Reflections on the Degeneration of Values in the Church

The focus of the Evergetinos this evening was on praying the psalms. However, as always with the writings of the fathers, the focus isn’t simply on the external actions, but the meaning of them. How do we pray as members of the body of Christ? Is there a kind of liturgical asceticism that must match our bodily asceticism?  What is the measure of our prayer? In other words, as those who live in a spirit of repentance and seek purity of heart, how do these realities shape the way we pray. 

The fathers this understood very well our tendency to focus on externals and that we can fall back into a modern day Pharisaism. We can be satisfied with the appearance of religiosity while giving scant attention to what God has revealed to us and the life that he has called us to embrace. Whenever this happens, it not only weakens our capacity to bear witness to Christ but it can undermine the life of the Church as a whole. If our hearts are fragmented by our sin this will manifest itself or be mirrored in liturgy. And when this takes place the entire culture around us - as well as within the church - can collapse. 

It’s a sobering presentation, but something that afflicts the Church in every generation. If the Evil One is going to attack the Church, he is going to attack it at its heart; that is, how we pray.

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Text of chat during the group:

00:25:00 Kate : There’s also the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary which is very suitable for the laity.   00:25:13 Vanessa: Reacted to "There’s also the Lit..." with ❤️   00:25:22 Adam Paige: Reacted to "There’s also the Lit..." with ❤️   00:39:40 iPad (2): That is a wonderful book and he also has a podcast series on the book   00:50:47 Rod Castillo: The Endarkenment   00:54:30 Bob Cihak: Reacted to "The Endarkenment" with 👍   00:57:03 Maureen Cunningham: Oh no   00:57:07 Vanessa: Lol   01:04:40 Kate : Our family has witnessed many a liturgical battle which seemed good and urgent at the time, only to realize that God has been lost in the battle.  The battle took center stage, and striving for holiness took back stage.   01:14:53 Maureen Cunningham: Thank you It is wonderful .   01:15:48 Rebecca Thérèse: Thank you🙂   01:15:54 Troy Amaro: Thank You Father.   01:16:22 Andrew Adams: Thank you Father!   01:17:13 Maureen Cunningham: Wonderful choice I trust. The lord is leading you as the Captain of the ship in the studies   01:17:26 Vanessa: Reacted to "Wonderful choice I t..." with 👍   01:17:47 Maureen Cunningham: Where would we find the book   01:17:54 Lorraine Green: Thank you, Father, God bless!  The Divine Office talks sound very good too.