Philokalia Ministries The Evergetinos - Vol. I, Hypothesis XIII, Part I
Thank you once again to all who attended The Evergetinos group tonight. The wisdom of the Fathers is breathtaking to say the least!
Tonight we began Hypothesis 13. The focus is on renouncing the world to go to a remote place, what constitutes a remote place, and the specific benefits that we are seeking.
We are all too familiar in this world with isolation. We may be surrounded by many people and our lives filled with so many different things and activities and yet we can feel completely alone and empty.
The Desert Fathers, however, seek the solitude of the desert not to escape the world but rather to seek out Love itself. Their setting aside of country, of material goods, creates within them a need - a need that only God can fulfill. They experience what true desire is - a sense of incompleteness that only God can address.
Solitude and silence are disciplines that we must foster. They are not something simply to be endured and they are not rooted in a contempt for the world. In the silence and in our poverty we begin to experience the development of true humility; a humility that allows us to see the truth about ourselves and the goodness, the mercy, and love of God.
Thus, gradually we come to see through them that the experience of exile, poverty and solitude hold within themselves a priceless treasure that we must be willing to do everything to possess.
---
Text of chat during the group:
00:08:36 D Fraley: I had hair when I first come to the Oratory too. 00:08:48 Ed Kleinguetl: Must be a trend 00:33:45 Eric Williams: Certainly no (or limited and hushed) chit-chat in my childhood Lutheran church nave. 00:34:43 renwitter: What is the name of the place Mark? 00:36:00 mark: I will send a link… 00:36:13 Ed Kleinguetl: Thank you! 00:36:54 maureencunningham: Holy Presence Monastery inToms Brook and The Holy Abbey in Berryville VA. silent retreats 00:37:03 maureencunningham: Both VA 00:37:15 Eric Williams: I have noticed a paradox as someone with ADHD. Long periods of silence and stillness are very difficult for me, but the cure seems to be more silence. It’s very challenging. Modern technology seems to be making most people struggle with quiet inactivity in a similar way. 00:37:51 mark: Our Lady in Beatitude. The Monastic Family of Bethlehem. https://www.monasteryofbethlehemnewyork.com/ 00:40:25 Eric Williams: As a convert, I really don’t miss marathon sermons. ;) 00:42:03 Ambrose Little: Agree, Eric. 00:45:37 Wayne Mackenzie: what page? 00:45:50 Tyler Woloshyn: 106 00:46:37 Eric Williams: I’ve noticed that at low Latin masses, the processions are from and to the sacristy. I’ve also seen high masses in which the opening procession starts at the sacristy, continues to the back, and finishes going up the middle aisle. Perhaps that would be a good corrective model for the whole Western Church. 00:49:40 Ambrose Little: Cultivating interior silence in the midst of external noise and busy-ness is a good ascetic practice. Maybe we focus there, even if others around us aren’t doing the same. 01:18:07 Ambrose Little: Sorry. I gotta run. I will say having six boys helps one find quietude in noise. :D Have a blessed week, y'all. 01:18:14 Wayne Mackenzie: got to go 01:18:39 Tyler Woloshyn: Have a good night. God bless! :) 01:23:25 D Fraley: Thank you Father David. Good night, everyone!