Series

Conference 7 – Discerning the Will of God with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts


Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 50:46 — 35.1MB) | Embed

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Android | Pandora | iHeartRadio | JioSaavn | Podchaser | Gaana | Podcast Index | Email | TuneIn | Deezer | Anghami | RSS | More

Fr. Timothy Gallagher OMV

Conference 7 – Discerning the Will of God with Fr. Timothy Gallagher O.M.V.

Fr. Timothy Gallagher explores the second and third modes of discernment in Ignatian spirituality and how a person might be drawn to a life choice through a process of interior movement. Using the story of a sister named “Jessica,” he illustrates how deep spiritual consolation can gently and consistently pull a person toward a particular vocation, in this case religious life. Such a process often unfolds gradually over time, rather than through a single decisive moment. This path involves both an increasing clarity of heart and an alignment with God’s invitations, marked by joy, peace, and a growing desire for a closer relationship with God.

The third mode of discernment comes into play when the first two do not yield sufficient clarity. Here, one prayerfully weighs the advantages and disadvantages of each option in light of how they would serve God’s glory and foster spiritual growth. Fr. Gallagher draws on the example of St. Ignatius’ own discernment regarding the degree of poverty to embrace in the Society of Jesus, showing how careful reflection, prayer, and consultation lead to a sound decision. It’s important to approach this process with inner freedom, a disposition of openness to God’s will, and attentiveness to the movements of the heart, all supported by wise counsel and spiritual practices.

You can find various handouts spoken of by Fr. Gallagher in the links below:

Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions

  1. Am I aware of any consistent interior attraction drawing me toward a particular choice or vocation?
  2. Do I notice moments of spiritual consolation that invite me into deeper relationship with God through certain life options?
  3. Have I allowed sufficient time for these movements of the heart to deepen and clarify over time?
  4. Am I cultivating an inner openness to God’s will, truly ready to follow whatever He desires for me?
  5. Am I regularly using spiritual practices—such as Scripture, the Eucharist, silence, and the Examen—to help discern God’s invitations?
  6. Have I sought wise spiritual counsel to accompany me in my discernment process?
  7. If clarity has not emerged through consolation, am I prepared to thoughtfully weigh advantages and disadvantages in light of God’s glory?
  8. Do I prayerfully consider how each possible choice may help make God more known and loved in the world?
  9. Have I gathered all the relevant information I need to discern a choice responsibly and clearly?
  10. Before making a decision, have I sincerely presented it to God in prayer, asking for guidance and confirmation?

For more episodes from Discerning The Will of God conference talks visit here.

Did you know that Fr. Timothy Gallagher has 13 different podcast series on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts?

Visit here to discover more Fr. Gallagher podcasts!

St. Ephrem of Syria – The Doctors of the Church: The Charism of Wisdom with Dr. Matthew Bunson – Discerning Hearts Podcast

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 29:00 — 20.0MB) | Embed

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Android | Pandora | iHeartRadio | JioSaavn | Podchaser | Gaana | Podcast Index | Email | TuneIn | Deezer | Anghami | RSS | More


St. Ephrem of Syria – The Doctors of the Church: The Charism of Wisdom with Dr. Matthew Bunson

  • Born: 306 AD, Nisibis, Turkey
  • Died: June 9, 373 AD, Edessa, Turkey

Dr. Matthew Bunson and Kris McGregor discuss the life and contributions of St. Ephraim, who was declared a Doctor of the Church in 1920 by Pope Benedict XV. This recognition was part of an effort to appreciate the Eastern churches and celebrate their spiritual and ecclesiastical heritage. St. Ephraim, known as the “Harp of the Holy Spirit,” is notable for his hymns and poetry, which served both as theological teaching tools and defenses against heresies such as Arianism.

St. Ephraim was born around 306 in what is now modern Turkey and died in 373. He was a prolific writer, composing up to 3 million lines of poetry and 400 hymns. His hymns focused on themes like creation, the Eucharist, and Mary, and were used to counter heretical teachings through memorable and orthodox lyrics. His work established a tradition of integrating hymns and poetry into Christian liturgy, deeply influencing subsequent church practices.

Despite not being ordained a priest, Ephraim had a significant impact as a deacon, poet, and teacher. His practical life included serving his community during famines and plagues, and his hymns and writings provided deep theological insights. Pope Benedict XVI highlighted Ephraim’s ability to combine poetry and theology, making his teachings a part of the Christian prayer life.

The importance of liturgical music that is both beautiful and theologically rich, following Ephraim’s model. It suggests that modern hymn composers should strive to create music that is not only pleasant but also profound in its theological content. St. Ephraim’s life and work serve as a powerful example for today’s Christians to use their gifts in service to God and the church.

