The Discerning Hearts Blog Archives - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts

The Discerning Hearts Blog Archives - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts

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The Discerning Hearts Blog Archives - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts episodes

  • HSE1 – Introduction – The Heart of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola with Fr. Anthony Wieck S.J. – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts

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    Introduction – The Heart of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola with Fr. Anthony Wieck S.J.

    In this first episode, Fr. Anthony Wick joins Kris McGregor to explore the personal journey that led him to discover and embrace the spirituality of St. Ignatius of Loyola. Drawing from his upbringing on a Montana farm, the influence of his Jesuit-formed father, and his own experiences with retreats and education at the St. Ignatius Institute, Fr. Wick recounts how Ignatian spirituality gradually drew him toward religious life. Despite early resistance and a desire for marriage and family, he found himself captivated by Ignatius’ approach to prayer, discernment, and inner freedom. A pivotal moment came when a Jesuit friend suggested he spend time at the Casa Alverà in Rome, a house of discernment that helped clarify his vocation.

    The conversation highlights how St. Ignatius’ own life was transformed through suffering, especially during his convalescence after being wounded in battle. Reading the lives of Christ and the saints, Ignatius began to notice the different effects that thoughts had on his spirit. Some left him empty while others filled him with joy. This observation became the basis for his discernment of spirits, a foundational principle in the Spiritual Exercises. Fr. Wick explains how Ignatius’ mystical experiences in the cave at Manresa laid the groundwork for this practical and deeply personal spiritual tool. He also shares how discovering his own patron saint, St. Anthony of Egypt, helped confirm his call and opened his heart to the flourishing that comes with finding one’s true spiritual father. The episode invites listeners to explore which saints may have chosen them and to pursue those interior stirrings that lead toward deeper relationship with Christ.

    Discerning Hearts Catholic Reflection Questions:

    1. When you reflect on your own spiritual journey, can you identify moments when God reoriented your plans toward something deeper?

    2. What inner responses do you experience when considering the lives of the saints—do any leave you especially consoled or stirred?

    3. Have you ever noticed different spiritual “fruits” from your thoughts or desires, as St. Ignatius did during his convalescence?

    4. What does it mean to you that the saints might choose us, rather than the other way around?

    5. How has your understanding of spiritual fatherhood or motherhood shaped your prayer life and discernment?

    6. In what ways might God be inviting you to surrender inordinate attachments or self-centered plans?

    7. Which particular saints have helped you flourish in your spiritual life, and how have they guided your path?

    8. How can you begin or deepen a habit of prayerfully listening to God through the charism of a particular spiritual tradition?

      Fr. Anthony Wieck is a Jesuit priest of the Central & Southern province. Sixth of nine children, raised on a farm in Oregon, Fr. Anthony began religious life in 1994, spending his first five years of formation in Rome, Italy, studying at the Casa Balthasar and the Gregorian. The former was under the watchful patronage of Pope Benedict XVI (then-Card. Joseph Ratzinger).  Fr. Anthony currently acts as retreat master at White House Jesuit Retreat in St. Louis, Missouri. He also offers spiritual direction at the St. Louis diocesan seminary for 25 future priests there. 

      The post HSE1 – Introduction – The Heart of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola with Fr. Anthony Wieck S.J. – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

      35 min
    9. An Introduction to Discerning Hearts – Part One: Formation, Prayer, and More – Discerning Hearts Podcast


      An Introduction to Discerning Hearts – Part One: Formation, Prayer, and More

      In this introductory episode, Kris McGregor welcomes listeners to Discerning Hearts and offers a guided overview of the rich spiritual resources available through the platform. From deep spiritual formation with renowned teachers like Fr. Timothy Gallagher and Dr. Anthony Lilles, to practical tools like the Daily Lectio Divina and Examen Prayer, Kris highlights how Discerning Hearts supports daily growth in prayer, scripture, and Catholic teaching. We are introduced to major categories including prayer and devotionals, scripture study, Church history, apologetics, Catholic social teaching, and more—all accessible for free through the website, mobile app, podcast platforms, and 24/7 streaming.

      Whether you’re beginning your journey or seeking to deepen it, this episode shows how Discerning Hearts can become a daily companion in your spiritual life.

