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The 2nd Sunday of Advent – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast

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The 2nd Sunday of Advent – A Call to Wake Up, Repent, and Enter the Light of JesusBuilding a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff

In this Advent reflection, Msgr. John Esseff turns to the figure of John the Baptist and the call to repentance that prepares the way for the Lord. He explains that John stands at the culmination of Old Testament prophecy, announcing the arrival of the Messiah and calling all people to conversion. Yet Jesus teaches that the least in the kingdom is greater than John, because Christians carry Christ within them. This means the true tragedy is not simply breaking commandments but failing to live as Christ in the world.

Msgr. Esseff then guides listeners through examples of interior patterns that separate the soul from union with Jesus. He speaks about judgmental attitudes, envy, lust, unforgiveness, gluttony, and other deep tendencies that distort the heart. Each one acts like a hidden disease that wounds the life of Christ within the person. Advent becomes a time to uncover these wounds through honest examination and to bring them to the Lord for healing.

He urges listeners to call upon the Holy Spirit, who reveals the core wound with gentleness, not accusation. The Spirit convicts with light and love, while the enemy accuses and discourages. Confession is offered as a powerful path to healing, where the cross penetrates the soul and restores union with Christ.

Msgr. Esseff encourages priests to open the confessional during Advent and calls all Christians to stop judging one another and instead direct loved ones to the Holy Spirit, who alone can reveal the truth of the heart. Advent is presented as a privileged time to awaken, repent, and prepare for the coming of the Lord, who desires to bring healing, renewal, and unity to every soul.

Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions

What interior pattern or tendency separates me most from Christ right now?
When I examine my heart, do I hear the accusing voice or the gentle clarity of the Holy Spirit?
Where have I allowed judgment, envy, or resentment to shape my thoughts or relationships?
What wound or habit is the Holy Spirit inviting me to bring to confession this Advent?
How can I prepare my heart to welcome Christ more deeply during this season?

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 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 Pope St. 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.

The 1st Sunday of Advent – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast

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The 1st Sunday of Advent – A Call to Wake Up, Repent, and Enter the Light of JesusBuilding a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff

On the First Sunday of Advent, Msgr. Esseff shares two deeply moving testimonies that reveal the power of love, faith, and the kingship of Christ. The first story follows a Christian couple who defied medical advice to abort their “defective” child, trusting instead in God’s providence. Their faith was rewarded with the birth of a healthy baby who grew into a successful firefighter.

In this first Sunday of Advent reflection, Msgr. John Esseff invites listeners into the season with a call to spiritual wakefulness. Drawing from the Gospel of Matthew, he explains Jesus’ warning that some will be united with him at his coming while others will be left behind. The key difference is union with Christ, a union formed through baptism, nourished by grace, and renewed through repentance.

Msgr. Esseff speaks about the early Church, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and the ongoing need for every Christian to “put on the Lord Jesus Christ.” He warns that sin separates the soul from Christ and dims the light God desires to radiate through us. Advent is presented as a time to return to that light, confront the shadows in our lives, and seek healing through confession, prayer, and intentional spiritual discipline.

The episode also explores Advent’s connection to peace. Drawing from Isaiah, Msgr. Esseff prays for a world where nations turn weapons into instruments of cultivation, and where each person commits to the peace Christ brings. He shares personal experiences of confession, transformation, and encounters with families seeking deeper union with God.

As the episode closes, he encourages listeners to begin an Advent journal, undertake a sincere spiritual inventory, and allow the Holy Spirit to reveal areas of darkness that need grace. For Msgr. Esseff, Advent is the doorway to a renewed life in Christ, a season where hearts awaken, grace deepens, and the soul prepares to welcome the light of Christmas.

Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions

What area of my life most needs the light of Christ as Advent begins?
Where have I allowed habits or attitudes to separate me from Jesus?
What specific action can I take this week to grow in holiness and peace?
How is God calling me to make room for deeper union with him this Advent?
What step toward reconciliation or virtue is the Holy Spirit prompting in my heart?