For more on St. Ephrem and his teachings

Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions

  1. St. Ephraim’s Influence: How does St. Ephraim’s integration of poetry and theology inspire you to use your unique talents in service to God and the Church?
  2. Liturgical Importance: Why is it essential for hymns and liturgical music to be both beautiful and theologically rich?
  3. Serving with Humility: In what ways can you follow St. Ephraim’s example of humility and service in your own community?
  4. Facing Heresies: How can we use creative arts today to defend and teach the faith, as St. Ephraim did against Arianism?
  5. Legacy of Faith: What can we learn from St. Ephraim’s dedication to catechizing and deepening the faith of his community, and how can we apply this in contemporary settings?
  6. Multifaceted Contributions: Reflect on the significance of St. Ephraim’s contributions as a poet, teacher, and deacon. How can you utilize all your gifts to serve God?
  7. The Role of Hymns: Consider the role of hymns in your personal spiritual life. How do they help you deepen your faith and understanding of God?
  8. Evangelization through Music: How can we better integrate the theological depth of hymns in our efforts towards the new evangelization?
  9. Historical Context: Reflect on the historical context of St. Ephraim’s life. How did the challenges he faced shape his ministry, and what lessons can we draw from this for our own times?
  10. Living the Faith: How does St. Ephraim’s commitment to living out his faith through service and hymnody challenge you to embody your beliefs in everyday actions?

St.-Ephrem

From Vatican.va, an excerpt from the teachings of Pope Benedict XVI  General Audience 2007:

“The figure of Ephrem is still absolutely timely for the life of the various Christian Churches. We discover him in the first place as a theologian who reflects poetically, on the basis of Holy Scripture, on the mystery of man’s redemption brought about by Christ, the Word of God incarnate. His is a theological reflection expressed in images and symbols taken from nature, daily life and the Bible. Ephrem gives his poetry and liturgical hymns a didactic and catechetical character: they are theological hymns yet at the same time suitable for recitation or liturgical song. On the occasion of liturgical feasts, Ephrem made use of these hymns to spread Church doctrine. Time has proven them to be an extremely effective catechetical instrument for the Christian community.

Ephrem’s reflection on the theme of God the Creator is important: nothing in creation is isolated and the world, next to Sacred Scripture, is a Bible of God. By using his freedom wrongly, man upsets the cosmic order. The role of women was important to Ephrem. The way he spoke of them was always inspired with sensitivity and respect: the dwelling place of Jesus in Mary’s womb greatly increased women’s dignity. Ephrem held that just as there is no Redemption without Jesus, there is no Incarnation without Mary. The divine and human dimensions of the mystery of our redemption can already be found in Ephrem’s texts; poetically and with fundamentally scriptural images, he anticipated the theological background and in some way the very language of the great Christological definitions of the fifth-century Councils.

Ephrem, honoured by Christian tradition with the title “Harp of the Holy Spirit”, remained a deacon of the Church throughout his life. It was a crucial and emblematic decision: he was a deacon, a servant, in his liturgical ministry, and more radically, in his love for Christ, whose praises he sang in an unparalleled way, and also in his love for his brethren, whom he introduced with rare skill to the knowledge of divine Revelation.”

For more visit Vatican.va

For more from Dr. Matthew Bunson, check out his Discerning Hearts page.

Dr. Matthew E. Bunson is a Register senior editor and a senior contributor to EWTN News. For the past 20 years, he has been active in the area of Catholic social communications and education, including writing, editing, and teaching on a variety of topics related to Church history, the papacy, the saints and Catholic culture. He is faculty chair at Catholic Distance University, a senior fellow of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology, and the author or co-author of over 50 books including The Encyclopedia of Catholic History, The Pope Encyclopedia, We Have a Pope! Benedict XVI, The Saints Encyclopedia and best-selling biographies of St. Damien of Molokai and St. Kateri Tekakwitha.

Pentecost: “Come Holy Spirit” – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 27:36 — 19.0MB) | Embed

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Android | Pandora | iHeartRadio | JioSaavn | Podchaser | Gaana | Podcast Index | Email | TuneIn | Deezer | Anghami | RSS | More


Pentecost: “Come Holy Spirit” – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff

Msgr. John Esseff and Kris McGregor celebrate Pentecost, emphasizing its significance as the birthday of the Church and the manifestation of the Holy Spirit. Monsignor Esseff describes Pentecost as the fulfillment of Jesus’ promise to send the Holy Spirit, who brings unity and love to humanity. He reflects on the event in the Acts of the Apostles where the Holy Spirit descends on the apostles, enabling them to speak in different languages, symbolizing the reunification of humanity through divine love.

Msgr. Esseff explains that the Holy Spirit’s language is love, which calls all people to unity, transcending linguistic and cultural barriers. Every human has an innate desire for this divine love and unity, emphasizing that through baptism and the Holy Spirit, all believers become part of one body in Christ. He encourages listeners to recognize the universal invitation to salvation and divine life, and that the Spirit’s gifts are meant for the common good and unity of all people.

