Philokalia Ministries

St. Isaac the Syrian leads us into a subtle yet decisive truth about the spiritual life: to taste of God rightly, one must be weaned from the world—not only from its visible distractions and passions, but also from the premature grasping of spiritual visions and insights. Renunciation, for Isaac, is not merely the abandonment of external goods; it is the letting go of everything that agitates, excites, or exceeds the soul’s present capacity. Like a child given honey before it can digest it, the soul that seeks lofty knowledge or noetic vision without purification risks sickness and collapse. This is why Isaac insists that silence and stillness are the true companions of renunciation. The soul must be emptied and simplified, freed from the clutter of worldly images, memories, and concerns. Only then can she begin to perceive, not in phantasy, but in the true theoria that God bestows upon the humble and pure of heart. Silence, for Isaac, is the protection of this delicate work. It guards the soul from shameless curiosity about mysteries that surpass her strength, and it teaches her to receive revelation with reverence, not presumption. Stillness, likewise, is the arena where renunciation becomes fruitful. By cutting off the “exterior war” of the senses—sight, hearing, chatter, possessions—the soul is fortified against the subtler inner warfare of thoughts. In this solitude, prayer and Scripture reading form the new conversation of the heart, replacing worldly recollections with the remembrance of God. Thus renunciation is not negative but deeply positive: it creates space for mercy, for purity, for true prayer, and for the divine astonishment that halts the soul in stillness before the mysteries of God. Isaac reminds us that almsgiving and voluntary poverty open the heart to boldness before God, but stillness is the summit—where the soul is no longer divided, tossed about, or burdened, but rests in the radiant quiet of God’s presence. Renunciation, then, is not escape but transfiguration. It severs us from the false sweetness of the world and teaches us to taste, in measure, the true sweetness of God. It bids us to be content with what is given, to wait in silence for the moment when grace itself will lift us beyond our measure, and to remain always in the humility by which mysteries are revealed. --- Text of chat during the group: 00:05:39 Bob Čihák, AZ: Our current book is “The Ascetical Homilies of Saint Isaac the Syrian, revised 2nd Edition” 2011, published by Holy Transfiguration Monastery, https://www.bostonmonks.com/product_info.php/products_id/635 . This hard-covered book is on the expensive side but of very high quality. 00:12:38 Bob Čihák, AZ: P 147, halfway down page 00:26:41 carolnypaver: Page # ? 00:26:51 Andrew Adams: 148 00:26:59 carolnypaver: Reacted to "148" with 👍 00:28:34 Myles Davidson: I love these mystical passages of Isaac. No-one gets closest to being able to express the inexpressible as he is able. 00:28:46 Ben: Reacted to "I love these mystica..." with 👍 00:28:49 Bob Čihák, AZ: Reacted to "I love these mystica..." with 👍 00:30:22 Joshua Sander: Feel free to simply say, "He'll get to that," if Isaac expounds upon this later, but what, in Isaac's view, is the place of intellect in this way of going about the spiritual life? How can the intellect serve as an aid to this rather than, as it often has in the West, as a barrier to it? 00:32:12 Gwen’s iPhone: Didn’t St. Francis worry about that. 00:35:03 Myles Davidson: Someone has done an audiobook of Orthodox Psychotherapy on YouTube if anyone is interested 00:35:59 Eleana: Reacted to "Someone has done an ..." with 👍 00:36:07 Russ’s iPhone: How does Isaac integrate the emotions into the spiritual life and their impact on contemplation, our intellect, nous and our ability to discern our experience of God. Is his approach to the spiritual life highly intellectual? 00:36:14 David: What happened to Evargius Pontus did pride later take hold of him I find it strange he had so much insight but is not a Saint and from what I read apparently deviated in the end of his life. 00:36:14 Lee Graham: Reacted to "Someone has done an …" with 👍 00:36:25 Myles Davidson: Replying to "Someone has done an ..." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PoDG3c_p7-U 00:38:01 David: I have read most of what Evarigus wrote and Talking Back is amazing. 00:38:13 Adam Paige: Reacted to "Someone has done an …" with 👍 00:40:03 Ryan Ngeve: Reacted to "Someone has done an …" with 👍 00:42:14 Bob Čihák, AZ: Reminds me of Lossky: "All theology is mystical theology" in his book "Mystical Rtheology." 00:42:41 Bob Čihák, AZ: Theology 00:43:33 Gwen’s iPhone: It just hit me that Francis was concerned about intellectual that it would take him away from following Christ. He let others like Bonaventure to be more intellectual. 00:44:33 Mary 🕊️: What should we do if we find it very difficult to identify our sin? 00:44:45 Erick Chastain: The kephalia gnostika by evagrius is said to have problematic passages. See the timios pro dromos commentary on the evagrian ascetical system for details. 00:46:25 Eleana: The sorrowful mother to revel the heart's mysteries as Simon said during the presentation of Christ her pierced heart. 00:47:24 Anna: I find minimal weekly confession and if necessary more, makes one more sensitive to see our sins with clarity. It's like unpeeling an onion. 00:49:07 Zack Morgan: Even St. Poemen turned his own mother away which made her happy with an attitude of "would you rather see me now or not distract me from my prayer and fasting so that you can more assuredly see me in heaven". 00:50:20 Catherine Opie: Reacted to "I find minimal weekl..." with 👍🏻 00:51:01 carolnypaver: Reacted to "I find minimal weekl..." with ❤️ 00:51:57 carolnypaver: Reacted to "Even St. Poemen turn..." with 😮 00:53:38 Adam Paige: Reacted to "I have read most of …" with ☦️ 00:54:46 Catherine Opie: Fr. does the saying of "for these and any other sins..." during the act of contrition at confession cover this aspect of ourselves not being able to perceive or remember every single sin? If we are truly repentant and contrite? 00:55:38 Mary 🕊️: Two more questions....What does a purified heart look like? How do we recognize if our heart is becoming purified? 00:57:35 Una: Who wrote the book The Ascetical Art? Is that the correct title? 