Gospel Matthew 27:37-44

Jesus said to his disciples:
“As it was in the days of Noah,
so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.
In those days before the flood,
they were eating and drinking,
marrying and giving in marriage,
up to the day that Noah entered the ark.
They did not know until the flood came and carried them all away.
So will it be also at the coming of the Son of Man.
Two men will be out in the field;
one will be taken, and one will be left.
Two women will be grinding at the mill;
one will be taken, and one will be left.
Therefore, stay awake!
For you do not know on which day your Lord will come.
Be sure of this: if the master of the house
had known the hour of night when the thief was coming,
he would have stayed awake
and not let his house be broken into.
So too, you also must be prepared,
for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.”

The Trap of Self-Righteous Prayer – Building a Kingdom of Love w/ Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast

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Msgr. Esseff reflects on the teaching of the Sacred Scriptures and on how we pray:

Gospel LK 18:9-14

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 whoever exalts himself will be humbled,
and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

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 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 Pope St. John Paul II to bring the Good News to the world, especially to the poor. He continues to serve as a retreat leader and director to bishops, priests and sisters and seminarians, and other religious leaders around the world.

Seeing Lazarus – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast

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Seeing Lazarus – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff

In this powerful reflection, Msgr. John Essef and Kris McGregor enter into the Gospel of Luke 16, the parable of the rich man and Lazarus. Monsignor shares his own encounters with the poor, beginning with his mission experiences in Haiti, where he vividly recalls ministering to a woman named Regina as she died of AIDS. Her joy in going home to God became for him the living image of Lazarus.

Through his story, he warns of the spiritual blindness of the rich man who never truly saw Lazarus at his doorstep. Monsignor reflects on how Mother Teresa of Calcutta opened his eyes to the poor and how we too must ask the Holy Spirit for the grace to see those who are right beside us. He urges listeners to recognize both material poverty and poverty of spirit, and to examine their lives for ways to share their abundance with those in need. The episode closes with a heartfelt prayer to discover Jesus in the face of the poorest of the poor, beginning in our own families and communities

Discerning Hearts Spiritual Reflection Questions:

How does the parable of the rich man and Lazarus challenge us to open our eyes to the poor around us?
What prevents us from seeing the “Lazarus” who may be right at our doorstep?
How did Mother Teresa’s witness help Msgr. Essef recognize the presence of the poor in a new way?
What does Regina’s joy in dying teach us about faith, hope, and the promise of eternal life?
How can we make a personal inventory of our goods and find ways to share with those in need?
What is the difference between mailing money to the poor abroad and personally encountering the poor near us?
How can fear keep us from responding to those who are materially or spiritually poor in our own communities?
How do our choices on earth shape our eternal destiny, as reflected in this Gospel story?

Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton. He served as a retreat director and confessor to St. Teresa of Calcutta. He continues to offer direction and retreats for 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 Pope St. John Paul II to bring the Good News to the world, especially to the poor. He continues to serve as a retreat leader and director to bishops, priests and sisters and seminarians, and other religious leaders.

The Danger of Serving Mammon – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast

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The Danger of Serving Mammon – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff

Msgr. John Esseff reflects on Scripture readings that highlight the fleeting nature of earthly life and the danger of allowing greed to govern choices. Drawing from St. Paul, he explains that God calls everyone to salvation and to live in prayer, thanksgiving, and peace. Through personal stories of his family’s many moves, he illustrates how every home and possession is temporary, reminding listeners that nothing in this world truly belongs to us. He warns against dishonesty, corruption, and the pursuit of wealth at the expense of justice, echoing the words of the prophet Amos about exploiting the poor.

Turning to the Gospel parable of the dishonest steward, Msgr. Esseff stresses that all gifts, talents, and resources are entrusted by God and meant to be used according to His will. True discernment involves asking God how to direct one’s education, career, and vocation, rather than relying on personal ambition or financial security. From youth considering future paths to pastors leading parishes, everyone must consult God in their decisions. The heart of the teaching is clear: no one can serve both God and money. Only by entrusting everything back to God—the master of all—can one find lasting peace and purpose.