      Transcription

      Welcome to Discerning Hearts. I’m Kris McGregor, and whether this is your first time with us or you’re returning after journeying with us for a while, I’m so glad you’re here. This short series is designed to introduce—or reintroduce—you to everything Discerning Hearts offers. Over the next few episodes, I’ll walk with you step by step, showing you how to explore our content, use the app or website, and discover the spiritual tools that can help you grow closer to Christ.

      Today, I want to give you a brief overview of the major categories you’ll find across our platform—whether you’re using the app, the website, or your favorite podcast platform. We begin with the heart of our mission: spiritual formation. Here, you’ll find podcast series that delve into the interior life, prayer, discernment, and the mystical tradition of the Church. We feature voices like Fr. Timothy Gallagher on Ignatian spirituality and the life of St. Thérèse of Lisieux and her family, Dr. Anthony Lilles, and Fr. Donald Haggerty, who guide us into the depths of Carmelite mysticism. Fr. Thomas McDermott teaches the wisdom of St. Catherine of Siena and the Dominican tradition; Fr. Mauritius Wilde shares from the Benedictine way of life; and Deacon James Keating speaks on contemplative prayer and intimacy with Christ. These are just a few of the many series in this section.

      In our Prayers and Devotionals section, you’ll find novenas structured as nine-day journeys with a saint, enriched with reflections and teachings from their lives. We also offer multiple versions of the Rosary, Stations of the Cross, and a treasury of litanies and prayers to the Sacred Heart, Our Lady, St. Joseph, and more. Central to our daily rhythm are the Daily Lectio Divina and Examen Prayer—tools to help you notice God’s presence throughout your day.

      If you want to go deeper into Sacred Scripture, we have in-depth studies from Sharon Doran’s Seeking Truth series, seasonal Gospel reflections, and thematic episodes tied to the liturgical year. It’s not just about learning the Word—it’s about loving and living it.

      In the Church History and Apologetics section, you’ll find teachings from the early Church to the modern day. Mike Aquilina explores the early Church Fathers, Dr. Matthew Bunson highlights the Doctors of the Church. Other series showcase voices of conversion and evangelization, from G.K. Chesterton to St. John Henry Newman.

      We also offer content on Living the Faith in the World, which explores Catholic social teaching, faith, and culture. Deacon Omar Gutierrez speaks on social doctrine and others explore art, literature, and beauty through a Gospel lens.

      All of this is available for free on our website and the Discerning Hearts mobile app. You can also stream through Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our YouTube channel. Be sure to sign up for our daily email newsletter for new reflections and episodes, and check out our 24/7 streaming channels—like a podcast radio, always on and always available. You don’t need to have a plan—just begin. We’re here to walk with you.

      In our next episode, I’ll guide you through how to navigate the app and website, how to find the series that speaks to your heart, and how to integrate Discerning Hearts into your daily rhythm of prayer and formation. Thank you for being with us—may this be the beginning, or the deepening, of a beautiful spiritual journey.

      The post An Introduction to Discerning Hearts – Part One: Formation, Prayer, and More – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

      7 min
    10. Wednesday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
      Wednesday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast

      As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly.  For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.

      Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”

      Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…

      From the Holy Gospel According to Matthew 13:44-46

      Jesus said to the crowds: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field which someone has found; he hides it again, goes off happy, sells everything he owns and buys the field.

      ‘Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls; when he finds one of great value he goes and sells everything he owns and buys it.’

      What word made this passage come alive for you?

      What did you sense the Lord saying to you?

      Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:

      Jesus said to the crowds: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field which someone has found; he hides it again, goes off happy, sells everything he owns and buys the field.

      ‘Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls; when he finds one of great value he goes and sells everything he owns and buys it.’

      What did your heart feel as you listened?

      What did you sense the Lord saying to you?

      Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:

      Jesus said to the crowds: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field which someone has found; he hides it again, goes off happy, sells everything he owns and buys the field.

      ‘Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls; when he finds one of great value he goes and sells everything he owns and buys it.’

      What touched your heart in this time of prayer?

      What did your heart feel as you prayed?

      What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?

      Our Father, who art in heaven,

      hallowed be thy name.

      Thy kingdom come.

      Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.