00:57:49 carolnypaver: Replying to "Who wrote the book T..." Heart 00:58:01 carolnypaver: Replying to "Who wrote the book T..." Not art 01:02:08 Una: Oh, thank you! I can't find any book with the title The Ascetical Art 01:03:33 Adam Paige: Replying to "Oh, thank you! I can…" Maybe you could write it ! ☺️ https://open.substack.com/pub/frcharbelabernethy/p/ascetic-heart-reflections-on-the-db0?r=26c6hk&utm_medium=ios 01:04:15 Myles Davidson: Reacted to "Maybe you could writ..." with 🙏 01:07:38 Eleana: Replying to "Oh, thank you! I can..." I print them and meditated them during my work day. 01:08:01 Una: I guess it's not a book tthen? At least, not ye 01:08:05 Una: yet 01:13:09 Naina: Thank you Father 🙏✝️ 01:13:14 Anna: Can you explain about Saturday 01:13:32 Maureen Cunningham: Thank you Lords Blessing to all Prayers for Father 01:13:38 Una: He gives extra talks on some Saturdays, Anna 01:13:54 Una: evenings, around  7 pm 01:13:55 Anna: How do I sign up 01:14:01 Andrew Adams: Thanks be to God! Thank you, Father! 01:14:01 Una: You'll get an email 01:14:02 Rebecca Thérèse: Thank you☺️ 01:14:06 Catherine Opie: Thank you so much Fr. God bless! have a blessed weekend. I always include you in my prayers. 01:14:09 David: Thank you Father and God bless you and your mother

The fathers speak with one voice concerning the passion of anger: it blinds the eyes of the soul and expels the grace of the Spirit. St. Cassian tells us that even a “just cause” for anger blinds no less than an unjust one; whether gold or lead is pressed over the eyes, sight is equally obstructed. So too when anger burns, whether cloaked in righteousness or openly irrational, the light of the Sun of Righteousness is veiled from us. The words cut to the quick: we are not to excuse or harbor even a trace of anger. For Christ Himself declared that “whosoever is angry with his brother shall be in danger of judgment” (Mt. 5:22). St. John Chrysostom tells us that scribes added the phrase “without a cause” to soften the command, but the Lord’s intention was uncompromising: to root out the seed entirely, lest it grow into the frenzy that enslaves the heart. For the hesychast this teaching is clear: isolation is no refuge from anger. Cassian admits to raging at sticks of wood or the stubbornness of flint that would not spark quickly enough. The desert does not strip away anger; rather, it exposes it. If we think that by fleeing from brothers we escape the trial of forbearance, we deceive ourselves. Without the correction of life in common, passions grow unchecked, and even inanimate things can draw forth our wrath. Thus, for both monk and layman, anger must be confronted at its root. What, then, of those living in the world, immersed in the irritations and burdens of ordinary life? The fathers offer no easier path for them. Anger in the household, in work, in traffic, in all the frictions of daily existence—these, too, are occasions for forbearance, the training ground of meekness. The same Christ who commands the desert hermit commands also the parent, the spouse, the worker: “Be angry, and sin not” (Ps. 4:4). Turn anger not against neighbor or circumstance, but against the thoughts that seek to enslave. St. Maximos is clear: fasting and vigils restrain bodily desires, but anger is cured only by kindness, charity, love, and mercy. This is the practical labor of every Christian, monk or lay: to return insult with silence, to meet disturbance with meekness, to smother wrath with prayer.  The fathers remind us soberly that chastity, poverty, vigils, and every hardship will avail nothing if anger reigns in the soul on the Day of Judgment. For anger drives out the Spirit; where wrath abides, peace cannot dwell. And he who is without peace is also without joy.  Thus the path is narrow. Anger is a pit, and blessed is he who jumps over it, pulling the gentle yoke of Christ to the end with meekness. This is no less true for those in the city than for those in the desert. Whether at the dinner table, in the workplace, or in the monastery, each moment of provocation is an invitation to humility, to accuse oneself rather than another, to seize the opportunity for compunction rather than resentment. If we endure, grace will come. What seems at first an impossible command—to eradicate anger entirely—becomes, by the Spirit, an easy yoke. For the fathers remind us: all things are possible to the one who bends low in humility, entrusting his passions to Christ who alone can heal the soul. --- Text of chat during the group: 00:13:39 Tracey Fredman: I miss seeing Lori. I hope she's doing well. 00:16:52 Adam Paige: It’s Greek, he writes in Greek 00:18:54 Adam Paige: Some of his books are available digitally, but not Flying over the Abyss 00:19:41 Fr. Charbel Abernethy: Page 272 St. John Cassian 00:20:30 Bob Čihák, AZ: P 272 E 00:44:26 Jacqulyn: Living on a ranch, I totally understand that feeling! 00:45:02 Erick Chastain: Is the worsening of the logismoi in the wilderness as opposed to when you are out in the world dependent on whether one is an introvert/extrovert? 00:45:13 Jacqulyn: Yes, I do! But the sheep keep me focused! 00:45:37 Bob Čihák, AZ: I get angry at myself, but not for long. 00:52:17 Anthony: Lately I've been encouraged by St Francis, who instead of getting wrathful with himself called his erring self "Brother Ass." 00:56:35 Hey Oh! : Augustine said that  anger is like an unwanted guest. Once we let it in we don’t know how long it will stay or what it will do in our home (hearts). 00:57:39 Rick Visser: It seems that in contemporary psychology there is a strong tendency not to deny the anger that exists in us. We must allow it, not repress it. 00:58:12 Catherine Opie: Reacted to "It seems that in con..." with 😢 00:59:14 Anthony: Perhaps, then, a sense of false or overbearing shame is a form of anger directed against the self, even, when we remember things we did wrong and have repented of. 01:08:28 Myles Davidson: That was super insightful from St Maximos 01:09:25 Catherine Opie: What are your thoughts on using intense physical exercise like, running for example, to get rid of anger? Or should we simply develop the self control to not even become angry to that level? 01:11:35 Myles Davidson: Replying to "That was super insig..." Both the result of anger and the cure 01:12:01 Julie: Reacted to "That was super insig…" with 🙏 01:14:24 Catherine Opie: So probably genuflections with prayer then... 01:16:38 Catherine Opie: Perfect subject for me this week. Thank you Fr. God bless. 01:16:43 Rebecca Thérèse: Thank you☺️ 01:16:48 Maureen Cunningham: Blessing thank you 01:16:51 Janine: Thank you Father

