“Why Did You Doubt?” Growing in Faith and Trust in Jesus – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff

In this episode of Building a Kingdom of Love, Msgr. John Esseff reflects on the need for a Christian life in which prayer and action remain deeply united. The ache and emptiness experienced by so many people can’t be healed simply by greater activity. Ministry, service, and works of charity must flow from an interior relationship with God. When doing becomes separated from being with God, even good work can lead to exhaustion, self-reliance, and eventually losing sight of the One who called us to serve.

Drawing from Jesus’ warning about external religious observances and St. James’ call to become doers of the Word, Msgr. Esseff explains that authentic Christian life begins in the heart and bears fruit in concrete love of neighbor. He recalls young people transformed through serving the poor in mission countries and witnesses such as St. Teresa of Calcutta, whose extraordinary service grew from a solid life of prayer. Yet even good works require discernment. Msgr. Esseff shares his own experience of repeatedly asking to serve in Latin America while his bishop required him to remain where he was. His eventual mission came through obedience rather than simply following his own desire to do something good.

Kris McGregor brings this discernment into family life, where the desire to serve the Church can sometimes pull a person away from the responsibilities God has already entrusted to them as a spouse or parent. Msgr. Esseff returns to the first commandment: love God with your whole heart, soul, strength, and mind. From that relationship, Christ can love others through us. The Christian life becomes less about accomplishing something through our own strength and more about allowing God to act through us, whether our work seems great or very small.

Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions:

1. Is my service to others flowing from a real life of prayer with God?
2. Where have I become so busy doing good things that I’ve neglected my interior life?
3. When I want to undertake something good, do I first ask God whether it is His will for me?
4. What does Msgr. Esseff’s experience of obedience teach me about trusting God when my plans are delayed?
5. Are any of my activities pulling me away from responsibilities God has already entrusted to me in my family or vocation?
6. Where am I relying primarily on my own strength rather than allowing Christ to work through me?
7. What small act of love can I offer today as a response to God’s love for me?

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The Queenship of Mary: A Mother and Queen of Every 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 Queenship of Mary, revealing a queenship rooted not in earthly power or grandeur, but in motherhood, humility, and love. Mary is Queen of Heaven and Earth because she is the Mother of God and the mother given to us by Jesus from the Cross. From Guadalupe and Fatima to Lourdes and the Miraculous Medal, Msgr. Esseff shows Mary continually reaching toward the poor, the sick, the suffering, and those most in need of mercy with the tenderness of a mother.

Mary’s greatness is found precisely in her lowliness. Msgr. Esseff recalls an image of the Immaculate Conception in which Mary crushes the serpent beneath her heel, connecting her victory over Satan with her profound humility. She is the lowly servant who hastens to care for Elizabeth, the mother who intercedes for her children, and the Queen who desires to bring God’s gifts to those who ask. Her queenship reveals something essential about the Kingdom of God: the first shall be last, the last shall be first, and true greatness is found in becoming small.

Msgr. Esseff connects Mary’s queenship with the Sacred Heart of Jesus and God’s particular love for the little ones, the lost, the sick, and the forgotten. Ezekiel’s warning to shepherds who care for themselves rather than their sheep becomes a challenge for priests, parents, grandparents, and everyone entrusted with another soul. Mary shows us another way, to become humble, dependent, and childlike before God. She teaches us to “grow down,” becoming small enough to receive the Kingdom and allowing ourselves to be held in the loving arms of God.

Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions:

1. How does Mary’s humility help me understand what it truly means for her to be Queen of Heaven and Earth?
2. What need or burden in my life have I hesitated to bring to Mary in prayer?
3. How do Mary’s appearances at Guadalupe, Fatima, and Lourdes reveal her motherly care for those who suffer?
4. What does Mary’s humility teach me about overcoming pride and resisting evil?
5. Who are the little, lost, sick, or forgotten people God has entrusted to my care?
6. Where is God asking me to become smaller, more humble, and more dependent upon Him?
7. How can Mary’s example help me become more childlike and ready to receive the Kingdom of God?

