Gospel LK 4:24-30 Jesus said to the people in the synagogue at Nazareth: “Amen, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own native place. Indeed, I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah when the sky was closed for three and a half years and a severe

Reading 1  1 PT 5:5B-14 Beloved: Clothe yourselves with humility in your dealings with one another, for: God opposes the proud but bestows favor on the humble. So humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time. Cast all your worries upon him because he cares for you.

Gospel Mk 6:7-13 Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over unclean spirits. He instructed them to take nothing for the journey but a walking stick –no food, no sack, no money in their belts. They were, however, to wear sandals but not a second

Sequence (Optional) – Stabat Mater At the cross her station keeping, Stood the mournful Mother weeping, Close to Jesus to the last. Through her heart, his sorrow sharing, All his bitter anguish bearing, Now at length the sword had passed. Oh, how sad and sore distressed Was that Mother highly blessed Of the sole begotten

BKL 74 ” Building a Kingdom of Love” – “The Cross is the Sign of Love”   Reading 2PHIL 2:6-11 Brothers and sisters: Christ Jesus, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human

Gospel MK 6:17-29 Herod was the one who had John the Baptist arrested and bound in prison on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, whom he had married. John had said to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” Herodias harbored a grudge against him and wanted to

Msgr. Esseff reflects on the events found in the Middle East, the scourge of the Ebola epidemic, and the suicide of beloved public figure.  How are they connected?  It is the work of the enemy and we need to recognize that fact.  What is the remedy…more to the point, who is the remedy?  Jesus Christ!

Msgr. Esseff would like listeners/directees to engage in the prayer he is describing in this podcast…today!   He would also like to encourage you to share any questions and/or graces you have received in the comment section of this post, as an encouragement and help for your brothers and sisters in Christ.  He will respond

Msgr. Esseff, who has served the Roman Catholic Church as an Exorcist for decades, discusses the reality of evil and the Triumphant power of Jesus Christ. Gospel MT 8:28-34 When Jesus came to the territory of the Gadarenes, two demoniacs who were coming from the tombs met him. They were so savage that no one

Reading 2 1 PT 4:13-16 Beloved: Rejoice to the extent that you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that when his glory is revealed you may also rejoice exultantly. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. But let

Reading 1              IS 52:13-53:12 See, my servant shall prosper, he shall be raised high and greatly exalted. Even as many were amazed at himC so marred was his look beyond human semblance and his appearance beyond that of the sons of manC so shall he startle many nations, because

At The Procession With Palms – GospelMT 21:1-11 When Jesus and the disciples drew near Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find an ass tethered, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring

Gospel MK 12:28-34 One of the scribes came to Jesus and asked him, “Which is the first of all the commandments?” Jesus replied, “The first is this: Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind,

Gospel MT 5:20-26 Jesus said to his disciples: “I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter into the Kingdom of heaven. “You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment. But I say to

Gospel MT 4:1-11 At that time Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. He fasted for forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was hungry. The tempter approached and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become loaves of

*Note: This is a special reflection given by Msgr. Esseff on the morning of his departure for his mission to Peru. Gospel MT 6:24-34 Jesus said to his disciples: “No one can serve two masters. He will either hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve

Gospel mk 9:14-29 As Jesus came down from the mountain with Peter, James, John and approached the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and scribes arguing with them. Immediately on seeing him, the whole crowd was utterly amazed. They ran up to him and greeted him. He asked them, “What are you

How are you tempted?  What is your weakness? What is the remedy? Reading 1     JAS 1:12-18 Blessed is he who perseveres in temptation, for when he has been proven he will receive the crown of life that he promised to those who love him. No one experiencing temptation should say, “I am being tempted

Reading 1 2 sm 12:1-7a, 10-17 The LORD sent Nathan to David, and when he came to him, Nathan said: “Judge this case for me! In a certain town there were two men, one rich, the other poor. The rich man had flocks and herds in great numbers. But the poor man had nothing at

Gospel Lk 17:26-37 Jesus said to his disciples: “As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be in the days of the Son of Man; they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage up to the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all.

