The Ladder of Divine Ascent - Chapter XIV: On Gluttony, Part II

We continued to our reflection on step number 14 - gluttony, or that “clamorous mistress, the stomach.”  We are being exposed to the wisdom of the fathers, so deeply rooted in their experience of human nature and how it has been effected by sin. St. John, in his typical fashion, reveals to us the subtleties (psychological, emotional and spiritual) of how we are deceived by the evil one and how our bodily appetites can be used against us. It is precisely because our appetite for food is natural and needed for sustenance that it is something that can be used against us and so powerfully. 

This step shows how St. John and the other fathers were not only spiritual warriors, but the first depth psychologists. They knew how the mind and the heart work. We are easily deceived and easily moved to rationalize our use of food. Perhaps what is most significant is that St. John shows us how essential this practice of fasting and abstinence is in our spiritual life. We can’t be dabblers or minimalists. Because it is such a part of who we are, our appetite for food must be formed and shaped both by discipline and by the grace of God. What and how we eat is often a reflection of our emotional state a response to a need and desire for consolation. Rather than nourishing ourselves upon the love of God, we will choose some thing that offers immediate satisfaction - even though we know it is ever so temporary.

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Text of chat during the group:

00:22:56 Anthony: Months ago we talked about the monk who cut off his genitals, to great spiritual and physical harm.  Fasting is a healthy way of cutting off an appetite; it cannot be complete, since that is absolutely repulsive to natural law.  It encourages both cutting something off and moderation in approach.  Maybe that is a reason why fasting is a help for both gluttony and lust.   00:24:00 Anthony: In addition, fasting is accessible to both men and women - a remedy for all.   00:25:03 angelo: Reacted to "Months ago we talked..." with 👍   00:28:20 sue and mark: am I correct in thinking that this can be modified for special health needs effected by diet.   00:28:40 Sean: I recently watched a good lecture on Evagrius, “Evagrius the Monk and the Care of Souls” by Dr. Robin Darling Young at the Byzantine Catholic Seminary: https://youtu.be/Lp-EpQB_A6U I didn’t know that he was condemned along with Origen. I have only heard good things. Thank you, Father.   00:38:41 David: Aren't a lot of perceived contradictions looking at absolutes rather than stages and a process. As a child uses training wheels, then has someone behind him, then only a flat road. Over the period of time and conquering basic steps bigger challenges can be adopted.   00:41:00 sue and mark: Reacted to "Aren't a lot of perc..." with 👍   00:46:47 Anthony: So, Mardi Gras can actully harm the spiritual goal of Lent, but Meatfare then cheesefare is to enhance the Lent   00:47:52 Jean-Baptiste Giroux: There are many people these days practicing prolong fasting up to 72 hrs. Should that be  encouraged?   00:48:11 Patrick Caruso: Fr. David, could you please speak to how one should incorporate fasting and/or restraint on Sundays, solemnities, etc? With the approaching Easter season, how is one to best continue forward with some of the fasting they may have been practicing during Lent in the Easter season?   00:49:31 Adam Paige: Reacted to "There are many peopl…" with 👍   00:49:34 Adam Paige: Reacted to "Fr. David, could you…" with 👍   00:53:48 David: In the early church wasn't Wed and Friday all year what Christians were know for in fasting?   01:05:11 Jeff O.: Reacted to "In the early church ..." with 👍   01:05:35 Brad Smith: If the “warrior-ascetic” is distinct from the “perfect ascetic,” is Climacus implicitly warning the warrior to be careful not to delight to the point of succumbing to pride in there heat of battle when successful?   01:14:54 carol: “You are she who is not, I AM He Who Is.” to St.Catherine of Siena   01:18:16 David: Fear of the consequences of our sins? And acknowledging he is also All Just, a Judge? Ideally fear of disappointing God through love is best but sometimes fear of consequence can be good at times.   01:21:22 Anthony: Wisdom Chapter 12 - God tries to correct people by degrees.   01:23:22 carol nypaver: Well said, Father!   01:23:57 Rebecca Thérèse: Thank you 🙂   01:24:10 Krissy: Thanks!   01:24:49 Cindy Moran: Thank you Father!   01:24:53 David: Thanks you and bless you Father!   01:24:55 angelo: thank you   01:24:55 sue and mark: good night an dGod bless you father.   01:24:58 Brad Smith: Thank you   01:24:59 Jeff O.: Amen, thank you!