Discerning Hearts

"This is my beloved Son; listen to him" an excerpt from today's reflection by Don Schwager: Are you prepared to see God's glory? God is eager to share his glory with us! We get a glimpse of this when the disciples see Jesus (http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/transfiguration-192x300.jpg)transfigured in glory on the mountain. [See With Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration (http://www.swordofthespirit.net/bulwark/july07p6.htm)]  Mark's account tells us that Jesus' garments became glistening, intensely white. When Moses met with God on Mount Sinai the skin of his face shone because he had been talking with God (see Exodus 34:29). Paul says that the Israelites could not look at Moses' face because of its brightness (2 Corinthians 3:7). In this incident Jesus appeared in glory with Moses, the great lawgiver of Israel, and with Elijah, the greatest of the prophets, in the presence of three of his beloved apostles. What is the significance of this mysterious appearance? Jesus went to the mountain knowing full well what awaited him in Jerusalem — his betrayal, rejection and crucifixion. Jesus very likely discussed this momentous decision to go to the cross with Moses and Elijah. God the Father also spoke with Jesus and gave his approval: This is my beloved Son; listen to him. The cloud which overshadowed Jesus and his apostles fulfilled the dream of the Jews that when the Messiah came the cloud of God's presence would fill the temple again (see Exodus 16:10, 19:9, 33:9; 1 Kings 8:10; 2 Maccabees 2:8). The Lord wants to reveal his glory to all who earnestly seek him with faith. “Lord Jesus, keep me always alert and awake to you, to your word, your action, and your daily presence in my life. Let me see your glory.” for the full reflection visit : Daily Reading and Meditation (http://www.rc.net/wcc/readings/aug6.htm)

Show 11 " Building a Kingdom of Love" – What it means to "put on Christ" (http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Msgr.-John-Esseff10-256x300.jpg) Msgr. Esseff reflects on St. Paul's letter to the Ephesians Chapter 4 v. 20 -24: 22 Put off your old nature which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful lusts, 23 and be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and put on the new nature, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. - RCVCE 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)"  

 St. John Vianney is the subject of the a book by Fr. Frederick L. Miller, a priest of the Archdiocese of Newark, NJ, is (http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Fr.-Fredrick-Miller-150x150.jpg)the Chairman of the Department of Systematic Theology at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Maryland.  We had a chance to speak to him about the life and times and this holy priest. (http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Grace-of-Ars-195x300.jpg)You can find the book here (http://www.amazon.com/dp/1586174304/ref=as_li_ss_til?tag=disceheart-20&camp=0&creative=0&linkCode=as4&creativeASIN=1586174304&adid=07WH16N0TNWCH2RSW4YV)   (http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/St.-John-Vianney-232x300.jpg)