      Give us this day our daily bread,

      and forgive us our trespasses,

      as we forgive those who trespass against us,

      and lead us not into temptation,

       but deliver us from evil.

      Amen

      Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.

      The post Wednesday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

      9 min
    11. BTP-LR20 – Day 14 – Part 2 – The Last Retreat by St. Elizabeth of the Trinity – Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles – Discerning Hearts Podcast

      Day 14 – Part 2 – The Last Retreat by St. Elizabeth of the Trinity- Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles

      Dr. Anthony Lilles and Kris McGregor explore Day 14 of St. Elizabeth of the Trinity’s Last Retreat. The reflection centers on the idea that Holy Communion is not merely a moment of devotion but an invitation to unite fully with Christ’s obedience to the Father’s will. Elizabeth points to Christ’s declaration, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me”, to reveal that receiving the Eucharist properly requires interior readiness and surrender. When we approach the altar with selfish motives or spiritual distraction, we hinder the grace meant to transform us. Instead, St. Elizabeth calls for a soul open to the mystery of divine will: one that continues to offer praise and fidelity long after Mass ends. This disposition leads us deeper into the very heart of Christ’s sacrificial love, enabling us to join him in his prayer and suffering.

      Silence is the place where union with God matures. St. Elizabeth portrays this silence not as mere absence of noise, but as the crucible of transformation, especially in suffering. Drawing from Jesus’ own cries from the cross—“Why have you abandoned me?” and “I thirst”—she identifies the soul’s participation in divine love through desolation and thirst for God. This silence prepares the heart to echo Jesus’ final surrender: “Into your hands I commend my spirit.” Dr. Lilles reflects that such surrender, born from silence and suffering, allows God’s glory and joy to enter the world. In a noisy culture, this interior stillness is rare but deeply necessary. It is within this silence, he says, that God astonishes the soul with his presence and leads it beyond its limits into the boundless mystery of divine love.

      Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions
      1. How does receiving Holy Communion invite you to align your will with the Father’s, beyond the moment of the Mass?
      2. In what ways might you be approaching Communion with personal agendas rather than openness to God’s purpose?
      3. What does it mean for you personally to make the Father’s will your “food,” as Christ did?
      4. How can you cultivate silence in your life as a place of strength and union with God?
      5. When have you experienced the silence of God, and how did it affect your faith?
      6. Are you willing to let suffering become a path through which God communicates his love to others?
      7. How might embracing silence after Communion deepen your intimacy with Christ?
      8. What does Jesus’ thirst from the cross reveal about his desire for your soul and others?
      9. How can you surrender more fully to God in times of spiritual abandonment or trial?
      10. What does it look like in your life to let Christ increase and yourself decrease?
      11. From “Last Retreat Day 14” found in The Complete Works vol 1:

        36. “It seems to me that all is loss since I have known the excelling knowledge of my Lord, Jesus Christ. For love of Him I have forfeited everything; I have accounted all else rubbish that I may gain Christ, so as to be found in Him, not with my own justice but with the justice that comes from God through faith. What I want is to know Him, to share in His sufferings, to become like Him in His death. I pursue my course, striving to attain to what Christ has destined me for by taking hold of me; my whole concern is to forget what is behind and to strain forward constantly to what is ahead; I run straight to the goal . . . , to the prize of the heavenly vocation to which God has called me in Christ Jesus.” 212 The Apostle has often revealed the greatness of this vocation: “God,” he says, “has chosen us in Him before the creation of the world that we might be holy and immaculate in His presence in love. . . . We have been predestined by the decree of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, so that we may be the praise of His glory.” 213

        37. But how do we respond to the dignity of this vocation? This is the secret: “Mihi vivere Christus est! . . . Vivo enim, jam non ego, vivit vero in me Christus. . . .” 214 We must be transformed into Jesus Christ; again it is St. Paul who teaches me this: “Those whom God has foreknown, He has predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son.” 215 It is important then that I study this divine Model so as to identify myself so closely with Him that I may unceasingly reveal Him to the eyes of the Father. First of all, what did He say when He came into the world? “Here I am, O God, I come to do your will.” 216 I think that this prayer should be like the bride’s heartbeat: 217 “Here we are, O Father, we come to do your will!”

