Philokalia Ministries The Evergetinos - Vol. I, Hypothesis XIII, Part III
Tonight‘s discussion drew the group into what was more and more beautiful. Hypothesis 13 is focused upon remoteness; but not simply a physical remoteness - the removing of ourselves from our external realities and circumstances. Rather, it is removing ourselves from our attachment to the things of this world. The Scriptures tell us that he who loves the world is at enmity with God. As we strive to draw close to God we are led to let go of our attachment not only to the things of this world but to the internal identity that has often been shaped by them. More and more we are to put on the mind of Christ and this means not only dying to sin but to self. Throughout the course of our life we often fashion a false identity. We succumb to the illusion, even in the most subtle of ways, that our lives can be understood outside of the context of our relationship with God as our Creator and Redeemer. The more that we embrace that illusion the more isolated we become from God and one another. We lose a true sense of who we are and our inherent value. However, God does not abandon us in the state of spiritual sadness but rather enters into it and by His grace draws us to Himself in the most beautiful way. He reveals Himself in our deepest weakness and vulnerability and it is there that we see the depths of His love. Suddenly all that is dark and ugly, all that seems most empty within our hearts, becomes filled with His light and the hope that He alone offers.
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Text of chat during the group:
00:04:53 Rachel Pineda: Hello to the group...cant hear anything as I put it on mute because my Mom showed up for a bit. God bless to all. 00:09:19 Rachel Pineda: Some of my kids want to say hello to the group...we have been listening to the podcasts in the car 00:09:50 D Fraley: I was told there would be snacks. 00:10:13 Rachel Pineda: lol 00:10:58 D Fraley: I have stale pretzels but not enough for everyone. 00:11:11 Rachel Pineda: Prayers! 00:18:19 Anthony: Dante: I found myself in the midday of my life, alone in the dark woods.... 00:19:22 Ashley Kaschl: Would this demon of sadness be the noonday devil (Acedia)? 00:20:42 Anthony: Ashley, acedia the closest I can think of to this "feeling," but it sounds a bit different? 00:23:58 Mark J. Kelly: Yes. Acedie is the Noon Day Demon 00:28:17 Anthony: huh. And on the natural level, don't drink when you are sad. 00:33:23 Mark J. Kelly: Excellent book on Acedia or Spiritual Depression: The Noonday Devil: Acedia, the Unnamed Evil of Our Times. https://www.amazon.com/Noonday-Devil-Acedia-Unnamed-Times/dp/158617939X/ 00:43:40 Anthony: If we had Dom Lorenzo Scupoli's attitude, that God is a fire (of love?) and we submit our own fires of atraction and of sin to that fire "of" God, to be taken over by God, we can pass through and from this life more easily. 00:55:23 Ashley Kaschl: Reminds me of a quote by Michael D O’Brien "...This silence before God and man is the presence of being. Such silence speaks! Then when one's spoken words flow, they come from the true heart of one's unique identity. An identity that only the Father in Heaven knows, for it is hidden even from our own eyes." (Island of the World) 00:59:44 Lilly (Toronto, CA): Great books written by JPII about that topic “Man and Woman He Created Them” and “Love and Responsibility” :) 01:01:05 Carol Nypaver: Both are excellent books, Lilly! 01:10:50 Justin Massengill : Gotta go early, see you all on Wednesday, God bless! 01:15:06 Lilly (Toronto, CA): Great question @Rachel and excellent response @Fr David !! 01:21:04 Wayne Mackenzie: gota go 01:24:48 Carol Nypaver: Blessings to you, Father. 01:25:43 Rachel: The group and readings are a blessing. Thank you. Prayers! 01:25:46 D Fraley: Thank you, Father David!