BKL276 – Temptation and the Spiritual Journey – Building a Kingdom of Love w/ Msgr. John Esseff Podcast

Summary: <br> <br> On this First Sunday of Lent, Msgr. Esseff reflects on the effects of the fall of our first parents and our battle with temptation.  He helps us to focus on Christ, who is the Light, and who will lead us out of the darkness.<br> <br> Psalm 51<br> Have mercy on me, God, in your kindness.<br> In your compassion blot out my offense.<br> O wash me more and more from my guilt<br> and cleanse me from my sin.<br> My offenses truly I know them;<br> my sin is always before me<br> Against you, you alone, have I sinned;<br> what is evil in your sight I have done.<br> That you may be justified when you give sentence<br> and be without reproach when you judge,<br> O see, in guilt I was born,<br> a sinner was I conceived.<br> Indeed you love truth in the heart;<br> then in the secret of my heart teach me wisdom.<br> O purify me, then I shall be clean;<br> O wash me, I shall be whiter than snow.<br> Make me hear rejoicing and gladness,<br> that the bones you have crushed may revive.<br> From my sins turn away your face<br> and blot out all my guilt.<br> A pure heart create for me, O God,<br> put a steadfast spirit within me.<br> Do not cast me away from your presence,<br> nor deprive me of your holy spirit.<br> Give me again the joy of your help;<br> with a spirit of fervor sustain me,<br> that I may teach transgressors your ways<br> and sinners may return to you.<br> O rescue me, God, my helper,<br> and my tongue shall ring out your goodness.<br> O Lord, open my lips<br> and my mouth shall declare your praise.<br> For in sacrifice you take no delight,<br> burnt offering from me you would refuse,<br> my sacrifice, a contrite spirit,<br> a humbled, contrite heart you will not spurn.<br> In your goodness, show favor to Zion:<br> rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.<br> Then you will be pleased with lawful sacrifice,<br> holocausts offered on your altar.<br> <br> Excerpts from the English translation of The Liturgy of the Hours (Four Volumes) © 1974, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved.<br> 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. Mother Teresa.    He continues to offer direction and retreats for the sisters of the missionaries of charity around the world.  Msgr. Esseff encountered St.  Padre Pio,  who would become a spiritual father to him.  He has lived in areas around the world,  serving in the Pontifical missions, a Catholic organization established by St. Pope John Paul II.  Msgr. Esseff assisted the founders of the Institute for Priestly Formation and continues to serve as a spiritual director for the Institute.  He continues to serve as a retreat leader and director to bishops, priests and sisters and seminarians and other religious leaders around the world.  <br> <br>