Philokalia Ministries The Evergetinos - Vol. I, Hypothesis XIII, Part IV
Tonight we continued our discussion of hypothesis 13. The fundamental focus is a turning away from the things of this world; not because they are evil in and of themselves but rather because of our capacity to make them ends in themselves. We can be seduced, as it were, by our own desires or by the evil one into seeking our identity in the things of this world. This can be obvious or ever so subtle, but it has the same effect; we get caught up in what is false and delusional.
To combat this we must avoid certain comforts and avoid the softness to which we tend. The habits that we fall into are only overcome by asceticism - by striving to exercise our faith in such away that it orders our desires and keeps us away from diversions. Asceticism is not simply about self-restraint. It is about removing every impediment to loving God and giving ourselves in love. Thus, Christ himself becomes the standard for us - from his struggle in the desert with the devil to his embrace of the Cross on Mount Calvary.
We must cling to our identity in Christ. We must set aside the false self and live for God who alone satisfies the deepest desires of the human heart.
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Text of chat during the group:
00:01:34 D Fraley: Hello everyone. 00:01:49 FrDavid Abernethy, CO: Navy Dave! 00:17:15 Lilly (Canada): What page are we on? 00:17:38 Fr. Miron Kerul-Kmec Jr.: 110 00:27:46 Anthony: How hard it is for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven? 00:29:39 Justin Massengill : Iv'e heard St Francis described as a western fool-for-Christ. 00:36:26 Anthony: Then it seems to me that a mortal sin happens when the will is fully drawn after errant senses. 00:45:24 Anthony: False truth, false goodness, false beauty 00:46:41 Anthony: Erick, E. Michael Jones has a decent overview of how modern science was partly driven by the drive to pursue magic 01:04:43 Eric Williams: Some monasteries sell coffee beans. ;) 01:05:05 Erick Chastain: Mount athos offers coffee to guests 01:05:28 Eric Williams: There is no field! 😛 01:06:05 Justin Massengill : I heard they don't bathe on Mt Athos 01:13:27 Rachel: Yay! St Gregory! 01:14:21 D Fraley: Thank you Father! 01:14:31 Rachel: Thanks everyone. Good questions and comments!