Synopsis of Tonight’s Group on The Ascetical Homilies of St Isaac the Syrian Homily 4 paragraphs 23 and following: St. Isaac teaches us that true spiritual perception, when granted by grace, is marked not by outward signs of exaltation, but by tears, peace of the senses, and the silence of the body before the living God. Such tears are not emotional outbursts, but a baptism of compunction — torrents flowing from eyes opened to behold reality as it is in God. They cleanse the heart, heal the passions, and usher the soul into a stillness that surpasses every worldly delight. His counsel guards us against curiosity and presumption in the spiritual life. Just as honey, if consumed in excess, becomes harmful, so too the pursuit of visions, lofty speculations, or knowledge beyond our measure can damage the soul. Instead, we are called to humility, patience, and silence. The mysteries of God are not seized by force of intellect but revealed to the pure of heart, to those who patiently endure the rugged way of purification. The ascetical life, then, is not about chasing extraordinary experiences but about purifying the heart through prayer, watchfulness, solitude, merciful love, and immersion in the Scriptures. Reading and prayer become companions, one feeding the other, until the mind is illumined and prayer flows with clarity. In such a state, the soul is lifted, yet simultaneously learns timidity — a holy shame at daring to draw near to what surpasses her nature. This shame, however, is itself a sign of humility, a safeguard against delusion. Thus, St. Isaac reminds us that the authentic path of prayer and spiritual knowledge is marked by sobriety, contrition, silence, humility, and charity. Tears are the sign of divine visitation; restraint and reverent stillness are its guardians. In this, the spiritual life becomes less about grasping after what is beyond us and more about receiving with wonder what God grants to the lowly. --- Text of chat during the group:   00:10:06 Tracey Fredman: https://www.pemptousia.tv/view/b/category/Programs/subCategory/saint_paisios_from_farasa_to_the_heavens__bbFSg/id/saint_paisios_from_farasa_to_the_heavens_episode_9_o69MH/lang/el_GR 00:11:23 Thomas: https://ancientfaith.us/media1 00:13:19 Bob Čihák, AZ: P. 147, top of page 00:31:10 David: There is so much that delights the mind in the fathers and often heroic thoughts of doing more vigils, fasting, reading ahead come to mind. I often only am left with a superficial understanding I can't remember. I think one needs to digest slowly like food 00:32:39 David: On the negative side I watch my son's dog everytime she eats grass I find myself making the sign of the cross 00:33:02 Diana Cleveland: Fr. Can you say more what you mean by crisis of faith? Do you mean the kind of crisis that makes you question God or the kind that makes you not want to walk with God? 00:35:33 Anthony: Sometimes I want to lash out at "God" but then realize that is a false image, a mask I've imposed on God.  And then, I realize....it'll all be Ok, the false image is not the God Who loves me. 00:40:37 David: Each night I read from the psalter of St. Ephraim it seems to ground me thinking this saint speaks to my struggles. Sometimes with Climatus and Issac it seems like they have it all figured out and have unabtainum. 00:41:12 David: Mythical not obtainable 00:41:17 David: Used in business for products 00:45:29 Julie: How do you know which tears are for God and someone like me who can cry so easily reading lives of the saints and someone’s sorrows etc. 00:51:16 David: I read somewhere the west seeks to capture the understanding by the intellect and the east seeks to have it revealed by grace to the nous. 00:55:02 Francisco Ingham: I’ve heard say that the west is the mind of the Church and the east is her heart  We need to be deeply acquainted with both spiritual traditions 00:57:26 David: The first book published in the Americas was The Ladder of Devine Ascent. I often wonder if the fruits of the west (much better at evangelical efforts) might have been they also were still breathing with "both lungs" as St. John Paul mentioned. 00:57:40 David: Sorry type Divine Ascent 00:58:27 Kathleen: Describe in your words discursive and non-discursive relative to tonight’s teaching.  I know the definition but want to grasp it further. Perhaps you can provide further insight. 01:02:20 Francisco Ingham: Such a blessing to hear your thoughts on this topic. Truly edifying. Thank you Father 01:11:39 Maureen Cunningham: As 01:11:54 Maureen Cunningham: AA 01:14:17 Maureen Cunningham: Thank you 01:14:50 Rebecca Thérèse: Thank you☺️ 01:15:00 Diana Cleveland: Thank you! 01:15:02 David: Thank you father God bless you and your mother 01:15:17 David: As we continue to prayer for you  

The Fathers are unyielding in their teaching: anger must never be given room in the heart. It is a passion rooted in pride, and when indulged, it blinds the soul, drives away the Holy Spirit, and turns one into a worshipper of rage as if it were an idol. Abba Poimen reminds us that it is not enough to endure the turmoil anger creates—we must learn to drive it out entirely. Left unchecked, anger deceives us with excuses and pretexts, but humility demolishes the very foundation of its power. Abba Isaiah gives us the chief remedy: to keep ever before our eyes the humility of Christ—He who endured dishonor, insults, scourging, and even the Cross without anger. When we recall His long-suffering love, the pride that fuels our own wrath is dissolved, and our hearts are humbled into contrition. Later, St. Cassian will also warn us that even a “just cause” cannot justify anger, for once the heart is disturbed, its vision of God is darkened. Instead, we must redirect the sharpness of anger toward our own sinful thoughts, never toward our brothers. In our life in the world, anger manifests daily—in families, at work, in traffic, in countless irritations. But here, too, the Fathers’ counsel applies: anger is overcome not by isolation but by forbearance, meekness, kindness, and mercy. The remembrance of death, too, helps us put aside wrath, for what profit is there in clinging to resentment when eternity presses upon us? Anger makes us idolaters; love makes us free. To conquer anger is to begin living even now in the peace of the Kingdom. --- Text of chat during the group:  00:15:22 Bob Čihák, AZ: P 270, A, 6 00:37:25 Anthony: Let God arise and let His enemies be scattered is the fundamental approach. We want order. But let us keep in mind the Spanish Civil War, illustrated in the movie There Be Dragons to show the destruction done in the name of righteousness by mankind based on anger. 