Episodes

  • HH2 – The Agony of Emotional Suffering – The Heart of Hope with Deacon James Keating Ph.D. – Discerning Hearts Podcast

    HH2 – The Agony of Emotional Suffering – The Heart of Hope with Deacon James Keating Ph.D. – Discerning Hearts Podcast
    Jan 6 2026


    The Agony of Emotional Suffering – The Heart of Hope with Deacon James Keating

    Deacon James Keating reflects on the deep reality of emotional suffering, especially loneliness, rejection, and isolation that cannot always be relieved by therapy or circumstance. He speaks of how such pain mirrors Christ’s own experiences of misunderstanding and abandonment, making it a place where intimacy with Jesus can grow. At the same time, he acknowledges the real human need for friendship, community, and belonging. Because suffering becomes crushing when endured alone, the Christian community has a serious responsibility to notice those who are quietly hurting and to bring Christ’s presence to them through real, embodied relationships rather than words alone.

    One cannot truly accompany the suffering without first allowing Christ to enter one’s own wounds. Authentic ministry flows from having faced personal brokenness in the light of God’s love, not from unmet needs or abstract knowledge about God. Deacon Keating connects this to a meditation on the Passion of Christ, where God freely enters human pain out of love. By placing personal sorrow within Christ’s wounds and contemplating the Cross daily, suffering is transformed into communion, gratitude, and hope, revealing that no one is abandoned in their pain and that love, by its very nature, always involves the surrender of the self.

    Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions
    1. How do I usually respond to emotional suffering or loneliness, and do I bring that pain honestly to Christ in prayer?
    2. In what ways might I be resisting Christ’s desire to enter the wounded or uncomfortable places of my heart?
    3. Where have I relied more on ideas about God than on a lived relationship formed through suffering and trust?
    4. Who around me may be quietly suffering in isolation, and how might God be inviting me to draw near to them?
    5. Do I seek to serve others in ministry from my own unmet needs, or from healing I have allowed Christ to work within me?
    6. How often do I meditate on the Passion of Christ, and how does it shape my understanding of love and sacrifice?
    7. What fears or attachments keep me from moving toward those who suffer rather than away from them?
    8. How can I more intentionally unite my daily struggles with the Cross of Christ and live with deeper gratitude?

    Deacon James Keating, Ph.D., is a professor of Spiritual Theology and serves as a spiritual director at Kenrick Glennon Seminary in St. Louis, MO.

    Check out Deacon Keating’s “Discerning Heart” page
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    31 mins
  • Tuesday After the Epiphany – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart

    Tuesday After the Epiphany – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart
    Jan 6 2026
    The Tuesday after the Epiphany – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart 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… From the Holy Gospel of St. Mark 6:34-44 As Jesus stepped ashore he saw a large crowd; and he took pity on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd, and he set himself to teach them at some length. By now it was getting very late, and his disciples came up to him and said, ‘This is a lonely place and it is getting very late. So send them away, and they can go to the farms and villages round about, to buy themselves something to eat.’ He replied, ‘Give them something to eat yourselves.’ They answered, ‘Are we to go and spend two hundred denarii on bread for them to eat?’ ‘How many loaves have you?’ he asked. ‘Go and see.’ And when they had found out they said, ‘Five, and two fish.’ Then he ordered them to get all the people together in groups on the green grass, and they sat down on the ground in squares of hundreds and fifties. Then he took the five loaves and the two fish, raised his eyes to heaven and said the blessing; then he broke the loaves and handed them to his disciples to distribute among the people. He also shared out the two fish among them all. They all ate as much as they wanted. They collected twelve basketfuls of scraps of bread and pieces of fish. Those who had eaten the loaves numbered five thousand men. What word made this passage come alive for you? What did you sense the Lord saying to you? Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you: As Jesus stepped ashore he saw a large crowd; and he took pity on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd, and he set himself to teach them at some length. By now it was getting very late, and his disciples came up to him and said, ‘This is a lonely place and it is getting very late. So send them away, and they can go to the farms and villages round about, to buy themselves something to eat.’ He replied, ‘Give them something to eat yourselves.’ They answered, ‘Are we to go and spend two hundred denarii on bread for them to eat?’ ‘How many loaves have you?’ he asked. ‘Go and see.’ And when they had found out they said, ‘Five, and two fish.’ Then he ordered them to get all the people together in groups on the green grass, and they sat down on the ground in squares of hundreds and fifties. Then he took the five loaves and the two fish, raised his eyes to heaven and said the blessing; then he broke the loaves and handed them to his disciples to distribute among the people. He also shared out the two fish among them all. They all ate as much as they wanted. They collected twelve basketfuls of scraps of bread and pieces of fish. Those who had eaten the loaves numbered five thousand men. What did your heart feel as you listened? What did you sense the Lord saying to you? Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word: As Jesus stepped ashore he saw a large crowd; and he took pity on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd, and he set himself to teach them at some length. By now it was getting very late, and his disciples came up to him and said, ‘This is a lonely place and it is getting very late. So send them away, and they can go to the farms and villages round about, to buy themselves something to eat.’ He replied, ‘Give them something to eat yourselves.’ They answered, ‘Are we to go and spend two hundred denarii on bread for them to eat?’ ‘How many loaves have you?’ he asked. ‘Go and see.’ And when they had found out they said, ‘Five, and two fish.’ Then he ordered them to get all the people together in groups on the green grass, and they sat down on the ground in squares of hundreds and fifties. Then he took the five loaves and the two fish, raised his eyes to heaven and said the blessing; then he broke the loaves and handed them to his disciples to distribute among the people. He also shared out the two fish among them all. They all ate as much as they wanted. They collected twelve basketfuls of scraps of bread and pieces of fish. Those who had eaten the loaves numbered five thousand men. What did your heart feel as you prayed? What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord? Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. May the Lord bless us, and keep us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life. Amen Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, ...
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    11 mins
  • DWG11 – Three Modes of Discernment – The Discernment of God’s Will in Everyday Decisions with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcast

    DWG11 – Three Modes of Discernment – The Discernment of God’s Will in Everyday Decisions with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcast
    Jan 5 2026
    Three Modes of Discernment – “What am I to do?” The Discernment of God’s Will in Everyday Decisions with Fr. Timothy Gallagher Father Timothy Gallagher continues his explanation of St. Ignatius of Loyola’s three modes of discernment by focusing on the third mode, used when neither immediate certainty nor a clear pattern of spiritual attraction has emerged. This approach relies on a calm, prayerful use of reason to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of each good option from the standpoint of God’s greater glory. The person discerning must first understand the decision clearly, gather all relevant information, and cultivate interior freedom so the heart is not already fixed on an outcome. Prayer for light and guidance prepares the mind to evaluate the options honestly, often using a structured comparison that looks not only at the number of reasons but also their depth and significance. The process is illustrated through extended examples, showing how discernment unfolds over time with patience, prayer, and spiritual direction. In the story of Patrick, a man invited into full-time prison ministry, the third mode gradually leads to interior clarity while also reshaping his motivations and desires. As Patrick reflects, prays with Scripture, and reviews his reasons, resistance gives way to readiness, culminating in a moment of unmistakable insight confirmed through prayer and peace. All three modes of discernment lead to the same end: a firm clarity that allows a person to move forward with confidence and trust in God’s guidance, supported by ongoing spiritual accompaniment. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions: In what current decision do I find myself lacking clear certainty or a strong interior attraction, inviting a more reflective approach to discernment?Have I taken time to understand each option concretely, including its real impact on my family, work, and service to others?Is my heart truly free and open before God, or am I quietly attached to one outcome that shapes how I evaluate my reasons?Do I set aside peaceful, prayerful time to reflect, or do I attempt to discern while distracted, anxious, or emotionally unsettled?When I consider the advantages and disadvantages of each option, am I viewing them in light of God’s greater glory rather than personal comfort?How does prayer, especially with Scripture and the Eucharist, shape my clarity and interior disposition during discernment?After reaching a tentative conclusion, do I seek confirmation through prayer, peace of heart, and wise spiritual counsel?In what ways might God be transforming my desires and motivations through the very process of discernment itself? From The Discernment of God’s Will in Everyday Decisions: “Three Times in which a Sound and Good Choice May Be Made The first time is when God Our Lord so moves and attracts the will that, without doubting or being able to doubt, the devout soul follows what is shown to it, as St. Paul and St. Matthew did in following Christ our Lord. The second time is when sufficient clarity and understanding is received through experience of consolations and desolations, and through experience of discernment of different spirits. The third time is one of tranquility, when one considers first for what purpose man is born, that is, to praise God our Lord and save his soul, and, desiring this, chooses as a means to this end some life or state within the bounds of the Church, so that he may be helped in the service of his Lord and the salvation of his soul. I said a tranquil time, that is, when the soul is not agitated by different spirits, and uses its natural powers freely and tranquilly. If the choice is not made in the first or second time, two ways of making it in this third time are given below.” Father Timothy M. Gallagher, O.M.V., was ordained in 1979 as a member of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary, a religious community dedicated to retreats and spiritual formation according to the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. Fr. Gallagher is featured on the EWTN series “Living the Discerning Life: The Spiritual Teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola”. For more information on how to obtain copies of Fr. Gallaghers’s various books and audio which are available for purchase, please visit his website: frtimothygallagher.org For the other episodes in this series check out Fr. Timothy Gallagher’s “Discerning Hearts” page
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    30 mins
  • The Twelfth Day of Christmas – A Prayerful Meditation on the Twelve Days of Christmas – Discerning Hearts Podcast