        This the text we are using to discuss “Heaven in Faith” you can find it here and order from the Carmelite Sisters

        We would like to thank Miriam Gutierrez for providing “the voice” of St. Elizabeth for this series

        For other episodes in the series visit the Discerning Hearts page for Dr. Anthony Lilles

        Anthony Lilles, S.T.D., has served the Church and assisted in the formation of clergy and seminarians since 1994. Before coming to St. Patrick’s, he served at seminaries and houses of formation in the Archdiocese of Denver and the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. The son of a California farmer, married with young adult children, holds a B.A. in theology from the Franciscan University of Steubenville with both the ecclesiastical licentiate and doctorate in spiritual theology from the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas in Rome (the Angelicum). An expert in the writings of St. Elizabeth of the Trinity and the Carmelite Doctors of the Church, he co-founded the Avila Institute for Spiritual Formation and the High Calling Program for priestly vocations. He also founded the John Paul II Center for Contemplative Culture, which hosts symposiums, retreats, and conferences. In addition to his publications, he blogs at www.beginningtopray.com .

        The post BTP-LR20 – Day 14 – Part 2 – The Last Retreat by St. Elizabeth of the Trinity – Beginning to Pray with Dr. Anthony Lilles – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

        30 min
      12. HIDT6- Conference 6 – Hope in Difficult Times with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcasts

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        Conference 6 – Hope in Difficult Times: with Sts. Therese, Louis, and Zelie and Their Family with Fr. Timothy Gallagher O.M.V.

        Fr. Timothy Gallagher explores the profound faith, resilience, and sacrificial love embodied by St. Zélie Martin, the mother of St. Thérèse of Lisieux. Through excerpts from her letters, Fr. Gallagher illustrates St. Zélie’s trials in marriage, business, motherhood, and terminal illness. Her writings reveal a woman deeply devoted to her family, tirelessly caring for her children and employees despite her own suffering. Her honesty, humor, sense of duty, and unwavering trust in God are evident as she navigates economic hardship, family illnesses, and her growing awareness of her cancer. Even as her health declines, her concern remains for the well-being and formation of her children, especially Leonie whose personal struggles weighed heavily on her heart.

        Fr. Gallagher highlights the mutual self-giving between St. Zélie and her husband St. Louis, who repeatedly sacrificed personal comfort and business pursuits for the good of his wife and daughters. He also takes a look at Zélie’s final months, her peaceful death, and the enduring spiritual legacy she and Louis left for their daughters—especially Thérèse. Fr. Gallagher ties their lived holiness to the “little way” Thérèse would later articulate, and encourages the audience to reflect on how ordinary acts done with love and fidelity can shape lives and sanctify families.

        Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions
        1. How does Zélie Martin’s patient endurance through suffering challenge my own response to trials?
        2. In what ways can I imitate Zélie’s devotion to family responsibilities even amid personal hardship?
        3. How do I respond when God’s will seems to differ from my hopes or plans?
        4. Am I willing to offer my daily work and sacrifices as a form of love and service to others?
        5. What role does trust in divine providence play in how I make decisions and face uncertainty?
        6. How can I better care for the vulnerable and poor, as the Martin family did with the homeless man?
        7. Do I avoid complaining and choose instead to bear challenges quietly and with love?
        8. How am I nurturing the faith of those in my care, especially children or those struggling spiritually?
        9. What does Louis Martin’s sacrificial love teach me about living out charity in my vocation?
        10. In what ways can I grow in accepting God’s timing, especially regarding unanswered prayers or delayed resolutions?
        11. Did you know that Fr. Timothy Gallagher has 15 different podcasts series on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts?  Visit here to discover more!

          Fr. Gallagher obtained his doctorate in 1983 from Gregorian University. He has taught (St. John’s Seminary, Brighton, MA; Our Lady of Grace Seminary Residence, Boston, MA), assisted in formation work for twelve years, and served two terms as provincial in his own community. He has dedicated many years to an extensive ministry of retreats, spiritual direction, and teaching about the spiritual life. Fr. Gallagher is the author of six books (Crossroad) on the spiritual teaching of St. Ignatius of Loyola.

