Discerning Hearts

Our Father sends the Holy Spirit on the feast of Pentecost , that will feed us in our faith. This is the same faith that with Mary’s maternal help, will remove the bonds that keep us prisoners. With the light of the Holy Spirit we see in meridian clarity which of our anguishes had our spirit trapped. The guidance of Saint Michael the Archangel has always been certain, Saint Gabriel the Archangel will announce my freedom and Saint Michael the Archangel, will protect me from any attack. The Evil one (the serpent), overpowered by the presence of Mary, lies at her feet, made into a useless knot, unable to touch us.

The Fifth Commandment: YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.

(http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/Mary_Undoer_of_Knots2-251x300.jpg)Click here for the complete text and audio for the Mary, Untier of Knots Novena (http://www.discerninghearts.com/?page_id=1986) Sign of the Cross Act of Contrition Eighth day: Bible reading: « 26 When Jesus saw his Mother, and the disciple whom he loved, he said to his Mother, “Woman, there is your son.” 27 Then he said to the disciple, “There is your mother.” And from that moment the disciple took her to his own home. » (John 19, 26-27) Brief Reflection: At the moment Jesús went to the Father, he leaves us in the care of his Mother. It is the greatest legacy that Jesús left to Our Virgin Mary, and when he points out to the disciple he loves, he gives her custody of the whole humanity. She will be our Advocate, Helper, Benefac-tress, and Mediatrix. The handmaid of the Lord, will grant us freedom through her intercesión, she will untie the final knots that make us prisoners. ( Brief meditation: meditate with one decade of the Holy Rosary: One Our Father, 10 Hail Mary’s, One Glory be and the Prayer to “The Virgin Mary untier of Knots”)

Episode 13 -The Way of Mystery: The Eucharist and Moral Living– the spiritual life and moral living... understanding the journey through the Purgative and Illuminative Way and their role in the moral life.

Msgr. Esseff reflects on the meaning of the "Epiphany" and how we can manifest the light of Christ to the world.

Bruce and I had the great blessing in 2005 of having a conversation with the late Cardinal Avery Dulles, one of the foremost American Catholic theologians of the post-Vatican II era about "A History of Apologetics". It seemed appropriate, especially during the Year of Faith, to listen once again to his words of wisdom about the importance of our individual Christian testimony over the winning of a "faith debate". We also discuss the legacy of Bl. John Newman and Bl. John Paul II, and so much more. Cardinal Dulles died December, 27, 2008.

Mark breaks open The TEN COMMANDMENTS- The Fourth Commandment: Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land which the Lord your God gives you.

Known as the "Doer", St. Basil the Great is an extraordinary figure in our Christian heritage. Our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI has said, Saint Basil the Great, one of the most eminent Fathers of the Eastern Church, showed to all those who wished to give themselves completely to God the way of monastic life, “where the precept of concretely lived charity becomes the ideal of human coexistence, where the human being seeks God without limitation or impediment” (cf. Orientale Lumen, 9). Saint Basil is for you a model of perfect service of God and the Church. His whole life consisted in the harmonious exercise of the virtue of faith and in acts of practical love in the spirit of the evangelical counsels. Down the centuries the teaching of Saint Basil has borne mature fruits of religious life, especially in the East. Take a listen to the interview above with Mike Aquilina and learn so much more about this "great" Father of the Church

Msgr. Esseff reflects on the importance of the family in our lives. He shares two very personal stories to offer insight on the role of fathers in the heart of each family.

Are you being called to be a "martyr"? Msgr. Esseff, on the feast of St. Stephen the Martyr, shares the story of his friend Fr. Nicolas Kluiters S.J., who served the Church in Lebanon. He discusses what it means to be a martyr in the past and what it looks like today.

Evil is crushed by the lowly! The joy that flows from Mary's simplicity. Msgr. Esseff talks about the Blessed Virgin Mary and how a little girl named Marilee helped him come to a greater understanding of Our Lady. Our salvation came about because of obedience and humility; our Mother, Mary, was the exemplar of that submission. God has such a love for the humble and small. Msgr. Esseff recalls his past Christmas times with the poor in foreign lands and how they experienced such an extraordinary joy because of their simplicity. For us to experience that same type of simplicity and joy think of Mary. He looks at the Nativity scene in a the light of this simplicity and goodness. Mother Teresa would say that those in prosperous lands are spiritually poor and those in third world lands are spiritual rich. Hopefully, our homes this Christmas will find our homes resplendent with the Christian virtues, especially those of humility and love.

“O Emmanuel, king and lawgiver, desire of the nations, Savior of all people, come and set us free, Lord our God.” Isaiah had prophesied, “The Lord himself will give you this sign: the Virgin shall be with child, and bear a son, and shall name him Emmanuel.”

“O King of all the nations, the only joy of every human heart; O Keystone of the mighty arch of man, come and save the creature you fashioned from the dust.” Isaiah had prophesied, “For a child is born to us, a son is given us; upon his shoulder dominion rests. They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace.” (9:5), and “He shall judge between the nations, and impose terms on many peoples. They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks; one nation shall not raise the sword against another, nor shall they train for war again.” (2:4) .

“O Radiant Dawn, splendor of eternal light, sun of justice: come, shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death.” Isaiah had prophesied, “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shown.” (9:1).

I could have listened to Dr. James Hitchcock all day, he is absolutely fascinating. But the next best thing is to read his tremendous work, "The History of the Catholic Church: From the Apostolic Age to the Third Millennium". The content is the best, the layout makes it so very accessible, and the storytelling is engaging...a must have and a perfect gift for family and friends! In our discussion, we discuss the influence of the papacy, Constantine, the 13th and 15th century, St. Augustine and St. Thomas Aquinas, and so much more. Not enough time, but so much fun. Don't miss! One of my favorites of 2012!