    The Twelfth Day of Christmas – A Prayerful Meditation on the Twelve Days of Christmas – Discerning Hearts Podcast
    Jan 5 2026


    “On the twelfth day of Christmas my true love gave to me: Twelve Drummers Drumming …” sounding out the cadence of what we believe in our lives, the Twelve Points of Doctrine in the Apostle’s Creed:

    1. I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
    2. I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord.
    3. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary.
    4. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried.
    5. On the third day He rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
    6. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
    7. I believe in the Holy Spirit,
    8. The holy catholic Church,
    9. The communion of saints,
    10. The forgiveness of sins,
    11. The resurrection of the body,
    12. And life everlasting.

    Text gratefully found at
    Via Rosa Rosaries, Devotional Chaplets, Rosary Beads, and Catholic Gifts
    entitled A Christian meditation on the Twelve Days of Christmas
    Copyright © 2005-2006

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    2 mins
  • Monday after the Epiphany – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart

    Monday after the Epiphany – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart
    Jan 5 2026
    The Monday after the Epiphany – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart 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… From the Holy Gospel of St. Matthew 4:12-17,23-25 Hearing that John had been arrested, Jesus went back to Galilee, and leaving Nazareth he went and settled in Capernaum, a lakeside town on the borders of Zebulun and Naphtali. In this way the prophecy of Isaiah was to be fulfilled: ‘Land of Zebulun! Land of Naphtali! Way of the sea on the far side of Jordan, Galilee of the nations! The people that lived in darkness has seen a great light; on those who dwell in the land and shadow of death a light has dawned.’ From that moment Jesus began his preaching with the message, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is close at hand.’ He went round the whole of Galilee teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Good News of the kingdom and curing all kinds of diseases and sickness among the people. His fame spread throughout Syria, and those who were suffering from diseases and painful complaints of one kind or another, the possessed, epileptics, the paralyzed, were all brought to him, and he cured them. Large crowds followed him, coming from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judaea, and Transjordania. What word made this passage come alive for you? What did you sense the Lord saying to you? Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you: Hearing that John had been arrested, Jesus went back to Galilee, and leaving Nazareth he went and settled in Capernaum, a lakeside town on the borders of Zebulun and Naphtali. In this way the prophecy of Isaiah was to be fulfilled: ‘Land of Zebulun! Land of Naphtali! Way of the sea on the far side of Jordan, Galilee of the nations! The people that lived in darkness has seen a great light; on those who dwell in the land and shadow of death a light has dawned.’ From that moment Jesus began his preaching with the message, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is close at hand.’ He went round the whole of Galilee teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Good News of the kingdom and curing all kinds of diseases and sickness among the people. His fame spread throughout Syria, and those who were suffering from diseases and painful complaints of one kind or another, the possessed, epileptics, the paralyzed, were all brought to him, and he cured them. Large crowds followed him, coming from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judaea, and Transjordania. What did your heart feel as you listened? What did you sense the Lord saying to you? Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word: Hearing that John had been arrested, Jesus went back to Galilee, and leaving Nazareth he went and settled in Capernaum, a lakeside town on the borders of Zebulun and Naphtali. In this way the prophecy of Isaiah was to be fulfilled: ‘Land of Zebulun! Land of Naphtali! Way of the sea on the far side of Jordan, Galilee of the nations! The people that lived in darkness has seen a great light; on those who dwell in the land and shadow of death a light has dawned.’ From that moment Jesus began his preaching with the message, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is close at hand.’ He went round the whole of Galilee teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Good News of the kingdom and curing all kinds of diseases and sickness among the people. His fame spread throughout Syria, and those who were suffering from diseases and painful complaints of one kind or another, the possessed, epileptics, the paralyzed, were all brought to him, and he cured them. Large crowds followed him, coming from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judaea, and Transjordania. What did your heart feel as you prayed? What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord? Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. May the Lord bless us, and keep us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life. Amen Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.
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    11 mins
  • How Can You Be the Light of Christ? -The Epiphany – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff

    How Can You Be the Light of Christ? -The Epiphany – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff
    Jan 4 2026
    How Can You Be the Light of Christ? -The Epiphany – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff

    Msgr. John Esseff reflects on the significance of the Epiphany, a Christian feast day that celebrates the revelation of God incarnate as Jesus Christ. He begins by reflecting on the beauty of the stars and their symbolism as a guide. The Epiphany commemorates the manifestation of Jesus to the Gentiles, represented by the three kings who followed a star to find Jesus and offer gifts, fulfilling ancient prophecies.

    Jesus’ birth was not only for the Jews but for all nations. This universal aspect of Jesus’ mission is highlighted by the fact that the Magi were from different nations. Msgr. Esseff relates this story to the present, asking listeners to consider how Jesus is manifested in today’s world. He suggests that each individual has the potential to reveal Christ to others through their actions and words.

    Msgr. Esseff includes personal anecdotes and reflections on how various individuals, including saints and ordinary people, have radiated the light of Christ in their lives. He encourages us to be a “star” in our communities, radiating the light and love of Jesus through their actions and interactions. It’s a call for all of us to manifest Christ in their daily lives, shining as lights to the nations and continuing the work of the Epiphany in the modern world.

    Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions:

    1. How can you actively demonstrate Christ’s teachings and love through your actions and interactions with others?
    2. How does the story of the Epiphany, with the three kings and the star, deepen your understanding of God’s universal love and plan for salvation?
    3. Who in your life has been a “radiant star,” guiding you closer to Jesus? Reflect on how their example has influenced your faith journey.
    4. What specific actions can you take in your community or circle of influence to be a source of Christ’s light and love to others?
    5. Have you experienced any moments of epiphany in your own spiritual journey where Christ was particularly revealed to you?

    Reading 1 IS 60:1-6

    Rise up in splendor, Jerusalem! Your light has come,
    the glory of the Lord shines upon you.
    See, darkness covers the earth,
    and thick clouds cover the peoples;
    but upon you the LORD shines,
    and over you appears his glory.
    Nations shall walk by your light,
    and kings by your shining radiance.
    Raise your eyes and look about;
    they all gather and come to you:
    your sons come from afar,
    and your daughters in the arms of their nurses.

    Then you shall be radiant at what you see,
    your heart shall throb and overflow,
    for the riches of the sea shall be emptied out before you,
    the wealth of nations shall be brought to you.
    Caravans of camels shall fill you,
    dromedaries from Midian and Ephah;
    all from Sheba shall come
    bearing gold and frankincense,
    and proclaiming the praises of the LORD.

    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 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, sisters, seminarians, and other religious leaders around the world.

