Building Kingdom of Love Archives - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts

Building Kingdom of Love Archives - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts

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Building Kingdom of Love Archives - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts episodes

  • The Prodigal Son – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast

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

    Msgr. John Esseff reflects on the power of God’s mercy and the transformative grace offered through the sacrament of reconciliation, especially during Lent. Drawing from the parable of the Prodigal Son and St. Paul’s message on reconciliation, he urges anyone burdened by sin—whether hidden or known—to return to God. He shares a story of a woman who struggled to forgive herself despite confessing her sins, illustrating how many carry shame and guilt long after repentance. God, however, sees not condemnation but the face of Christ in each person, inviting all to be made new. No sin, no matter how depraved, is beyond God’s forgiveness when there is a turning of the heart back to Him.

    The sacrament of confession is not only about forgiveness but deep inner healing. He likens the process to the Israelites transitioning from manna to the fruits of the promised land—one must take active steps to return and receive grace. For Catholics, this includes the sacrament of reconciliation; for others, it may involve confession to a trusted, compassionate person. He insists nothing should be held back when seeking healing. Even those carrying deep wounds—from abortions to addictions—are invited to the mercy of Jesus, who took all sin upon himself on the cross.

    Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions
    1. How is God inviting me to place my mind in my heart during prayer?
    2. In what ways have I experienced metanoia as more than just repentance, but a turning of my whole self toward Christ?
    3. Do I allow Jesus to truly love me in my brokenness, or do I hide behind shame or pride?
    4. What role does compunction—sorrow for sin born of love—play in my spiritual life?
    5. How can I better guard my heart from the noise, anxieties, and distractions of the world?
    6. Am I allowing the Jesus Prayer or similar practices to bring silence and stillness into my prayer life?
    7. What does spiritual fatherhood (or motherhood) look like in my vocation, and how am I being formed in it?
    8. How do I respond when God asks me to forgive someone who has not apologized or acknowledged their wrongdoing?
    9. Where do I need to trust Jesus more deeply, especially in the midst of suffering or disappointment?
    10. Have I recognized the spiritual battle in my life, and am I using the Word of God as a weapon against temptation?
      11. From the NAB Gospel LK 15:1-3, 11-32

      “Tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to Jesus,

      but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying,
      “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
      So to them Jesus addressed this parable:
      “A man had two sons, and the younger son said to his father,
      ‘Father give me the share of your estate that should come to me.’
      So the father divided the property between them.
      After a few days, the younger son collected all his belongings
      and set off to a distant country
      where he squandered his inheritance on a life of dissipation.
      When he had freely spent everything,
      a severe famine struck that country,
      and he found himself in dire need.
      So he hired himself out to one of the local citizens
      who sent him to his farm to tend the swine.
      And he longed to eat his fill of the pods on which the swine fed,
      but nobody gave him any.
      Coming to his senses he thought,
      ‘How many of my father’s hired workers
      have more than enough food to eat,
      but here am I, dying from hunger.
      I shall get up and go to my father and I shall say to him,
      “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.
      I no longer deserve to be called your son;
      treat me as you would treat one of your hired workers.”’
      So he got up and went back to his father.
      While he was still a long way off,
      his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion.
      He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him.
      His son said to him,
      ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you;
      I no longer deserve to be called your son.’
      But his father ordered his servants,
      ‘Quickly bring the finest robe and put it on him;
      put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.
      Take the fattened calf and slaughter it.
      Then let us celebrate with a feast,
      because this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again;
      he was lost, and has been found.’
      Then the celebration began.
      Now the older son had been out in the field
      and, on his way back, as he neared the house,
      he heard the sound of music and dancing.
      He called one of the servants and asked what this might mean.
      The servant said to him,
      ‘Your brother has returned
      and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf
      because he has him back safe and sound.’
      He became angry,
      and when he refused to enter the house,
      his father came out and pleaded with him.
      He said to his father in reply,
      ‘Look, all these years I served you
      and not once did I disobey your orders;
      yet you never gave me even a young goat to feast on with my friends.
      But when your son returns
      who swallowed up your property with prostitutes,
      for him you slaughter the fattened calf.’
      He said to him,
      ‘My son, you are here with me always;
      everything I have is yours.
      But now we must celebrate and rejoice,
      because your brother was dead and has come to life again;
      he was lost and has been found.’””

      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 and sisters and seminarians and other religious leaders around the world.