Reading 1 ROM 6:19-23 Brothers and sisters: I am speaking in human terms because of the weakness of your nature. For just as you presented the parts of your bodies as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness for lawlessness, so now present them as slaves to righteousness for sanctification. For when you were slaves of sin,

Reading 1 JON 4:1-11 Jonah was greatly displeased and became angry that God did not carry out the evil he threatened against Nineveh. He prayed, “I beseech you, LORD, is not this what I said while I was still in my own country? This is why I fled at first to Tarshish. I knew that you

Gospel   LK 7:31-35 Jesus said to the crowds: “To what shall I compare the people of this generation? What are they like? They are like children who sit in the marketplace and call to one another, ‘We played the flute for you, but you did not dance. We sang a dirge, but you did not

Gospel   MT 19:13-15 Children were brought to Jesus that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked them, but Jesus said, “Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them; for the Kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” After he placed his hands on them, he went

From Psalm 42   will say to God, my rock: “Why do you forget me?i Why must I go about mourning with the enemy oppressing me?” 11It shatters my bones, when my adversaries reproach me, when they say to me every day: “Where is your God?” 12Why are you downcast, my soul, why do you groan

What do we do when we feel trapped in “this”, whatever it is?  It’s like an enslavement to feeling or thoughts which keep us in patterns that are incredibly hurtful.  Often can be attached to addiction and other destructive ways of life. From the Gospel of Mark Chap. 5 The Healing of the Gerasene Demoniac.

Msgr. Esseff discusses the bitterness and anger which comes with our deep areas of resentment.  We may say we forgive, but do we really?  Or do we hold on to the hurt, the pain, the anger…the resentment? From Luke Chap 15 1Then he said, “A man had two sons,12and the younger son said to his

Msgr. Esseff discusses about the crippling effect of “insecurity”, especially in those who appear outwardly to “have it all together”, but inside are in deeply insecure. From Isaiah Chap 46 v 4 Even to your old age I am he, even when your hair is gray I will carry you; I have done this, and

Msgr. Esseff explores the dangerous territory of ANGER.  How do you deal with your anger? The pain that anger can inflict is incredible. It can be used as a weapon to hurt others. We, too, can be hurt by our anger. When you experience do you turn immediately to the Father, to Jesus, to Mary?

From the NAB Matthew Chap 14 *22h Then he made the disciples get into the boat and precede him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. 23i After doing so, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When it was evening he was there alone. 24 Meanwhile the boat, already a few

Each Station of the Cross represents a moment in our own lives.  We have been baptized into the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.  We all have had periods sufferings which can be united to the suffering of Jesus.  

Msgr. Esseff discusses HALT and how it is the response to False Generosity.  False Generosity can be destructive…we don’t even realize we are doing it.   When you find yourself: H – Hungry,  A- Angry, L – Lonely, T – Tired We must take care of ourselves!  Msgr. Esseff first gives a checklist to attend to our

Msgr. Esseff discusses the wounds of Jesus and the healing Sacraments of the Eucharist, Anointing of the Sick, and Reconciliation, especially in relation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Reading 1 IS 52:13—53:12 See, my servant shall prosper, he shall be raised high and greatly exalted. Even as many were amazed at him— so marred was his look beyond human semblance and his appearance beyond that of the sons of man— so shall he startle many nations, because of him kings shall stand speechless; for

Gospel  JN 4:43-54 At that time Jesus left [Samaria] for Galilee. For Jesus himself testified that a prophet has no honor in his native place. When he came into Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him, since they had seen all he had done in Jerusalem at the feast; for they themselves had gone to the feast.Then

GospelLK 15:1-3, 11-32 Tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to Jesus, but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” So to them Jesus addressed this parable. “A man had two sons, and the younger son said to his father, ‘Father, give me

Gospel               MT 5:43-48 Jesus said to his disciples: “You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for

What is the nature of true Love?  Msgr. Esseff discusses what Love is or more to the point…who Love is.  We all have choices to make…will we allow division to rule in our hearts and in our families and relationships, or will we seek to reach out in Love, no matter the cost?  Is the