00:46:52 Julie: Is it the Jesus prayer the cuts through those thoughts 00:53:10 Hey Oh! : The idea that when we are calm we are better able to perceive what the mind is experiencing makes it so that we have a chance not to be reactive and instead can take in God’s goodness in the moment.  This is Andrew. My friend from NJ changed my name title and I can’t fix it… 00:53:51 carolnypaver: Reacted to "The idea that when w..." with 😂 00:54:18 Jeff U: Reacted to "The idea that when w..." with 😂 00:55:17 Una: Who are you, Hey Oh!? 00:59:22 Anthony: When I want to pray, even before meals, I often have terrible thoughts  2. Are these opportunities to exercise humility, and so gifts, not sins on our part? 01:02:29 Julie: Sometimes the thoughts are so many that I find I need to keep active. Like gardening or helping someone to diffuse them 01:05:22 Myles Davidson: I’ve found praying the Jesus Prayer for a decent length of time (say half an hour to an hour at a time) can be effective at slowing down the thoughts. Particularly if done regularly 01:05:54 Bob Čihák, AZ: Replying to "Sometimes the though..." Thanks, Myles. 01:09:52 Anthony: The devil's, I suppose, encourage us to be gnostic, which is contrary to our crested and transfigured nature 01:19:32 Rebecca Thérèse: Thank you☺️ 01:19:38 Maureen Cunningham: Thank You Blessing to everyone 01:19:40 Hey Oh! : Thank you! God bless! 01:19:49 Jeff U: Thank you! God Bless

St. Isaac’s counsel confronts the modern temptation toward self-promotion, verbal dominance, and the illusion of expertise. In a time when our culture prizes quick answers, visible influence, and a polished public persona, his words cut against the grain. He reminds us that the deepest authority is not rooted in rhetoric or clever disputation, but in the quiet radiance of a virtuous life. Humility, expressed in meek speech, modest bearing, restraint in judgment, and continual learning, guards the soul from the injury of familiarity and the snares of pride. For those in the spiritual life today, this means resisting the lure of proving ourselves in debates, curating our image for approval, or speaking beyond what we have truly lived. It is an invitation to clothe our knowledge in tears and fasting, to let the wisdom of the Church shape our vision, and to guard our minds from curiosities that puff up rather than purify. Such a way seems “small” in the eyes of the world, yet it opens the heart to the grace of God, the only true teacher. --- Text of chat during the group: 00:10:58 Fr. Charbel Abernethy: Page 145. Paragraph 20 00:12:39 Bob Čihák, AZ: P. 145, mid-page # 20 2nd paragraph on page 00:13:11 Zack Morgan: no 00:24:51 Anthony: This goes so much against the grain of the Classical Greek world: being a public person and a public corrector after the manner of Socrates 00:40:14 Anthony: I found the spirit of blasphemy is contagious from people who proclaim they are righteous but take delight in showing the faults of others. I wish I could shake it off. 00:40:25 Una: Any practical suggestions for those of us whose knees are shot and can't do prostrations anymore? 00:45:55 Ben: I think St. Seraphim of Sarov said something about continual prayer supplying for the inability to fast. Could one hope that the same could be said about an inability to perform other ascetical works, like prostrations? 00:54:02 Ren Witter: How does one discern when one’s conscience differs from widely held beliefs in the Church because it is malformed, and when it differs but is in fact formed well? I am thinking of immediate, small things obviously, but also St. John Chrysostom, who experienced exile from the institutional Church, and who had such confidence in his own conscience that he could say “they have the churches, but we have the truth” ? 00:55:18 Anthony: Replying to "Any practical sugges..."   There's something about prayer being the highest ascetical work. Maybe in Evergetinos. 00:59:28 Mary 🕊️: The Truth stands invioable whether any human being gives voice to it or not. 00:59:32 Anthony: The sort us "me against the church" and delighting in it, cavorting in it, seems to me a spirit of blasphemy. 01:01:16 Rick Visser: I may be wrong but I think it was Saint Thomas Aquinas who said that even if our conscience is wrong we must follow it. 01:01:20 Ren Witter: If I may ask a potentially fraught question: as someone who reads a lot of Orthodox writers, and who considers the Orthodox Church a kind of estranged twin to the Catholic Church, I have come across a couple of teachings on morals in which my mind and heart agree with the Orthodox teaching more than the Catholic teaching. What do I do with this? Humbly follow the Catholic teaching against my conscience, or follow the more Orthodox way and trust that the Lord will be pleased with that? 01:01:45 Catherine Opie: "The truth is like a lion, let it loose- it will defend itself" 01:05:56 Maureen Cunningham: I see the beauty in all Christian church 01:07:19 Una: Is the Watchful Mind the book where it talks about spitting blood? Oh, yes. What do you make of that? 01:07:58 Una: Is it literal? 01:08:41 Joseph Lamb: I’ve heard that demons prey on your emotions and can make you think God wants you to do something, when really they’re trying to push you outside of His will. If that’s true, how can you tell the difference? 01:12:13 Anthony: Replying to "The sort us "me agai..."   We who bear the effect of hearing of the scandals can "offer it up", accepting this as penalty for listening to it, and suffering as a kind of expiation. 01:12:29 Maureen Cunningham: He was like a Rabbi Father Groshel 01:12:55 Zack Morgan: To address Ren:  But when evaluating many of the Eastern Catholic Traditions, you find that many teachings one thinks is uniquely Orthodox is held by many Eastern Catholics.  Even the Philioque - our Melkite brothers and sisters omit "and the Son" from the Creed, and after Florence this became less of an "issue" than what it is still being made to appear. 01:13:41 Mary 🕊️: The Catachumen process into the Orthodox Church can take several years. Much patience is required. 01:14:53 James Crichton: It took me a full year before deciding to write my letter to the Metropolitan to change Sui Iuris. Made too many rash decisions in my life. This wasn't going to be one of them. 01:14:57 Una: I became Orthodox but came back after three or four years. 01:15:55 Tracey Fredman: Replying to "The Catachumen proce..." The OCIA in the Catholic Church is now (as of the start of the current liturgical year) at least a full year - and for many nearly two now. It's been interesting how patient everyone has been with the updates to the RCIA. They want to follow Christ and they are not deterred by the long process. 01:16:38 Myles Davidson: Reacted to "I became Orthodox bu..." with 👍 01:16:51 Maureen Cunningham: Yay REN 01:17:46 Mary 🕊️: Replying to "The Catachumen proce..."   👍 01:17:53 Maureen Cunningham: Thank you 01:17:56 Rebecca Thérèse: Thank you🙂 01:18:00 John Burmeister: thanks 01:18:10 Janine: Thank you Father 01:18:33 Catherine Opie: Thank you Fr. God Bless 01:18:52 Bob Čihák, AZ: Thank you, Father, esp. for using Substack. 01:18:58 Maureen Cunningham: Amen Father it all beautiful and thank you for all you r time 01:18:58 Lee Graham: Love your prayers on substack, thank you 01:18:59 Rick Visser: Is there a way to group your prayers in one place? 01:19:00 Catherine Opie: Reacted to "Is there a way to gr..." with 👍🏻

