Discerning Hearts - Catholic Podcasts

A short conversation with Deacon James Keating and Kris McGregor on how ordinary prayer, the sacraments, and daily choices shape deeper union with Christ, moving us from attachment to sin toward a life rooted in the Eucharist. The post WOM17 – Mystical Experience and Consoling Prayer – The Way of Mystery with Deacon James Keating – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

An Advent Journey for the Discerning Heart: Prepare your heart for Christ through Scripture, the saints, and the gentle practice of daily listening. Week Two: Following the Voice of Christ DAY 11 – Guidance “Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, This is the way, walk in it.” Isaiah 30.21 RSV Guidance is ... Read more The post Day 11 – Guidance – An Advent Journey for the Discerning Heart – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

Discover Fr. Timothy Gallagher's guidance on discerning God's will in vocation, especially in choosing marriage or religious life. This Discerning Hearts discussion explores emotional healing, dating as a Catholic, deepening prayer, and St. Ignatius' teaching on recognizing God's voice in major life decisions. The post DWG7 – Trusting God in Vocation Discernment – The Discernment of God's Will in Everyday Decisions with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

An Advent Journey for the Discerning Heart: Prepare your heart for Christ through Scripture, the saints, and the gentle practice of daily listening. Week Two: Following the Voice of Christ DAY 10 – Peace “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. ... Read more The post Day 10 – Peace – An Advent Journey for the Discerning Heart – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

A short reflection from Msgr. John Esseff on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, exploring humanity's fall, God's eternal plan in Christ, and Mary's unique role in salvation history as we prepare our hearts during Advent. The post The Immaculate Conception – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

An Advent Journey for the Discerning Heart: Prepare your heart for Christ through Scripture, the saints, and the gentle practice of daily listening. Week Two: Following the Voice of Christ DAY 9 – Courage “Wait for the Lord. Be strong, and let your heart take courage. Yes, wait for the Lord.” Psalm 27.14 RSV Courage ... Read more The post Day 9 – Courage – An Advent Journey for the Discerning Heart – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

In this Advent reflection, Msgr. John Esseff turns to the figure of John the Baptist and the call to repentance that prepares the way for the Lord. He explains that John stands at the culmination of Old Testament prophecy, announcing the arrival of the Messiah and calling all people to conversion. Yet Jesus teaches that the least in the kingdom is greater than John, because Christians carry Christ within them. This means the true tragedy is not simply breaking commandments but failing to live as Christ in the world. The post The 2nd Sunday of Advent – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

An Advent Journey for the Discerning Heart: Prepare your heart for Christ through Scripture, the saints, and the gentle practice of daily listening. Week Two: Following the Voice of Christ DAY 8 – Hope “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.” Hebrews 10.23 Hope is ... Read more The post Day 8 – Hope – An Advent Journey for the Discerning Heart – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

An Advent Journey for the Discerning Heart: Prepare your heart for Christ through Scripture, the saints, and the gentle practice of daily listening. Week Two: Following the Voice of Christ DAY 7 – Trust “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge ... Read more The post Day 7 – Trust – An Advent Journey for the Discerning Heart – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

An Advent Journey for the Discerning Heart: Prepare your heart for Christ through Scripture, the saints, and the gentle practice of daily listening. Week One: Awakening the Listening Heart DAY 6 – Conversion “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Matthew 4.17 Conversion is not a single moment. It is a continual turning ... Read more The post Day 6 – Conversion – An Advent Journey for the Discerning Heart – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

An Advent Journey for the Discerning Heart: Prepare your heart for Christ through Scripture, the saints, and the gentle practice of daily listening. Week One: Awakening the Listening Heart DAY 5 – Stillness “Be still, and know that I am God.” Psalm 46.10 RSV Stillness is the interior calm that allows the soul to recognize ... Read more The post Day 5 – Stillness – An Advent Journey for the Discerning Heart – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

Discover how second-century figure Marcian used wealth and personal interpretation to reshape Christianity, creating a parallel movement that rejected the Old Testament—and what his story teaches about doctrine, humility, and spiritual responsibility. The post VEC6 – Marcion – Villains of the Early Church with Mike Aquilina – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

An Advent Journey for the Discerning Heart: Prepare your heart for Christ through Scripture, the saints, and the gentle practice of daily listening. Week One: Awakening the Listening Heart DAY 4 – Openness “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If any one hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in ... Read more The post Day 4 – Openness – An Advent Journey for the Discerning Heart – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

Explore Deacon James Keating's insights on experiencing God's love through silence, prayer, the Eucharist, and fidelity to conscience. Learn how spiritual union grows in everyday life, suffering, and sacramental faith. The post WOM16 – The Internal World and External Presence of God – The Way of Mystery with Deacon James Keating – Discerning Hearts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