Discerning Hearts Spiritual Reflection Questions:

How do I recognize that everything I have ultimately belongs to God?
In what ways am I tempted to serve money or security over God’s will?
How am I using my talents and resources in a way that honors the Giver?
Do I bring God into my decisions about work, study, or family life?
Where have I treated temporary possessions as if they were permanent?
How can I grow in being trustworthy with small responsibilities in order to receive greater ones?
What does it mean for me personally to be a steward rather than an owner of my life?
How often do I pause in prayer to ask God, “What do you want me to do?”
What steps can I take to detach from greed and live with greater trust in God?
How do I show gratitude and offer thanksgiving in the ordinary moments of daily life?

Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton. He 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 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 Pope St. John Paul II to bring the Good News to the world especially to the poor. He continues to serve as a retreat leader and director to bishops, priests and sisters and seminarians, and other religious leaders.

The Gift of Nothing: Finding Everything in the Eucharist – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast

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In this episode of Building a Kingdom of Love, Msgr. John Esseff and Kris McGregor reflect on the meaning of “nothing” through a children’s story, The Gift of Nothing by Patrick McDonnell. They discuss how true humility allows us to recognize that what we have on our own is “nothing,” but when united with God, that “nothing” becomes filled with His infinite love and possibility.

The heart of their reflection centers on the Eucharist. Though it may appear outwardly as “nothing”—simple bread and wine—it is in fact the very presence of Christ, the Bread of Life. Msgr. Esseff shares that only through deep intimacy with Jesus in the Eucharist can people truly experience healing, love, and transformation. Without that personal encounter, many fail to realize the profound gift being offered.

They explore how Eucharistic adoration opens the way to intimacy with God, helping the soul hear Christ’s words: “As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you.” This love is not abstract but deeply personal, allowing individuals to find their true worth and extend that love to family, friends, and even those most difficult to love.

The conversation also touches on the fears people have of surrendering fully to God—fearing loss of self—when in truth, giving God “nothing” allows Him to fill us with “everything.” They use the image of nuclear power to describe how Christ’s presence in the Eucharist radiates divine fire into the soul, turning a person into a living source of grace for others.

Finally, they connect this with real life: intimacy with Jesus enables transformation in marriages, families, parishes, and society. Without this living encounter, many Catholics remain stagnant, but with it, hearts are healed and renewed. The call is clear: return to the Eucharist, adore Him, and allow His love to ignite every part of life.

Discerning Hearts Spiritual Reflection Questions:

How does the story of The Gift of Nothing invite you to reflect on the meaning of humility in your own life?
What does it mean to recognize that, apart from God, we have “nothing,” yet with Him we receive “everything”?
How do you personally experience intimacy with Christ in the Eucharist or in Eucharistic adoration?
What fears or attachments might keep you from fully surrendering to God’s love?
When have you felt God speak to you personally with the words: “As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you” (John 15:9)?
How can the Eucharist transform not only your own heart but also your relationships with family, friends, or those who are difficult to love?
What practical step can you take this week to deepen your devotion to the Eucharist and allow Christ’s love to radiate through you to others?

Hospitality of the Heart – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast

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Hospitality of the Heart – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff

In this episode of Building a Kingdom of Love, Msgr. John Esseff reflects on the readings from Genesis and Luke, inviting listeners to rediscover the gift of hospitality and the presence of God in daily life. He begins with Abraham’s encounter with the Lord in the form of three visitors, pointing out how acts of welcome—once instinctive in many homes—have diminished in a world grown fearful and distant. Drawing from his own heritage and childhood memories, Msgr. Esseff recalls how guests were always seen as a gift from God, echoing the Benedictine phrase, “Here comes Christ.”Whether it’s a stranger at the door or a family member across the table, he reminds us that Christ often comes to us hidden in the ordinary.

