Discerning Hearts

What a joy to have the opportunity to talk once again with Fr. Michael Gaitley at the 2012 CMN Trade Show in Dallas, TX.  We (http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Fr.-Michael-Gaitley.jpg)discuss the Year of Faith, "Consoling the Heart of Jesus" and his new book coming soon..."The One Thing is Three".  We talk about how the New Evangelization and the role model that Bl. John Paul II was to all of us.  We all discuss "All Hearts a Fire" (http://www.allheartsafire.org/) the new parish based program which is absolutely FANTASTIC (http://www.allheartsafire.org/)!  Be sure to check it out and pass it on! (http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Cosoling-the-Heart-of-Jesus.jpg) You can find the book here (http://www.amazon.com/dp/1596142227/ref=as_li_ss_til?tag=disceheart-20&camp=0&creative=0&linkCode=as4&creativeASIN=1596142227&adid=090TG88A84E4KC6RWMF5) Michael Gaitley, MIC's book is a form of a weekend retreat accessible to those at the beginning stages of a simple way to holiness. While reading this book, I wished I could have had it in conversing with people of little or practically no faith who yet had a longing for the faith that lies at the core of human existence. These hearts are restless until they rest in Thee, Lord and this book guides them on a journey to resting in God. --Fr. Mitch Pacwa

 A few years ago, Bruce and I had the blessing of having a very special conversation with Fr. Michael Scanlan (http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Fr.-Miichael-Scanlan.jpg)about "The Truth About Trouble: How Hard Times Can Draw You Closer To God".  Fr. Scanlan's wisdom is extraordinary...he knows how to pastor us through hard times, because he has suffered it, but he also knows that it is through Jesus, with Jesus, in Jesus that in the end all will be well.  He talks about the cancer of discontent, which is so dangerous to our spiritual lives.  Fr. Scanlan also describes how the devil desires to use trouble to turn us away from God.  We should realize that when that is happening and recognize, believe or not, that trouble isn't the worst thing that could happen to us...it is actually a pathway to purification...be not afraid!  What a gift Fr. Scanlan is to us all! (http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Truth-about-trouble-196x300.jpg)     You can find it here (http://www.amazon.com/dp/0867166215/ref=as_li_ss_til?tag=disceheart-20&camp=0&creative=0&linkCode=as4&creativeASIN=0867166215&adid=1FVM7MTC5WRREXZC0TN4)

Msgr. Esseff reflects what it means to truly encounter Jesus.  Do we recognize Him in the poor, the prisoner, the disabled, the stranger?  Or do we pass Him by because we truly do not know Him?  He offers insight primarily from the teachings found in the letter from St. James Chap 2: (http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Msgr.-John-Esseff-256x300.jpg) My brothers and sisters, show no partiality as you adhere to the faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ. For if a man with gold rings and fine clothes comes into your assembly, and a poor person in shabby clothes also comes in, and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say, "Sit here, please, " while you say to the poor one, "Stand there, " or "Sit at my feet, " have you not made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil designs? Listen, my beloved brothers and sisters. Did not God choose those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom that he promised to those who love him?.  - NAB Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton.  He was ordained on May 30th 1953, by the late Bishop William J. Hafey, D.D. at St. Peter's Cathedral in Scranton, PA.  Msgr. Esseff served a retreat director and confessor to Blessed Mother Teresa.    He continues to offer direction and retreats for the sisters of the missionaries of charity around the world.  Msgr. Esseff encountered St.  Padre Pio,  who would become a spiritual father to him.  He has lived in areas around the world,  serving  in the Pontifical missions, a Catholic organization established by Bl. Pope John Paul II to bring the Good News to the world especially to the poor.  Msgr. Esseff assisted the founders of the Institute for Priestly Formation and continues to serve as a spiritual director for the Institute.  He continues to  serve as a retreat leader and director to bishops, priests and sisters and seminarians and other religious leaders around the world.      (http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Building-A-Kingdom-of-Love-.jpg)   To obtain a copy of Msgr. Esseff's book byvisiting here (http://www.msgrjohnesseff.net/?page_id=736)   Be sure to visit Msgr. Esseff's website "Building a Kingdom of  Love (http://msgrjohnesseff.net)"  