An Advent Journey for the Discerning Heart: Prepare your heart for Christ through Scripture, the saints, and the gentle practice of daily listening. Week One: Awakening the Listening Heart DAY 3 – Desire “As a deer longs for flowing streams, so longs my soul for thee, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the ... Read more The post Day 3 – Desire – An Advent Journey for the Discerning Heart – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

Explore Fr. Timothy Gallagher's teaching on discerning vocations, highlighting how marriage flows from human nature and how priesthood and religious life arise from a supernatural call to offer oneself in love and spiritual fruitfulness. The post DWG6 – Understanding Marriage and Priesthood – The Discernment of God's Will in Everyday Decisions with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

An Advent Journey for the Discerning Heart: Prepare your heart for Christ through Scripture, the saints, and the gentle practice of daily listening. Week One: Awakening the Listening Heart DAY 2 – Silence “For God alone my soul waits in silence, for my hope is from him.” Psalm 62.5 RSV Silence is the doorway through ... Read more The post Day 2 – Silence – An Advent Journey for the Discerning Heart – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

Msgr. Esseff reflects on the start of this new Advent season in the life of the Church.  He makes suggestions on how we can make our spiritual journey more fruitful, not only for ourselves but also for the world. The post The 1st Sunday of Advent – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

An Advent Journey for the Discerning Heart: Prepare your heart for Christ through Scripture, the saints, and the gentle practice of daily listening. Week One: Awakening the Listening Heart DAY 1 – Wakefulness “Besides this you know what hour it is, how it is full time now for you to wake from sleep. For salvation ... Read more The post Day 1 – Wakefulness – An Advent Journey for the Discerning Heart – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

Mike Aquilina's discussion of Nero from the Discerning Hearts podcast, examining early Christian persecution, the witness of martyrs like Peter and Paul, and how historical villains reveal spiritual lessons for today. The post VEC5 – Nero – Villains of the Early Church with Mike Aquilina – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

Explore the three stages of spiritual growth—purgative, illuminative, and unitive—through insights from Deacon James Keating, with real-life examples, sacramental grace, and practical ways to recognize God's presence in everyday life. The post WOM15 – The Unitive Way – The Way of Mystery with Deacon James Keating – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

Fr. Timothy Gallagher's teaching about praying with Scripture, cultivating silence, and preparing the heart to discern God's will through personal encounter with Christ and deeper spiritual practices. The post DWG5 – Listening for God’s Voice – The Discernment of God's Will in Everyday Decisions with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

Msgr. John Esseff reflects on widespread anxieties about the end of the world by drawing from Malachi, the Gospel of Luke, and the lived suffering of Christians across the globe. The post Christ the King and the Victory of Jesus – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

Fr. Wade Menezes' discussion of the four last things—death, judgment, heaven, and hell—highlighting key teachings, spiritual practices, and questions that inspire deeper conversion and hope in eternal life. The post IP#320 Fr. Wade Menezes C.F.M. – The Four Last Things on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

Episode 4 - Simon the Magician - "Villains of the Early Church: And How They Made Us Better Christians" In this episode, Mike Aquilina and Kris McGregor discuss Simon the Magician and learning pride and hubris. An excerpt from Villains of the Early Church: IF THERE had been supermarket tabloids in Rome of the first century, Simon Magus, or Simon the Magician, would have been on the front pages every week. His story gives us zombies, levitation, a talking dog, a jewel heist, and a prophesying baby, just to name a few of the highlights. But it all begins with a true story in the Acts of the Apostles. The post VEC4 – Simon the Magician – Villains of the Early Church with Mike Aquilina – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

Transformation – The Way of Mystery with Deacon James Keating Deacon Keating and Kris McGregor discuss how scandals within the Church, particularly clergy abuse, have damaged trust but do not negate the truth that Christ continues to teach through the Church's magisterium. Deacon Keating distinguishes between the unchanging fidelity of Christ's promise to guide the ... Read more The post WOM14 – Transformation – The Way of Mystery with Deacon James Keating – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

This episode offers a look at the importance of the disposition of heart, which like the Blessed Virgin Mary, seeks the will of God in whatever He wants. How do we gain that disposition and what are the means of obtaining that grace is what discussed in the next several episodes. In this conversation the importance of the retreat and even more importantly the role of sacraments is discussed. The post DWG4 – Deepening Spiritual Foundations – The Discernment of God's Will in Everyday Decisions with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

