Third Day –
Hear Him Say to You: “I Thirstâ€
[powerpress ]
Thought for the day:
“Just think! God is thirsting for you and me to come forward to satiate His thirst.â€
Ask for the grace to understand Jesus’ cry of thirst.
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
Tags: blessed mother teresa, catholic, catholic podcast, catholic prayer, cathollc spirituality, Jesus, love
This entry was posted on Saturday, August 30th, 2014 at 12:44 am
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Second Day – Jesus Loves You
[powerpress]
Thought for the day:
“Do not be afraid – you are precious to Jesus. He loves you.â€
Ask for the grace to be convinced of Jesus’ unconditional and personal love for you.
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
Tags: blessed mother teresa, catholic, catholic podcast, catholic prayer, cathollc spirituality, Jesus, love
This entry was posted on Friday, August 29th, 2014 at 12:46 am
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Show 54 ” Building a Kingdom of Love” – The Reign of Christ the King
[powerpress]
Msgr. Esseff reflects on the teaching of the Sacred Scriptures on the feast of Christ the King…the victory of Jesus and the defeat of Satan:
Gospel    Lk 23:35-43
The rulers sneered at Jesus and said,
“He saved others, let him save himself
if he is the chosen one, the Christ of God.”
Even the soldiers jeered at him.
As they approached to offer him wine they called out,
“If you are King of the Jews, save yourself.”
Above him there was an inscription that read,
“This is the King of the Jews.”Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying,
“Are you not the Christ?
Save yourself and us.”
The other, however, rebuking him, said in reply,
“Have you no fear of God,
for you are subject to the same condemnation?
And indeed, we have been condemned justly,
for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes,
but this man has done nothing criminal.”
Then he said,
“Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
He replied to him,
“Amen, I say to you,
today you will be with me in Paradise.”
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.
To obtain a copy of Msgr. Esseff’s book by visiting here
Be sure to visit Msgr. Esseff’s website “Building a Kingdom of Love”
Tags: blessed mother teresa, Good News, John Esseff, retreat
This entry was posted on Sunday, November 24th, 2013 at 6:46 am
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Show 53 ” Building a Kingdom of Love” – The World Will End…What Will Your Response Be?
[powerpress]
Msgr. Esseff reflects on the teaching of the Sacred Scriptures on “the end times”:
Gospel   Lk 21:5-19
While some people were speaking about
how the temple was adorned with costly stones and votive offerings,
Jesus said, “All that you see here–
the days will come when there will not be left
a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down.”Then they asked him,
“Teacher, when will this happen?
And what sign will there be when all these things are about to happen?”
He answered,
“See that you not be deceived,
for many will come in my name, saying,
‘I am he,’ and ‘The time has come.’
Do not follow them!
When you hear of wars and insurrections,
do not be terrified; for such things must happen first,
but it will not immediately be the end.”
Then he said to them,
“Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.
There will be powerful earthquakes, famines, and plagues
from place to place;
and awesome sights and mighty signs will come from the sky.“Before all this happens, however,
they will seize and persecute you,
they will hand you over to the synagogues and to prisons,
and they will have you led before kings and governors
because of my name.
It will lead to your giving testimony.
Remember, you are not to prepare your defense beforehand,
for I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking
that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute.
You will even be handed over by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends,
and they will put some of you to death.
You will be hated by all because of my name,
but not a hair on your head will be destroyed.
By your perseverance you will secure your lives.”
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.
To obtain a copy of Msgr. Esseff’s book byvisiting here
Be sure to visit Msgr. Esseff’s website “Building a Kingdom of Love”
Tags: blessed mother teresa, Good News, John Esseff, retreat
This entry was posted on Sunday, November 17th, 2013 at 6:55 pm
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Show 48 ” Building a Kingdom of Love” –  “God is All!!!â€
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Msgr. Esseff reflects on the teaching of Jesus:
Gospel       LK 17:5-10
The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.”
The Lord replied,
“If you have faith the size of a mustard seed,
you would say to this mulberry tree,
‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.“Who among you would say to your servant
who has just come in from plowing or tending sheep in the field,
‘Come here immediately and take your place at table’?
