Msgr. John Esseff - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts

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


Listen Later


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:
  1. Do I welcome others into my life with the same reverence Abraham showed to the strangers at his tent?
  2. Can I recognize Christ in the ordinary people I meet throughout my day?
  3. Have I made space in my life to sit quietly with God as Mary did?
  4. Do I define myself by what I do, or by who I am as a child of God?
  5. When I go to Mass, am I truly present to the Lord who is present to me?
  6. Is my relationship with God something I carry into the whole day, or just certain moments?
  7. Am I allowing God to bring peace into my heart, or am I clinging to anxiety like Martha?
  8. 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 post Hospitality of the Heart – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

    ...more
    View all episodesView all episodes
    Download on the App Store

    Msgr. John Esseff - Discerning Hearts Catholic PodcastsBy Msgr. John Esseff with Kris McGregor

    • 4.8
    • 4.8
    • 4.8
    • 4.8
    • 4.8

    4.8

    49 ratings


    More shows like Msgr. John Esseff - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts

    View all
    Letters From Home by St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology

    Letters From Home

    455 Listeners

    Sharon Doran Seeking Truth Catholic Bible Study - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts by Sharon Doran

    Sharon Doran Seeking Truth Catholic Bible Study - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts

    25 Listeners

    Discerning Hearts - Catholic Podcasts by Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts

    Discerning Hearts - Catholic Podcasts

    511 Listeners

    Deacon James Keating PhD - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts by Deacon James Keating PhD and Kris McGregor

    Deacon James Keating PhD - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts

    19 Listeners

    Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts » Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor by Kris McGregor

    Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts » Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor

    23 Listeners

    Fr. Paul Hoesing - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts by Fr. Paul Hoesing and Kris McGregor

    Fr. Paul Hoesing - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts

    4 Listeners

    Dr. Paul Thigpen PhD - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts by Dr. Paul Thigpen and Kris McGregor

    Dr. Paul Thigpen PhD - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts

    18 Listeners

    Fr. Scott Traynor - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts by Fr. Scott Traynor and Kris McGregor

    Fr. Scott Traynor - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts

    10 Listeners

    The Word on Fire Show - Catholic Faith and Culture by Bishop Robert Barron

    The Word on Fire Show - Catholic Faith and Culture

    5,703 Listeners

    Pints With Aquinas by Matt Fradd

    Pints With Aquinas

    6,575 Listeners

    The Jeff Cavins Show (Your Catholic Bible Study Podcast) by Ascension

    The Jeff Cavins Show (Your Catholic Bible Study Podcast)

    2,141 Listeners

    The Counsel of Trent by Catholic Answers

    The Counsel of Trent

    2,546 Listeners

    Every Knee Shall Bow (Your Catholic Evangelization Podcast) by Ascension

    Every Knee Shall Bow (Your Catholic Evangelization Podcast)

    819 Listeners

    The Road to Emmaus with Scott Hahn by Scott Hahn

    The Road to Emmaus with Scott Hahn

    53 Listeners

    American Catholic History by Noelle & Tom Crowe

    American Catholic History

    817 Listeners

    Godsplaining by Dominican Friars Province of St. Joseph

    Godsplaining

    1,224 Listeners

    U.S. Grace Force with Fr. Richard Heilman and Doug Barry by U.S. Grace Force

    U.S. Grace Force with Fr. Richard Heilman and Doug Barry

    575 Listeners

    Restore The Glory Podcast by Jake Khym & Bob Schuchts

    Restore The Glory Podcast

    939 Listeners

    The Liturgy of the Hours: Sing the Hours by Paul Rose

    The Liturgy of the Hours: Sing the Hours

    784 Listeners

    Catholic Bible Study by Augustine Institute

    Catholic Bible Study

    599 Listeners

    The Discernment of Spirits and many other teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola with Fr. Timothy Gallagher by Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts

    The Discernment of Spirits and many other teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola with Fr. Timothy Gallagher

    32 Listeners

    St. Therese of Lisieux and the Martin Family - Bearers of Hope with Fr. Timothy Gallagher by Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts

    St. Therese of Lisieux and the Martin Family - Bearers of Hope with Fr. Timothy Gallagher

    22 Listeners

    The Retreats and Letters of St. Elizabeth of the Trinity with Dr. Anthony Lilles - Beginning to Pray podcast by Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts

    The Retreats and Letters of St. Elizabeth of the Trinity with Dr. Anthony Lilles - Beginning to Pray podcast

    7 Listeners

    The Way of Perfection and Interior Castle of St. Teresa of Avila with Dr. Anthony Lilles - Beginning to Pray by Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts

    The Way of Perfection and Interior Castle of St. Teresa of Avila with Dr. Anthony Lilles - Beginning to Pray

    13 Listeners

    Daily Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart by Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts

    Daily Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart

    19 Listeners

    Chris Stefanick Catholic Show by Chris Stefanick | Real Life Catholic

    Chris Stefanick Catholic Show

    399 Listeners

    The Exorcist Files by Ryan Bethea, Fr. Carlos Martins

    The Exorcist Files

    5,550 Listeners

    St. John of the Cross: Master of Contemplation with Fr. Donald Haggerty – Discerning Hearts Podcast by Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts

    St. John of the Cross: Master of Contemplation with Fr. Donald Haggerty – Discerning Hearts Podcast

    17 Listeners

    The Heart of Prayer with Fr. Éamonn Bourke by Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts

    The Heart of Prayer with Fr. Éamonn Bourke

    3 Listeners

    The Heart Of The Spiritual Exercises With Fr. Anthony Wieck, S.J. by Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts

    The Heart Of The Spiritual Exercises With Fr. Anthony Wieck, S.J.

    2 Listeners

    Pathway to Sacred Mysteries with Dr. David Fagerberg by Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts

    Pathway to Sacred Mysteries with Dr. David Fagerberg

    3 Listeners

    A “Lord of the Rings” Spiritual Retreat w/ Fr. Timothy Gallagher - Discerning Hearts Podcast by Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts

    A “Lord of the Rings” Spiritual Retreat w/ Fr. Timothy Gallagher - Discerning Hearts Podcast

    10 Listeners

    Discernimiento de Espíritus con el P. Timothy Gallagher - Podcasts Católicos Corazones Discernientes by Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts

    Discernimiento de Espíritus con el P. Timothy Gallagher - Podcasts Católicos Corazones Discernientes

    3 Listeners

    Julian of Norwich Archives - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts by Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts

    Julian of Norwich Archives - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts

    0 Listeners