The Evergetinos - Vol. I, Hypothesis XV, Part III

Picking up once again with Hypothesis 15, we find ourselves considering the nature of detachment from the things of the world; a detachment that is rooted first and foremost in our response to the love that God has shown and given us and his only begotten son. What does our embrace of this divine love means for our lives in this world?  To take hold of this godly love what is there of the self and our attachment to the things of this world that we must be let go? 

So often there are subtle ways that we will cling to natural sensibilities and loves and we view our lives through that lens alone. Yet the Incarnation and the Paschal Mystery is meant to radically reshape our view of what it is to be a human being both in relationship to God and to one another. Our dignity and destiny is caught up in what has been given to us through our baptism - a share in the divine life. It is the faith and hope that this reality evokes that must guide our lives and the decisions that we make. 

Inevitably the stories that we read from the fathers of the desert jar our sensibilities, especially when they are very much tied to a worldly perspective. In many ways we must allow ourselves to experience the discomfort of having our perspective on life challenged so radically. God has turned our world upside down in revealing Himself to us. It is that revelation that must shape all we do and our understanding of life. 

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Text of chat during the group:

00:03:52 Randi Altman: 🙏   00:11:33 Vicki Nichols: the video is really good. Jerzy Popieluzsko is a very inspiring person   00:38:38 Anthony: I've studied Socialism (philosophically and politically) for years.  Socialism is the tyranny that comes from bringing men's vision of "god" and men onto the earth - and you will like it, so to speak.   00:44:06 Anthony: Like St. Paul: 'I begged God three times to take away this thorn of the flesh, but 'My grace is sufficient for thee.''   00:51:03 Ambrose Little: Christ got told “no” by God, when he asked that “this cup might pass from me.” He needed to live in solidarity with we humans.   00:53:24 Randi Altman: It’s not responsiblity. It is an incredibly beautiful grace!!!   00:58:33 Ambrose Little: You were reading the Bible, largely. ;)   01:07:34 Randi Altman: He wanted or expected more of his son   01:18:45 Randi Altman: Be thankful to have hairs!🤣   01:19:14 Daniel Allen: Perfect closing insight.   01:19:55 Michael Winn: Thank you, Father! (my first time here - Ukrainian Greek Catholic priest in Winnipeg)   01:19:57 Randi Altman: Thank you for having me   01:20:19 maureencunningham: When. Saint John   01:20:23 Mitchell Hunt: thanks Father David   01:20:33 D Fraley: Good night!