He discusses the challenges of maintaining unity within the faith community, attributing division to hatred and self-centeredness. Msgr. Esseff urges believers to embody Christ’s love and work towards unity, acknowledging the Spirit’s presence even among those not baptized; offering hope and encouragement to those struggling with loved ones who have strayed from faith, reminding them of God’s enduring love and the transformative power of the Holy Spirit.

Sequence — Veni, Sancte Spiritus

Come, Holy Spirit, come!
And from your celestial home
Shed a ray of light divine!

Come, Father of the poor!
Come, source of all our store!
Come, within our bosoms shine.

You, of comforters the best;
You, the soul’s most welcome guest;
Sweet refreshment here below;

In our labor, rest most sweet;
Grateful coolness in the heat;
Solace in the midst of woe.

O most blessed Light divine,
Shine within these hearts of yours,
And our inmost being fill!

Where you are not, we have naught,
Nothing good in deed or thought,
Nothing free from taint of ill.

Heal our wounds, our strength renew;
On our dryness pour your dew;
Wash the stains of guilt away:

Bend the stubborn heart and will;
Melt the frozen, warm the chill;
Guide the steps that go astray.

On the faithful, who adore
And confess you, evermore
In your sevenfold gift descend;

Give them virtue’s sure reward;
Give them your salvation, Lord;
Give them joys that never end. Amen.
Alleluia.

Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions:

  1. Significance of Pentecost: How does recognizing Pentecost as the birthday of the Church deepen your understanding of its importance in the Christian faith?
  2. Holy Spirit’s Role: In what ways can you see the Holy Spirit working in your own life and community today?
  3. Language of Love: How can you better communicate God’s love to others, especially those from different cultural or linguistic backgrounds?
  4. Unity in Diversity: What steps can you take to promote unity within your faith community, respecting and valuing its diversity?
  5. Responding to Division: How do you address and overcome feelings of hatred or division within your own heart and relationships?
  6. Living as One Body: Reflect on St. Paul’s description of the Church as one body. How can you contribute to the well-being and unity of this body?
  7. Invitation to All: How can you extend the invitation of God’s love and unity to those who feel excluded or disconnected from the Church?
  8. Witnessing Through Actions: How can your actions better reflect the presence and love of the Holy Spirit in your daily life?
  9. Hope for Loved Ones: In what ways can you offer love, prayer, and support for family members or friends who have strayed from the faith?
  10. Prayer for Renewal: How can you incorporate prayers for the Holy Spirit’s renewal and guidance into your daily spiritual practice?

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.

BTP-LR14 – Day 10, pt. 2 – The Last Retreat by St. Elizabeth of the Trinity – Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles – Discerning Hearts Podcast

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 28:00 — 19.3MB) | Embed

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Android | Pandora | iHeartRadio | JioSaavn | Podchaser | Gaana | Podcast Index | Email | TuneIn | Deezer | Anghami | RSS | More

Day 10, Part 2 – The Last Retreat by St. Elizabeth of the Trinity- Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles

Dr. Anthony Lilles continues reflecting on the 10th day of The Last Retreat by St. Elizabeth of the Trinity and her invitation to live fully in the eternal present of God’s love—a reality where hope flourishes because God is always bringing forth something new and beautiful. A soul attuned to this divine presence lives with adoration and vulnerability, free from the controlling anxieties of the world. This disposition allows a person to “awake the dawn,” seeing each moment as filled with purpose, rather than as a monotonous burden. Such souls find joy and strength even amid suffering, living with invincible hope rooted in the Father’s love.

There is a need for contemplative prayer, accessible to all the baptized, as a path toward inner transformation. Silence and solitude help expose the inner noise caused by disordered desires and fears, which must be surrendered to God. Drawing from St. Elizabeth’s musical imagery, he describes how a heart in tune with God finds harmony and peace. True beauty, Elizabeth says, lies in the unity of being—ultimately a reflection of the unity of love in the Trinity. This unity, born of deep interior silence and ordered affection, enables the soul to love greatly and offer that love to the world in a way that heals, strengthens, and sanctifies.

Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions

  1. How do I respond to the invitation to live fully in the present moment with God’s presence?
  2. In what ways can I foster a heart of adoration and surrender amid my daily struggles?
  3. What does it mean for me personally to “awake the dawn” in my current circumstances?
  4. How much space do I intentionally make in my life for contemplative prayer and silence?
  5. What interior “noise”—fears, desires, memories—prevents me from resting in God’s love?
  6. Am I willing to face my lack of self-possession and let God heal and transform it?
  7. How are my joys and sorrows ordered—do they draw me closer to or away from God?
  8. Where do I seek stability and peace: in external control or in the quiet of God’s presence?
  9. Do I view silence and solitude as burdens or opportunities for communion with the Trinity?
  10. How can I reflect the unity and beauty of God’s love more deeply in my relationships today?