          The post HIDT6- Conference 6 – Hope in Difficult Times with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

          59 min
        12. Sunday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
          Sunday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast

          As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly.  For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.

          Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”

          Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…

          From the Holy Gospel According to Luke 11:1-13

          Once Jesus was in a certain place praying, and when he had finished one of his disciples said, ‘Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.’

          He said to them, ‘Say this when you pray:
          ‘“Father, may your name be held holy,
          your kingdom come;
          give us each day our daily bread,
          and forgive us our sins,
          for we ourselves forgive each one who is in debt to us.
          And do not put us to the test.”’
          He also said to them:
          ‘Suppose one of you has a friend and goes to him in the middle of the night to say, “My friend, lend me three loaves, because a friend of mine on his travels has just arrived at my house and I have nothing to offer him”; and the man answers from inside the house, “Do not bother me. The door is bolted now, and my children and I are in bed; I cannot get up to give it you.” I tell you, if the man does not get up and give it him for friendship’s sake, persistence will be enough to make him get up and give his friend all he wants.
          ‘So I say to you: Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. For the one who asks always receives; the one who searches always finds; the one who knocks will always have the door opened to him. What father among you would hand his son a stone when he asked for bread? Or hand him a snake instead of a fish? Or hand him a scorpion if he asked for an egg? If you then, who are evil, know how to give your children what is good, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!’

          What word made this passage come alive for you?

          What did you sense the Lord saying to you?

          Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:

          Once Jesus was in a certain place praying, and when he had finished one of his disciples said, ‘Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.’

          He said to them, ‘Say this when you pray:
          ‘“Father, may your name be held holy,
          your kingdom come;
          give us each day our daily bread,
          and forgive us our sins,
          for we ourselves forgive each one who is in debt to us.
          And do not put us to the test.”’
          He also said to them:
          ‘Suppose one of you has a friend and goes to him in the middle of the night to say, “My friend, lend me three loaves, because a friend of mine on his travels has just arrived at my house and I have nothing to offer him”; and the man answers from inside the house, “Do not bother me. The door is bolted now, and my children and I are in bed; I cannot get up to give it you.” I tell you, if the man does not get up and give it him for friendship’s sake, persistence will be enough to make him get up and give his friend all he wants.
          ‘So I say to you: Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. For the one who asks always receives; the one who searches always finds; the one who knocks will always have the door opened to him. What father among you would hand his son a stone when he asked for bread? Or hand him a snake instead of a fish? Or hand him a scorpion if he asked for an egg? If you then, who are evil, know how to give your children what is good, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!’

          What did your heart feel as you listened?

          What did you sense the Lord saying to you?

          Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:

          Once Jesus was in a certain place praying, and when he had finished one of his disciples said, ‘Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.’

          He said to them, ‘Say this when you pray:
          ‘“Father, may your name be held holy,
          your kingdom come;
          give us each day our daily bread,
          and forgive us our sins,
          for we ourselves forgive each one who is in debt to us.
          And do not put us to the test.”’
          He also said to them:
          ‘Suppose one of you has a friend and goes to him in the middle of the night to say, “My friend, lend me three loaves, because a friend of mine on his travels has just arrived at my house and I have nothing to offer him”; and the man answers from inside the house, “Do not bother me. The door is bolted now, and my children and I are in bed; I cannot get up to give it you.” I tell you, if the man does not get up and give it him for friendship’s sake, persistence will be enough to make him get up and give his friend all he wants.
          ‘So I say to you: Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. For the one who asks always receives; the one who searches always finds; the one who knocks will always have the door opened to him. What father among you would hand his son a stone when he asked for bread? Or hand him a snake instead of a fish? Or hand him a scorpion if he asked for an egg? If you then, who are evil, know how to give your children what is good, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!’

          What touched your heart in this time of prayer?

          What did your heart feel as you prayed?

          What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?

          Our Father, who art in heaven,

          hallowed be thy name.

          Thy kingdom come.

          Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.

          Give us this day our daily bread,

          and forgive us our trespasses,

          as we forgive those who trespass against us,

          and lead us not into temptation,

           but deliver us from evil.

          Amen

          Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.

          The post Sunday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

          14 min
        13. Saturday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast
          Saturday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast

          As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly.  For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.

          Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”

          Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…

          From the Holy Gospel According to Matthew 13:24-30

          Jesus put another parable before the crowds: ‘The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field. While everybody was asleep his enemy came, sowed darnel all among the wheat, and made off. When the new wheat sprouted and ripened, the darnel appeared as well. The owner’s servants went to him and said, “Sir, was it not good seed that you sowed in your field? If so, where does the darnel come from?” “Some enemy has done this” he answered. And the servants said, “Do you want us to go and weed it out?” But he said, “No, because when you weed out the darnel you might pull up the wheat with it. Let them both grow till the harvest; and at harvest time I shall say to the reapers: First collect the darnel and tie it in bundles to be burnt, then gather the wheat into my barn.”’

          What word made this passage come alive for you?

          What did you sense the Lord saying to you?

          Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:

          Jesus put another parable before the crowds: ‘The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field. While everybody was asleep his enemy came, sowed darnel all among the wheat, and made off. When the new wheat sprouted and ripened, the darnel appeared as well. The owner’s servants went to him and said, “Sir, was it not good seed that you sowed in your field? If so, where does the darnel come from?” “Some enemy has done this” he answered. And the servants said, “Do you want us to go and weed it out?” But he said, “No, because when you weed out the darnel you might pull up the wheat with it. Let them both grow till the harvest; and at harvest time I shall say to the reapers: First collect the darnel and tie it in bundles to be burnt, then gather the wheat into my barn.”’

          What did your heart feel as you listened?

          What did you sense the Lord saying to you?

          Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:

          Jesus put another parable before the crowds: ‘The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field. While everybody was asleep his enemy came, sowed darnel all among the wheat, and made off. When the new wheat sprouted and ripened, the darnel appeared as well. The owner’s servants went to him and said, “Sir, was it not good seed that you sowed in your field? If so, where does the darnel come from?” “Some enemy has done this” he answered. And the servants said, “Do you want us to go and weed it out?” But he said, “No, because when you weed out the darnel you might pull up the wheat with it. Let them both grow till the harvest; and at harvest time I shall say to the reapers: First collect the darnel and tie it in bundles to be burnt, then gather the wheat into my barn.”’

          What touched your heart in this time of prayer?

          What did your heart feel as you prayed?

          What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?

          Our Father, who art in heaven,

          hallowed be thy name.

          Thy kingdom come.

          Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.

          Give us this day our daily bread,

          and forgive us our trespasses,

          as we forgive those who trespass against us,

          and lead us not into temptation,

           but deliver us from evil.

          Amen

          Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.

          The post Saturday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

          11 min
        14. The Legacy of St. Charbel Makhluf and St. Nimatullah Kassab – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast
          The Legacy of St. Charbel Makhluf and St. Nimatullah Kassab – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff

          Msgr. John Esseff shares a personal and profound connection with Saint Charbel Makhlouf, a Maronite saint from Lebanon, whose feast day is being celebrated. Msgr. Esseff recounts his experience in Lebanon as the Pontifical Mission Director, where he visited Saint Charbel’s shrine and learned about his life and influence.

          Saint Charbel was a Maronite monk known for his deep spirituality and ascetic life, who eventually chose a hermit’s life for 27 years of prayer and fasting. His life and miraculous incorrupt body, which glowed after his death, drew many pilgrims, including Muslims and Christians.

          Msgr. Esseff discusses the significance of Saint Charbel for both Eastern and Western Christians, and the importance for unity in Christ despite historical and political division and the need for holiness and true leadership rooted in Christ rather than worldly power.

          Saint Charbel Makhluf, O.L.M. (or Sharbel Maklouf)
          St Nimatullah Youssef Kassab Al-Hardini
          Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions
          1. Reflect on how the lives of saints, particularly Saint Charbel, can inspire and guide your spiritual journey.
          2. Consider the importance of personal holiness and how you can strive to be more Christ-like in your daily life.
          3. Examine the qualities of true leadership in the Church, as exemplified by Saint Charbel, and how they differ from worldly power and prestige.
          4. Contemplate the common foundation of faith in Christ that unites Eastern and Western Christians, despite historical and political differences.
          5. Reflect on the role of prayer and fasting in deepening your relationship with God, inspired by Saint Charbel’s example.
          6. Think about the significance of miracles in the Church, such as the incorrupt body of Saint Charbel, and what they reveal about God’s presence and power.
          7. Consider how you can be a witness to Christ in your community, following the example of Saint Charbel’s humble and devoted life.
          8. Reading 1  JER 2:1-3, 7-8, 12-13

            This word of the LORD came to me:

            Go, cry out this message for Jerusalem to hear!

