Philokalia Ministries The Evergetinos - Hypothesis XXI, Part V
What a beautiful group this evening. Once again we hear a young brother asking questions about transgressing the commands and guidance given by an elder. What we hear over and over again is an emphasis upon the fact that an elder is not disconnected from one in his care. If a person transgresses a command or ignores the guidance of an elder, he is to return to him without fear or with the expectation that his humility will be met with anything but gentleness, tenderness, and further counsel. Of course, this does not mean we fall into neglect or become indifferent about striving to live holy lives. What we find in the Fathers again and again is an emphasis upon the value of repentance; turning to God with humble hearts and receiving a flood of his grace and mercy.
Again the brother asks if one should simply neglect to learn about the spiritual life so as not to be held accountable for particular sins. The elder quickly tells him that such a thought is sinister in that it blocks the path to true healing. Sin brings its own suffering. Repentance is a gift from God that opens up a path to healing and hope. Why would one not want to know the path that God has opened up for us? Why would one not desire the wisdom of the counsel of the fathers in order that they might truly be healed? Furthermore, the elder emphasizes that God values the person of his servants precisely because they imitate Christ himself. They offer advice with intense and warm prayer to God and make their own the sufferings of others crying out to God, “Master save us, we perish.“ Save US! We do not struggle as Christians in isolation but we embrace one another’s struggles as our own.
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Text of chat during the group:
00:16:40 David Fraley: Hello to all. 00:16:52 FrDavid Abernethy: page 180 letter K. Hypothesis 21 00:17:17 FrDavid Abernethy: hi Dave 00:17:25 FrDavid Abernethy: where are the snacks?? 00:19:01 maureencunningham: thank you Ren 00:24:58 carolnypaver: What page/section? 00:25:09 renwitter: =Page 181 00:25:16 carolnypaver: TY 00:34:35 Sheila Applegate: I often feel like Sisyphus rolling the rock up the hill only to have it come crashing down. Rinse. Repeat. 00:35:39 Debra: Same