      The post The Prodigal Son – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

      30 min
    11. The Annunciation – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast

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

      Msgr. John Esseff reflects on the Feast of the Annunciation, which falls in the heart of Lent. He shares how personal and significant this date is to him, as it marks the wedding anniversary of his parents. Their story, including seeking a dispensation to marry during Lent and defying an arranged marriage, mirrors the boldness and surrender exemplified by Mary’s own “yes” to God; drawing a connection between Mary’s total openness to God’s will and the Lenten call to deeper prayer, sacrifice, and discernment. Mary’s response to the angel, her understanding of Scripture, and her unwavering virginity reflect a soul in perfect union with God’s purpose.

      Msgr. Esseff explores the moment of the Annunciation as a profound revelation—not only of Mary’s divine motherhood but also of the Trinity. The Father sends the Son, conceived by the Holy Spirit, marking the incarnation of God’s Word in the womb of one who had already received that Word in her heart. Her fiat—”Let it be done to me according to your word”—becomes the model of perfect prayer and surrender. He invites us to ponder God’s will in their daily lives as Mary did, suggesting that prayer is not about asking but about receiving and responding.

      Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions
      1. How does Mary’s “yes” to God challenge me to trust more deeply in His will for my life?
      2. In what ways can I better listen to God in prayer as Mary did during the Annunciation?
      3. Do I invite the Holy Spirit to help me discern God’s will in my daily decisions?
      4. How does Mary’s example teach me about the meaning and purpose of obedience in the spiritual life?
      5. What role does Scripture play in helping me understand and respond to God’s call, as it did for Mary?
      6. How can I offer my own body, time, and choices to God like Mary offered herself?
      7. In the midst of Lent, how is God inviting me to deeper union with Him through prayer and sacrifice?
      8. What can I learn from Mary’s silence and pondering heart about interior prayer and reflection?
      9. How does the mystery of the Trinity revealed at the Annunciation shape my understanding of who God is?
      10. What does Mary’s life teach me about saying “yes” to God even when the path is uncertain?
        11. From the NAB Gospel: Luke 1:26-38

        The angel Gabriel was sent from God

        to a town of Galilee called Nazareth,
        to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph,
        of the house of David,
        and the virgin’s name was Mary.
        And coming to her, he said,
        “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.”
        But she was greatly troubled at what was said
        and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.
        Then the angel said to her,
        “Do not be afraid, Mary,
        for you have found favor with God.
        Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son,
        and you shall name him Jesus.
        He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High,
        and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father,
        and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever,
        and of his Kingdom there will be no end.”
        But Mary said to the angel,
        “How can this be,
        since I have no relations with a man?”
        And the angel said to her in reply,
        “The Holy Spirit will come upon you,
        and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.
        Therefore the child to be born
        will be called holy, the Son of God.
        And behold, Elizabeth, your relative,
        has also conceived a son in her old age,
        and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren;
        for nothing will be impossible for God.”
        Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.
        May it be done to me according to your word.”
        Then the angel departed from her.

        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.  

        The post The Annunciation – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

        41 min
      11. The Call to be 100 Percent Love – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff Podcast

        Msgr. Esseff reflects on the readings for the 3rd Sunday of Lent.  We are called to be 100% love.  He recalls a young man named Kevin, his death, and the call to repentance and to love. Don’t be secure in your own eyes, we need to have the eyes of Christ.  We need to enter into the deepest parts of hearts to encounter the healing touch of Jesus.  We are not captives, we are not slaves, we are God’s children and we are called to freedom.

        From the NAB

        Gospel LK 13:1-9
        Some people told Jesus about the Galileans
        whose blood Pilate had mingled with the blood of their sacrifices.
        Jesus said to them in reply,
        “Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way
        they were greater sinners than all other Galileans?
        By no means!
        But I tell you, if you do not repent,
        you will all perish as they did!
        Or those eighteen people who were killed
        when the tower at Siloam fell on them—
        do you think they were more guilty
        than everyone else who lived in Jerusalem?
        By no means!
        But I tell you, if you do not repent,
        you will all perish as they did!”And he told them this parable:
        “There once was a person who had a fig tree planted in his orchard,
        and when he came in search of fruit on it but found none,
        he said to the gardener,
        ‘For three years now I have come in search of fruit on this fig tree
        but have found none.
        So cut it down.
        Why should it exhaust the soil?’
        He said to him in reply,
        ‘Sir, leave it for this year also,
        and I shall cultivate the ground around it and fertilize it;
        it may bear fruit in the future.
        If not you can cut it down.'”

        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 and sisters and seminarians and other religious leaders around the world.   

