Msgr. John Esseff
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Msgr John Esseff With Kris Mcgregor Podcasts
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The Trap of Self-Righteous Prayer – Building a Kingdom of Love w/ Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast
27:07
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Msgr. Esseff reflects on the teaching of the Sacred Scriptures and on how we pray: Gospel LK 18:9-14 Jesus addressed this parable to those who were convinced of their own righteousness and despised everyone else. “Two people went up to the temple area to pray; one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector. The Pharisee took up his position a…
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Seeing Lazarus – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast
26:48
26:48
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Seeing Lazarus – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff In this powerful reflection, Msgr. John Essef and Kris McGregor enter into the Gospel of Luke 16, the parable of the rich man and Lazarus. Monsignor shares his own encounters with the poor, beginning with his mission experiences in Haiti, where he vividly recalls ministering to a wo…
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The Danger of Serving Mammon – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast
28:00
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The Danger of Serving Mammon – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff Msgr. John Esseff reflects on Scripture readings that highlight the fleeting nature of earthly life and the danger of allowing greed to govern choices. Drawing from St. Paul, he explains that God calls everyone to salvation and to live in prayer, thanksgiving, and peac…
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The Gift of Nothing: Finding Everything in the Eucharist – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast
29:09
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In this episode of Building a Kingdom of Love, Msgr. John Esseff and Kris McGregor reflect on the meaning of “nothing” through a children’s story, The Gift of Nothing by Patrick McDonnell. They discuss how true humility allows us to recognize that what we have on our own is “nothing,” but when united with God, that “nothing” becomes filled with His…
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Are You a Faithful Servant? – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast
29:09
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Are You a Faithful Servant? – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff Msgr. John Esseff reflects on God’s promise of an eternal home, drawing from the story of Abraham as an example of trusting and following God’s word. The “promised land” given to Abraham foreshadows the true kingdom that Christ came to reveal — not an earthly territory,…
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When Was Your Transfiguration? – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast
30:38
30:38
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When Was Your Transfiguration? – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff Msgr. John Esseff reflects on the mystery of the Transfiguration and its deep personal meaning for every Christian. Just as Jesus was transfigured on Mount Tabor in preparation for the suffering of Calvary, each Christian also experiences moments of radiant grace tha…
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SFTH-7 – The Days of Formation – Stories from the Heart with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcasts
41:17
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Episode Seven – The Days of Formation – Stories from the Heart with Msgr. John Esseff In this episode of Stories from the Heart, Msgr. John Esseff joins Kris McGregor to reflect on his seminary years beginning in 1945 during the final months of World War II. He recalls the rigorous training in Latin and Greek and his deep love for philosophy, which…
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Hospitality of the Heart – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast
27:03
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Hospitality of the Heart – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff In this episode of Building a Kingdom of Love, Msgr. John Esseff reflects on the readings from Genesis and Luke, inviting listeners to rediscover the gift of hospitality and the presence of God in daily life. He begins with Abraham’s encounter with the Lord in the form of …
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SFTH-6 – The Gift of Sisters – Stories from the Heart with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcasts
42:22
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Episode Six – The Gift of Sisters – Stories from the Heart with Msgr. John Esseff Msgr. John Esseff warmly recounts memories of his two sisters, Marlene and MayAnn, reflecting on the deep familial bonds that shaped his life and priesthood. He shares vivid childhood stories, such as witnessing Marlene’s birth, their mischievous adventures, and Marle…
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The Ascension – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast
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The Annunciation – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff Msgr. John Esseff reflects on the meaning of the Ascension and Pentecost, urging us to move beyond a childish, distant view of heaven. Christ’s ascension was not a departure to a far-off place, but a deeper entry into our lives through the Holy Spirit. Jesus remains present in the…