Episode 17 - Seeking Truth with Sharon Doran, hosted by Bruce McGregor on his KVSS  program "The Ninth Hour".    Mary, Ark of the Covenant(http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Sharon-239x300.jpg) Sharon Doran serves as the teaching director of “Seeking Truth.” An experienced Bible Study teacher, Sharon has a passion forscripture that will motivate and challenge you to immerse yourself in God’s Word and apply His message to your every day life. (http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Mary-Ark-199x300.jpg)Episode 17 - Sharon and Bruce discuss Mary, the Ark of the New Covenant.  What does this mean?  Where do we find that in the Old and New Testament? How has that been reflected in our Sacred Tradition?   (http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/header.jpg)“Seeking Truth” is an in depth Catholic Bible Study, commissioned by the Archdiocese of Omaha in response to John Paul II’s call to the New Evangelization as well as Pope Benedict XVI’s exhortation for all Catholics to study scripture. To learn more go to:www.seekingtruth.net (www.seekingtruth.net)

Msgr. Esseff reflects on the birth of the Virgin Mary.  But even more than that, he ponder(http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Msgr.-John-Esseff1-256x300.jpg)s the importance of the Blessed Mother in our lives.  The gift of her presence in the action of salvation history and  role is the "Mother" of us all. (http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Nativity_of_the_Mother_of_God-251x300.jpg) Be sure to visit Msgr. Esseff's website "Building A Kingdom of Love (http://www.msgrjohnesseff.net)"

"She will bear a son, and you shall call him Jesus" an excerpt from today's reflection by Don Schwager: (http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/praying-over-bible-300x225.jpg) Do you rejoice in the promises of God and trust in his saving plan for your life? There is a long venerable tradition among many Christians of celebrating the birth of Mary, the mother of Jesus our Savior, on this day. Her birth prepared for our redemption in Jesus Christ. Matthew begins his gospel with the geneology of Jesus from Abraham's lineage through the line of David, King of Israel. Matthew concludes his geneology by stating that both Mary, Jesus' mother and Joseph, his foster father, came from the line of David. Mary was asked to assume in faith a burden of tremendous responsibility. It had never been heard of before that a child could be born without a natural father. Mary was asked to accept this miraculous exception to the laws of nature. That required faith and trust. Second, Mary was not yet married. Pregnancy outside of wedlock was not tolerated in those days. Mary was only espoused to Joseph, and such an engagement had to last for a whole year. She was asked to assume a great risk. She could have been rejected by Joseph, by her family, by all her own people. Mary knew that Joseph and her family would not understand without revelation from God. She nonetheless believed and trusted in God's promises. Joseph, a just and God-fearing man, believed the message given to him to take Mary as his wife and to accept the child in her womb as the promised Messiah. Like Mary, Joseph is a model of faith for us. He is a faithful witness and servant of God's unfolding plan of redemption. Are you willing to trust and obey the Lord as Mary and Joseph did? "Lord Jesus, you came to save us from sin and the power of death. May I always rejoice in your salvation and trust in your plan for my life". for the full reflection visit : Daily Reading and Meditation (http://www.rc.net/wcc/readings/sep8.htm)

Msgr. Esseff reflects on Blessed Mother Teresa whom he met in 1984 in Beruit, Lebanon. (http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Msgr.-John-Esseff-256x300.jpg)Msgr. Esseff worked alongside Blessed Mother Teresa in Calcutta, Lebanon, West Africa, Haiti and elsewhere and would go on to serve as a spiritual director and confessor for Mother Teresa and her sisters.  (The last few minutes of the reflection are particularly poignant) (http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/mother_teresa_and_msgr_esse-214x300.jpg) Be sure to visit Msgr. Esseff's website "Building A Kingdom of Love (http://www.msgrjohnesseff.net)"

There is an(http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Fr.-Joseph-Langford.jpg) endless collection of reflections on the life, teachings, and work of  Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta...all wonderful and worth exploration.  One however stands out for me, and that is the writings of Fr. Joseph Langford, co-founder with Mother Teresa of the Missionaries of Charity Fathers.  In particular, "Mother Teresa:  In the Shadow of Our Lady" Join Bruce and I as we talk with Fr. Langford about Mother Teresa and Our Lady "Stay very close to Our Lady. If you do this, you can do great things for God and the good of people." --Mother Teresa of Calcutta (http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/imagesCA75WI0K.jpg) As it was for Mother Teresa, so it can be for the rest of us. By standing close to Our Lady we can find the grace and courage to overcome our own personal trials and crosses. Summon the same powerful presence and aid of Our Lady by following the example of Mother Teresa. From dawn to dusk, decade to decade, Mother Teresa's life had been spent, in every sense of the word, in the shadow of Our Lady. Our Lady helps us, as Mother Teresa found in her vision, to become contemplatives at the foot of the cross--to discover God's presence and love, even in the midst of our trials and dark nights. Nothing was impossible for Mother Teresa while she clung to Our Lady, and as Mother Teresa tells us, "nothing is impossible for all who call Mary mother." "Sitting with Mother Teresa, watching her tend to the sick and the dying, feeling the aura of holiness around her person, seeing her bent in prayer, lost in God--how often I asked myself if I was not(http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/In-The-Shado-Of-Our-Lady.jpg) seeing something of Our Lady, experiencing a glimpse of the Virgin of Nazareth" –-Author and co-founder of Mother Teresa's priests' community, Joseph Langford, MC   This is a very special book, check it out! (http://www.amazon.com/dp/1592764215?tag=disceheart-20&camp=213381&creative=390973&linkCode=as4&creativeASIN=1592764215&adid=00RY83EKKTV9R52KMZEB)

Ninth Day – Holiness is Jesus Living and Acting in Me (http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Mother-Teresa-204x300.jpg) Thought for the day: “Charity for each other is the surest way to great holiness.” Ask for the grace to become a saint. Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, you allowed the thirsting love of Jesus on the Cross to become a living flame within you, and so became the light of His love to all. Obtain from the Heart of Jesus (here make your request). Teach me to allow Jesus to penetrate and possess my whole being so completely that my life, too, may radiate His light and love to others. Amen. Immaculate Heart of Mary, Cause of Our Joy, pray for me. Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, pray for me. text © Missionaries of Charity

Episode 19- Regnum Novum: Bringing forth the New Evangelization through Catholic Social Teaching with Omar Gutierrez(http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/Omar-Gutierrez-1.bmp) - We begin the study of the "Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church (http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/justpeace/documents/rc_pc_justpeace_doc_20060526_compendio-dott-soc_en.html)"  Chapter 1 (http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/procession_800x600.jpg) CHAPTER ONE (http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/justpeace/documents/rc_pc_justpeace_doc_20060526_compendio-dott-soc_en.html#CHAPTER ONE) GOD'S PLAN OF LOVE FOR HUMANITY I. GOD'S LIBERATING ACTION IN THE HISTORY OF ISRAEL a. God's gratuitous presence (http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/justpeace/documents/rc_pc_justpeace_doc_20060526_compendio-dott-soc_en.html#Gods gratuitous presence) b. The principle of creation and God's gratuitous action (http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/justpeace/documents/rc_pc_justpeace_doc_20060526_compendio-dott-soc_en.html#The principle of creation and Gods gratuitous action) II. JESUS CHRIST, THE FULFILMENT OF THE FATHER'S PLAN OF LOVE a. In Jesus Christ the decisive event of the history of God with mankind is fulfilled (http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/justpeace/documents/rc_pc_justpeace_doc_20060526_compendio-dott-soc_en.html#In Jesus Christ the decisive event of the history of God with mankind is fulfilled) b. The revelation of Trinitarian love (http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/justpeace/documents/rc_pc_justpeace_doc_20060526_compendio-dott-soc_en.html#The revelation of Trinitarian love) We live at a very special time. The confluence of many things has brought forth the clear need to be able to articulate the Social Teaching of the Catholic Church in a way that is accessible and applicable. This is not to be an effort where high-minded theories are to be bandied about. Rather, this is a time of opportunity wherein we can apply the Social Doctrine to the concrete so as to bring about a New Kingdom, a Revolution. - Omar G. (http://www.regnumnovum.com/socialdoctrine/) (http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Compendium-195x300.jpg)   Also visit Omar's "Discerning Hearts" page Catholic Social Teaching 101 (http://www.discerninghearts.com/?page_id=40)

Eighth Day – Jesus Made Himself the Bread of Life and the Hungry One(http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Mother-Teresa-9-210x300.jpg) Thought for the day: “Believe that He, Jesus, is in the appearance of Bread and that He, Jesus, is in the hungry, naked, sick, lonely, unloved, homeless, helpless and hopeless.” Ask for the grace of a deep faith to see Jesus in the Bread of Life and to serve Him in the distressing disguise of the poor. Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, you allowed the thirsting love of Jesus on the Cross to become a living flame within you, and so became the light of His love to all. Obtain from the Heart of Jesus (here make your request). Teach me to allow Jesus to penetrate and possess my whole being so completely that my life, too, may radiate His light and love to others. Amen. Immaculate Heart of Mary, Cause of Our Joy, pray for me. Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, pray for me. text © Missionaries of Charity

It was with the greatest delight that I had the opportunity to meet Dan Burke at the recent Catholic Marketing Trade Show, held in Dallas, (http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Dan-Burke-256x300.jpg)TX.  Dan is the incredibly gifted founder of "Catholic Spiritual Direction (http://rcspiritualdirection.com/blog/)", a fantastic website, where I have received a great deal of insight and inspiration.  To read his work on the site is a wonderful thing, but to talk with Dan and hear him share the beauty of our Catholic Spiritual Tradition is pure gift.  He really gets it!  More than just the "how-to's", Dan understands the "why" of  prayer and discernment and he communicates it beautifully.  He appreciates what our hearts ache for; he shares with us that it begins and ends with an encounter with Jesus...the Way, the Truth, and the Life.  Dan Burke launched out on the "digital sea" long before many others in order to bring to those who were seeking the richness of authentic Catholic Spiritual Direction (http://rcspiritualdirection.com/blog/) ...and for that blessing we have much to thank him for. And here's great news...Dan has a new book coming from Emmaus Road Publishing (get your orders in now!) (http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Navigating-the-Interior-Lif-194x300.jpg) You can find Dan's book here  (http://navigatingtheinteriorlife.com/) Calling All Catholics Into A Deeper Union ... "Most of us have questions about spiritual direction. What is it? Is it for me? What if I can’t find a spiritual director? These questions and more are well answered in Dan Burke’s book. The Lord is clearly calling all Catholics into a deeper union with him. This book, in a style which is both inspiring and practical, provides some of the Church’s most important wisdom about how to respond to this call." Ralph Martin

Seventh Day – God Loves a Cheerful Giver(http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Mother-Teresa-8-227x300.jpg) Thought for the day: “Joy is the sign of union with God, of God’s presence.  Joy is love, the normal result of a heart burning with love.” Ask for the grace to find joy in loving and to share this joy with all you meet. Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, you allowed the thirsting love of Jesus on the Cross to become a living flame within you, and so became the light of His love to all. Obtain from the Heart of Jesus (here make your request). Teach me to allow Jesus to penetrate and possess my whole being so completely that my life, too, may radiate His light and love to others. Amen. Immaculate Heart of Mary, Cause of Our Joy, pray for me. Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, pray for me. text © Missionaries of Charity

