Treats of the great need which we have to beseech the Eternal Father to grant us what we ask in these words: “Et ne nos inducas in tentationem, sed libera nos a malo.” (And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil) Explains certain temptations. This chapter is noteworthy.
Continues the same subject and gives counsels concerning different kinds of temptation. Suggests two remedies by which we may be freed from temptations.
Episode 26 – Seeking Truth with Sharon Doran – Peter’s Profession of Faith (PART 2)
Episode 26 –
Peter’s Profession of Faith (part 2)
“Who do you say that I am?” It is the fundamental question of our lives. Who is Jesus? In tonight’s lecture, Sharon teaches us about Peter and his profession of faith. This passage is overflowing with significance, for both the entire Church at large and for each individual member. As she does so well, Sharon shows us the Hebrew scripture foundation of the words of Jesus. We learn what it means for Peter to be called “Simon, son of Jonah.” We understand the significance of Peter as “rock” and discover the importance of the “keys of the kingdom” and “binding and loosing” as the basis for the magisterial authority of the Catholic Church. But then, Sharon draws close and tightens her focus on our own hearts, asking us the question that we MUST answer for ourselves: “But who do YOU say that I am?” Who is Jesus? Where is He in your life?
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 every day 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
On the evening of the start of the retreat, Msgr. Esseff gave a talk to prepare the hearts and minds of the participants. He explains the importance and value of SILENCE and listening to God. We may be doing too much talking to God and not enough listening. He provides the structure of the hours of prepare and scripture to reflect on and how to pray for the reception of a particular grace.
Msgr. Esseff offers Ephesians 3:14-20, in particular, for reflection. He will later in the talk, give specific scripture for reflection for the hours of prayer. He discusses our specific calling…from baptism to marriage, the diaconate…what is our identity as Christian.
The subject is PRAYER. From Luke Chap 11 v 1-13, Msgr. Esseff discusses how little we know how to pray and how to receive. He reflects on the Blessed Virgin Mary’s teaching to St. Catherine Laboure about prayer. Then he offers the proper movement of prayer:
1. “Be there with Him and for Him”
2. “You have to want Him” Intensify the desire of relationship with God.
3. “Listen to Him”
A – Acknowledge (What’s going on in your heart)
R – Relay that to God
(Tell God – Father, Son and the Holy Spirit
and the Blessed Virgin Mary – about that experience)
R – Receive (What is God going to tell me about what I told Him)
R – Respond
4. “Let Him” (Surrender to God)
What happens when we encounter the Holy Eucharist
What happens when we encounter the Living Word of God
The subject is GRACE and the life of Jesus we receive in Baptism. From Ephesians Chap 4 v 7 -16, Msgr. Esseff discusses what he calls “that most magnificent passage” which transforms us. What made the transformation occur? What is Original Sin? He reflects on the fall of our first parents and the broken relationship with God, and God’s gift of the Son. The importance of the Blessed Virgin Mary…the first person to receive the revelation of the Trinity. The tremendous moment of PENTECOST. What is Sanctifying Grace? What does it mean to have Jesus within us and what are we called to do? How can we forgive, especially the deepest wounds? Being like Jesus, we depend completely on the Father. The lie of the “I can do anything” attitude. The beauty of Galatians 2:20. Ask God to help you discover your true self in Him.
The subject is SINFULNESS and the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The crucifixion and death of Jesus and what Jesus “sees” from the Cross. We will not grow in the Divine life given to us in Baptism if we do not become fully aware of our sinfulness in direct relation to our blessedness. The Devil is aware of Christ in us; he hates the beauty of that union. The Enemy’s purpose is to destroy that relationship. Why would we sin and endanger our union with Christ? Sin is not just breaking a commandment, it is the destruction of the Divine life in us. Sin is a mystery; it is a darkness. Our souls are a battleground…between the forces of light and the forces of darkness, the forces of love and the forces of hatred…a complete head on crash in every soul.
Msgr. Esseff then instructs on the importance of enlisting the aid of the Holy Spirit to truly prepare us for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. It’s only through the aid of the Holy Spirit can God reveal to us what truly separates us from the Father. He reveals to us our “core wound”…the tendency in our behavior that causes us to sin. Often we only pay attention to the symptoms of the wound, we need the Holy Spirit to show us the cause. The deeper we go into our sinfulness the deeper the experience of the Divine Mercy.