He then turns to the story of Martha and Mary, where Mary quietly receives the Lord while Martha grows anxious in her serving. Msgr. Esseff warns that we can lose sight of our identity as sons and daughters of God when we focus only on doing rather than being. The heart of the Gospel is not about performance but relationship—a truth that Mary lived and Martha struggled to understand. Paul’s words in Colossians, “Christ in you, the hope of glory,” invite each of us to carry the awareness that God is with us, not just in church, but everywhere: in the hospital room, in the kitchen, in moments of silence, and in the faces of those we serve. Msgr. Esseff closes with the reminder that God longs for us not just to serve Him, but to know Him—and to let ourselves be known.

Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions:

Do I welcome others into my life with the same reverence Abraham showed to the strangers at his tent?
Can I recognize Christ in the ordinary people I meet throughout my day?
Have I made space in my life to sit quietly with God as Mary did?
Do I define myself by what I do, or by who I am as a child of God?
When I go to Mass, am I truly present to the Lord who is present to me?
Is my relationship with God something I carry into the whole day, or just certain moments?
Am I allowing God to bring peace into my heart, or am I clinging to anxiety like Martha?

Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest of the Diocese of Scranton. He served as a retreat director and confessor to St. Teresa of Calcutta and continues to offer spiritual direction and lead retreats for the Sisters of the Missionaries of Charity worldwide. Msgr. Esseff also had a profound encounter with St. Padre Pio, who became his spiritual father. He has served in various parts of the world through the Pontifical Missions, a Catholic organization founded by St. John Paul II to share the Good News, especially with the poor. . Msgr. Esseff continues to lead retreats and provide spiritual direction to bishops, priests, seminarians, sisters, and other religious leaders around the world.

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

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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

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

Who Are You? Your Catholic Identity on Divine Mercy Sunday – Building a Kingdom with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcasts

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Who Are You? Your Catholic Identity on Divine Mercy Sunday – Building a Kingdom with Msgr. John Esseff

Msgr. Esseff reflects on the readings for Divine Mercy Sunday and it’s meanings for our lives. He discusses the identity of the Christian, and in particular, what it means to be a “Catholic”.

From the NAB

Reading 1 ACTS 5:12-16

Many signs and wonders were done among the people
at the hands of the apostles.
They were all together in Solomon’s portico.
None of the others dared to join them, but the people esteemed them.
Yet more than ever, believers in the Lord,
great numbers of men and women, were added to them.
Thus they even carried the sick out into the streets
and laid them on cots and mats
so that when Peter came by,
at least his shadow might fall on one or another of them.
A large number of people from the towns
in the vicinity of Jerusalem also gathered,
bringing the sick and those disturbed by unclean spirits,
and they were all cured.

Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton. 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 Pope St. John Paul II to bring the Good News to the world, especially to the poor. He continues to serve as a retreat leader and director to bishops, priests, sisters, seminarians, and other religious leaders around the world.

Happy Easter!!!! Have You Encountered Jesus? – Building a Kingdom of Love w/ Msgr. John Esseff

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Happy Easter!!!! Have You Encountered Jesus? – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff

Join Msgr. John Esseff as he reflects on the mystery of Easter and our relationship with the Risen Christ.

Gospel JN 20:1-9

“On the first day of the week, Mary of Magdala came to the tomb early in the morning, while it was still dark, and saw the stone removed from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them, “They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we don’t know where they put him.” So Peter and the other disciple went out and came to the tomb. They both ran, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter and arrived at the tomb first; he bent down and saw the burial cloths there, but did not go in. When Simon Peter arrived after him, he went into the tomb and saw the burial cloths there, and the cloth that had covered his head, not with the burial cloths but rolled up in a separate place. Then the other disciple also went in, the one who had arrived at the tomb first, and he saw and believed. For they did not yet understand the Scripture that he had to rise from the dead.”

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. 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. He continues to serve as a retreat leader and director to bishops, priests and sisters and seminarians, and other religious leaders.