We talk with Mike Aquilina St. Gregory the Great, of course, because he is a Father of the Church...and Mike is all about the Fathers! (http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/mikeaquilina-300x231.jpg) (http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/St.-Gregory-the-Great-216x300.jpg)St. Gregory the Great...the tradition of the Church considers him one of the four great doctors of the Latin Church.  Born in Rome, Italy, in AD 540, St. Gregory was the son of Gordianus, a wealthy senator, and Silvia, who later became a saint.  (Saints make saints after all...). His youth was a troubled one.  In his writings he chronicles the perpetual seiges that Rome endured at the hands of the barbarians.  Those nasty Lombards! Pillaging, raping, massacring, they would plague the Church and the people of the land for 200 years, you name it..by any standard, they were bad! Saint Gregory became the Prefect of Rome at the age of thirty, and the people loved him because he was able to keep them safe.  A few years later, like his parents, he gave his wealth away.  He became a Benedictine monk. But the pope of the time, recalled him to Rome to serve as a deacon and to help the city, which was again attacked by the Lombards. On the third day of September in 590, after he had first been ordained a priest, Saint Gregory was consecrated Pope and Bishop of Rome, in Saint Peter's Basilica. He was the first monk to become Pope.   The Holy Spirit didn't waste anytime moving him to service! Through Saint Leander and his brother, Saint Isidore of Seville, as well as the martyr (http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/St.-Gregory-the-Great-1-222x300.jpg)Saint Hermenegild, Saint Gregory recovered Spain from the Arians. Through Queen Theodelinda, the wife of the Lombard King Agilulf, he was able to begin the conversion of the Lombard nation and the tempering of their ferocious and cruel natures. He won France back and began conversions in England. Saint Gregory was, above all else, a vigilant guardian of the Church's doctrine, always the mark of a holy Pope. He ordained, early in his pontificate that the first four Ecumenical Councils of the Church should be treated with the respect given to the four Gospels. He worked unceasingly to stamp out heresy. He ordered that at the beginning of Lent the blessed ashes should be placed on the foreheads of the faithful, instead of only the head of the Pope -- as had been the custom up to that time -- and that the priest should repeat to each one, "Remember man, that dust thou art, and unto dust thou shalt return". excerpted in part from an article by Sister Catherine Goddard Clark, M.I.C.M. He is known for his magnificent contributions to the Liturgy of the Mass and Office. The "Gregorian Chant" is named in honor of Saint Gregory's patient labor in restoring the ancient chant of the Church and in setting down the rules to be followed so that Church music might more perfectly fulfill its function. Saint Gregory the Great died on the twelfth of March, 604, at the age of sixty-four. He was canonized immediately after his death. Later, because of the volume, the extraordinary insight and the profundity of his writings, the depth and extent of his learning, and the heroic holiness of his life, the Church gratefully placed him beside Jerome and Ambrose and Augustine. Saint Gregory the Great became the fourth of the Church's four great Doctors of the West.  - What would today be like without  a little Gregorian Chant in honor of our St. Gregory?      Spiritual Writings: - Pastoral Rule (http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/3601.htm) - Register of Letters (http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/3602.htm) (http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/St.-Gregory-the-Great-Vatic-200x300.jpg)The altar of St. Gregory the Great at St. Peter's in Rome. One of my favorite places to pray there.

Msgr. Esseff reflects on the dangers of doing "good work" without having the depth of the contemplative prayer that unites us to Christ in doing the will of the Father.  He offers insight primarily from the teachings found in the letter from St. James Chap 1: (http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Msgr.-John-Esseff-256x300.jpg) Humbly welcome the word that has been planted in you and is able to save your souls. Be doers of the word and not hearers only, deluding yourselves. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God and the Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their affliction and to keep oneself unstained by the world.  - NAB As well as the Gospel of Mark Chap 7: He responded, "Well did Isaiah prophesy about you hypocrites, as it is written: This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines human precepts. You disregard God's commandment but cling to human tradition." He summoned the crowd again and said to them, "Hear me, all of you, and understand. Nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person; but the things that come out from within are what defile. "From within people, from their hearts, come evil thoughts, unchastity, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, folly. All these evils come from within and they defile." - NAB Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton.  He was ordained on May 30th 1953, by the late Bishop William J. Hafey, D.D. at St. Peter's Cathedral in Scranton, PA.  Msgr. Esseff served a retreat director and confessor to Blessed Mother Teresa.    He continues to offer direction and retreats for the sisters of the missionaries of charity around the world.  Msgr. Esseff encountered St.  Padre Pio,  who would become a spiritual father to him.  He has lived in areas around the world,  serving  in the Pontifical missions, a Catholic organization established by Bl. Pope John Paul II to bring the Good News to the world especially to the poor.  Msgr. Esseff assisted the founders of the Institute for Priestly Formation and continues to serve as a spiritual director for the Institute.  He continues to  serve as a retreat leader and director to bishops, priests and sisters and seminarians and other religious leaders around the world.      (http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Building-A-Kingdom-of-Love-.jpg)   To obtain a copy of Msgr. Esseff's book byvisiting here (http://www.msgrjohnesseff.net/?page_id=736)   Be sure to visit Msgr. Esseff's website "Building a Kingdom of  Love (http://msgrjohnesseff.net)"