BKL#12 – Building a Kingdom of Love w/ Msgr. John Esseff – Why do those who trust God sometimes suffer? – Discerning Hearts

Show 12 ” Building a Kingdom of Love” – Why do those who trust in God sometimes suffer? Msgr. Esseff then addresses the issue of trust in the Lord as an expression in our faith…even when it’s hard

Msgr. Esseff reflects on Hab 1:12-2:4

Are you not from eternity, O LORD,
my holy God, immortal?
O LORD, you have marked him for judgment,
O Rock, you have readied him punishment!
Too pure are your eyes to look upon evil,
and the sight of misery you cannot endure.
Why, then, do you gaze on the faithless in silence
while the wicked man devours
one more just than himself?
You have made man like the fish of the sea,
like creeping things without a ruler.
He brings them all up with his hook,
he hauls them away with his net,
He gathers them in his seine;
and so he rejoices and exults.
Therefore he sacrifices to his net,
and burns incense to his seine;
for thanks to them his portion is generous,
and his repast sumptuous.
Shall he, then, keep on brandishing his sword
to slay peoples without mercy?
I will stand at my guard post,
and station myself upon the rampart,
And keep watch to see what he will say to me,
and what answer he will give to my complaint.

Then the LORD answered me and said:
Write down the vision
Clearly upon the tablets,
so that one can read it readily.
For the vision still has its time,
presses on to fulfillment, and will not disappoint;
If it delays, wait for it,
it will surely come, it will not be late.
The rash man has no integrity;
but the just man, because of his faith, shall live. -NAB

Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton.  He was ordained on May 30th 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 Blessed 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 Bl. 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.   

 

 

To obtain a copy of Msgr. Esseff’s book byvisiting here

 

Be sure to visit Msgr. Esseff’s website “Building a Kingdom of  Love

 

Divine Mercy with Msgr. John Esseff

Msgr. Esseff begins a series of reflections on Divine Mercy and it’s importance in the life of the Church today.  He exhorts us to remember that it is not about Msgr.-John-Esseffsomething that occurs outside of ourselves, but that the spirit of the Divine Mercy lives in us by virtue of our baptism and through our participation in the sacraments.  And we are called to assist Jesus to reaching out to our brothers and sisters, in Him, with Him, and through Him.

Be sure to visit Msgr. Esseff’s website:  “Building A Kingdom Of Love

The Freedom that flows from Forgiveness – Discerning Hearts

Msgr. Esseff discusses the freedom that comes from forgiveness. It can be very difficult to for us to forgive, but not for God.  How can we forgive those who have really hurt us…emotionally and physically.  How is this forgiveness a matter of justice…we forgive for we have been forgiven.  What is an unjust wound?  How does this all connect to the Divine Mercy?

Be sure to visit Msgr. Esseff’s website:  “Building a Kingdom of Love

Happiness and Joy – What it really looks like – Discerning Hearts

Msgr. Esseff reflects on the true meanings of happiness and joy.  What does it really look like?  How can we live a life of happiness and joy?  Msgr. Esseff discusses the beatitudes and forgiveness and the keys to a proper understanding.

Be sure to visit Msgr. Esseff’s website:  “Building A Kingdom Of Love

Holy Saturday with Mary – reflections by Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts

Msgr. Esseff calls us to deeply ponder the role of the Blessed Virgin Maryduring the Passion of Christ, but also in our own lives as well.

Be sure to visit Msgr. Esseff’s website: “Building a Kingdom of Love”

 

Good Friday with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts

Msgr. Esseff offers this special reflection on Good Friday.

Holy Thursday and the Role of the Priesthood in the Life of the Church – Discerning Hearts

 Msgr. Esseff offers a reflection on the Priesthood, particularly in the light of the Holy Thursday liturgy.  The priesthood of the baptized is so very important, the role for each of us to be Jesus in the world today; however, those who have been called to the vocation of priesthood have a particular mission to fulfill.  Msgr. Esseff discusses the importance of the priests relationship with God, the Father and his unique role in the celebration of the Holy Mass.  He also talks of the need of prayer for priests and the value of priestly friendship.

The 3 Levels of the Heart with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts

Msgr. Esseff offers a teaching on the 3 levels of the heart.  He begins by looking at the Sacred Heart of Jesus, then moves to the examination of the layers of our hearts. In understanding of this is vitally important to appreciate how we make decisions and pray…if we are in our own will or God’s will.

Be sure to visit Msgr. Esseff’s website:  Building a Kingdom of Love

What is “Eternal Life”? How does this understanding affect our prayer? Reflections by Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts

What is “Eternal Life” and why is it so important for us to understand and live it’s meaning? Msgr. Esseff breaks open the “magnificent” Chapter 17 of John’s Gospel. He helps us to understand the “eternal” prayer of the heart of Jesus. How does this affect our prayer, especially in our appreciation of “contemplative” prayer and contemplation? How does this affect our understanding of “time”? Msgr. Esseff discusses Purgatory in a way that takes this into account. What is death in this world? What is true life in this world?

Be sure to visit Msgr. Esseff’s website : “Building a Kingdom of Love

The True Temple, God’s Commandents and the Danger of the False Idols – Reflections on the 3rd Sunday of Lent by Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts

Msgr. Esseff offers a powerful reflection on the readings for the 3rd Sunday of Lent. He brings together the gifts of the Commandments and the authentic understanding of the true Temple and the dangers we encounter with our false idols. Msgr. Esseff brings forward the issues of today, such as contraception and marriage, as well as the economy and our drive for material things. He makes very concrete the teachings given in the readings… ultimately we are called to suffer, to die, and to rise with Jesus…the Way, the Truth, and the Life.