Would he not rather say to him,
‘Prepare something for me to eat.
Put on your apron and wait on me while I eat and drink.
You may eat and drink when I am finished’?
Is he grateful to that servant because he did what was commanded?
So should it be with you.
When you have done all you have been commanded,
say, ‘We are unprofitable servants;
we have done what we were obliged to do.'”
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. Â
To obtain a copy of Msgr. Esseff’s book byvisiting here
Be sure to visit Msgr. Esseff’s website “Building a Kingdom of  Love”
Tags: blessed mother teresa, Good News, John Esseff, PA, retreat, Roman Catholic
This entry was posted on Monday, October 7th, 2013 at 12:26 pm
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Show 42 ” Building a Kingdom of Love” –  The Blinding Danger of Greed
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Msgr. Esseff reflects on the danger of greed:
Gospel            LK 12:13-21
Someone in the crowd said to Jesus,
“Teacher, tell my brother to share the inheritance with me.â€
He replied to him,
“Friend, who appointed me as your judge and arbitrator?â€
Then he said to the crowd,
“Take care to guard against all greed,
for though one may be rich,
one’s life does not consist of possessions.â€Then he told them a parable.
“There was a rich man whose land produced a bountiful harvest.
He asked himself, ‘What shall I do,
for I do not have space to store my harvest?’
And he said, ‘This is what I shall do:
I shall tear down my barns and build larger ones.
There I shall store all my grain and other goods
and I shall say to myself, “Now as for you,
you have so many good things stored up for many years,
rest, eat, drink, be merry!â€â€™
But God said to him,
‘You fool, this night your life will be demanded of you;
and the things you have prepared, to whom will they belong?’
Thus will it be for all who store up treasure for themselves
but are not rich in what matters to God.â€
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. Â
To obtain a copy of Msgr. Esseff’s book byvisiting here
Be sure to visit Msgr. Esseff’s website “Building a Kingdom of  Love”
Tags: blessed mother teresa, Good News, PA, retreat
This entry was posted on Sunday, August 4th, 2013 at 7:04 am
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[powerpress] Â Msgr. Esseff reflects on our readiness for the return of the Son of Man. Â What will that be like for us? Â Maybe it will be different than what you may think. Â How do you love? Â That will be a key in our understanding.
From the NAB Â Mk 9:30-37
Jesus said to his disciples:
“In those days after that tribulation
the sun will be darkened,
and the moon will not give its light,
and the stars will be falling from the sky,
and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.“And then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in the clouds’
with great power and glory,
and then he will send out the angels
and gather his elect from the four winds,
from the end of the earth to the end of the sky.“Learn a lesson from the fig tree.
When its branch becomes tender and sprouts leaves,
you know that summer is near.
In the same way, when you see these things happening,
know that he is near, at the gates.
Amen, I say to you,
this generation will not pass away
until all these things have taken place.
Heaven and earth will pass away,
but my words will not pass away.“But of that day or hour, no one knows,
neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.”
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.  Â
To obtain a copy of Msgr. Esseff’s book byvisiting here
Be sure to visit Msgr. Esseff’s website “Building a Kingdom of  Love”
Tags: blessed mother teresa, confessor, Good News, John Esseff, PA, retreat
This entry was posted on Sunday, November 18th, 2012 at 12:41 pm
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Show 11 ” Building a Kingdom of Love” – What it means to “put on Christ”
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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. Â
To obtain a copy of Msgr. Esseff’s book byvisiting here
Be sure to visit Msgr. Esseff’s website “Building a Kingdom of  Love”
Tags: blessed mother teresa, ephesians, eucharist, Good News, gospel of john, PA, retreat, st. paul
This entry was posted on Sunday, August 5th, 2012 at 8:38 am
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[powerpress]Msgr. Esseff shares a poignant reflection on rejection, loss, suffering, and aloneness.  We experience various forms of suffering, but as it is said “success has a hundred mothers, failure is an orphanâ€.  Why is the cross so important to those who are united with Him?  Its in the cross that we experience His presence.  He shares a very compelling story he was given permission to share, which concerns a Sister,
Mother Teresa, anger, forgiveness and love…it’s a heartbreaking tale…one where ultimately love prevails.  â€You’ll always have the gift and you’ll always have the cross.†– Bl. Mother Teresa
To obtain a copy of Msgr. Esseff’s book byvisiting here
Be sure to visit Msgr. Esseff’s website “Building a Kingdom of  Love”
Tags: blessed mother teresa, catholic, catholic podcast, catholic prayer, cathollc spirituality, forgiveness, John Esseff, missionaries of charity, mother teresa, suffering, the cross
This entry was posted on Tuesday, July 10th, 2012 at 8:26 am
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Show 9 ” Building a Kingdom of Love” – True Happiness and Joy
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Msgr. Esseff reflects on the true meanings of happiness and joy.  What does it really look like?  How can we live a life of happiness and joy?  Msgr. Esseff discusses the beatitudes and forgiveness and the keys to a proper understanding.  What is true humility?  How much the Father loves you!
