As we come to the end of the Ladder of Divine Ascent St. John unfolds for us the heights to which we are drawn – the theological virtues of Faith, Hope and Love. Hope, often the most neglected of virtues, is the annulment of despair. It allows us to hold on to the promise of Christ to be with us always. Even when faith seems to fail us and all grows dark because of the cross that we carry, our hope in the Lord allows us to be consoled by his mercy and to be drawn forward. It protects us from despondency and doubt.

Love when unimpeded allows us to see as God sees; to see the signs of the times and how things will unfold even when all seems chaotic. This divine love yields miracles; the supernatural healing and perfecting the natural. Through it we come to see the things of the kingdom with clarity. This clarity creates a fire within the heart; an urgent longing and thirst for the Lord that only he can quench. It is our movement into eternity. It reveals to us that the kingdom is now, heaven is now, eternity is now! We come to see that this love is not distant but that the kingdom dwells within.

St. John closes the step by calling out to Love Himself to satisfy his desire, to show him the path of the ascent that is most direct. For even though he had received this wisdom from others, St. John understands that it is only Love himself who can guide us. It is the experience of this love alone that moves us from words to reality.

Finally, St. John exhorts us along with all those who read his book to ascend eagerly and to be resolved in their hearts to strive for the Lord above all things. He is our life, our salvation, our love!

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Text of chat during the group:

00:01:21 Bob Cihak, AZ: My microphone isn’t working again but this is probably for the better, because I have a strong head cold with the virus also giving my voice into a gravelly inflection. Doreen Stacy, our artist friend’s funeral was yesterday. Preparations conflicted with our Monday meeting; I know I’m already excused but wanted to ask for prayers. Doreen only had 3 children but one of her daughters had 11. Who would have guessed that an English Professor could splendidly support a family that size? 00:08:21 Lori Hatala: https://gmail.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c38acab568d650f7ef65f39df&id=3f6ad96818&e=b6af48f1a0 00:12:25 Sr Barbara Jean Mihalchick: What is the title of the St. Isaac book? 00:12:44 Bob Cihak, AZ: P. 179, # I 00:14:52 Bob Cihak, AZ: Oops. Wrong book. Actually p.246, # 30 P. 179, # I 00:15:15 David: Sr. Barbara it is ISBN 978-0-943405-16-2 Holy Transfiguration Monastery my copy is 2011 00:26:39 Rebecca Thérèse: In what specifically are we supposed to hope? And what does lack of hope look like? 00:27:16 Lilly (Toronto, CA): “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” ...It's hard to surrender our weakness or sufferings, but it's in those darkest times that a simple Psalm will be enough to help us persevere 00:30:58 Myles Davidson: Replying to "What is the title of..." The Ascetical Homilies of St. Isaac the Syrian 00:32:31 Myles Davidson: Replying to "What is the title of..." https://htmp.org/St-Isaac-Ascetical-Homilies/overview.html 00:58:14 Maureen Cunningham: Hound oh heaven 00:58:41 Joseph: “Love is the progress of eternity” echoes St. Gregory of Nyssa’s notion of epektasis, the eternal ‘stretching and straining’ of the soul toward God. Each step toward God is both a fulfillment and a new beginning. Our mystical ascent never truly comes to an end, the cup is never entirely full, our love reaches out to God for eternity. 00:59:54 Lilly (Toronto, CA): Who's the author of Flying over the abyss? 01:00:28 Dave Warner | AL: Flying over the Abyss: https://essexmonastery.com/bookshop/flying-over-the-abyss 01:01:26 Lilly (Toronto, CA): Thank you 01:01:41 Dave Warner | AL: Replying to "Who's the author of ..." Archmandrite Zacharias Zacharou 01:02:18 Dave Warner | AL: Reacted to "Thank you" with 👍 01:03:20 David: I had an aunt who everyone loved. Children who were very bad she used to say "how peppy". She always told me - look till you see a glimmer of Christ and with patience you will see even the slightest light in some aspect. I remember this often and it seems like once you know what they have gone through or lacked in their experience there always is some of the divine in almost everyone. Just that thought helps me with trying to find something in the most difficult people I have encountered. 01:06:55 David: So your uncle thought you were peppy? 01:12:01 Lori Hatala: https://gmail.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c38acab568d650f7ef65f39df&id=3f6ad96818&e=b6af48f1a0 01:12:32 Maureen Cunningham: Thank You and all are always a blessing. 01:13:21 ANDREW ADAMS: Thank you, Father! 01:13:22 Cindy Moran: These sessions have taught me so much! Thank you! 01:13:23 David: Thank you Father may God bless you and your mother! 01:13:24 Bob Cihak, AZ: Thank you, Father. 01:13:31 Joseph: Thank you, Father 01:13:36 Art: Thank you Father! 01:13:38 Rebecca Thérèse: Thank you🙂

The Turner thesis