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SFTH-5 – Fighting the Good Fight – Stories from the Heart with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcasts
43:57
43:57
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Episode Five – Fighting the Good Fight – Stories from the Heart with Msgr. John Esseff Msgr. John Esseff reflects on his formative years growing up in a Lebanese Maronite Catholic family. He shares vivid stories of his early friendships formed around the church and school, highlighting how closely tied family, faith, and community life were in his …
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SFTH-4 – Communion Found in the Little Things – Stories from the Heart with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcasts
32:40
32:40
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Episode Four – Communion Found in the Little Things – Stories from the Heart with Msgr. John Esseff Msgr. John Esseff and Kris McGregor explore the theme of discernment and the lifelong formation of a soul in relationship with God. One’s life is not defined solely by the present moment but by the totality of one’s journey, shaped by past experience…
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SFTH-3 – A Grandmother’s Love, a Family’s Strength – Stories from the Heart with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcasts
32:38
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Episode Three – A Grandmother’s Love, a Family’s Strength – Stories from the Heart with Msgr. John Esseff Msgr. John Esseff reflects on the often overlooked yet deeply influential role of his grandmothers in shaping his family’s legacy. He shares how his paternal grandmother, Cecilia Oland, immigrated from Lebanon and never fully learned English, c…
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SFTH-2 – Rooted in Faith – Stories from the Heart with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcasts
36:58
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Episode Two – Rooted in Faith – Stories from the Heart with Msgr. John Esseff Msgr. John Esseff reflects on his family’s deep roots in the Maronite Catholic tradition, tracing his lineage back to Lebanon. He shares how his grandparents immigrated to Pennsylvania, where distinct ethnic enclaves formed around coal mining towns like Wilkes-Barre. He d…
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SFTH-1 – The Beginning… – Stories from the Heart with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcasts
31:28
31:28
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Episode One – The Beginning… – Stories from the Heart with Msgr. John Esseff In this opening episode, Monsignor John Esseff shares the deeply personal story of his family’s immigration from Lebanon to America—fleeing persecution, carrying with them a rich Catholic faith, and planting deep roots in Pennsylvania. He reflects on growing up in a multi-…
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Who Are You? Your Catholic Identity on Divine Mercy Sunday – Building a Kingdom with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcasts
28:33
28:33
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Who Are You? Your Catholic Identity on Divine Mercy Sunday – Building a Kingdom with Msgr. John Esseff Msgr. Esseff reflects on the readings for Divine Mercy Sunday and it’s meanings for our lives. He discusses the identity of the Christian, and in particular, what it means to be a “Catholic”. From the NAB Reading 1 ACTS 5:12-16 Many signs and wond…
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Happy Easter!!!! Have You Encountered Jesus? – Building a Kingdom of Love w/ Msgr. John Esseff
28:08
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Happy Easter!!!! Have You Encountered Jesus? – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff Join Msgr. John Esseff as he reflects on the mystery of Easter and our relationship with the Risen Christ. Gospel JN 20:1-9 “On the first day of the week, Mary of Magdala came to the tomb early in the morning, while it was still dark, and saw the stone …
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A Special Good Friday Reflection with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcast
51:28
51:28
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A Special Good Friday Reflection with Msgr. John Esseff – Building a Kingdom of Love Msgr. John Esseff guides listeners through a meditation on the Passion of Jesus Christ, drawing upon The Passion of the Christ film and the Stations of the Cross to help internalize Christ’s suffering. He invites the listener to not merely recall Christ’s death as …
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A Special Holy Thursday Reflection – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcast
55:05
55:05
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A Special Holy Thursday Reflection – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff Msgr. John Esseff reflects deeply on the meaning of Holy Thursday, focusing especially on Jesus’ washing of the disciples’ feet and the institution of the Eucharist. He describes the foot-washing as a sign of humility and love that all Christians are called to im…
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Palm Sunday: Uniting With Christ – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast
28:00
28:00
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Palm Sunday: Uniting Our Pain With Christ – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff Msgr. John Esseff passionately proclaims the resurrection of Jesus Christ not just as a past event but as a living reality. He invites all people—regardless of background or faith tradition—to hear the Good News that Jesus has conquered death and now lives…
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