Msgr John Esseff offers the following prayers.  Be sure to visit his website:  www.msgrjohnesseff.net (http://www.msgrjohnesseff.net)(http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Msgr.-John-Esseff-256x300.jpg) EXAMINATION OF CONSCIENCE FORGIVENESS PRAYER (http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/sacred-heart-of-jesus.jpg)The following prayer covers most of the significant areas of forgiveness. Often, such a prayer will bring to mind other areas that need forgiveness. Let the Holy Spirit move freely and guide your mind to persons or groups that you need to forgive. This is especially useful before confession. Lord Jesus Christ, I ask today to forgive everyone in my life. I know that You will give me the strength to forgive and I thank You that You love me more than I love myself and want my happiness more than I desire it for myself. Father, I forgive Your for the times death has come into my family, hard times, financial difficulties, or that I thought were punishments sent by You and people said “It’s God;s will,” and I became bitter and resentful toward You. Purify my heart and mind today. Lord, I forgive MYSELF for my sins, faults and failings, for all that is bad in myself or that I think is bad, I forgive myself. For any delvings in superstition, using ouija boards, horoscopes, going to seances, using fortune telling or wearing lucky charms, I reject all that superstition and choose You alone as my Lord and Savior. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit. I further forgive myself for taking Your name in vain, not worshipping You by attending church, for hurting my parents, getting drunk, for sins against purity, bad books, bad movies, fornication, adultery, homosexuality. You have forgiven me, today I forgive myself. Also for abortion, stealing, lying, defrauding, hurting people’s reputation, I forgive myself. I truly forgive my MOTHER, I forgive her for all the times she hurt me, she resented me, she was angry with me and for all the times she prefered my brothers and sisters to me. I forgive her for the times she told me I was dumb, ugly, stupid, the worst of the children or that I cost the family a lot of money. For the times she told me I was unwanted, an accident, a mistake or not what she expected, I forgive her. I forgive my FATHER. I forgive him for any non-support, any lack of love, affection or attention. I forgive him for any lack of time, for not giving me his companionship, for his drinking, arguing and fighting with my mother or the other children. For his severe punishments, for desertion, for being away from home, for divorcing my mother or for any running around, I do forgive him. Lord, I extend forgiveness to my SISTERS AND BROTHERS. I forgive those who rejected me, lied about me, hated me, resented me, competed for my parents’ love, those who hurt me, who physically harmed me. For those who were too severe on me, punished me or made my life unpleasant in any way, I do forgive them. Lord, I forgive my SPOUSE for lack of love, affection, consideration, support, attention, communication; for faults, failings, weaknesses and those other acts or words that hurt or disturb me. Jesus, I forgive my CHILDREN for their lack of respect, obedience, love, attention, support, warmth, understanding; for their bad habits, falling away from the church, any bad actions which disturb me. My God, I forgive my IN-LAWS, MY MOTHER-IN-LAW, FATHER-IN-LAW, SON/DAUGHTER IN-LAWAND OTHER RELATIVES by marriage, who treat my family with a lack of love. For all their words, thoughts, actions or omissions which injure and cause pain, I forgive them. Please help me to forgive my RELATIVES, my grandmother and grandfather, aunts, uncles, cousins, who may have interfered in our family, been possessive of my parents, who may have caused confusion or turned one parent against the other. Jesus, help me to forgive my CO-WORKERS who are disagreeable or make life miserable for me.

Episode 14- 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) - Pope Pius XI and "QUADRAGESIMO ANNO" , Pope Pius XII and the Radio Addresses. (http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/procession_800x600.jpg) 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/2012/07/Pope-Pius-XI.jpg)Pope Pius XI  (31 May 1857 – 10 February 1939), born Ambrogio Damiano Achille Ratti, was Pope from 6 February 1922, and sovereign of Vatican City from its creation as an independent state on 11 February 1929 until his death on 10 February 1939.  He issued numerous encyclicals including Quadragesimo Anno, (http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/pius_xi/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-xi_enc_19310515_quadragesimo-anno_en.html) highlighting capitalistic greed of international finance, and social justice issues, andQuas Primas, establishing the feast of Christ the King. He took as his papal motto, "Christ's peace in Christ's kingdom".   (http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Pius-XII1.jpg)Venerable Pope Pius XII  born Eugenio Marìa Giuseppe Giovanni Pacelli (2 March 1876 – 9 October 1958), reigned as Pope, head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of Vatican City State, from 2 March 1939 until his death in 1958. Also visit Omar's "Discerning Hearts" page Catholic Social Teaching 101 (http://www.discerninghearts.com/?page_id=40)

(http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Fr.-James-Martin-200x300.jpg)(http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/ignatius2-300x258.jpg)Here is a special interview we had with Fr. James Martin, SJ discussing...

(http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Keating-22-293x300.jpg)Heart of Hope Part 5 - the purpose of life,  the suffering of humanity and how it relates to the grace of God.  Emotional Suffering, Purgation,  Christ's sacrifice on the Cross, and Redemption. Deacon James Keating, PhD, the director of Theological Formation for the Institute for Priestly Formation, located at Creighton University, in Omaha, is making available to "Discerning Hearts" and all who listen, his series of programs entitled "The Heart of Hope". This extraordinarily popular series explores the work of suffering in the Christian life and how God can use it to transform the heart of the individual and the world. (http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/JesusOnCross-219x300.jpg) The "Heart of Hope"  tackles a very tough subject...the gift of suffering in the Christian life.  Deacon Keating guides us well.   (http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/IPF_logo-small.jpg) For more information on the "Institute of Priestly (http://www.creighton.edu/ipf/)Formation" and for oth (http://www.creighton.edu/ipf/)er material available by Deacon Keating, just click here (http://www.creighton.edu/ipf/) (http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Communion-with-Christ.bmp) Don't forget to pickup a copy of "Communion with Christ" , it is on (https://secure.ipfpublications.com/Products.asp?CategoryList=AudioBooks)e of the best (https://secure.ipfpublications.com/Products.asp?CategoryList=AudioBooks) audio sets on prayer...ever! (https://secure.ipfpublications.com/Products.asp?CategoryList=AudioBooks) Check out Deacon Keating's "Discerning Heart" page (http://www.discerninghearts.com/?page_id=624)

