The Evergetinos - Hypothesis XLIV, Part II

Aug 29, 2023

The podcast explores the importance of humility in the spiritual battle and its role in salvation. It discusses the transformative nature of humility and highlights Christ as the true standard. The essence of the spiritual life is explored, emphasizing purity of heart and deification. The importance of being patient, avoiding scrutiny, and seeking truth is discussed. Love, gentleness, and the lives of the desert fathers are examined. Different approaches to prayer and the significance of groaning are explored. The podcast concludes with a discussion on weaknesses, adult-oriented superhero movies, and a prayer and blessing.

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Introduction

00:00 • 3min

The Power of Humility

03:15 • 26min

The Goal of the Spiritual Life and the Temptation of Fixing Others

29:09 • 5min

The Importance of Being Patient and Avoiding Scrutiny

34:03 • 2min

Love, Gentleness, and the Lives of the Desert Fathers

36:28 • 13min

Approaches to Prayer and the Significance of Groaning

49:18 • 12min

Exploring Weaknesses and Adult-Oriented Superhero Movies

01:01:29 • 2min

Every generation, every person, must be made humble! Whatever way that takes place - whatever means we are shown this, it must happen if we are to follow Christ, and if we are to live in Him. He is Humility because he is Truth. In fact, the simplest definition of humility for us is truthful living. We must live in the Truth that has been revealed to us - we must live in Christ.

That sounds a lot easier than what it is. Our egos often snap back into the center. The self, even within the context of the spiritual life, wants to be recognized as having value and strength. We want to have the perception of lifting ourselves up out of the mire.

It is a humbling thing in and of itself to be saved. To acknowledge a savior means that we acknowledge the truth of our own poverty and sin. It means that we must acknowledge that we are not the source of life and love. God gives it to us so freely and with such gentleness and yet we can resent Him for it. Christ endures all things for us. He makes himself so small so as to be non-threatening; that is, he gives himself to us as our very food and drink. He nourishes us upon himself and his love. Yet pride can blind us to it all. God wants no “thing” from us. He wants us. Sadly, to say “yes” to that love can be one of the hardest things of life.

---- Text of chat during the group: 00:41:04 Fr Marty, ND, 480-292-3381: After years of working professionally in the US, I'm formed to believe that results indicate that I'm doing the right thing. It's hard for me to wrap my mind around the idea that God could see my failure as beneficial. Or that feeling like a failure could have some value. 00:57:20 Fr Marty, ND, 480-292-3381: It seems that consolation outside of relationship with Christ could even be an impediment in the spiritual life. 01:11:35 Fr Marty, ND, 480-292-3381: Is it that the people you quoted are telling us that we need to realize that humility is actually an attribute of God he shares with us. 01:15:32 Lorraine Green: Thank you! 01:15:40 Rebecca Thérèse: Thank you🙂