From “Last Retreat Day 10 pt 2” found in The Complete Works vol 1:

26. “Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect.” “God,” says St. Dionysius, “is the great solitary.” 153 My Master asks me to imitate this perfection, to pay Him homage by being a great solitary. The divine Being lives in an eternal, immense solitude. He never leaves it, though concerning Himself with the needs of His creatures, for He never leaves Himself; and this solitude is nothing else than His divinity.

So that nothing may draw me out of this beautiful silence within, I must always maintain the same dispositions, the same solitude, the same withdrawal, the same stripping of self! If my desires, my fears, my joys or my sorrows, if all the movements proceeding from these “four passions” 154 are not perfectly directed to God, I will not be solitary: there will be noise within me. There must be peace, “sleep of the powers,” 155 the unity of being. “Listen, my daughter, lend your ear, forget your people and your father’s house, and the King will become enamoured of your beauty.” 156

It seems to me that this call is an invitation to silence: listen . . . lend your ear. . . . But to listen we must forget “our father’s house,” that is, everything that pertains to the natural life, this life to which the Apostle refers when he says: “If you live according to the flesh, you will die.” 157 To forget “your people” is more difficult, I think, for this people is everything which is, so to speak, part of us: our feelings, our memories, our impressions, etc., the self, in a word! We must forget it, abandon it, and when the soul has made this break, when it is free from all that, the King is enamored of its beauty. For beauty is unity, at least it is the unity of God!”

Elizabeth of the Trinity (2014-07-24). Elizabeth of the Trinity Complete Works, Volume I: I Have Found God, General Introduction and Major Spiritual Writings (Kindle Locations 3396-3407). ICS Publications. Kindle Edition.

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 .

TM13 – The Death of Marie and Reflections – St. Therese and Marie: The Story of Two Cousins with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcast

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 48:13 — 33.2MB) | Embed

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Android | Pandora | iHeartRadio | JioSaavn | Podchaser | Gaana | Podcast Index | Email | TuneIn | Deezer | Anghami | RSS | More

The Death of Marie and Reflections – St. Thérèse and Marie: The Story of Two Cousins with Fr. Timothy Gallagher

Fr. Timothy Gallagher takes a look at the final years of Marie of the Eucharist, cousin of St. Thérèse of Lisieux. As Marie suffered from tuberculosis, she experienced physical decline but also a deepening spiritual life. Through correspondence with her friend Céline Poitier, Marie gradually became a source of spiritual support, drawing from the wisdom of Thérèse and her own painful journey. One poignant letter uses a musical metaphor to comfort Céline, comparing her imperfect endurance of suffering to a child’s flawed but heartfelt piano recital—offered with love and accepted with tenderness. Marie encouraged Céline to see God as a loving parent, quick to console, forgive, and embrace. Her spiritual growth is seen in her patient endurance and her consistent effort to reassure others, despite her weakening condition.

Fr. Gallagher reflects on Marie’s long struggle with scruples, her sensitive nature, artistic gifts, and modesty; her transformation—from someone burdened with inner turmoil to a woman of serene faith and self-giving love. Thérèse’s personal influence helped Marie find freedom from self-focus, allowing her to live a quiet version of the “little way”—loving God through the hidden, everyday trials of illness and community life. Her final days were marked by peace, surrender, and affection for those around her. In her dying words—“My Jesus, I love you”—Marie reveals a heart wholly turned toward God.

Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions

  1. How do I respond to physical or emotional suffering—do I offer it to God or resist it inwardly?
  2. In what ways might I, like Marie, be too hard on myself or overly focused on my own spiritual flaws?
  3. Do I view God more as a stern judge or as a tender and compassionate parent?
  4. Am I open to receiving spiritual guidance from others, even when it challenges my comfort or habits?
  5. How can I better accompany others who are suffering, as Pauline and Thérèse accompanied Marie?
  6. What small acts of love in my daily life might become offerings to God, following the “little way”?
  7. Do I take time to recognize and affirm the gifts God has given me, or do I hide them out of fear or self-doubt?
  8. In what ways can I grow in trust, even when I don’t understand God’s plan or feel spiritually dry?
  9. How might I be called to serve as a spiritual support to someone close to me, like Marie did for Céline?
  10. Am I willing to see holiness not only in canonized saints but in ordinary lives of faithful love and quiet surrender?

Photos of Marie of the Eucharist (Marie Guérin)

About this Series

Fr. Timothy Gallagher reflects upon the enduring legacy of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, exploring how her life and spirituality were deeply influenced by her family and how it offers profound insights into everyday holiness. He examines the role of family and spiritual friendships in nurturing faith, the importance of compassionate care for others, and how Thérèse’s example can inspire listeners to seek sanctity in their daily lives. He also brings forth more details of the spiritual bond between the Martin and Guérin families, offering a model for fostering deeper connections within one’s own family and community.