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. Â
To obtain a copy of Msgr. Esseff’s book byvisiting here
Be sure to visit Msgr. Esseff’s website “Building a Kingdom of  Love”
Tags: beatitudes, blessed mother teresa, catholic, catholic podcast, catholic prayer, cathollc spirituality, confessor, forgiveness, Good News, happiness, joy, mercy, retreat
This entry was posted on Sunday, June 24th, 2012 at 9:14 am
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Show 6 ” Building a Kingdom of Love” – Pentecost, Renewal, and the Nature of True Repentance
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Msgr. Esseff reflects on the first Pentecost and its meaning for us today. Â The continuing call to conversion in our lives and the nature of true repentance are topics he explores in this discussion.
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. Â
To obtain a copy of Msgr. Esseff’s book byvisiting here
Be sure to visit Msgr. Esseff’s website “Building a Kingdom of  Love”
Tags: blessed mother teresa, catholic, catholic podcast, catholic prayer, cathollc spirituality, Good News, PA, pentecost, repentance, retreat
This entry was posted on Friday, June 1st, 2012 at 1:32 pm
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Show 5 ” Building a Kingdom of Love” – The Daughters of Mary, Mother of Healing Love – An example of how we can minister the Divine Love
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Msgr. Esseff discusses his retreat with The Daughters of Mary, Mother of Healing Love community which meets the needs of the children brought to the St. Charles Children’s Home located in New Hampshire. Â He speaks of their work and the need to step out in courage to share the Divine Love which is needed to heal the deepest wounds of the heart. Â He talks about Mother Paul Marie, foundress of this new community, as well as Servant of God Fr. Flannagan, and Bl. Mother Teresa. Â Msgr. Esseff talks about the importance of the both the male and female healthy role models in the lives children.
The mission of The Daughters of Mary, Mother of Healing Love:
We founded the Daughters of Mary Mother of Healing Love to bring the healing love of Jesus to those who are suffering, and in a special way to families. Our primary apostolate at the present time is the St.Charles Children’s Home, where we care for children from troubled families.
For more on the work of the Sisters click here
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. Â
To obtain a copy of Msgr. Esseff’s book byvisiting here
Be sure to visit Msgr. Esseff’s website “Building a Kingdom of  Love”
Tags: blessed mother teresa, catholic, catholic podcast, catholic prayer, cathollc spirituality, children, daughters of mary mother of healing love, divine love, father flannagan, Jesus, retreat
This entry was posted on Thursday, May 10th, 2012 at 5:33 pm
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Show 2 ” Building a Kingdom of Love” – “The Good Shepherd“
Msgr. Esseff reflects on the readings from the 4th Sunday of Easter, and in particular, Our Lord’s teachings on role of the Good Shepherd. Â Also, at the end of this episode, Msgr. Esseff offers a prayer with St. Padre Pio for healing.
[powerpress]
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. Â
To obtain a copy of Msgr. Esseff’s book byvisiting here
Be sure to visit Msgr. Esseff’s website “Building a Kingdom of  Love”
Tags: blessed mother teresa, catholic, catholic podcast, catholic prayer, cathollc spirituality, Good News, PA, padre pio, retreat, the good shepherd
This entry was posted on Sunday, April 29th, 2012 at 3:47 am
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