Synopsis Of Tonight’s Group on The Evergetinos Volume II Hypothesis XXXV Section A paragraphs 1-5: “One should never become angry or shout at anyone. An irascible man, even if he should raise the dead is not acceptable before God!” Such thoughts from the fathers already set the tone of this hypothesis and begin to challenge our sensibilities; the way that we deal with annoyances, direct attacks against ourselves or the faith or in a broader way the way the way we deal with violence in the world. What is the role, the place, of the Christian in an age of such vindictiveness and hostility to the other? How can we not only avoid being drawn into the passion of anger and move to the defensive position but also love as Christ loves? How does Christ’s meekness and gentleness shape the way that we engage others? So often our ego leads us to hold onto things with a tight grip. This includes our opinions and judgments as well as material goods. Have our hearts been formed with such humility that we can drop our position when a discussion tends towards anger or can we leave behind the work of our own hands the circumstances are such that if we do not abandon it we will be drawn into conflict? In other words, do we place the things of this world or our own dignity and sense of self-respect above the love and the gentleness of Christ?  It is only in the silence of prayer, prolonged and unmeasured, that the grace of God frees us from our own ego. Only by experiencing the profound love, compassion, mercy, and understanding that we have received from God will a spirit of gratitude well up within us. It is then that we are compelled to love. What could we possibly lose that we would not gain back a hundredfold in Christ? If we have been made sons and daughters of God and if we live in the Spirit that has been given to us and we should fear nothing. And where there is no fear - there is only love! --- Text of chat during the group: 00:09:17 Fr. Charbel Abernethy: Page 269 New Hypothesis 00:13:21 Andrew Adams: Yes, you can shut off things like whiteboard in Zoom. 00:13:35 Bob Čihák, AZ: P 269 New Hypothesis 35 00:13:39 Adam Paige: Reacted to "Yes, you can shut of…" with 👍 00:26:44 Andrew Zakhari: I think of individuals who continue to engage in a work culture despite it deadening people's souls in bitterness.  It is easy to stay for financial reasons, not realizing how such work is damaging. 00:28:37 Jonathan Grobler: If it wasn't for online engagement, I would never have joined the Catholic church. I'm always worried, that by not engaging, it's a missed opportunity to plant a seed of the Gospel. 00:30:59 Bob Čihák, AZ: My work was with 3 partners. Sometimes, after a "warm" 20 min. discussion, I would abruptly say "You've convinced me. I agree. Let's do it the way you suggest." and I meant it. My partners would look like the wind just wend out of their sails. 00:36:12 Catherine Opie: Reacted to "My work was with 3 p..." with ❤️ 00:39:25 Catherine Opie: Fr. I have just spent 7 days with my family who relentlessly asked me questions and challenged me on my Catholicism (since I recently converted). Culminating in my brother (who was fuming the whole time) let it rip at me in a really irrational way. How do I handle this? Just say I'm not wiling to talk about it or should I continue to respond, not in like manner but in a rational manner of course? As I seem to be causing him to become angry I'm leaning towards just saying nothing as I'm a hopeless evangeliser anyway being so fresh to this. 00:42:55 Myles Davidson: Order of the Eastern star 00:43:05 Anthony: Order of the Eastern Star 00:44:54 annalalonde: From the desert fathers perspective, how would would break those satanic occult roots from family and generations? Especially gender ideology, yoga, sins of flesh, and masonic… 00:45:23 annalalonde: With one that has anger… what does the desert fathers share how to rid of this? 00:55:16 Maureen Cunningham: Is it not what Jesus says more then what I say ? Jesus said Ect.. 00:59:10 Anthony: How do you pray a long time for a person? God knows all.  The evangelical kind of prayer almost sounds like it's wordiness for wordiness sake. Saying multiple rosaries almost sounds like trying to manipulate God.  How DO people adequately pray a long time for someone? 01:10:57 Mark South: Isaac lasted 5 months as Bishop... 01:12:11 Jonathan Grobler: Reminds of how Christ new Judas was stealing from the money purse, her never publicly reprimanded him for it. 01:12:41 Maureen Cunningham: St Francis 01:17:07 Forrest Cavalier: Thank you, Father! Here is my note to today’s paragraph 3: “During a conversation, a monk was bothered by a dog. The monk showed his gentleness and love by resuming the conversation after removing the dog.” 01:17:28 Catherine Opie: Like the nuns who sang all the way to the guillotine during the French revolution offering themselves as a sacrifice to stop the violence and two weeks later Robespierre was executed and it ended 01:18:09 Mark South: See Footnote 19 on pages 57-58 in his Homilies for an account of St Isaac and others return to stillness from Bishophood 01:18:20 Myles Davidson: Reacted to "Like the nuns who sa..." with 👍 01:18:41 Andrew Zakhari: Beautiful discussion. God bless you richly! Thank you all. 01:19:19 Forrest Cavalier: Reacted to "Beautiful discussion..." with 👍 01:19:19 Maureen Cunningham: Thank You Blessings to everyone 01:19:24 Rebecca Thérèse: Thank you🙂 01:19:34 Bob Čihák, AZ: Thank you Father. 01:19:40 Catherine Opie: Thank you Fr 01:19:40 cameron: Thank you Father.