            I remember the devotion of your youth,

            how you loved me as a bride,
            Following me in the desert,
            in a land unsown.
            Sacred to the LORD was Israel,
            the first fruits of his harvest;
            Should any presume to partake of them,
            evil would befall them, says the LORD.

            When I brought you into the garden land

            to eat its goodly fruits,
            You entered and defiled my land,
            you made my heritage loathsome.
            The priests asked not,
            “Where is the LORD?”
            Those who dealt with the law knew me not:
            the shepherds rebelled against me.
            The prophets prophesied by Baal,
            and went after useless idols.

            Be amazed at this, O heavens,

            and shudder with sheer horror, says the LORD.
            Two evils have my people done:
            they have forsaken me, the source of living waters;
            They have dug themselves cisterns,
            broken cisterns, that hold no water.

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

            The post The Legacy of St. Charbel Makhluf and St. Nimatullah Kassab – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

            35 min
          9. The Chaplet of St. Charbel – Discerning Hearts Podcast

            Prayers and Chaplet for St. Charbel

            Saint Charbel was born on May 8, 1828, from a modest Maronite family in Bekaa Kafra, a village in North Lebanon. He entered the order of Lebanese monks in 1851 and was ordained a priest in 1859. Later he withdrew to the hermitage of Saints Peter and Paul to spend 23 years in prayer, fasting, manual labor, and penance until on Christmas Eve of the year 1898 he piously gave back his soul to God. Aged 70 years. After his death, many graces and bodily cures have been obtained through his intercession. He was canonized by His Holiness Paul VI in 1977.

            For more visit his Discerning Hearts St. Charbel page

            Chaplet

            THE CHAPLET

            The chaplet is made up of five sets of beads, three red, one white and one blue. Five black beads, divide the sets. A medal of the saint connects the beads, with a single white bead following the medal and preceding the five sets.

            The red beads are for the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, the virtues by which religious share in the Passion of Christ.

            The white beads represent the Holy Eucharist, and the blue beads love and devotion to Our Blessed Mother.

            ORDER OF RECITATION

            On the first white bead after the medal say the “Father of Truth” prayer. On each black bead recite an “Our Father”.

            On the first three red beads say the “Hail Mary” in honor of Saint Charbel’s fidelity to the vow of poverty.

            On the second set of red beads say the “Hail Mary” in honor of Saint Charbel’s fidelity to the vow of chastity.

            On the third set of red beads say the “Hail Mary” in honor of Saint Charbel’s fidelity to the vow of obedience.

            On the three white beads say the “Hail Mary” in honor of Saint Charbel’s love for the Eucharist.

            On the three blue beads say the “Hail Mary” in honor of Saint Charbel’s devotion to Our Blessed Mother. Conclude with the prayer to obtain graces on the medal.

            Father of Truth Prayer

            Father of Truth, behold Your Son, a sacrifice pleasing to You. Accept this offering of Him who died for me; behold His blood shed on Golgotha for my salvation. It pleads for me. For His sake, accept my offering. Many are my sins, but greater is Your mercy. When placed on a scale, Your mercy prevails over the weight of the mountains known only to You. Consider the sin and consider the atonement; the atonement is greater and exceeds the sin. Your beloved Son sustained the nails and the lance because of my sins so in His sufferings You are satisfied and I live.

            Prayer to Obtain Graces

            Lord, infinitely holy and glorified in Your saints, You have inspired Charbel, the saint monk, to lead the perfect life of a hermit. We thank You for granting him the blessing and the strength to detach himself from the world so that the heroism of the monastic virtues of poverty, chastity, and obedience might triumph in his hermitage. We beseech You to grant us the grace of loving and serving You, following his example. Almighty God, who have manifested the power of Saint Charbel’s intercession through his countless miracles and favors, grant us this grace (here mention your intention) which we request from You through his intercession. Amen.

            the music found in the Chaplet is from Sister Marie Keyrouz’s CD

            Other Prayers

            1.

            Lord, infinitely Holy and Glorified in Your Saints,

            You have inspired Charbel, the saint monk,
            to lead the perfect life of a hermit.
            We thank You for granting him the blessing
            and the strength to detach himself from the world
            so that the heroism of the monastic virtues of poverty,
            obedience, and chastity,
            could triumph in his hermitage.
            We beseech You to grant us the grace of loving and serving You,
            following his example.
            Almighty God, Who has manifested
            the power of St. Charbel’s intercession
            through his countless miracles and favours,
            grant us…

            (State your intention(s) here…)

            through his intercession.

            Amen.

            Our Father…

            Hail Mary…
            Glory Be…

            2.

            O God of Silence, in stillness Your adorable and mysterious Trinity lives, loves and acts. In the silence of time, Your great Mysteries have been accomplished. Blessed is the one who quiets everything within himself and listens to the impelling voice which leads to You. Charbel heard this voice and closed himself in solitude. He separated himself from a self-seeking world and spoke with You. You taught him to deny himself and to die, like the grain of wheat. You asked him to bind himself to You in a life of poverty, chastity and obedience. Freed from himself, he discovered You, 0 Lord, embraced the way of the Cross and filled his spirit with the memory of Your Son’s passion and death. The holy Mysteries became his life, the Eucharist his real food and the Mother of God his consolation. Day and night he sought You in the Scriptures and in the lives of the saints. Through unending prayer his whole life became a living hymn of praise to You and ended in a sacrifice of love that continues to proclaim Your glory. We beseech You, through his intercession, to inspire us to a life of prayer and sacrifice. Help us to live lives of quiet dedication to the service of Your Church, forever.

            Amen

            The post The Chaplet of St. Charbel – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

            8 min
          10. Wednesday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast


            Wednesday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast

            As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly.  For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.

            Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”

            Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…

            From the Holy Gospel According to Matthew 13:1-9

            Jesus left the house and sat by the lakeside, but such large crowds gathered round him that he got into a boat and sat there. The people all stood on the beach, and he told them many things in parables.

            He said, ‘Imagine a sower going out to sow. As he sowed, some seeds fell on the edge of the path, and the birds came and ate them up. Others fell on patches of rock where they found little soil and sprang up straight away, because there was no depth of earth; but as soon as the sun came up they were scorched and, not having any roots, they withered away. Others fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Others fell on rich soil and produced their crop, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. Listen, anyone who has ears!’

            What word made this passage come alive for you?

            What did you sense the Lord saying to you?

            Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:

            Jesus left the house and sat by the lakeside, but such large crowds gathered round him that he got into a boat and sat there. The people all stood on the beach, and he told them many things in parables.

            He said, ‘Imagine a sower going out to sow. As he sowed, some seeds fell on the edge of the path, and the birds came and ate them up. Others fell on patches of rock where they found little soil and sprang up straight away, because there was no depth of earth; but as soon as the sun came up they were scorched and, not having any roots, they withered away. Others fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Others fell on rich soil and produced their crop, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. Listen, anyone who has ears!’

            What did your heart feel as you listened?

            What did you sense the Lord saying to you?

            Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:

            Jesus left the house and sat by the lakeside, but such large crowds gathered round him that he got into a boat and sat there. The people all stood on the beach, and he told them many things in parables.

            He said, ‘Imagine a sower going out to sow. As he sowed, some seeds fell on the edge of the path, and the birds came and ate them up. Others fell on patches of rock where they found little soil and sprang up straight away, because there was no depth of earth; but as soon as the sun came up they were scorched and, not having any roots, they withered away. Others fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Others fell on rich soil and produced their crop, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. Listen, anyone who has ears!’

            What touched your heart in this time of prayer?

            What did your heart feel as you prayed?

            What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?

            Our Father, who art in heaven,

            hallowed be thy name.

            Thy kingdom come.

            Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.

            Give us this day our daily bread,

            and forgive us our trespasses,

            as we forgive those who trespass against us,

            and lead us not into temptation,

             but deliver us from evil.

            Amen

            Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.

            The post Wednesday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

            11 min

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