        The post The Call to be 100 Percent Love – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

        26 min
      12. The Transfiguration and the Glory of God – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast

        The Transfiguration and the Glory of God – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff

        Msgr. Esseff reflects on the Transfiguration of Jesus, drawing connections between Mount Tabor and Calvary to illustrate the necessity of faith in both moments of glory and suffering.  Jesus’ radiant presence on Tabor reveals His divine nature, yet this same Jesus must pass through suffering and death to bring salvation.

        The call to “listen to Him” is central to Lent, inviting us to deepen their trust in God. Using Abraham’s faith as an example, we should rely on God’s promises, even in uncertain times, and to recognize the power of Christ within them.

        Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions
        • How does the Transfiguration reveal both the glory and the suffering of Christ, and what does this mean for your own faith journey?
        • In what ways have you experienced or witnessed the radiant presence of holiness in others?
        • What does it mean to “listen to Him” in your daily life, especially during Lent?
        • How does Abraham’s trust in God challenge you to deepen your own faith?
        • Are there areas in your life where you struggle to surrender fully to God’s will?
        • How does receiving the Eucharist or going to Confession transform your spiritual life?
        • What sacrifices or commitments can you make during Lent to strengthen your faith?
        • Do you truly trust in God’s power to provide for your needs and answer your prayers?
        • How can you radiate Christ’s presence to those around you through your actions and words?
        • What steps can you take to more fully live out the faith you profess in the Creed?
          • From the NAB Gospel: LK 9:28B-36

          “Jesus took Peter, John, and James

          and went up the mountain to pray.
          While he was praying his face changed in appearance
          and his clothing became dazzling white.
          And behold, two men were conversing with him, Moses and Elijah,
          who appeared in glory and spoke of his exodus
          that he was going to accomplish in Jerusalem.
          Peter and his companions had been overcome by sleep,
          but becoming fully awake,
          they saw his glory and the two men standing with him.
          As they were about to part from him,
          Peter said to Jesus,
          “Master, it is good that we are here;
          let us make three tents,
          one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
          But he did not know what he was saying.
          While he was still speaking,
          a cloud came and cast a shadow over them,
          and they became frightened when they entered the cloud.
          Then from the cloud came a voice that said,
          “This is my chosen Son; listen to him.”
          After the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone.
          They fell silent and did not at that time
          tell anyone what they had seen.”

          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.  

          The post The Transfiguration and the Glory of God – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

          29 min
        • Temptation and Spiritual Warfare – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast

          Temptation and Spiritual Warfare – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff

          In this episode of Building a Kingdom of Love, Monsignor John Esseff reflects on the Epistle of St. James and every Christian’s daily spiritual battle. He explores the nature of temptation, emphasizing that it is the ordinary way Satan works in our lives, luring us according to our weaknesses. Monsignor Esseff stresses the importance of recognizing our tendencies toward sin—whether pride, self-reliance, jealousy, fear, or lust—and surrendering them completely to God. He reminds us that even great saints like St. Peter and St. Paul struggled with temptation but overcame it through total reliance on Christ. This episode is a powerful call to vigilance, prayer, and dependence on God’s grace to withstand temptation.

          Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions
          1. What are the primary temptations you struggle with in your daily life? How have you seen patterns of sin or weakness develop over time?
          2. St. James teaches that God does not tempt us but allows trials for our growth. How can you view your temptations as opportunities to deepen your reliance on Christ?
          3. Monsignor Esseff discusses how Satan studies each of us to exploit our weaknesses. How can you be more vigilant in recognizing and resisting these attacks?
          4. The Lord’s Prayer asks, “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” How can praying this with sincerity change your approach to spiritual warfare?
          5. Self-reliance is a major obstacle in the spiritual life. In what ways do you try to handle struggles on your own instead of surrendering them to God?
          6. What spiritual practices—such as prayer, fasting, or the sacraments—help you guard against temptation? Are there areas where you need to strengthen your defenses?
          7. Temptation is not a sin, but giving in to it leads us away from God. How can you distinguish between being tempted and willfully choosing sin?
          8. Many people struggle with shame from past sins, like the priest Monsignor mentioned who experienced childhood humiliation. How can God heal past wounds that may still influence your choices today?
          9. The devil wants to isolate us in our struggles, but God calls us to community. How can seeking guidance from a spiritual director, priest, or trusted friend help you overcome temptations?
          10. St. Paul said, “What I want to do, I do not do, but what I hate, I do” (Romans 7:15). How does this struggle resonate with you, and how can you invite God’s grace to transform your heart?

            11. 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.  

            The post Temptation and Spiritual Warfare – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

            29 min

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