The Ladder of Divine Ascent - Appendix "To The Shepherd", Part III

Sometimes during a group it is as if a light comes on that illuminates some aspect of life in a magnificent fashion and that speaks to each person in the group whatever their background or station in life. This was true in particular this evening as we continued to discuss St. John’s writing “To the Shepherd” on the responsibilities of a spiritual elder. As we made our way through the text, it became clear that St. John’s teaching about the care of souls applies to all of those who are responsible for the formation of others; not only priests or religious, but also parents, teachers, friends, etc. 

Not one of us is free from the charge of the salvation of others; aiding them through our prayers, taking opportune moments to clarify their understanding of the faith, being living witnesses of the gospel and the love of the cross. All of us have the responsibility of seeking purity of heart and freedom from the passions in order that we might be able to discern with clarity and humility the needs of those around us. Lacking this, St. John tells us, we undermine our capacity to be well disposed and compassionate to each individual for whom we are responsible or who enters our life. How is it that we can serve others if we cannot discern good from evil and everything in between?

In fact, St. John tells us it is a great disgrace for a superior to pray for or hold forward spiritual gifts to others that he himself is not acquired. How is it that he can faithfully guide others to God and to become partakers of the glory of God if he has no understanding of this within his own heart. Experience is the truest teacher and if the superior lacks that experience, he may only bring harm to others.

Those who are spiritual elders, fathers, or mothers, must not be tempted to set aside this role in order to enjoy worldly friendship with those in their charge. It can be a natural thing to want companionship and to some extent this can exist. However, if a familiarity develops between the superior and others, he may lose the capacity to guide and feel constrained to do the bidding of others; never to contradict them, refuse them, or correct them.

The elder must be pure of heart and able to understand the interior life and also the realities that sanctify us within the life of the church. The elder must be able to create a culture that forms a mind and heart directed toward God, the love of neighbor and the love of virtue. He must be able to discern the emotional capacity and maturity of others, so as not to push too hard and risk breaking their spirit or neglect giving counsel or correction of those who are quick witted and naturally gifted.

Such purity of heart alone allows the elder to perceive supernatural realities and to understand the struggles that individuals have with multiple demons. The elder must be able to cure passions thought by others to be incurable. In this sense, he must have truly put on the mind of Christ and be the most humble and obedient member of the community.

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Text of chat during the group:

00:14:02 Bob Cihak, AZ: P. 251, # 14   00:19:16 carol_000: Is much known about the repentance of Joseph's brothers or God chastising them for their treatment of Joseph   00:26:27 David: I think this is a big problem also in families. My oldest son felt I was often to hard on him. Now that he is 27 he has mentioned several times that I was the only one that loved him and was always there. It is really hard but being a father is different than being a friend only there to enjoy the good times and not try to guide someone to what has value.   00:28:48 Art: Reacted to "I think this is a bi..." with 👍   00:28:52 Catherine Eisenbrandt: Father when you are entrusted to forming children it is easy to understand friendship with angels and saints is beneficial for them but how can you explain that to a child who is suffering from isolation   00:29:17 David: Well from 15-22 we are idiots but we get smarter and as time goes on even seen as wise. ha ha   00:35:31 Anthony: The cultivation of religious imagination must be cultivated so as to distinguish this "friendship" from "imaginary friend" or a dialogue in the mind with oneself.   00:36:38 Carol Roper: My 10 year old loves those books   00:37:27 Carol Roper: They’re like graphic novels   00:37:34 David: One nice tradtion with small t is in Spain where you celebrate "Tu Santo" or your saints day with the same passion as a birthday. Cake, read the life etc. I did this with my kids when they were younger and it makes an impact later.   00:38:36 David: The saints let the light of God enter into our life and saints through the windows.   00:39:15 Una: Who is this author?   00:39:54 Myles Davidson: Replying to "Who is this author?"   https://creativeorthodox.com/   00:40:10 Una: Thank you   00:41:43 Art: https://www.themerrybeggars.com/shows/the-saints  The Saints: Adventures of Faith and Courage A daily podcast bringing the Saints to life with award-winning actors, writers, and sound designers. Thrilling and inspiring stories to ignite your family's faith. Intended for children but I really enjoy them too.  My sons really enjoyed the episode on Moses the Black.   00:42:10 Myles Davidson: Reacted to "https://www.themerry..." with 👍   00:42:11 Anna Lalonde: That's what we do!   00:43:27 David: This is nice at bed time for kids or better to read with your own voice. LibriVox   00:43:44 Nypaver Clan: Reacted to "https://www.themerry..." with 👍🏼   00:44:07 Nypaver Clan: Reacted to "This is nice at bed ..." with 👍🏼   00:45:07 carol_000: Thank you All for the Links   00:45:52 Art: Reacted to "This is nice at bed ..." with 👍🏼   00:46:07 Anna Lalonde: Reacted to This is nice at bed ... with "👍🏼"   00:46:20 Anna Lalonde: Thank you David!   00:49:43 Anthony: Mass media kills imagination and familyblife   00:50:28 David: The way of the Pilgrim really impacted me and how this moves the orthodox both to the divine liturgy and the Philokalhia. Where in the west se send people to St. Thomas before they can really understand it. I like the hospital of the sick how do I deal with all the 8 evil thoughts not intellectual gymnastics and memorizing proofs. As least I have always struggled with discernment I don't get a lot of that from intellect but focusing on being close to God. When I taught a mentor said: don't teach them to memorize you only need to teach "the love of learning" and learning will follow. I think the same is true for faith- learn to love God the other things fall into place.   00:53:37 Myles Davidson: Replying to "The way of the Pilgr..."   Way of the Pilgrim had a big impact on me too   00:53:48 Carol Roper: Reacted to "https://www.themerry…" with 👍   00:53:58 Carol Roper: Reacted to "This is nice at bed …" with 👍🏼   00:54:03 David: Replying to "The way of the Pilgr..."   👍 I thought it was just me. Thanks   00:54:16 Myles Davidson: Reacted to "👍 I thought it was ..." with 👍   00:54:55 Myles Davidson: Replying to "The way of the Pilgr..."   @David Inspired me to pray the Jesus prayer to a much greater degree   00:55:45 Anna Lalonde: Yes, love of learning is what we do. My children are into all kinds of things now because they love learning.   00:55:54 David: Replying to "The way of the Pilgr..."   Me too I always carry a prayer rope with me now   00:56:15 Myles Davidson: Reacted to "Me too I always carr..." with 👍   00:56:44 David: Replying to "The way of the Pilgr..."   Instead of wasting time I can dedicate that time to God. Waiting at a Dr. office with my Dad, stuck in traffic   00:56:59 Myles Davidson: Replying to "The way of the Pilgr..."   @David Yes, me too   00:57:29 David: Replying to "The way of the Pilgr..."   Thanks ! Nice to know there are at least two of us. ha ha   00:57:40 Myles Davidson: Reacted to "Thanks ! Nice to kno..." with 🙏   00:59:17 Anthony: The Holy Trinity is subliminal. Most real & underlying reality. More real and more clear than "real life."   01:01:24 David: Replying to "Thank you David!"   My pleasure Anna I hope you find it helpful. I really struggled raising my kids alone with time   01:02:01 Vanessa: Reacted to "I think this is a bi..." with ❤️   01:04:13 Maureen Cunningham: How long was the early church . Hour or many hours   01:16:06 susan: physics break through   all atoms interacting/from beginning to end throughout all time/ action impacts all the atoms one way or another  gave me such a deeper understanding of Jesus liturgy Eucharist the actions of the Mass present to all time and how Jesus 2000 years ago can actually be Here in the Mass now  made liturgy real to me. Helps me to see Jesus real with me now (Jesus prayer)   01:16:11 Aric B: Regarding the subject of paragraph #17. I have been reading a book that is about us living with Christs mysteries as also our mysteries to be experienced throughout liturgy and the liturgical year.   01:19:11 David: It is not what we get out of the mass in entertainment but what we bring to the table of the Lord. I see this as a big difference and evangelical friends are often dumbstruck when I mention this. The book "The supper of the Lamb" has really helped many come home in my experience.   01:22:06 Victor - WV: Thank you, Father, & all.   01:22:20 Maureen Cunningham: Thank You Father &  everyone   01:22:33 Alexandra: Thank you Father. I'll pray for you   01:23:11 Cindy Moran: Great session tonight! Thank you, Father.   01:23:13 Jeff O.: Thank you Father! Great to be with you all.   01:23:15 Rebecca Thérèse: Thank you 😊   01:23:18 Aric B: Thank you Father!   01:23:22 David: Thank you father and may God bless you and your mother!   01:23:35 carol_000: Thank you Father   01:23:42 Alexandra: Thank you everyone   01:24:41 David: God does not speak through one of us but all of us is what my Grandmother always said. Thank you Father for being our guide