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

Conference 6 – Discerning the Will of God with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcasts


Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 51:31 — 35.6MB) | Embed

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Android | Pandora | iHeartRadio | JioSaavn | Podchaser | Gaana | Podcast Index | Email | TuneIn | Deezer | Anghami | RSS | More

Fr. Timothy Gallagher OMV

Conference 6 – Discerning the Will of God with Fr. Timothy Gallagher O.M.V.

Fr. Timothy Gallagher explores second mode discernment, a process described by St. Ignatius of Loyola in which one discerns God’s will through a pattern of spiritual consolation and desolation. He presents several real-life and historical examples—such as George, Alice, Walter, and Ignatius himself—who experience moments of deep spiritual joy, peace, or warmth (consolation) and contrasting times of emptiness, discouragement, and confusion (desolation), particularly in prayer. These interior shifts, when carefully observed and prayerfully examined, become key indicators in discerning God’s direction. Certain decisions can become clearer over time as one sees a consistent inner response during these highs and lows. Importantly, experiencing spiritual desolation is not shameful but a common part of the journey.

St. Ignatius’s rules for discernment help a person understand which thoughts are coming from God and which are tactics of the enemy meant to confuse or derail one’s spiritual progress. During times of consolation, one is often drawn to decisions aligned with God’s will, while desolation might tempt one to abandon those same decisions—hence St. Ignatius’s rule to never make significant changes during desolation. Gallagher encourages listeners to become familiar with these rules, to practice them, and to seek support from a spiritual director. He illustrates this with Ignatius’s own 40-day discernment regarding Jesuit poverty and a modern example of a young man discerning a Jesuit vocation.

You can find various handouts spoken of by Fr. Gallagher in the links below:

Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions

  1. When have I experienced a deep sense of God’s love or closeness in prayer, and how did it affect my decisions?
  2. Can I recognize moments of spiritual desolation in my life, and how did I respond to them?
  3. Do I remain faithful to prayer even when it feels dry, difficult, or fruitless?
  4. How do I discern whether a spiritual consolation is truly from God?
  5. Have I ever been tempted to abandon a spiritual commitment during a time of discouragement?
  6. In times of peace, what direction does my heart consistently feel drawn toward?
  7. Do I seek help from a spiritual director or trusted guide when facing interior confusion?
  8. What practical steps can I take to become more aware of my interior spiritual movements?
  9. How might God be using my emotional highs and lows to guide me in a current decision?
  10. Have I learned to reject the voice of the enemy when it tries to sow doubt or fear in my spiritual life?

For more episodes from Discerning The Will of God conference talks visit here.

Did you know that Fr. Timothy Gallagher has 13 different podcast series on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts?

Visit here to discover more Fr. Gallagher podcasts!

The Ascension – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 28:00 — 19.3MB) | Embed

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Android | Pandora | iHeartRadio | JioSaavn | Podchaser | Gaana | Podcast Index | Email | TuneIn | Deezer | Anghami | RSS | More

The Annunciation – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff

Msgr. John Esseff reflects on the meaning of the Ascension and Pentecost, urging us to move beyond a childish, distant view of heaven. Christ’s ascension was not a departure to a far-off place, but a deeper entry into our lives through the Holy Spirit. Jesus remains present in the world through the Church and within each baptized person. Heaven is not “up there,” but within; the Trinity dwells in the heart of the faithful. The Church, then, is not merely an institution but the very body of Christ alive in the world, called to bring God’s presence into every place and relationship through love.

Msgr. Esseff further addresses the difficulty of loving those who have deeply hurt us, explaining that this is humanly impossible without Christ. It is only through union with Jesus, who lives within us, that true forgiveness and love become possible. He tells personal stories, including his mother’s near-death experience and witness to divine love, illustrating how we are called to manifest this divine presence through acts of kindness, forgiveness, and mercy. The world remains in darkness when we fail to reveal Christ within us. Each person is a tabernacle of God’s presence, and our mission is to let that divine light shine through our daily lives, even in the most painful or ordinary moments.

Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions

  1. How does understanding the Ascension as Christ entering into our hearts, rather than leaving for a distant place, change your view of heaven?
  2. In what ways do you experience the presence of the Trinity within you through prayer and daily life?
  3. How do you live out Jesus’ words, “I am with you always,” in your actions and relationships?
  4. What does it mean for you personally that you are a “tabernacle” of God’s presence in the world?
  5. Are there areas in your life where you struggle to let Christ’s love shine through you?
  6. How can you rely more on Jesus within you when faced with people who are difficult to love?
  7. Have you reflected on how gossip or unkind speech may obscure Christ’s presence in you?
  8. What concrete steps can you take to make the kingdom of God more visible in your daily interactions?
  9. Who in your life might be waiting to encounter Christ through your forgiveness or compassion?
  10. How are you responding to Christ’s commission to “make disciples of all nations” in your own context?

Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton.  Msgr. Esseff served as 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 worldwide.  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, sisters, seminarians, and other religious leaders worldwide.  

SFTH-5 – Fighting the Good Fight – Stories from the Heart with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcasts

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 43:57 — 30.3MB) | Embed

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Android | Pandora | iHeartRadio | JioSaavn | Podchaser | Gaana | Podcast Index | Email | TuneIn | Deezer | Anghami | RSS | More

Episode Five – Fighting the Good Fight – Stories from the Heart with Msgr. John Esseff

Msgr. John Esseff reflects on his formative years growing up in a Lebanese Maronite Catholic family. He shares vivid stories of his early friendships formed around the church and school, highlighting how closely tied family, faith, and community life were in his upbringing. He recounts his experiences serving as an altar boy alongside his brother, being mentored by his father, and how boxing became both a defense mechanism and a metaphor for dealing with conflict. His early encounters with schoolyard hostility and physical altercations shaped his understanding of strength and protection, which he later came to see in a new light as he matured in his priestly identity.

Later in life, Msgr. Esseff realized that the combative instincts he was taught—though meant to protect—also delayed deeper human connections. He candidly discusses how those early lessons in self-defense influenced his relationships, even into seminary. A profound spiritual awakening led him to understand that the priesthood isn’t just a role but a call to be Christ to others. He expresses regret for the harm caused by a hardened attitude and explores how true formation comes not just through education but through learning to love as Christ does.

Reflection Questions

  1. How has your upbringing influenced the way you respond to conflict and adversity today?
  2. In what ways do you carry unresolved fear or anger from childhood into your adult relationships?
  3. How do you understand the call to “be Christ” rather than just “do good” as a Christian?
  4. Have you ever used your strengths or gifts in a way that may have hurt rather than healed others?
  5. What does it mean to you to protect someone—not just physically, but spiritually and emotionally?
  6. Are there relationships from your past that were delayed or damaged by pride or fear, and how might God be inviting you to revisit them?
  7. How can you teach the children in your life not only how to defend themselves, but how to build bridges of friendship and understanding?
  8. What experiences in your life have dulled or distorted your understanding of your baptismal identity?
  9. How do you see St. Joseph as a model for guiding others with both strength and tenderness?
  10. In what areas of your spiritual life do you still find yourself tempted to “fight back” instead of respond with love?

About the Series

In this deeply personal and spiritually rich podcast series, Msgr. John Esseff—renowned retreat master, confessor, and spiritual director—shares intimate stories of his remarkable life. Having encountered some of the most beloved and influential figures of the modern Church, including St. Teresa of Calcutta, St. Padre Pio, Pope St. John Paul II, and many others, Msgr. Esseff offers listeners a living memory of the Church’s heart in the 20th and 21st centuries. This series also explores his missionary work with the poor, his years of service through the Pontifical Missions, and the profound lessons drawn from hidden saints and everyday holiness.

Ep 5 – The 6th and 7th Shewing – All Shall Be Well w/ Kris McGregor – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 38:17 — 26.4MB) | Embed

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Android | Pandora | iHeartRadio | JioSaavn | Podchaser | Gaana | Podcast Index | Email | TuneIn | Deezer | Anghami | RSS | More

All Shall Be Well: A Journey Through Julian of Norwich’s Revelations of Divine Love with Kris McGregor

Episode 5: The Sixth and Seventh Shewings — Divine Reward and the Mystery of Consolation

Summary:

In Episode 5, we explore Julian of Norwich’s Sixth and Seventh Shewings, where she is shown the eternal joy that awaits those who serve God in love, and the mysterious rhythm of spiritual consolation and desolation. Julian reveals that no act of agape love is forgotten, and even our hidden sacrifices are honored by the Lord with lasting joy. She also experiences the rise and fall of spiritual feelings, learning that God remains constant in both peace and pain. Her revelations echo truths later taught by St. Ignatius of Loyola: that spiritual desolation, while permitted, is never without purpose. Through it all, Julian teaches us to remain rooted in God’s unchanging love—trusting that His presence holds us through every joy and trial.

For other episodes in this series visit: All Shall Be Well: A Journey Through Julian of Norwich’s Revelations of Divine Love with Kris McGregor

Full Julian of Norwich Quotations Used in Episode 5:

From Revelations of Divine Love, Long Text, Chapters XIV-XV, trans. Grace Warrack, Methuen & Co., 1901 (PDF edition).