Msgr. John Esseff reflects on widespread anxieties about the end of the world by drawing from Malachi, the Gospel of Luke, and the lived suffering of Christians across the globe. The post Trusting Jesus in an Age of Fear – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

Dr. Terrence Wright discusses his book Dorothy Day: An Introduction to Her Life and Thought, highlighting Day's complex early years, her lifelong attraction to God, and the gradual, uneven journey that led her into the Catholic Church. The post IP#330 Terrence Wright – Dorothy Day: An Introduction to Her Life and Thought on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

Mike Aquilina explores the complex figure of Pontius Pilate and offering thought-provoking questions that invite deeper courage, truthfulness, and fidelity to Christ in daily life. The post VEC3 – Pontius Pilate – Villains of the Early Church with Mike Aquilina – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

In this episode of The Way of Mystery, Deacon James Keating and Kris McGregor explore how true moral living flows from a deep spiritual life in Christ. Through the stages of purgation, illumination, and union, listeners learn how grace transforms obedience into joy, freeing the soul from self-reliance and relativism toward genuine communion with God. The post WOM13 – The Purgative and Illuminative Way – The Way of Mystery with Deacon James Keating – Discerning Hearts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

In this episode, we begin Julian of Norwich's Anent reflections, a meditative pause in her Revelations of Divine Love. Instead of recounting new visions, Julian turns inward to contemplate the truths already revealed to her. These reflections open a contemplative space filled with theology and spiritual insight, helping us see what God has shown her more clearly. We explore Julian's teaching on God as unchanging Truth, Wisdom, and Love, and how our souls are created to share in those very attributes. We also reflect on her striking claim that there is no wrath in God — only goodness and mercy. Julian teaches that our judgment is distorted by sin, but God's gaze remains fixed on the soul as He created it, whole and beloved. Julian then introduces five inner movements of the soul: enjoying, mourning, desire, dread, and sure hope. Each one reveals a layer of the soul's journey with God and helps us understand how grace is at work, even in moments of struggle. Finally, we hear her deep assurance that God's mercy never ceases. No matter how often we fail, fall, or fear, His gaze of love never turns away. In God's sight, the soul that belongs to Him has never died, nor ever shall. The post Ep 13 – The Anent Reflections, Part One – All Shall Be Well w/ Kris McGregor – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

Fr. Timothy Gallagher and Kris McGregor discuss the importance of understanding the foundation of discerning God's will according to St. Ignatius. Before delving into the specific techniques of discernment, it's crucial to grasp why discerning God's will is significant. The post DWG3 – Foundation of Discernment – The Discernment of God's Will in Everyday Decisions with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

The Feast of St. John Lateran - Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff - Discerning Hearts Podcast The post The Feast of St. John Lateran – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

Fr. Ignatius Schweitzer, O.P. and Dr. Anthony Lilles discuss their collaboration on Named for Glory: St. Elizabeth of the Trinity's Identity and Mission, a book exploring the spirituality of St. Elizabeth of the Trinity. The post ITP#514 – Fr. Ignatius Schweitzer O.P. / Dr. Anthony Lilles – St. Elizabeth of the Trinity on Inside the Pages w/ Kris McGregor – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

Saturday of the Thirty-First Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly.  For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Saturday of the Thirty-First Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

Join Kris McGregor as she discusses the book "The Wonders of the Mass and the Eucharist: Insights of the Saints" with Sr. Mary Ann Fatula. The post IP#500 Sr. Mary Ann Fatula – The Wonders of the Mass and the Eucharist on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

Deacon James Keating and Kris McGregor reflect on the sacred reality of receiving Holy Communion as an act of faith and new life. The post WOM12 – The Communion Rite – The Way of Mystery with Deacon James Keating – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

In this episode, Mike Aquilina and Kris McGregor discuss Caiaphas and the temptation of unholy compromises. An excerpt from Villains of the Early Church: CAIAPHAS IS mentioned everywhere in the Church Fathers, but almost as furniture—“ and Jesus was brought before Caiaphas.” If the early Christian writers are interested in anything about him, it's that he could prophesy truly because of his office. Otherwise, they don't seem to find much remarkable in him. He's the banality of evil. A bureaucrat. Yet, Caiaphas, like many of the characters caught up in the Passion story, was in a complicated position—more complicated than we may realize when we hear the story in the Gospels. The post VEC2 – Caiaphas – Villains of the Early Church with Mike Aquilina – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

A sermon by St Charles Borromeo Practice What You Preach I admit that we are all weak, but if we want help, the Lord God has given us the means to find it easily. One priest may wish to lead a good, holy life, as he knows he should. He may wish to be chaste ... Read more The post Practice What You Preach – St. Charles Borromeo from the Office of Readings – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

