Navigating Spiritual Versus Religious Perspectives in Modern Society

Every week it is as if we are diving into living waters that renew and refresh the soul. This is particularly true of step 26 on Discernment and St. John’s summary towards its conclusion. So often as is true with the Fathers, St. John makes use of concrete and colorful imagery to capture for us the nature of the spiritual life and in this case discernment. 

What one gathers in so many of the teachings is that Faith involves seeing; a pulling back of the veil that allows us to see with perfect clarity the love and the mercy of God. St. John describes the many things that hobble us in that regard: Avarice, pride, attachment to our appetites and desire for the things of this world. It also describes the things that sharpen that vision and open us up to receive the gift of faith. Our pursuit of the virtues, and of the truth in our life lays the foundation to receive the greater gift of eternal Truth. This kind of seeing is not passive but rather involves the whole self. The deepest part of ourselves, the Nous, must be purified by Grace and asceticism so no impediment prevents us from moving toward God. The Nous becomes the “helmsman” then to lead us through the rough waters of this world.

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Text of chat during the group:

00:12:54 FrDavid Abernethy: page 219 number 42   00:49:30 Lisa Smith: It reminds me of the verse where Christ asked if there would be faith in the end time.   00:51:43 Wayne: How do you respond to the remark I am spiritual but not religious?   00:58:48 Lisa Smith: Thoughts on church attendance? I'm struggling with this presently. I'm not Catholic, but I'm interested in this faith. Thank you Fr.   01:00:34 Lisa Smith: 🙏 Thank you   01:03:14 Cindy Moran: Teilhard de Chardin comes to my mind as an example.   01:03:40 Cindy Moran: Too complicated   01:15:07 Rebecca Thérèse: Thank you🙂   01:15:10 sprou: did you see that a blind woman Dafne Gutierrez was healed by St Charbel?   01:15:12 Lisa Smith: God bless you Fr. Thanks for sharing   01:15:51 Andrew Adams: Thank you Father!   01:16:02 Jeff O.: Thank you! Great to be with you all.