St Isaac the Syrian’s words strike with such power and seek to draw us away from what we desperately cling to as human beings - vainglory. Our focus upon ourselves, our particular needs and desires, makes us gather “abominable treasures“ for ourselves that defile our hearts. But more than defiling our hearts, such a vainglory prevents us from experiencing the love and mercy of God in all of its fullness.  Thus, Saint Isaac does not hold back in emphasizing the need to purify the heart from all vainglory and pride. His words crash upon the heart like a hammer against an anvil. It is better for us to free ourselves from the shackle of sin than to free slaves from slavery. It is better for us to make peace with our soul than it is to teach about bringing peace among men. It is good to speak about the things of God but it is better for us to make ourselves pure for Him. To speak humbly and to be seen as uncouth by others is better than speaking eloquently about things that we only know as hearsay or that are writings of ink. What St. Isaac is seeking to have us contemplate is the transformative power of God‘s grace and the presence of the Holy Spirit within our hearts. It is God‘s love and mercy that transforms the repentant heart and it is that same love and mercy that transforms the world; even if it remains hidden in obscurity or in poverty. What value is there in a person preaching or teaching about God when through his negligence his soul remains sickly? What gain is there to teach others or lead them to the knowledge of God and then to fall away from hope in God? We begin to see through St. Isaac’s writings how we have obscured the gospel. In doing so we have not only weakened its message but we have also lost sight of the presence of God within the sorrows and afflictions of life.  It is through the Cross that we have been redeemed and when there is fidelity and trust in the Lord, when we are humbled by life, it is then that His power is made perfect. --- Text of chat during the group: 00:19:39 Gwen’s iPhone: Blessed Transfiguration  Father 00:24:55 Myles Davidson: What is the distinction between vainglory and pride? 00:27:53 Jamie Hickman: Was the hedgehog reference from John Chrysostom? Love it...just not familiar with it 00:29:24 Jamie Hickman: ah yes, thank you, Father 00:32:24 Anthony: I have a feeling St Isaac is reflecting on his short time as an active bishop, which he fled. 00:33:39 Myles Davidson: Replying to "ah yes, thank you, F..." Cassian’s Conference 10.11 00:34:03 Jamie Hickman: Reacted to "Cassian’s Confere..." with ✍️ 00:36:18 Jamie Hickman: Mary your vocation to purify your heart is beautiful. Thank you for sharing this. 00:45:51 Anthony: This is the difference of the frankness of a "Rocky" instead of the glibness of Apollo Creed 00:47:57 Rebecca: Sometimes a humble spirit can become a source of pride and vainglory…. 00:49:18 Rebecca: …as in the false self co-opts the experience of the ‘humble spirit’. 01:02:38 Russ’s iPhone: Lewis- Pain is Gods divine megaphone to rouse us from our spiritual slumber, or pain is Gods divine drill into the human heart. 01:07:23 Ren Witter: I feel like a lot of the time, the same circumstances that can humble can also lead to intense anger and resentment. What is the difference between the person who allows themselves to be humbled, and the one who responds with resentment and anger? 01:08:55 Anthony: I plenty of times start with anger and have to put it aside.  Maybe that is humility.  Over and over again. 01:09:47 Anthony: We have to remember we are humans, not the mythical Vulcans 01:10:47 Mary 🕊️: Through a history of interactions with Christ I begin to experience his trustworthiness. 01:11:13 Anthony: Reacted to Through a history of... with "👍" 01:12:27 Ren Witter: I feel like maybe the last stage in this process is to resign oneself with joy, rather than sadness. Very difficult. 01:14:45 Diana Cleveland: Reacted to "Through a history of..." with ❤️ 01:14:47 Lee Graham: Reacted to "I feel like maybe th…" with ❤️ 01:16:32 David: My grandfather used to say it is a curse to say to people- I just want you to be happy which is the road to live an empty life chasing that which never fulfills. When had my children I always said - I just want you to have a fulfilling life. Through lost, struggle, overcoming problems I have grow to appreciate this along with growing closer to Christ. 01:16:59 Andrew Adams: Reacted to "My grandfather used ..." with ❤️ 01:17:21 Mary 🕊️: So my death is day by day swallowed up by his Life. 01:21:45 Andrew Adams: Thanks be to God! Thank you, Father! Great discussion tonight! 01:21:48 Rebecca Thérèse: Thank you☺️ 01:21:50 Rebecca: Thank you! 01:21:52 Jeffrey Ott: Thank you!! Great to be with you all 01:21:55 Diana Cleveland: Thank you! 01:21:56 Bob Čihák, AZ: Thank you, Father. 01:21:57 Gwen’s iPhone: Thank you 01:22:06 Erick Chastain: thank you Father 01:22:08 David: Thank you father God bless you and your mother! 01:22:35 Mary 🕊️: Love to all!! Each and every one ❤️

Synopsis of Tonight’s Group on The Evergetinos Volume II Hypothesis XXXIV Sections A6-F Conclusion: When we come across the high standards of the desert fathers, especially if they are jarring to our own sensibilities, we can tend to not just to read their writings critically but to dismiss them as hyperbolic or extreme.  Yet it is precisely the internal dis-ease that their writings create within us that brings us back to the heart of the gospel and what it means to be a Christian.  What does it mean to put on the mind of Christ and have our conscience formed and shaped by the grace of God and the gospel? How does it shape the way that we understand what it means to be a human being or the things that we take for granted such as laughter or familiarity in relationships? Upon closer examination, we see that there are many displays of humor that are rooted in a lack of sobriety and sense of reverence for our own dignity and the dignity of others. We rarely think about how our words and actions, our bearing or form of dress, affect those who are around us.  Are we seeking to protect the dignity and spiritual well-being of those around us? Do we hold their identity as sons and daughters of God as something precious and to be revered?  The simplest realities of day-to-day life and interactions need to be attended to the most; for they are often the means through which we are tempted. The evil one can make use of what is good and pleasing about our lives as a means to draw us into excess.  In the end, it is Christ and the gospel that must be the lens through which we view our lives and behavior. We see Christ, who, although perfectly innocent and filled with love was stripped of dignity, mocked and pinned to the cross. We hear Him say to us “take up your cross daily and follow me” - calling us to a sober sense of what our life in this world will be like as his disciples. In the beatitudes, we hear Him say “blessed her those who mourn” reminding us not only of our share in his cross but the necessity of morning for our own sins.  Christ has everything to do with what affects or afflicts us. --- Text of chat during the group: 00:06:25 Fr. Charbel Abernethy: Page 267 number 6 00:16:24 Bob Čihák, AZ: P 267 # 6 00:32:33 Catherine Opie: Fr. what are your thoughts on the use of humour to break through things when one sinks into self pity or depression, or when doing arduous tasks or events in life to lighten the situation? Should we simply be contemplating the suffering and be joyful that we are suffering in this life instead of the next? 00:36:02 wayne: When humor tuns to sarcasm, then it can become hurtful. 00:36:13 Catherine Opie: Reacted to "When humor tuns to s..." with 👍🏻 00:36:57 Bob Čihák, AZ: I laugh at myself, A LOT! 00:37:58 Anthony: Replying to "When humor tuns to s..."   Yes. I like silly, even buffoonish (like a mime, for example) comical humor since it can be done without hurting anyone. 00:41:12 Ambrose Little: A merry heart does good like a medicine. (Prov 17:22). “For rejoicing in the Lord is our strength!” (Neh 8:10) St. Thomas Aquinas wrote this great prayer “for ordering a life wisely,” and at one part he says,  “O Lord my God, make me           submissive without protest,           poor without discouragement,           chaste without regret,           patient without complaint,           humble without posturing,           cheerful without frivolity,           mature without gloom,           and quick-witted without flippancy.” “Cheerful w/o frivolity” has always struck me as a good way of putting it. Earlier in the prayer he says:  “May I not rejoice in anything           unless it leads me to You;      may I not be saddened by anything           unless it turns me from You.” Maintaining the fundamental orientation towards God is key. 00:41:36 Anthony: Thanks for clarifying Father. I was hoping you'd comment on what is good and bad buffoonery, for my benefit. 00:42:51 Catherine Opie: Replying to "A merry heart does g..." Yes there is a diffence between cherr and frivolity. What a beautiful prayer 00:43:42 Catherine Opie: Reacted to "Thanks for clarifyin..." with 🤣 00:46:58 Anthony: Ephrem reminds me,  in John Damascene's philosophy chapters of the Fount of Knowledge, the definition of man is (or includes) one who laughs. 01:08:47 Catherine Opie: I think Father simply by being modest and being amongst others. When I first came to Catholicism I was horrifyingly immodest, but simply by being around the trad community I am learning about modesty and slowly changing through immersion. No one has berated me but I'm certain they prayed for me. And I see new converts coming in and slowly changing over time. Nothing changes others more than simple example of reverence. 01:12:12 Kate : Dr. Alice von Hildebrand has written beautifully on the topic of modesty and reverence as a reflection of the dignity of the human person. 01:12:28 Catherine Opie: Reacted to "Dr. Alice von Hildeb..." with 🙏🏻 01:16:50 Andrew Zakhari: "Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give an account."--Heb. 4:12. 01:16:58 Erick Chastain: Reacted to "I think Father simpl..." with 👍 01:19:43 Catherine Opie: As always incredibly thought provoking many thanks for your insight and guidance. God bless. 01:19:44 Rebecca Thérèse: Thank you☺️ 01:19:51 Maureen Cunningham: Thank You  Father Blessing to all 01:20:01 Jeff Ulrich: Thank you Father 01:20:03 Andrew Zakhari: Thank you! Blessings upon you. 01:20:09 Alan Tarantino: Thank you Father 01:20:34 cameron: Thank you 01:20:37 Andrew Adams: Thank you, Father!