The ultimate homiliest, so much so that he is known forever after as St. Peter Chrysologus (Peter of the Golden Words).  What a thing to be remembered for...and oh imagine the pressure today for priests and deacons throughout the world who try to give a homily about about someone who is considered to be one of the best homelist, ever...how can you possibly hope to measure up?  That would be like me trying to make a desert to honor Julia Child...I don't think I could possibly reflect her gift.  It must take a lot of grace, I guess.  Born in 380 and died July 30 45o A.D.  He was known for his short and inspired talks...make note: can be inspired AND short...wow!  He spoke out against all those nasty heresies of the time (Aranism to name just one) and encouraged daily communion.(http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/mikeaquilina-1.jpg) Take a listen to Mike Aquilina (speaking of Mr. Golden Words) talk to us about this time in history and all those "isms", and how the Holy Spirit worked through the Church to battle those false teachings (http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/pc.gif)Favorite quotes: "He is The Bread sown in the virgin, leavened in the Flesh, molded in His Passion, baked in the furnace of the Sepulchre, placed in the Churches, and set upon the Altars, which daily supplies Heavenly Food to the faithful." "Today Christ works the first of his signs from heaven by turning water into wine. But water [mixed with wine] has still to be changed into the sacrament of his blood, so that Christ may offer spiritual drink from the chalice of his body, to fulfill the psalmist's prophecy: How excellent is my chalice, warming my spirit."  

Episode 13- 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) - Pope Leo XIII and "Rerum Novarum (http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/leo_xiii/encyclicals/documents/hf_l-xiii_enc_15051891_rerum-novarum_en.html)" (http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/procession_800x600.jpg) 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/2012/07/Pope-Leo-XIII-205x300.jpg)Pope Leo XIII (2 March 1810 – 20 July 1903), born Vincenzo Gioacchino Raffaele Luigi Pecci , was the 256th Popeof the Roman Catholic Church, reigning from 1878 to 1903. He was the oldest pope (reigning until the age of 93), and had the third longest pontificate, behind his immediate predecessor Pius IX and John Paul II. He is known for intellectualism, the development of social teachings with his encyclical Rerum Novarum (http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/leo_xiii/encyclicals/documents/hf_l-xiii_enc_15051891_rerum-novarum_en.html) and his attempts to define the position of the Church with regard to modern thinking. He influenced Roman Catholic Mariology and promoted both the rosary and the scapular. He issued a record eleven encyclicals on the rosary, approved two new Marian scapulars and was the first Pope to fully embrace the concept of Mary as mediatrix.  He is also the author of the St. Michael the Archangel prayer, among others. Also visit Omar's "Discerning Hearts" page Catholic Social Teaching 101 (http://www.discerninghearts.com/?page_id=40)