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    27 mins
  • The Epiphany of the Lord – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart

    The Epiphany of the Lord – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart
    Jan 4 2026
    The Epiphany of the Lord – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart 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… From the Holy Gospel of St. Matthew 2:1-12 After Jesus had been born at Bethlehem in Judaea during the reign of King Herod, some wise men came to Jerusalem from the east. ‘Where is the infant king of the Jews?’ they asked. ‘We saw his star as it rose and have come to do him homage.’ When King Herod heard this he was perturbed, and so was the whole of Jerusalem. He called together all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, and enquired of them where the Christ was to be born. ‘At Bethlehem in Judaea,’ they told him ‘for this is what the prophet wrote: And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, you are by no means least among the leaders of Judah, for out of you will come a leader who will shepherd my people Israel.’ Then Herod summoned the wise men to see him privately. He asked them the exact date on which the star had appeared, and sent them on to Bethlehem. ‘Go and find out all about the child,’ he said ‘and when you have found him, let me know, so that I too may go and do him homage.’ Having listened to what the king had to say, they set out. And there in front of them was the star they had seen rising; it went forward, and halted over the place where the child was. The sight of the star filled them with delight, and going into the house they saw the child with his mother Mary, and falling to their knees they did him homage. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh. But they were warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, and returned to their own country by a different way. What word made this passage come alive for you? What did you sense the Lord saying to you? Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you: After Jesus had been born at Bethlehem in Judaea during the reign of King Herod, some wise men came to Jerusalem from the east. ‘Where is the infant king of the Jews?’ they asked. ‘We saw his star as it rose and have come to do him homage.’ When King Herod heard this he was perturbed, and so was the whole of Jerusalem. He called together all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, and enquired of them where the Christ was to be born. ‘At Bethlehem in Judaea,’ they told him ‘for this is what the prophet wrote: And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, you are by no means least among the leaders of Judah, for out of you will come a leader who will shepherd my people Israel.’ Then Herod summoned the wise men to see him privately. He asked them the exact date on which the star had appeared, and sent them on to Bethlehem. ‘Go and find out all about the child,’ he said ‘and when you have found him, let me know, so that I too may go and do him homage.’ Having listened to what the king had to say, they set out. And there in front of them was the star they had seen rising; it went forward, and halted over the place where the child was. The sight of the star filled them with delight, and going into the house they saw the child with his mother Mary, and falling to their knees they did him homage. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh. But they were warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, and returned to their own country by a different way. What did your heart feel as you listened? What did you sense the Lord saying to you? Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word: After Jesus had been born at Bethlehem in Judaea during the reign of King Herod, some wise men came to Jerusalem from the east. ‘Where is the infant king of the Jews?’ they asked. ‘We saw his star as it rose and have come to do him homage.’ When King Herod heard this he was perturbed, and so was the whole of Jerusalem. He called together all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, and enquired of them where the Christ was to be born. ‘At Bethlehem in Judaea,’ they told him ‘for this is what the prophet wrote: And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, you are by no means least among the leaders of Judah, for out of you will come a leader who will shepherd my people Israel.’ Then Herod summoned the wise men to see him privately. He asked them the exact date on which the star had appeared, and sent them on to Bethlehem. ‘Go and find out all about the child,’ he said ‘and when you have found him, let me know, so that I too may go and do him homage.’ Having listened to what the king had to say, they set out. And there in front of them was the star they had seen rising; it went forward, and halted over the place ...
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    13 mins
  • The Eleventh Day of Christmas – A Prayerful Meditation on the Twelve Days of Christmas – Discerning Hearts Podcast

    The Eleventh Day of Christmas – A Prayerful Meditation on the Twelve Days of Christmas – Discerning Hearts Podcast
    Jan 4 2026


    “On the eleventh day of Christmas my true love gave to me: Eleven Pipers Piping …” symbolizing the eleven faithful apostles: Simon Peter, Andrew, James, John, Phillip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot and Judas son of James. The list does not include Judas Iscariot, the twelfth disciple who betrayed Jesus.

    Prayer: Heavenly Father, Your Son Jesus called the twelve to His side, called them to leave their homes and families, just as Jesus left his to teach us to live worthily. As we are called this holy season to help the poor and needy, the weak, the inflicted and the abandoned help us to walk perseveringly in the difficult and sometimes painful paths of service to others. Amen.

    Text gratefully found at
    Via Rosa Rosaries, Devotional Chaplets, Rosary Beads, and Catholic Gifts
    entitled A Christian meditation on the Twelve Days of Christmas
    Copyright © 2005-2006

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    1 min