Understanding Identity in Christ and the Example of St. Nectarius

Is it possible for us to let go of our private judgment - to let ourselves be led by the Spirit of God into the Truth? As we read the teachings and the stories of the fathers on humility and how this virtue is embodied, the difficulty of letting go of our own perspective on virtue, and what it is must be abandoned. The virtue that we are called to is the virtue of Christ. Once again, we are not called simply to the perfection of natural virtue or what we can attain by human effort. It is by the grace of God alone that we can let go of self-esteem and ego. We will cling to these with fierceness despite having the truth set before our eyes; what we see on the Cross and receive in the Eucharist. We are unwilling to yield the things of this world for that which is eternal - for the pearl of great price.

---

Text of chat during the group:

00:17:26 Anonymous Sinner: What page are we on?   00:18:20 Nypaver Clan: 397   00:18:54 Anonymous Sinner: Thank you!   00:19:24 Louise: It reminds me of the Orthodox priest whose life is depicted in the film entitled A Man of God in 2021.   00:19:35 Eric Ewanco: Today I was tempted to respond angrily to someone. I needed to hear this today.   00:21:21 Susanna Joy: Reacted to "397" with 👍   00:23:32 Susanna Joy: Replying to "Today I was tempted ..."     Lol...me too   00:25:36 Louise: Psychologically, forgiveness is seen as letting go of anger. Would you say that it is more than this?   00:29:18 Susanna Joy: I came home and a person who has been harrassing and unapologetic was sitting in my kitchen having a happy chat with my dearest friend here in the community.  I could even get my tea water to boil...trying to let it go...   00:29:45 Susanna Joy: *could not even   00:30:18 Susanna Joy: Came straight to class   00:33:03 Susanna Joy: Thank you, Father.   00:35:58 Anonymous Sinner: Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with sighs too deep for words. And he who searches the hearts of men knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.   00:36:05 Anonymous Sinner: Romans 8:26-27   00:42:20 sharonfisher: Do you have a good book reference for understanding spiritual warfare? Whether by the Holy Fathers or more current? I have a hard time really getting the concept.   00:43:17 Louise: ''Dominion'' by Fr. Chad Ripperger explains spiritual warfare.   00:43:34 Nypaver Clan: Reacted to "''Dominion'' by Fr. ..." with 👍🏼   00:44:19 sharonfisher: Replying to "''Dominion'' by Fr. ..."   🙂   00:44:38 Ashley Kaschl: “Discernment of Spirits” by Fr. Gallagher is good (it’s a purple book)    And    “Spiritual Warfare and The Discernment of Spirits” by Dan Burke   Those are good books to start with 🙏   00:45:33 Nypaver Clan: Was I the only one who thought the demon would enter the Elder since he said HE was the “goats”?   00:46:19 sharonfisher: Reacted to "“Discernment of Spir..." with 😃   00:47:18 Anonymous Sinner: I haven't read it, but my friend Paul Thigpen wrote the book "Manual For Spiritual Warfare", which I have heard is good   00:48:18 sharonfisher: Reacted to "I haven't read it, b..." with 🙂   00:48:52 Suzanne Romano: 😅   00:49:10 sharonfisher: Reacted to "😅" with 😂   00:57:08 Eric Ewanco: Are we sure he *didn't* commit the sin of fornication, in perhaps the sense of in his heart?   01:04:02 Louise: Was this man, by prostrating toward the offender, signifying his surrender to God's will?   01:04:38 sharonfisher: One of the reasons I haven’t been doing prostrations in prayer is that the area rug is knobby and hard on my knees. I need to rethink that reasoning . . .   01:05:13 linda murton: prostration becomes like the groaning when no words sufficed?   01:07:52 linda murton: groaning refered to Abba Siscoes earlier,   01:14:57 Susanna Joy: Thank yoiu, Father.🙏🏻   01:15:01 sharonfisher: And with your spirit!   01:15:07 Rebecca Thérèse: Thank you🙂   01:15:08 Suzanne Romano: Thank you!   01:15:35 Susanna Joy: Spirit will guide you   01:15:40 sharonfisher: Tell us about it next time!   01:15:41 Susanna Joy: Will be praying