(http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/36490519_035.jpg) The Chaplet of St. Charbel - for text click here (http://www.discerninghearts.com/?page_id=1979) Countless...countless...miracles are attributed to this rmarkable saint of the Middle East...St. Charbel.  I didn't know of him until a wonderful member of the Fransican Friars of the Renewal, Br. Martin Ervin introduced us to this extraordinary man. "In the 19th century Father Charbel Makhlouf-along with a few other saintly men-had tried to live again the austere life of the desert fathers of the early church. He belonged to the Christian body known as Maronites, a group which traces its name back to Saint Maro, a friend of Saint John Chrysostom. This group of Christians, most of whom still live in Lebanon, have been united to the Western Church since the 12th century, thus bringing into Western Christendom traditions of great value that might readily have been forgotten. These traditions are ones of enormous self- discipline, and few have exemplified them better than Charbel Makhlouf. After 23 years of this ascetic life, Charbel had a paralyzing stroke just before the consecration while celebrating the Eucharist in his chapel, and died eight days later on Christmas Eve. After his death many favors and miracles were claimed through his intercession in heaven. Today his tomb is visited by large numbers of people, not only Lebanese Maronites and not only Christians" - Mansour Mouasher (http://www.pbase.com/image/36490519) In 1950, Father George Webby, a Maronite priest from Scranton, visited Lebanon, took a photo of monks outside the wall of the (http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/StShar02.jpg)monastery in which St. Charbel had lived and upon development of the picture saw that St. Charbel miraculously appeared with the monks, according to information provided by St. Anthony’s Church. Art work for holy pictures of this saint is now taken from this photo.  Can you see him?  (Hint: smack dab in the middle)  click on the picture and then zoom in.... St. Charbel is listed among The Incorruptibles, saints whose bodies were found intact years after burial. His body kept pouring oil and blood until the year before his canonization in 1977. Here is a neat video entitled "The Saint Charble Song" ...it's special...

(http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Keating-22-293x300.jpg)Heart of Hope Part 4 - The healing hand of Christ, seeing the will of God, and how we suffer love.  The tale of the two criminals on the cross next to Christ on Gologotha. Deacon James Keating, PhD, the director of Theological Formation for the Institute for Priestly Formation, located at Creighton University, in Omaha, is making available to "Discerning Hearts" and all who listen, his series of programs entitled "The Heart of Hope". This extraordinarily popular series explores the work of suffering in the Christian life and how God can use it to transform the heart of the individual and the world. (http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/JesusOnCross-219x300.jpg) The "Heart of Hope"  tackles a very tough subject...the gift of suffering in the Christian life.  Deacon Keating guides us well.   (http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/IPF_logo-small.jpg) For more information on the "Institute of Priestly (http://www.creighton.edu/ipf/)Formation" and for oth (http://www.creighton.edu/ipf/)er material available by Deacon Keating, just click here (http://www.creighton.edu/ipf/) (http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Communion-with-Christ.bmp) Don't forget to pickup a copy of "Communion with Christ" , it is on (https://secure.ipfpublications.com/Products.asp?CategoryList=AudioBooks)e of the best (https://secure.ipfpublications.com/Products.asp?CategoryList=AudioBooks) audio sets on prayer...ever! (https://secure.ipfpublications.com/Products.asp?CategoryList=AudioBooks) Check out Deacon Keating's "Discerning Heart" page (http://www.discerninghearts.com/?page_id=624)

(http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/2925267508_76ab800281.jpg)St. Bridget of Sweden...I never knew the power of the revelations to St. Bridget of Sweden until my friend Denise "reintroduced" them to me.   I say "reintroduced", because I had bought the Pieta Prayer booklet (where they can be found) back in 1987.  I offered them, really, only for a short while before packing the book away.  But years later, after seeing how the revelations touched the heart of my(http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/pieta-prayer-book.bmp) dear friend, I dug the booklet out and started praying them again (as faithfully as I could).  They are very powerful and beautiful.  Meditating on the Passion of our Lord with the intensity called for in this particular devotion will change your life...are you ready?   How many of you out there have the Pieta prayer book and know the stories of St. Bridget of Sweden? (oh, be sure not to confuse her with St. Brigid of Kildare...it happens all the time) Here  is the audio mp3 download of the 15 Prayers of St. Bridget as offered by Bruce McGregor and Denise Wharton You can find the text for the prayers here  (http://www.discerninghearts.com/?page_id=798) Here is the chapel in St. Paul's Outside the Walls in Rome where St. Bridget recieved the private revelation of the 15 prayers....... (http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/St.-Bridget-cross-at-St.-Pa-300x225.jpg)(http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Crucifix-St.-Paul-Outside-Walls-St.-Bridget.jpg)(http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/St.-Bridget-cross-st.-paul-170x300.jpg) Of course, St. Bridget is more than just her prayers...ordinary woman, extraordinary life!.  To learn more about St. Bridget of Sweden, take a look at this: