Msgr. Esseff reflects on the readings for the 2nd Sunday of Easter and it's meanings for our lives.  He discusses the identity of the Christian, and in particular, what it means to be a "Catholic".

Who are you? Your Catholic Identity on Divine Mercy Sunday with Msgr. John Esseff

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Navigating Vocation Discernment – Is Jesus Calling You with Fr. Paul Hoesing
Fr. Paul Hoesing and Kris McGregor discuss discerning a vocation to the Catholic priesthood, drawing lessons from the teachings of the National Conference of Diocesan Vocation Directors. They discuss the importance of encountering Christ personally, desiring what God desires, and ultimately, trusting in God’s plan. Trust, they explain, is foundational to the discernment process, encompassing elements of faith, love, and hope.
Trust in God requires dependence on Him, especially during life’s storms and uncertainties. Exploring the biblical story of Peter walking on water as an allegory for trust, highlighting how Peter’s fear arose when he took his eyes off Jesus and how it related to the need to keep focused on Christ amid life’s challenges, understanding that He is always present to guide and support.
Additionally, they address common fears and doubts that may arise during discernment, urging listeners to bring these concerns to God and trust in His provision. They encourage a mindset of gratitude and openness to God’s leading, acknowledging that the discernment journey is a process that unfolds gradually, with each step guided by God’s hand.


Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions:

* Encountering Christ Personally: How have you personally encountered Christ in your life, and how has this encounter influenced your understanding of your vocation journey?
* Learning to Desire What God Desires: Reflect on your deepest desires. Do they align with what you believe God desires for you? How can you cultivate a greater alignment between your desires and God’s will?
* Trusting in God’s Plan: In what areas of your life do you struggle to trust in God’s plan? How can you deepen your trust in Him, especially during times of uncertainty or difficulty?
* Dependence on God: Consider moments when you have felt most dependent on God. How did He provide for you during those times, and how did it impact your relationship with Him?
* Keeping Focus on Christ: Reflect on instances when you’ve allowed fear or distractions to take your focus away from Christ. What steps can you take to keep your eyes fixed on Him, especially during challenging circumstances?
* Gratitude and Openness: How can you cultivate a spirit of gratitude in your discernment journey, even amidst doubts or fears? How does gratitude help to foster openness to God’s will?
* Trusting in God’s Timing: Are there areas in your life where you feel rushed or anxious about discerning God’s will? How can you surrender these concerns and trust in God’s timing?
* Prayer and Surrender: Take time to pray and surrender your fears, doubts, and desires to God. How does this act of surrender deepen your trust in His guidance and provision?


Based on “Is Jesus Calling You To Be A Catholic  Priest: A helpful guide”, published by National Conference of Diocesan Vocation Director.
Fr. Paul Hoesing serves at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary as President Rector


IJCY3 – Navigating Vocation Discernment – Is Jesus Calling You with Fr. Paul Hoesing – Discerning Hearts Podcast

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Feast of St. James and St. Phillip – 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 St. John 14:6-14
Jesus said to Thomas:
‘I am the Way, the Truth and the Life.
No one can come to the Father except through me.
If you know me, you know my Father too.
From this moment you know him and have seen him.’
Philip said, ‘Lord, let us see the Father and then we shall be satisfied.’
‘Have I been with you all this time, Philip,’ said Jesus to him ‘and you still do not know me?
‘To have seen me is to have seen the Father,
so how can you say, “Let us see the Father”?
Do you not believe
that I am in the Father and the Father is in me?
The words I say to you I do not speak as from myself:
it is the Father, living in me, who is doing this work.
You must believe me when I say
that I am in the Father and the Father is in me;
believe it on the evidence of this work, if for no other reason.
I tell you most solemnly,
whoever believes in me
will perform the same works as I do myself,
he will perform even greater works,
because I am going to the Father.
Whatever you ask for in my name I will do,
so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
If you ask for anything in my name,
I will do 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 Thomas:
‘I am the Way, the Truth and the Life.
No one can come to the Father except through me.
If you know me, you know my Father too.
From this moment you know him and have seen him.’
Philip said, ‘Lord, let us see the Father and then we shall be satisfied.’
‘Have I been with you all this time, Philip,’ said Jesus to him ‘and you still do not know me?
‘To have seen me is to have seen the Father,
so how can you say, “Let us see the Father”?
Do you not believe
that I am in the Father and the Father is in me?
The words I say to you I do not speak as from myself:
it is the Father, living in me, who is doing this work.
You must believe me when I say
that I am in the Father and the Father is in me;
believe it on the evidence of this work, if for no other reason.
I tell you most solemnly,
whoever believes in me
will perform the same works as I do myself,
he will perform even greater works,
because I am going to the Father.
Whatever you ask for in my name I will do,
so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
If you ask for anything in my name,
I will do 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 Thomas:
‘I am the Way, the Truth and the Life.
No one can come to the Father except through me.
If you know me, you know my Father too.
From this moment you know him and have seen him.’
Philip said, ‘Lord, let us see the Father and then we shall be satisfied.’
‘Have I been with you all this time, Philip,’ said Jesus to him ‘and you still do not know me?
‘To have seen me is to have seen the Father,
so how can you say, “Let us see the Father”?
Do you not believe
that I am in the Father and the Father is in me?
The words I say to you I do not speak as from myself:

Feast of St. James and St. Phillip – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast


St. Athanasius of Alexandria – The Doctors of the Church: The Charism of Wisdom with Dr. Matthew Bunson

* Born: 296 AD, Alexandria, Egypt
* Died: May 2, 373 AD, Alexandria, Egypt

Dr. Matthew Bunson and Kris McGregor discuss St. Athanasius of Alexandria, declared a Doctor of the Church in 1568. St. Athanasius played a significant role in defending orthodox Christian doctrine against the Arian heresy. Born around 298 AD, he became Bishop of Alexandria and faced exile multiple times due to his staunch opposition to Arianism.
Despite persecution and false accusations, Athanasius remained steadfast in his defense of Christ’s divinity and humanity; in addition to Christ’s incarnation and its role in salvation, providing clarity on the Trinity and the nature of Christ. He also contributed to the spread of monasticism through his writings on the Desert Fathers, particularly St. Anthony. His life serves as a reminder of the challenges faced in defending the truth and the unwavering commitment required to uphold the faith.

* Athanasius
* Against the Heathen
* On the Incarnation of the Word
* Deposition of Arius
* Statement of Faith
* On Luke 10:22 (Matthew 11:27)
* Circular Letter
* Apologia Contra Arianos
* De Decretis
* De Sententia Dionysii
* Vita S. Antoni (Life of St. Anthony)
* Ad Episcopus Aegypti et Libyae
* Apologia ad Constantium
* Apologia de Fuga
* Historia Arianorum
* Four Discourses Against the Arians
* De Synodis
* Tomus ad Antiochenos
* Ad Afros Epistola Synodica
* Historia Acephala
* Letters


Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions

* The Courage of St. Athanasius: How does St. Athanasius’ unwavering courage in the face of persecution inspire us to stand firm in our faith, even when confronted with adversity?
* Defending Truth in Today’s World: In what ways can we apply St. Athanasius’ example to our modern context, where the truth of the Catholic faith is often challenged or misunderstood?
* Embracing Orthodoxy: Reflect on the importance of understanding and defending orthodox Christian doctrine, especially in a world where relativism and skepticism abound.
* Sacrifice and Commitment: Consider the sacrifices St. Athanasius made for the sake of defending the faith. How does his commitment challenge us to deepen our own dedication to Christ and His Church?
* The Role of Monasticism: Explore the significance of St. Athanasius’ contribution to monasticism and its impact on Christian spirituality. How can we incorporate elements of monastic living into our own spiritual practices?



St. Athanasius of Alexandria – The Doctors of the Church: The Charism of Wisdom with Dr. Matthew Bunson – Discerning Hearts Podcast

Ep. 9 – A Sister of St. Thérèse: Servant of God, Léonie Martin – Bearer of Hope with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcast

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Thursday of the Fifth Week of Eastertide – 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 St. John 15:9-11
Jesus said to his disciples:
‘As the Father has loved me,
so I have loved you.
Remain in my love.
If you keep my commandments
you will remain in my love,
just as I have kept my Father’s commandments
and remain in his love.
I have told you this
so that my own joy may be in you
and your joy be complete.’
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 his disciples:
‘As the Father has loved me,
so I have loved you.
Remain in my love.
If you keep my commandments
you will remain in my love,
just as I have kept my Father’s commandments
and remain in his love.
I have told you this
so that my own joy may be in you
and your joy be complete.’
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 his disciples:
‘As the Father has loved me,
so I have loved you.
Remain in my love.
If you keep my commandments
you will remain in my love,
just as I have kept my Father’s commandments
and remain in his love.
I have told you this
so that my own joy may be in you
and your joy be complete.’
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.


Who are you? Your Catholic Identity on Divine Mercy Sunday with Msgr. John Esseff

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