The Evergetinos - Hypothesis XXXV, Part II and Hypothesis XXXVI

In these hypotheses, we have been reflecting upon the practice of asceticism, especially in light of the relationship between an Elder and his disciple; that is, in relationship to obedience. We are shown in these stories the ABC’s of the ascetic life and in particular that of the virtue of obedience. 

 

What does it mean to let go of private judgment? What does it mean to set aside one’s will even in small things in our day-to-day life? How do we train the mind and the heart in this virtue; so that when we are asked to pick up our cross or when we are reduced to raw endurance and cannot see the road ahead of us, we are able to respond in love?  We are shown in the stories that one must begin small. It is in letting go of our sensitivities in the small things, and allowing love to trump everything that this virtue takes root. It means being more attentive to the “other”, to what is asked of us and what people need, than to holding on to what we want, or what seems right or convenient to us. 

 

There is part of us that shrinks back in a spirit of objection to what is being taught here. It seems unnatural to us. But what is really being asked of us or rather where we are being led to embrace is the supernatural. What we are being guided to is the perfect love and self emptying obedience that we see in Christ. We should have a similar desire to have obedience to God’s will as our very food.  We must see it as something that sustains and nourishes us mystically. 

 

Not fulfilling the will of God or choosing the path of sin should become something that is abhorrent to us. Such lessons can be learned only with humility. Beyond this, we are shown the incredible responsibility of those who are elders. Their actions, their requests and demands of their disciples must be rooted in the desire for their salvation, and for their good. They will be held accountable as shepherds.

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Text of chat during the group:

00:06:17 David Fraley: Hello Mrs Abernethy!   00:08:28 FrDavid Abernethy: page 305   00:08:28 David Fraley: Hi Fr David!   00:08:35 FrDavid Abernethy: Hi Dave!!   00:14:32 Debra: Step 11...on talkativeness....was really convicting   00:14:51 FrDavid Abernethy: yes it was!!   00:15:10 Debra: Ooops...wrong meeting LOL   00:25:19 Rachel: Maybe he wanted to see if his disciple was stuoid.   00:25:37 Rachel: stupid. Sorry. I should not joke.   00:28:57 iPhone: Reacted to "Maybe he wanted to s…" with ❤️   00:29:19 Rachel: Yes, I doubt he was stupid nor did the elder think that.   00:30:07 Rachel: I wonder though, what would be all of our reactions to this reality in our everyday lives?   00:52:38 Anthony Rago: This has got to be specific to novices.  Saints (Elizabeth of Hungary?) are praised for charity against the wishes of the head of household   00:55:36 Anthony Rago: But if these people can't use discretion, they also can fall into legalism - oops I don't have permission, I can't act on my own.   00:58:32 Anthony Rago: The religious life then is horribly dangerous.   01:01:01 Anthony Rago: That indicates then that people cannot abandon their discretion, they have to withhold some obedience, so they can  judge the situation, whether it is healthy or crazy - or just not for them.   01:05:15 Anthony Rago: Yes, I've seen situations both of people in religious life and married life that were just psychologically off.   01:05:25 Ambrose Little, OP: He also says submit to each other.   01:08:30 Debra: I always suggest Chrysogonus   01:09:09 Debra: for a baby's name He could just be called Chrys   01:18:36 Rachel: Thank you all, Thank you Father   01:19:08 Rachel: :) lol