The Sixth Shewing — The Reward for Willing Service

“After this our good Lord said: I thank thee for thy travail, and especially for thy youth. And in this [Shewing] mine understanding was lifted up into Heaven where I saw our Lord as a lord in his own house, which hath called all his dearworthy servants and friends to a stately feast. Then I saw the Lord take no place in His own house, but I saw Him royally reign in His house, fulfilling it with joy and mirth, Himself endlessly to gladden and to solace His dearworthy friends, full homely and full courteously, with marvellous melody of endless love, in His own fair blessed Countenance. Which glorious Countenance of the Godhead fulfilleth the Heavens with joy and bliss.” (Ch. 14)

“God shewed three degrees of bliss that every soul shall have in Heaven that willingly hath served God in any degree in earth. The first is the worshipful thanks of our Lord God that he shall receive when he is delivered of pain. This thanking is so high and so worshipful that the soul thinketh it filleth him though there were no more. For methought that all the pain and travail that might be suffered by all living men might not deserve the worshipful thanks that one man shall have that willingly hath served God. The second is that all the blessed creatures that are in Heaven shall see that worshipful thanking, and He maketh his service known to all that are in Heaven… The third is, that as new and as gladdening as it is received in that time, right so shall it last without end.” (Ch. 14)

“And I saw that homely and sweetly was this shewed, and that the age of every man shall be [made] known in Heaven, and [he] shall be rewarded for his willing service and for his time. And specially the age of them that willingly and freely offer their youth unto God, passingly is rewarded and wonderfully is thanked.

For I saw that whene’er what time a man or woman is truly turned to God,—for one day’s service and for his endless will he shall have all these three degrees of bliss. And the more the loving soul seeth this courtesy of God, the liefer he is to serve him all the days of his life.” (Ch. 14)

The Seventh Shewing — The Trial of Consolation and Desolation

“AND after this He shewed a sovereign ghostly pleasance in my soul. I was fulfilled with the everlasting sureness, mightily sustained without any painful dread. This feeling was so glad and so ghostly that I was in all peace and in rest, that there was nothing in earth that should have grieved me.

This lasted but a while, and I was turned and left to myself in heaviness, and weariness of my life, and irksomeness of myself, that scarcely I could have patience to live. There was no comfort nor none ease to me but faith, hope, and charity; and these I had in truth, but little in feeling.” (Ch. 15)

“And anon after this our blessed Lord gave me again the comfort and the rest in soul, in satisfying and sureness so blissful and so mighty that no dread, no sorrow, no pain bodily that might be suffered should have distressed me. And then the pain shewed again to my feeling, and then the joy and the pleasing, and now that one, and now that other, divers times—I suppose about twenty times. And in the time of joy I might have said with Saint Paul: Nothing shall dispart me from the charity of Christ; and in the pain I might have said with Peter: Lord, save me: I perish!” (Ch. 15)

The Seventh Shewing — Consolation and Desolation in One Love

“This Vision was shewed me, according to mine understanding, [for] that it is speedful to some souls to feel on this wise: sometime to be in comfort, and sometime to fail and to be left to themselves. God willeth that we know that He keepeth us even alike secure in woe and in weal. And for profit of man’s soul, a man is sometime left to himself; although sin is not always the cause: for in this time I sinned not wherefore I should be left to myself—for it was so sudden. Also I deserved not to have this blessed feeling. But freely our Lord giveth when He will; and suffereth us [to be] in woe sometime. And both is one love.” (Ch. 15)

“For it is God’s will that we hold us in comfort with all our might: for bliss is lasting without end, and pain is passing and shall be brought to nought for them that shall be saved. And therefore it is not God’s will that we follow the feelings of pain in sorrow and mourning for them, but that we suddenly pass over, and hold us in endless enjoyment.” (Ch. 15)

Scripture Featured

(Translations used: Revised Standard Version [RSV] )

  •  (Romans 8:35, RSV)

“Nothing shall separate me from the love of Christ.”

  •  (Matthew 14:30, RSV)

“..he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.””

Catechism of the Catholic Church

“In the battle of prayer, we must face in ourselves and around us erroneous notions of prayer. Some people view prayer as a simple psychological activity, others as an effort of concentration to reach a mental void. Still others reduce prayer to ritual words and postures. Many Christians unconsciously regard prayer as an occupation that is incompatible with all the other things they have to do: they ‘don’t have the time.’ Those who seek God by prayer are quickly discouraged because they do not know that prayer comes also from the Holy Spirit and not from themselves alone.” (CCC 2726)

“Spiritual progress tends toward ever more intimate union with Christ. This union is called ‘mystical’ because it participates in the mystery of Christ through the sacraments… God calls us all to this intimate union with Him, even if the special graces or extraordinary signs of this mystical life are granted only to some” (CCC 2014).