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“Why Did You Doubt?” Growing in Faith and Trust in Jesus – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff

In this episode of Building a Kingdom of Love, Msgr. John Esseff reflects on what it truly means to say, “I believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God.” Drawing from the Gospel account of Peter walking on the water, he asks whether faith remains something we profess with our lips or becomes a living reality that changes the way we act, pray, trust, and respond when Christ calls. Peter gets out of the boat because Jesus says, “Come.” When fear takes hold, he begins to sink, revealing the struggle between faith and doubt that can arise in every Christian life.

Msgr. Esseff recalls his experiences with St. Teresa of Calcutta as a powerful witness to this living faith. In war-torn Beirut, Mother Teresa prayed before the Blessed Sacrament for the shelling to cease so abandoned children could be rescued. He also remembers her radical trust in Albania, where she insisted that stored food be given to the hungry, trusting God to provide what would be needed the following day. For Msgr. Esseff, these encounters transformed an intellectual understanding of faith into a deeper awareness of the power of prayer, the Eucharist, and trust in Jesus Christ.

Msgr. Esseff returns to Peter’s decision to leave the safety of the boat. Faith requires a response to Christ’s invitation, even when the winds of fear, uncertainty, worry, and the voices around us tempt us to turn away. Mother Teresa’s life shows how this relationship is nurtured through continual prayer, Eucharistic adoration, and the Mass. The challenges that arise after stepping out in faith can become opportunities for deeper trust as Christ draws us beyond a merely cultural Christianity into a life rooted in Him.

Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions:

1. What does it mean in my daily life to say, “I believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God”?
2. Where is Jesus asking me to “get out of the boat” and trust Him more deeply?
3. What fears or worries cause me to take my eyes away from Christ?
4. How does Mother Teresa’s trust in Jesus challenge my understanding of faith and prayer?
5. How can Eucharistic adoration, the Mass, and daily prayer deepen my relationship with Jesus?
6. Where has worry about the future prevented me from trusting God for my “daily bread”?
7. How might the difficulties I encounter after responding to Christ become opportunities for my faith to grow?

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The Sacred Heart and the Contemplative Life – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff

In this reflection, Msgr. John Esseff explores the Sacred Heart through the lens of the contemplative life, asking why so many people fail to recognize God’s immense love. He explains that God continually calls every person into a deeper relationship with Him, yet the noise of self-centeredness often prevents us from hearing His voice. The contemplative, whether living in a monastery or in the ordinary circumstances of daily life, becomes a living bridge between heaven and earth by listening to God and responding with love.

Drawing from the witness of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Ignatius of Loyola, and above all the Blessed Virgin Mary, Msgr. Esseff describes contemplation as a gift of the Holy Spirit rather than simply the study of theology. True prayer begins by recognizing God’s presence within, where the Holy Trinity already dwells through baptism. As the soul turns inward in humility and attentive listening, it discovers that every grace, every act of love, and every response to God flows from Christ living within.

The reflection concludes with a call to recover contemplation as the foundation of Christian life and evangelization. Msgr. Esseff teaches that the world’s deepest need is not more activity but more souls who truly know God through prayer. Only those transformed by the love of the Sacred Heart can become authentic witnesses, bringing Christ’s light to a world longing for hope, mercy, and communion with the Father.

Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions

1. What distractions keep me from hearing God’s voice in the silence of my heart?
2. How can I become more attentive to the presence of the Holy Trinity dwelling within me?
3. What does true contemplation mean in my daily life?
4. How does humility open my heart to receive God’s love more fully?
5. In what ways is God inviting me to become a witness to His love through a deeper life of prayer?

Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton. He was ordained on May 30, 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 St. Teresa of Calcutta. 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 St. 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 serves 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.

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The Sacred Heart and Selfless Love – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff

Msgr. John Esseff reflects on the deep and transformative love of Jesus’ Sacred Heart. The invitation Jesus extends to unite our hearts with His, embracing love and its consequences, including suffering for the sake of others. Esseff explains that Jesus withholds certain material blessings if they hinder spiritual growth, aiming to cure self-centeredness and foster divine love.

True love involves giving selflessly, reflecting God’s eternal love, using examples like St. Francis of Assisi and the Virgin Mary, who embody this divine love.

Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions

1. Union with Jesus’ Sacred Heart: How can I deepen my union with the Sacred Heart of Jesus and embrace the love and suffering that comes with it?
2. Spiritual Blessings over Material Goods: In what ways might I be overly focused on material blessings, and how can I shift my focus to seek spiritual blessings instead?
3. Overcoming Self-Centeredness: What self-centered tendencies do I need to overcome to truly live out divine love and serve others?
4. Embracing Suffering for Love: How can I accept and embrace suffering as a way to grow in love and align myself more closely with Jesus’ heart?
5. Following the Example of Saints: How can I follow the example of saints like St. Francis and the Virgin Mary in living out a life of selfless, divine love?
6. Seeking Mary’s Guidance: How can I turn to Mary for guidance in understanding and embodying the heart and love of Jesus in my daily life?

Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton. He was ordained on May 30, 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 St. Teresa of Calcutta. 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 St. 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 serves 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.

The post SH9 – The Sacred Heart and Selfless Love – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

The Sacred Heart and Spiritual Warfare – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff

Msgr. John Esseff on Discerning Hearts addresses the spiritual battle between good and evil, emphasizing the role of Satan, the enemy of humanity. He discusses the inherent sinfulness in every person, the temptation that Satan uses to lure souls away from God, and the ongoing conflict within every human heart between the kingdom of light (Jesus) and the kingdom of darkness (Satan).

Msgr. Esseff explains that Satan’s primary tactic is temptation, which aims to lead people away from God’s kingdom and towards self-centeredness. He highlights the significance of the prayer “lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one” in the Lord’s Prayer, as it directly addresses this spiritual battle. He further explores the origin of Satan’s hatred towards humanity, tracing it back to his refusal to serve and his subsequent fall from grace.

The preciousness of each soul to God and the lengths to which God goes to save it include sending Jesus to conquer sin, Satan, and death through his crucifixion and resurrection. The importance of recognizing and combating the subtle influences of Satan in modern society, such as through pornography and media manipulation, which gradually lead individuals away from spiritual truth.

Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions

1. Recognizing the Enemy: How can we become more aware of Satan’s subtle influences in our daily lives and resist his temptations?
2. Spiritual Warfare: What practical steps can we take to actively engage in the spiritual battle between the kingdom of light and the kingdom of darkness?
3. Value of the Soul: How does understanding the immense value God places on each soul affect our view of ourselves and others?
4. Role of Temptation: In what ways can we strengthen our resistance to temptation and seek God’s guidance in overcoming it?
5. Importance of Vigilance: How can we cultivate a greater awareness of our thoughts and their alignment with God’s will?
6. Marriage and Forgiveness: How can the practice of forgiveness within marriage and family life serve as a model of Christ’s love for others?
7. Civilization of Love: What actions can we take to contribute to building a civilization of love rooted in the Sacred Heart of Jesus?
8. Spiritual Nourishment: How can we ensure that our souls are properly nourished and not led into spiritual desolation by self-centeredness?

Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton. He was ordained on May 30, 1953, by the late Bishop William J. Hafey, D.D., at St. Peter’s Cathedral in Scranton, PA. Msgr. Esseff served as a retreat director and confessor to St. Teresa of Calcutta. 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 St. 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 serves as a spiritual director for the Institute. He continues to serve as a retreat leader and director to bishops, priests, and sisters, seminarians, and other religious leaders around the world.

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The Sower and the Seed – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff

In this reflection, Msgr. John Esseff contemplates Jesus as the divine Sower who plants the seed of the Kingdom of God throughout the world. Through the parables of the wheat and the weeds, the mustard seed, and the yeast, he reveals that Christ continually sows goodness while the devil seeks to sow evil. Rather than becoming discouraged or quick to judge, Christians are called to trust God’s wisdom as his Kingdom quietly grows within human hearts and throughout the world.

Drawing on the insights of St. Augustine and Archbishop Fulton Sheen, Msgr. Esseff explains that the visible Church contains both saints and sinners, while the true Kingdom of God is found wherever Christ reigns within the soul. Through moving stories of a child strengthened by suffering, a father who grew steadily in holiness, and a seminarian who discovered Christ after years away from the faith, he shows how God’s grace often works in hidden and unexpected ways.