Fr. Timothy Gallagher discusses how Christians can seek God's direction not only in major life choices but also in the ordinary moments of each day. The post DWG2 – God’s Guidance in Everyday Decisions – The Discernment of God's Will in Everyday Decisions with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

Join Kris McGregor and Thomas Jacobi as they discuss How Saints Die: 100 Stories of Hope by Fr. Antonio Maria Sicari The post IP#483 – Thomas Jacobi – How Saints Die by Fr. Antonio Maria Sicari on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

What a delight to have the opportunity to have a conversation with Dr. Scott Hahn about his fantastic new book Hope to Die: The Christian Meaning of Death and the Resurrection of the Body.  Along with Emily Stimpson Chapman, Dr. Hahn brings us an absorbing work that reflects the transcendent nature of our souls and also of our bodies.  He helps us to go deeper into the mystery of the incarnation, as well as, the sheer gift of our own existence in God's eyes.  Joy and expectation fuel an effervescent hope that we definitely all need today.  So filled with spiritual fruit, you do not want to miss this incredible book! The post IP#359 Dr. Scott Hahn – Hope to Die on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

Episode 1 - Judas - "Villains of the Early Church: And How They Made Us Better Christians" In this episode, Mike Aquilina and Kris McGregor discuss the "mystery of Judas." An excerpt from Villains of the Early Church: What happened to Judas? Was it simple greed that snapped him? That seems unlikely. Thirty pieces of silver was a good bit of money, but Judas was doing all right with his embezzling racket. The Gospels don't tell us his motivation most likely because their writers just didn't know. It was a mystery to them as it is to us. And a lot of the Christian legends that later grew up about Judas seem like popular attempts to psychoanalyze him. Judas was also present for the Last Supper, having a miserable time as Jesus told the disciples that one of them would betray him: “The Son of man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born” (Matthew 26:24). John tells us that the disciple whom Jesus loved—John himself—asked Jesus who the betrayer would be. “It is he to whom I shall give this morsel when I have dipped it,” Jesus responded, and then dipped the morsel and handed it to Judas. Yet the others still didn't understand what Jesus meant when he said to Judas, “What you are going to do, do quickly” (John 13:26–27). Was he sending Judas out to buy more food? Or to make a donation to the poor from the money box? “So, after receiving the morsel, he immediately went out,” John says, adding the significant detail “and it was night.” Judas walked out of the Last Supper and into the very symbolic darkness (John 13:30). But he knew where to look for Jesus when he came with the police. Judas and the rest of the disciples had often been with Jesus in that pleasant park across the Kidron Valley, the garden of Gethsemane (see John 18:2; Mark 14:32). That was where Judas led the soldiers to arrest Jesus. The post VEC1 – Judas – Villains of the Early Church with Mike Aquilina – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

The Liturgy of the Eucharist, Part 3 – The Way of Mystery with Deacon James Keating Deacon James Keating reflects on the deep meaning of the Our Father and the moments that follow it in the Eucharistic liturgy. Christ not only left His Body and Blood as an enduring gift but also gave His Church ... Read more The post WOM11 – The Liturgy of the Eucharist, pt. 3 – The Way of Mystery with Deacon James Keating – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

Tuesday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly.  For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Tuesday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

Episode 10 -The Way of Mystery: The Eucharist and Moral Living– The Liturgy of the Eucharist part 2 : The True Meaning of "Full and Active Participation"...The Purpose of the Eucharistic Praye The post WOM10 – The Liturgy of the Eucharist, pt. 2 – The Way of Mystery with Deacon James Keating – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

Fr. Anthony Wieck & Kris McGregor continue the the Spiritual Exercises. In part two of our conversation, Fr. Wieck discusses contemplation to attain the love of God. The post HSE13 – Contemplation to Attain the Love of God, pt. 2 – The Heart of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola with Fr. Anthony Wieck S.J. – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

Saturday of the Twenty-Eighth Week in Ordinary Time - A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly.  For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord. Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over” Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart... The post Saturday of the Twenty-Eighth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

Deacon James Keating explores how the Eucharist shapes moral life by transforming our conscience through divine charity. The post WOM9 – The Liturgy of the Eucharist, pt. 1 – The Way of Mystery with Deacon James Keating – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

Fr. Anthony Wieck & Kris McGregor continue the the Spiritual Exercises. In part one of our conversation, Fr. Wieck discusses contemplation to attain the love of God. The post HSE12 – Contemplation to Attain the Love of God, pt. 1 – The Heart of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola with Fr. Anthony Wieck S.J. – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.