John Esseff Archives

The Signs of Our Times – a reflection with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts

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Msgr. Esseff reflects on the readings given by the Church at this time of the year which brings us the teachings on the end

times. How are we to understand these readings? What did it mean to the people of the Church 2000 years ago? What does it mean for us today? The Gospel and the words of the Jesus having meaning for the entire world today. For those persecuted today, this message is for you!

Rv 18:1-2, 21-23; 19:1-3, 9a

I, John, saw another angel coming down from heaven,
having great authority,
and the earth became illumined by his splendor.
He cried out in a mighty voice:”Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great.
She has become a haunt for demons.
She is a cage for every unclean spirit,
a cage for every unclean bird,
a cage for every unclean and disgusting beast.”A mighty angel picked up a stone like a huge millstone
and threw it into the sea and said:”With such force will Babylon the great city be thrown down,
and will never be found again.
No melodies of harpists and musicians,
flutists and trumpeters,
will ever be heard in you again.
No craftsmen in any trade
will ever be found in you again.
No sound of the millstone
will ever be heard in you again.
No light from a lamp
will ever be seen in you again.
No voices of bride and groom
will ever be heard in you again.
Because your merchants were the great ones of the world,
all nations were led astray by your magic potion.”

After this I heard what sounded like
the loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying:

“Alleluia!
Salvation, glory, and might belong to our God,
for true and just are his judgments.
He has condemned the great harlot
who corrupted the earth with her harlotry.
He has avenged on her the blood of his servants.”

They said a second time:

“Alleluia! Smoke will rise from her forever and ever.”

Then the angel said to me, “Write this:
Blessed are those who have been called
to the wedding feast of the Lamb.”

Gospel Lk 21:20-28

Jesus said to his disciples:
“When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies,
know that its desolation is at hand.
Then those in Judea must flee to the mountains.
Let those within the city escape from it,
and let those in the countryside not enter the city,
for these days are the time of punishment
when all the Scriptures are fulfilled.
Woe to pregnant women and nursing mothers in those days,
for a terrible calamity will come upon the earth
and a wrathful judgment upon this people.
They will fall by the edge of the sword
and be taken as captives to all the Gentiles;
and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles
until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.”There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars,
and on earth nations will be in dismay,
perplexed by the roaring of the sea and the waves.
People will die of fright
in anticipation of what is coming upon the world,
for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
And then they will see the Son of Man
coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
But when these signs begin to happen,
stand erect and raise your heads
because your redemption is at hand.”

Have you entered the “open door” into the Sacred Heart? A reflection with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts

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Msgr. Esseff continues his reflection on the readings found in the readings of the Church’s liturgy, with a particular emphasis on the Thanksgiving during these turbulent times. We need to remember that He is not a “tinsel” God…He has power which He passes on to us to draw upon. The power comes from PRAYER! Do you believe that? Jesus invites us to enter through the open door…the open door into His Sacred Heart. Have you entered? Like in the parable given by Jesus in the Gospel, what have done with the “golden coins” you have been given?

“In the name of Encouragement….reach out to one another” a reflection with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts

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Msgr. Esseff recounts some of his experiences as he directed retreats for the

Missionaries of Charity Sisters in Italy and Spain. He speaks of his time in Rome during the Synod for the New Evangelization and the Canonization of the Saints on October 21. Be he also shares his experience of hearing about Hurricane Sandy for the first time at the airport on the way home and the subsequent tragedy that has followed in its wake. Msgr. Esseff offers his insights on this moment and the hope that is found in the teachings of Christ. He guides us through a meditation that helps us to see deeply into the heart of the person next to us.

Radical surrender and giving up all to follow Jesus: The camel and the eye of the needle – reflections from Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts

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Msgr. Esseff shares some of the experience from the on-going seminarian retreat in Cleveland, OH. He reflects on the gospel reading which presents the teaching of Jesus about how it is easier for a camel to pass t

hrough the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. What are we to make of that? How attached are we to our “things” and money? What holds us bound? How do we obtain authentic freedom? What is the unique surrender of the priest? What is the gift?

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

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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”

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

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 25:13 — 46.2MB) | Embed

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

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

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

“You’ll always have the gift and you’ll always have the cross.” – a reflection by Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts

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Msgr. Esseff shares a poignant reflection on rejection, loss, suffering, and aloneness.

We experience various forms of suffering, but as it is said “success has a hundred mothers, failure is an orphan”. Why is the cross so important to those who are united with Him? Its in the cross that we experience His presence. He shares a very compelling story he was given permission to share, which concerns a Sister,

Mother Teresa, anger, forgiveness and love…it’s a heartbreaking tale…one where ultimately love prevails. ”You’ll always have the gift and you’ll always have the cross.” – Bl. Mother Teresa

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

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

BKL#4 – Building a Kingdom of Love w/ Msgr. John Esseff – The Power of Baptism: a story of Bl. Mother Teresa, a princess, and a baby named Cecilia

Show 4 ” Building a Kingdom of Love” – The Power of Baptism: a story of Bl. Mother Teresa, a princess, and a baby named Cecilia

Msgr. Esseff reflects on the power of Christ given to us in our baptism. He tells two poignant stories about Bl. Mother Teresa, a princess and a baby named Cecilia. Do we appreciate the gift? Msgr. Esseff also addresses the fears and concerns grandparents have when their children fail to have their own children baptized. Be not afraid…call on the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Holy Rosary.

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

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

BKL#1 – Building A Kingdom Of Love: Reflections w/Msgr. John Esseff

Show 1 ” Building a Kingdom of Love” – “Easter and the Paschal Mystery: What have we been initiated into“

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Msgr. Esseff reflects on the readings of the 3rd Sunday of Easter. By virtue of our baptism, confirmation and reception of the Eucharist, who are we? We learn what Peter and the community are capable of becoming because of the Pentecost experience. During this period of Easter, the Church is preparing us to appreciate the gift of the Holy Spirit and the birth of the Church in Pentecost then…and now! What does that mean for us today? How are we called to be evangelizers and witnesses of the Truth and authentic Hope?

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

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

“Christ our Hope” – Easter Morning with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts

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Msgr. Esseff reflects on Pope Benedict XVI’s Easter message.

The more we aware of our death, the more we are aware of the resurrection! In a time were the darkness seems to be spreading, Christ is the brightest

light of Truth shining shining in our times! We are called to be bearers of the light to the world. How do we do that? It is not “I” who will do it…but Christ who will accomplish the will of the Father through our surrender to Him.

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