The reflection concludes with a message of hope and perseverance. The Kingdom frequently begins like a tiny seed and grows slowly through faith, suffering, prayer, and daily conversion. Rather than despairing over the darkness of the world or the struggles within our own families, we are invited to continue praying, trusting that Christ never stops sowing the good seed and that his Kingdom will reach its fullness in God’s perfect time.

Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions:

1. How is Christ sowing the seed of his Kingdom in my life today?
2. What keeps me from trusting God when I see evil or confusion in the world or the Church?
3. Where have I witnessed God’s grace quietly growing through suffering, patience, or perseverance?
4. Who in my family or among my friends needs my faithful prayer rather than my judgment?
5. How can I cooperate more fully with Christ as he continues to sow the good seed in my heart?

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Encountering Our True Selves in Christ – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff

“He shall proclaim peace to the nations!”  Peace begins inside the hearts of each baptized Christian.  Do you know who you are?  Have you truly encountered Jesus?

Gospel MT 11:25-30

At that time Jesus exclaimed:
“I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth,
for although you have hidden these things
from the wise and the learned
you have revealed them to little ones.
Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will.
All things have been handed over to me by my Father.
No one knows the Son except the Father,
and no one knows the Father except the Son
and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him.”

“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened,
and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,
for I am meek and humble of heart;
and you will find rest for yourselves.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.”

Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine

Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton.   Msgr. Esseff served a retreat director and confessor to St. Teresa of Calcutta.  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 Pope St. John Paul II to bring the Good News to the world, especially to the poor.  He continues to serve as a retreat leader and director to bishops, priests and sisters and seminarians, and other religious leaders around the world. 

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The Sacred Heart and Abandonment- Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff

Msgr. John Esseff discusses the profound devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, particularly for priests. He shares the story of a devoted priest who promoted this devotion and received the grace to touch the most hardened hearts. Despite his dedication, the priest ended up abandoned and forgotten in a refugee camp, experiencing profound suffering. Esseff reflects on how this priest’s experience mirrors Jesus’ own abandonment on the cross and highlights the spiritual union with Christ through suffering.

The Sacred Heart promises not only the ability to touch hardened hearts but also eternal salvation and union with Jesus. He addresses various forms of suffering, illustrating that true devotion to the Sacred Heart involves sharing in Christ’s suffering. He recounts a poignant encounter with a devoted priest in a refugee camp, noting how this experience deepened his own priesthood.

Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions

1. Reflect on Devotion to the Sacred Heart: How does your personal devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus manifest in your daily life and ministry?
2. Suffering and Union with Christ: In what ways can you see your own sufferings as a participation in Christ’s sufferings on the cross?
3. Spiritual Gifts and Their Purpose: How do you use the spiritual gifts you have received for the benefit of others, and do you also seek the personal graces God wants to give you?
4. Perseverance in Faith Amid Abandonment: Have you ever felt abandoned in your faith journey, and how did you find comfort in the promises of Jesus?
5. Living the Paschal Mystery: How do you embrace the Paschal Mystery in your life, particularly in moments of persecution or suffering?
6. Understanding True Blessings: How do you differentiate between temporal and spiritual blessings, and which do you find yourself seeking more?
7. Role of the Cross in Blessings: In what ways can you see the cross not just as a symbol of suffering, but as a sign of love and blessing in your life?
8. Support for the Abandoned and Forgotten: How can you offer support and companionship to those who feel abandoned or forgotten, following the example of the priest in the refugee camp?

Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton. He was ordained on May 30, 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 St. Teresa of Calcutta. 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 St. 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 serves 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.

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The Sacred Heart and the Elderly – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff

Msgr. John Esseff discusses the profound need for Jesus in institutions like nursing homes. Msgr. Esseff highlights the plight of the elderly and infirm, often warehoused in substandard conditions. He recounts a poignant story to illustrate how caring for our elders teaches future generations to do the same, emphasizing the importance of honoring parents as per the fourth commandment.

He reflects on the societal neglect of the unborn and elderly, describing how a strong, love-filled heart of Jesus should be the center of the body of Christ, which is the Church. Msgr. Esseff urges for the Sacred Heart of Jesus to be the heart of homes and institutions, promoting a universal love and care for all members, especially the vulnerable.

Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions

1. Personal Experience with Elder Care: How have you personally experienced the care of elderly family members, and what challenges and blessings have you encountered?
2. Honoring the Fourth Commandment: In what ways can you more fully honor the commandment to “Honor your father and mother,” especially when they are elderly or infirm?
3. Sacred Heart of Jesus: How can you invite the Sacred Heart of Jesus into your home and community to bring His love and care to all, especially the vulnerable?
4. Societal Attitudes Towards the Vulnerable: Reflect on how society treats the elderly and the unborn; what can you do to advocate for better care and respect for these groups?
5. Lessons for Future Generations: What lessons about caring for the elderly and honoring parents are you passing on to your children and those around you?

Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton. He was ordained on May 30, 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 St. Teresa of Calcutta. 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 St. 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 serves 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.

The post SH6 – The Sacred Heart and the Elderly – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

The Sacred Heart and Work – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff

Msgr. John Esseff discusses the importance of enthroning the Sacred Heart of Jesus in various aspects of life, especially in businesses and workplaces. He shares a personal story about his brother, who, despite initial struggles, experienced tremendous success after enthroning his titanium business to the Sacred Heart. Msgr. Esseff emphasizes that while success isn’t guaranteed, blessings on temporal and spiritual undertakings are promised.

He describes witnessing the Sacred Heart in diverse settings, like a McDonald’s in the Southwest, and encourages business owners to display the Sacred Heart in their workplaces, promoting a sense of community and divine blessing among employees. Msgr. Esseff also highlights the significance of having the Sacred Heart in medical environments, suggesting that doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers should enthrone the Sacred Heart in their offices and work areas to bring Jesus’ healing presence to their patients.

Msgr. Esseff advocates for the presence of the Sacred Heart in legal and justice systems, prisons, and other societal institutions. He calls on individuals in these fields to enthrone the Sacred Heart in their hearts and workplaces, thereby extending Jesus’ kingship and blessings throughout all areas of life.

Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions

1. How Can You Integrate Your Faith in Your Workplace? Consider ways to bring the Sacred Heart of Jesus into your work environment, fostering a sense of divine presence and blessing.
2. What Role Does the Sacred Heart Play in Your Daily Life? Reflect on the importance of enthroning the Sacred Heart in your home and work, acknowledging Jesus’ influence on both spiritual and temporal undertakings.
3. How Do You Manifest Your Faith in Public Spaces? Think about visible signs of your faith, like images of the Sacred Heart, and their impact on your business, clients, and community.
4. How Do You Foster a Faith-Based Community in Your Workplace? Evaluate the ways you can encourage a supportive and faith-centered atmosphere among your colleagues and employees.
5. How Do You Recognize and Credit Divine Intervention in Your Successes? Reflect on moments in your professional life where you have experienced success and attributed it to the blessings of the Sacred Heart.
6. How Can You Incorporate the Sacred Heart in Healing Professions? Consider the significance of enthroning the Sacred Heart in medical settings to enhance the spiritual and physical healing of patients.
7. How Do You Uphold Your Faith in Challenging Professional Situations? Think about how the presence of the Sacred Heart can guide you through difficulties and ethical dilemmas in your professional life.
8. How Can the Sacred Heart Influence Your Interactions with Clients and Colleagues? Reflect on how bringing Jesus into your workplace can transform your relationships and interactions, promoting love and understanding.
9. How Do You Witness Your Faith in Secular Environments? Consider the importance of maintaining and expressing your faith in settings that may not typically embrace religious symbols or practices.
10. How Can You Extend Jesus’ Kingship Beyond Your Home? Evaluate the potential impact of enthroning the Sacred Heart in various societal institutions like prisons and justice systems, promoting Jesus’ teachings and blessings in broader contexts.

Msgr. John A. Esseff is a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Scranton.  Msgr. Esseff served as a retreat director and confessor to St. Teresa of Calcutta. 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 St. 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 serves as a spiritual director for the Institute. He continues to serve as a retreat leader and director to bishops, priests, and sisters, seminarians, and other religious leaders around the world.

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