“Do you not know that I am your Mother” – The 3rd Monday of Advent….The Retreat Continues w/ Msgr. John Esseff

First Reading RV 11:19A; 12:1-6A, 10AB God’s temple in heaven was opened, and the ark of his covenant could be seen in the temple. A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. She was with … Read more

Who is your John the Baptist? – The 2nd Saturday of Advent…The Retreat Continues w/ Msgr. John Esseff

AlleluiaLK 3:4, 6 R. Alleluia, alleluia. Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths: All flesh shall see the salvation of God. R. Alleluia, alleluia. GospelMT 17:9A, 10-13 As they were coming down from the mountain, the disciples asked Jesus, “Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?” He said in … Read more

The 2nd Friday of Advent…The Retreat Continues w/ Msgr. John Esseff

Msgr. Esseff continues his Advent retreat with reflection on the gospel for today, but also on the presence of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Alleluia R. Alleluia, alleluia. The Lord will come; go out to meet him! He is the prince of peace. R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Mt 11:16-19 Jesus said to the crowds: “To what shall … Read more

The Immaculate Conception – The 2nd Thursday of Advent…The Retreat Continues w/ Msgr. John Esseff

Reading 1 Gn 3:9-15, 20 After the man, Adam, had eaten of the tree, the LORD God called to the man and asked him, “Where are you?” He answered, “I heard you in the garden; but I was afraid, because I was naked, so I hid myself.” Then he asked, “Who told you that you … Read more

“Come to Me” – The 2nd Wednesday of Advent…The Retreat Continues w/Msgr. John Esseff

Reading 1 Is 40:25-31 To whom can you liken me as an equal? says the Holy One. Lift up your eyes on high and see who has created these things: He leads out their army and numbers them, calling them all by name. By his great might and the strength of his power not one … Read more

“Comfort, give comfort to my people” – The 2nd Tuesday of Advent …The Retreat Continues w/ Msgr. Esseff

Reading 1 Is 40:1-11 Comfort, give comfort to my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her service is at an end, her guilt is expiated; Indeed, she has received from the hand of the LORD double for all her sins.A voice cries out: In the desert prepare the … Read more

What do I need to bring to Jesus? The 2nd Monday of Advent – The Retreat Continues w/Msgr. Esseff

Gospel LK 5:17-26   One day as Jesus was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law, who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and Jerusalem, were sitting there, and the power of the Lord was with him for healing. And some men brought on a stretcher a man who was paralyzed; they were trying … Read more

Prepare the Way of the Lord – The Second Sunday of Advent….The Retreat Continues with Msgr. Esseff

Reading 2 Rom 15:4-9 Brothers and sisters: Whatever was written previously was written for our instruction, that by endurance and by the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to think in harmony with one another, in keeping with Christ Jesus, that with one accord … Read more

“Do You Believe I Can Do This?” – The 1st Friday of Advent …The Retreat Continues w/ Msgr. John Esseff

Reading 1 Thus says the Lord GOD: But a very little while, and Lebanon shall be changed into an orchard, and the orchard be regarded as a forest! On that day the deaf shall hear the words of a book; And out of gloom and darkness, the eyes of the blind shall see. The lowly … Read more

“A Strong City Have We…” – The 1st Thursday of Advent …The Retreat Continues w/ Msgr. Esseff

“A Strong City Have We…” – The 1st Thursday of Advent …The Retreat Continues

Jesus said to his disciples:
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’
will enter the Kingdom of heaven,
but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.