eucharist. In this time of famine from the body of Christ, we can still be nourished by His Word: “The Church has always venerated the divine Scriptures just as she venerates the body of the Lord, since, especially in the sacred liturgy, she unceasingly receives and offers to the faithful the bread of life from the table both of God’s word and of Christ’s body. She has always maintained them, and continues to do so, together with sacred tradition, as the supreme rule of faith, since, as inspired by God and committed once and for all to writing, they impart the word of God Himself without change and make the voice of the Holy Spirit resound in the words of the prophets and Apostles. Therefore, like the Christian religion itself, all the preaching of the Church must be nourished and regulated by Sacred Scripture. For in the sacred books, the Father who is in heaven meets His children with great love and speaks with them; and the force and power in the word of God is so great that it stands as the support and energy of the Church, the strength of faith for her sons, the food of the soul, the pure and everlasting source of spiritual life. Consequently, these words are perfectly applicable to Sacred Scripture: “For the word of God is living and active” (Heb. 4:12) and “it has power to build you up and give you your heritage among all those who are sanctified” (Acts 20:32; see 1 Thess. 2:13) (Dei Verbum 21).
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
1. This trial is a spiritual opportunity. Many holy men and women found God more deeply
in time of loss, pain, and struggle. Live this time as a special opportunity for spiritual
growth.
2. These days teach us that we are not in control, and that God is, a powerful and healing
lesson for all of life (Mt 5:3).
3. This time, with busyness reduced, offers a priceless opportunity to reflect on our lives,
why we are here, what matters most, the people in our lives. Reflect in this way: it will
pay rich dividends.
4. These weeks offer increased time to be with each other, our spouses, children, parents,
and all the important people in our lives. Spend more time with them, and the
relationships that matter most in your life will be blessed.
5. These anxious days are a time for small, daily, warm, concrete gestures of caring for
others: a helping hand, a phone call, a text, an email, an errand done for another, a
listening ear. Look for such opportunities and respond.
6. “Consolation must now be everyone’s commitment” (Pope Francis). Be a presence that
brings consolation to the worried, the ill, the lonely, the afraid.
7. Follow online the daily words of Pope Francis. He speaks with wisdom, warmth, and
faith about this situation. In this way, you will live these days with the universal Church.
8. In God’s timing, this struggle coincides with Lent. You have more time, and there is
greater need now to live it well. Make this a special Lent. Choose how you will live it.
9. Pray, pray, pray. Spend 15 minutes each day in some form of meditation—you have the
time. It might be lectio divina, Morning and Evening Prayer from the Liturgy of the
Hours, the Rosary, Ignatian meditation or contemplation of Scripture . . . whatever way
best helps you to pray. Pope Benedict writes: “Prayer is the school of hope.”
10. Turn to our Blessed Mother in a new and deeper way. In time of struggle, the Church
always turns to her because “Never was it known that anyone who fled to your
protection, implored your intercession, or sought your help, was left unaided” (the
Memorare).
Drawing from the Sacred Scriptures given to us from the Mass celebrated on the 3rd Saturday of Lent, Msgr. Esseff reacts to those who seem to be railing against the economic shutdown in the United States which seeks to protect those who may be harmed by the virus. He also reflects on our need to go deeply into ourselves and examen our judgemental nature.
Jesus addressed this parable
to those who were convinced of their own righteousness
and despised everyone else.
“Two people went up to the temple area to pray;
one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector.
The Pharisee took up his position and spoke this prayer to himself,
‘O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity —
greedy, dishonest, adulterous — or even like this tax collector.
I fast twice a week,
and I pay tithes on my whole income.’
But the tax collector stood off at a distance
and would not even raise his eyes to heaven
but beat his breast and prayed,
‘O God, be merciful to me a sinner.’