“We can therefore hope in the glory of heaven promised by God… in every circumstance, each one of us should hope, with the grace of God, to persevere to the end” (CCC 1821).

“By His death, Christ liberates us from sin; by His Resurrection, He opens the way to new life” (CCC 654).

Reflection Questions for Prayer

  1. Have I experienced spiritual consolation and desolation? How might I hold fast to Christ in both?
  2. In what ways is God inviting me to offer my love—even in small, hidden ways?
  3. When I feel discouraged or alone, can I still believe that God is holding me just as securely?

Closing Prayer (inspired by the Sixth and Seventh Shewings)

O Lord of unchanging love,
In joy and in sorrow, You are near.
You see the gifts we offer in secret—
And You remember them with delight.

When we are weary, hold us.
When we are restless, steady us.
When we are afraid, remind us that You are still with us.

Wrap us in Your homely loving,
Clothe us in the mercy that does not fade,
And teach us to trust that
Even now, in the shadows,
You are leading all things into joy.

Amen.

© Discerning Hearts. All rights reserved.

 

BTP-LR13 – Day 10, pt. 1 – The Last Retreat by St. Elizabeth of the Trinity – Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles – Discerning Hearts Podcast

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 28:00 — 19.3MB) | Embed

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Android | Pandora | iHeartRadio | JioSaavn | Podchaser | Gaana | Podcast Index | Email | TuneIn | Deezer | Anghami | RSS | More

Day 10, Part 1 – The Last Retreat by St. Elizabeth of the Trinity- Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles

Dr. Anthony Lilles and Kris McGregor explore the spiritual insights of Day 10 from St. Elizabeth of the Trinity’s The Last Retreat and the command “Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect,” which St. Elizabeth understands as a call to live in the eternal present—a mode of existence modeled on God the Father’s unchanging love and divine solitude. She describes this as a life of continual adoration, where one is stripped of self, free from distractions of both natural and spiritual attachments, and wholly oriented toward God. This solitude is not isolation, but a rich interior silence where the soul can remain attentive to God’s love, mirroring the Father’s own stillness and constancy.

Dr. Lilles explains how St. Elizabeth’s reflections draw attention to the Father’s unique, ungenerated nature—His eternal being from which the Son is begotten and the Spirit proceeds. The solitude she invites is not emotional withdrawal, but a purification that allows the soul to love without compromise. This life of contemplative prayer, rooted in the eternal now, is akin to martyrdom—a surrender to divine love in the face of evil and suffering.

Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions

  1. How is God inviting me to live more fully in the eternal present, rooted in His love rather than in my circumstances?
  2. In what ways can I embrace the solitude of the Father as a space of love and not isolation?
  3. What attachments—natural or spiritual—may God be asking me to let go of so I can be more wholly His?
  4. How does my daily prayer life reflect a desire to be stripped of self in order to adore God for who He is?
  5. When faced with suffering or powerlessness, do I respond from a place of trust in God’s victory through love?
  6. What does it mean for me personally to be “perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect”?
  7. How can I cultivate silence and interior stillness amid the noise of daily life?
  8. In what areas of my life do I let circumstances determine my capacity to love rather than God’s presence?
  9. Who in my life or in the world today models for me the quiet strength of love rooted in divine solitude?
  10. How can I allow contemplative prayer to shape my response to injustice, conflict, or difficulty with peace and fidelity?

From “Last Retreat Day 10 pt 1” found in The Complete Works vol 1:

25. “Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect.” 145 When my Master makes me understand these words in the depths of my soul, it seems to me that He is asking me to live like the Father “in an eternal present,” “with no before, no after,” but wholly in the unity of my being in this “eternal now.” 146 What is this present? This is what David tells me: “They will adore Him always because of Himself.”

147 This is the eternal present in which Laudem Gloriae must be established. But for her to be truly in this attitude of adoration, so that she can sing, “I will awake the dawn,” 148 she must also be able to say with St. Paul, “For love of Him I have forfeited everything”; 149 that is: because of Him, that I may adore Him always, I am “alone, set apart, stripped” of all things, both with regard to the natural as well as the supernatural gifts of God. For a soul that is not thus “destroyed and freed” 150 from self will of necessity be trivial and natural at certain moments, and that is not worthy of a daughter of God, a spouse of Christ, a temple of the Holy Spirit. To guard against this natural life the soul must be wholly vigilant in her faith151 with her gaze turned towards the Master. Then she “can walk,” as the royal prophet sings, “in the integrity of her heart within her house.” 152 Then she “will adore her God always because of Himself” and will live, like Him, in that eternal present where He lives…”

Elizabeth of the Trinity (2014-07-24). Elizabeth of the Trinity Complete Works, Volume I: I Have Found God, General Introduction and Major Spiritual Writings (Kindle Locations 3374-3391). ICS Publications. Kindle Edition.

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 .