Reading 2  ROM 10:8-13 Brothers and sisters: What does Scripture say? The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart —that is, the word of faith that we preach—, for, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead,

What makes Herod such a despot?  He refuses to admit he is a sinner.  The Church recognizes those little children are considered martyrs.  At this time, the occurence in Newton, Conn., drives home the pain and suffering that comes from the death of his little innocent ones.  Children do not belong to us, they belong

Prepare your hearts for Christmas…seek to forgive and to be forgiven. Only through true forgiveness can we be healed of those things that can destroy our souls. Gospel Lk 5:17-26 One day as Jesus was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law, who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and Jerusalem, were sitting

Msgr. Esseff reflects on the readings for this day.  In particular, that God is in search of the lost, those who are in need of Him.  Msgr. Esseff encourages us to wear those “garments of grace”, so no matter where ever you may be, God will be with you.  He warns the lukewarm, especially the

 Msgr. Esseff reflects on the readings the Monday of the 33rd week in Ordinary time which asks us “Have you lost your initial fervor”?  What has happened if you have?  He shares the value of the “blessing” and the importance of knowing our true identity.  And then Msgr. Esseff shares the story of a young boy named

Msgr. Esseff remembers his encounters with St. Padre Pio.   He also reflects on the Gospel for this particular Sunday, which places its focus on the suffering, death and rising of Jesus.  That this world is not our “forever” destiny.   We were created for Eternal Life.  Now will it forever in Heaven or will

Msgr. Esseff shares with us his experience at the Healing Ministry of Deliverance & Exorcism Conference at Mundelein Seminary. The discussions on this given day focused on how we are made for happiness and we are designed to love.   Sometimes we neglect the soul and overemphasize the body, and vice versa.  Balance is what we

Msgr. Esseff shares with us his experience at the Healing Ministry of Deliverance & Exorcism Conference.  He discusses the event and the abundance of participants who are priests and bishops.  As it begins he reflects on the important passage from Ephesians 6: Put on the armor of God so that you may be able to stand firm against the

Show 13 ” Building a Kingdom of Love” – How does the Bread of Life help those who suffer addictions?  Addictions take on many forms…drinking, eating, gambling, work, shopping, even self-absorption.  Part of the recovery is to realize they are bigger than we are and the only healing that can truly come is from the Divine

Show 12 ” Building a Kingdom of Love” – Why do those who trust in God sometimes suffer? Msgr. Esseff then addresses the issue of trust in the Lord as an expression in our faith…even when it’s hard Msgr. Esseff reflects on Hab 1:12-2:4 Are you not from eternity, O LORD, my holy God, immortal? O LORD,

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 orphan”.  Why is the cross so important to those who are united with Him?  Its in the cross that we experience His presence.  He

Msgr. Esseff reflects on the Sacrament of Reconciliation and the experience of the Sisters during the retreat.  He breaks open the difference between “guilt” and “shame” by discussing the Parable of the Prodigal Son.  He examines closely both sides of the story, the side of the prodigal son, but also the behavior of the other son.

Msgr. Esseff reflects on the need for forgiveness as the team prepares for the Sacrament of Reconciliation with the Sisters of the Missionaries of Charity.  Msgr. Esseff  discusses St. Peter’s question to Jesus about the number of times someone must forgive from Mt.18:21-35.  Msgr. Esseff than discusses the types of wounds that we carry because

Msgr. Esseff discusses the healing mission of Jesus, not only in the New Testament, but it is still in the Church today!  It’s a river of power flowing through the Church found in the Anointing of the Sick.  It is important that the gift (the charism) of healing be used in the life of the

Msgr. Esseff offers a prayer for generational healing.  If you desire this for yourself and your family, take time to find a quiet spot to prayerfully enter into the prayer with Msgr. Esseff. He will later, in this recording, reflect on the various aspects of this important healing ministry. Msgr. Esseff then discusses the importance

Msgr. Esseff discusses the freedom that comes from forgiveness. It can be very difficult to for us to forgive, but not for God.  How can we forgive those who have really hurt us…emotionally and physically.  How is this forgiveness a matter of justice…we forgive for we have been forgiven.  What is an unjust wound?  How

Msgr. Esseff discusses to be truly alive in joy and happiness we have to forgive. Forgiveness is always a choice and in that is joy. We shouldn’t put conditions on our forgiveness…that can be a challenge for some, but it is necessary.  We need to take the person where they are…we don’t love them because

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.