I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former;
for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled,
and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Just the right book and just the right time. I am delighted to be joined by Dr. Joseph White Ph.D. to discuss “Listening for God in Everyday Life.” At a time when so many are anxious and afraid, this timely new book shines a bright light in all the areas where God is seeking to console and guide us. At a time when we may be asking “Where are you, God?”, Dr. White helps us to see the many unexpected ways in which God is present and waiting to touch our lives. If we can begin to hear and see God in all things our relationship deepens with one who knows us better than ourselves. We realize we are not alone, especially in our fears and struggles. Dr. White is a nationally recognized clinical psychologist and a deep man of prayer. He offers practical insights and questions for us to reflect on to aid our ability to listen with the ears of our hearts.
In Listening for God in Everyday Life, author, speaker, and psychologist Joseph White shows us how to listen for God in this noisy, chaotic world. God is speaking to us all the time, but we have to learn to hear his voice. Drawing on his personal experience, Joseph reveals the means God uses to speak directly to our hearts. Some of these may even surprise you! They include
Silence
Gifts and Talents
Scripture
Creation
Humor
Tradition Art
Liturgy
Saints
Struggle
Children
Relationship
People in Need
When we learn to hear it, God’s voice opens our hearts to his love, deepening our relationship with the one who knows us better than we know ourselves.
Drawing from the Sacred Scriptures given to us from the Mass celebrated on the 3rd Friday of Lent, Msgr. Esseff reflects on God’s desire to have a relationship with us. What will we respond? We discuss the reaction of some “spring breakers” and their apparent indifference to the dangers of the coronavirus. But he also asks us to reflect on the areas of indifference in our lives and what would the response of love demand.
One of the scribes came to Jesus and asked him,
“Which is the first of all the commandments?”
Jesus replied, “The first is this: Hear, O Israel!
The Lord our God is Lord alone!
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart,
with all your soul,
with all your mind,
and with all your strength.
The second is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
There is no other commandment greater than these.”
The scribe said to him, “Well said, teacher.
You are right in saying, He is One and there is no other than he.
And to love him with all your heart,
with all your understanding,
with all your strength,
and to love your neighbor as yourself
is worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”
And when Jesus saw that he answered with understanding,
he said to him,
“You are not far from the Kingdom of God.”
And no one dared to ask him any more questions.
Drawing from the Sacred Scriptures given to us from the Mass celebrated on the 3rd Thursday of Lent, Msgr. Esseff and Kris McGregor share their personal struggles with fear during this challenging time. Msgr. Esseff draws inspiration from the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Joseph and their period of anxiety when the lost Jesus when he was 12. We too need to find Jesus when we are afraid and anxious.
Each year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover,
and when he was twelve years old,
they went up according to festival custom.
After they had completed its days, as they were returning,
the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem,
but his parents did not know it.
Thinking that he was in the caravan,
they journeyed for a day
and looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances,
but not finding him,
they returned to Jerusalem to look for him.
After three days they found him in the temple,
sitting in the midst of the teachers,
listening to them and asking them questions,
and all who heard him were astounded
at his understanding and his answers.
When his parents saw him,
they were astonished,
and his mother said to him,
“Son, why have you done this to us?
Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety.”
And he said to them,
“Why were you looking for me?
Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?”
But they did not understand what he said to them.
He went down with them and came to Nazareth,
and was obedient to them.
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. 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 St. Pope John Paul II. 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.
Why do you confuse yourselves by worrying? Leave the care of your affairs to me and everything will be peaceful. I say to you in truth that every act of true, blind, complete surrender to me produces the effect that you desire and resolves all difficult situations.
O Jesus, I surrender myself to you, take care of everything! (10 times)
Mother, I am yours now and forever. Through you and with you I always want to belong completely to Jesus.
Just the right book and just the right time. I am delighted to be joined by Dr. Joseph White Ph.D. to discuss “Listening for God in Everyday Life.” At a time when so many are anxious and afraid, this timely new book shines a bright light in all the areas where God is seeking to console and guide us. At a time when we may be asking “Where are you, God?”, Dr. White helps us to see the many unexpected ways in which God is present and waiting to touch our lives. If we can begin to hear and see God in all things our relationship deepens with one who knows us better than ourselves. We realize we are not alone, especially in our fears and struggles. Dr. White is a nationally recognized clinical psychologist and a deep man of prayer. He offers practical insights and questions for us to reflect on to aid our ability to listen with the ears of our hearts.