Msgr. Esseff begins a series of reflections on Divine Mercy and it’s importance in the life of the Church today.  He exhorts us to remember that it is not about something that occurs outside of ourselves, but that the spirit of the Divine Mercy lives in us by virtue of our baptism and through our

Msgr. Esseff reflects on the readings for the 4th Sunday of Lent. What are the darkness of our days? What is the message of this weekend’s liturgy? Mercy and Love! It’s not so much that God is so angry with mankind, but that He loves us so much that He would suffer and die for

Msgr. Esseff discusses the crippling effects of fear and it’s remedy.  Fear, in a very real way, is the opposite of faith.  There’s an adage in spirituality that says that if we can name the demon we can tame it.  Jesus wants us not to be afraid.  He may challenge us in some ways, so that

Msgr. Esseff reflects on Matthew chap 18 v 21-35.  He shares the stories of a woman named Immaculee from Rwanda and young girl named Maria from Lebanon and the damage done by the hatred which is manifested in the world.  We have a capacity for communion…24 hours every day, 7 days a week.  How does that look

In January 2012, Msgr. Esseff conducted a weekend retreat for the Deacons and Deacon-Candidates and their wives of the Diocese of Fargo. The subject is SINFULNESS and the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  The crucifixion and death of Jesus and what Jesus “sees” from the Cross. We will not grow in the Divine life given to us

Msgr. Esseff reflects on the major area that separates us from God…it’s sloth.  What is the truth about sloth? What does laziness really look like? To depend on oneself more than on God….”that I can do anything”, “I can do it”….the man of faith says “God can do it”.  Jesus said without the Father, he could do nothing.  That

Msgr. Esseff shares memories of his grandfather and sister; how their deaths transformed his life and those around them.  He discusses grief and sorrow, but also joy, faith and hope.  Msgr. Esseff has a special word for those who are widows and widowers, and all those who suffer the loss of a loved one.

 Msgr. Esseff not only laments the horror of the massacre of the Holy Innocents in Bethlehem 2000 years ago, but the tragedy of the continued holocaust of children within their mother’s womb that occurs today.  He reflects on the passage from Revelation which recounts the hatred the devil has for the womb of the woman:  The enemy

Msgr. Esseff reflects on the feast of St. Stephen the Martyr, the massacre in Nigeria at Christmas services, and his experiences in Lebanon.  The story he shares is particularly poignant and compelling.  He shares what we are called to do for Christ and what the future holds.  He discusses how important the devotion to the

Msgr. Esseff shares some of his challenges, and yet, through it all God has been his strength.  Allow God to gaze upon you.  Ask the Father when He has found delight in you.  Rest with that.  He shares a story of when he was a young boy, 10 cents, and the meaning of Christmas.

Msgr. Esseff discusses the great love the Blessed Virgin Mary has for all of us.  He shares his personal experiences with the Blessed Mother and a special encounter with her love, especially through the gift of her Son.  He encourages us to remember that we are never alone.

Msgr. Esseff spoke at a recent conference which was held in PA. in November 2011. In the 3rd talk he speaks about sinfulness.  Our mistaken notions and what we should know.  What are the traps, what will free us.  How confession can bring us into right order.

Msgr. Esseff continues his reflections in the Chapel of the Apparitions in Paray le Monial, France. Msgr. Esseff discusses the clash of the two kingdoms….salvation history in light of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.  In every heart there is a collision between the force of light and the force of darkness, between the force of lies and

Msgr. Esseff teaches about the need for healing, protection and deliverance. Msgr. Esseff discusses the importance of the “Our Father”. He then leads the following prayer: In the name of Jesus, I take authority and I bind all the powers and forces in the air, in the ground, in the water, in the underground, in

EXAMINATION OF CONSCIENCE FORGIVENESS PRAYER 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