In the writings of Saint Isaac the Syrian, we see so beautifully the desert fathers emphasis on praxis; that is, how we concretely live out our faith in our day-to-day life and relationships. They knew that Christ can be lost to the mind and the heart not only through sin but also simply in the warp and wolf of day-to-day life. We surround ourselves with things that provide us with a sense of security and identity. This goes beyond material goods and includes our being driven by busyness and the pursuit of the world‘s respect of our accomplishments. We can lose time through idle chatter, laziness, and sloth. With anxious hearts, we direct our energy toward pursuing the things that we have come to love within the world; education, art, athletics, and entertainment. We are zealous for what we love and willing to invest ourselves without counting the cost to pursue it.  However, Saint Isaac reminds us of the meaning and the weight of those small moments and affairs in our day-to-day life. Do we hold in mind the brevity of our life and that it has been entrusted to us in such a way that we will have to give an account before God for how we have used the gift? Do we see the “other” and Christ within the poor or those who are suffering and alone? More often than not our minds and hearts are abstracted by the things that titillate the senses and emotions.  Thus, Saint Isaac tells us acquire freedom in your manner of life; in particular freedom from turmoil. Do not find your freedom by what simply gives pleasure and so become a slave of slaves. Surrounded by abundance and conveniences we often have the sense that we are dependent upon them. Yet we do not realize that they will never help us to acquire humble thoughts or a pure minds. St. Isaac, therefore, describes renunciation as weaning ourselves from our attachment to the things of this world as well as from our own ego. Our dignity and destiny is found in Christ Who is our hope, our salvation, and our Love! --- Text of chat during the group: 00:05:37 susan: been away  what page are we on? 00:11:58 Myles Davidson: Page 143 “Love chastity…..” 00:13:11 Una: Trouble with my sound 00:13:11 Fr. Charbel Abernethy: Page 143 paragraph 11 00:13:20 Una: Whose feet are those? 00:14:19 Adam Paige: Technical difficulties, please stand by ! ☺️ 00:14:37 Jamie Hickman: jealous! 00:29:05 Maureen Cunningham: How do you know you are killing the ego . How would you be different 00:31:33 Julie: Should I feel bad for liking  or surrounding myself with nice things 00:32:41 Eleana: I agree, the tentation when he have a spiritual life is to feel "good" and dressing to be seen or perceive as humble; it can also be false humility that I believe to be the worst pride. 00:33:07 Una: That false self can manifest in busy busy busy 00:34:15 Thomas: I’ve always thought that remembrance of death was about remembering our sins and that we will be judged and so forth, but Isaac says rejoicing, is this just a different aspect 00:34:44 Rebecca: “I live now. Not I.  But Christ live in me”  St Paul the Apostle 00:41:59 Jamie Hickman: The Mother Teresa story reminds me of paragraph 14: "Conduct yourself with knowledge..." -- this knowledge is intimacy, experience as you've called it, Father. She conducted herself with the love of her Love, He Who Thirsts. She really saw him thirsty there on the sidewalk, and she attempted to satiate him. 00:43:08 Joanna Martinez: There is a beutifuly done documentary film on Amazon Prime called "Sacred Alaska" about the life of small Orthodox community and their saints. The film is not free, costs $4.25, but highly recommended by way of illustrating exactly what St. Isaac speaks abot, living in the hands of God, with freedom to not have control over anything, but living by the grace of God 00:44:08 Nicholas B. Besachio: How does one stay humble when they hold a high position that comes with a lot of priviledge, nice things, and command over others. How does one direct those things toward the good. 00:48:32 Ryan Ngeve: Father what would be the proper approach about people who use busy-ness as an escape from sloth and sinful passions 00:48:51 Ryan Ngeve: To people * 00:49:36 Anthony: Replying to "How does one stay hu..."   Privilege and honor and authority includes responsibilities including in a way responsibility for souls under us. 00:51:04 Una: Interesting question, Ryan 01:02:14 Rebecca: Father, do you have any suggestions on how to ‘order the sense? 01:02:53 Jamie Hickman: Speaking of senses, I'd go to hearing. Music is more accessible, perhaps, than in ages past due to recording devices and proliferation of devices that play music. We know that faith comes from hearing, and so when much of our music is contrary to the Gospel, it is perhaps unsurprising that contemporary man struggles to believe. 01:07:30 Myles Davidson: St Paisios had only a tin can and a teaspoon as his only cooking and eating utensils 01:07:59 Julie: Silence can be scary with your own thoughts 01:08:07 Anthony: Reacted to Silence can be scary... with "👍" 01:08:27 Anthony: Replying to "Silence can be scary..."   Yes. That's a reason I constantly listen to something 01:09:35 Alan Tarantino: My wife started using an app called Dumb Phone to reduce screen time. 01:09:54 Jamie Hickman: Reacted to "My wife started us..." with 👍 01:11:06 Erick Chastain: This is st junipero serra's cell 01:12:21 Anthony: Reacted to pic-4977f22d-6b5b-42ed-be9d-c2aac9403110.jpg with "👍" 01:12:28 Jamie Hickman: Reacted to "IMG_8737.jpg" with 😂 01:12:38 Jacqulyn: Reacted to "IMG_8737.jpg" with 😂 01:12:46 Ben: Reacted to "IMG_8737.jpg" with 😂 01:12:58 Ryan Ngeve: Reacted to "Interesting question…" with 👍 01:13:07 Ryan Ngeve: Reacted to "IMG_8737.jpg" with 😂 01:13:39 Myles Davidson: Reacted to "pic-4977f22d-6b5b-42ed-be9d-c2aac9403110.jpg" with 🙏 01:14:16 Andrew Adams: Reacted to "IMG_8737.jpg" with 😂 01:18:04 Jamie Hickman: ad multos annos 01:18:53 Rebecca: Thank so much for this session.  Wonderful teaching and help. 01:20:09 Gwen’s iPhone: Thank you. Grateful. 01:21:02 Andrew Adams: Thanks be to God! Thank you, Father! 01:21:03 David: Thank you Father may God bless you and your mother! 01:21:03 Joanna Martinez: Thank You. 01:21:07 Rebecca Thérèse: Thank you☺️ 01:21:15 Jeffrey Ott: Thank you Father! 01:21:16 Jacqulyn: Thank you! 01:21:23 Jeffrey Ott: Are you going to continue substack? 01:22:27 Alan Tarantino: Thank you Father 01:22:34 cameron: Thank you Fr 01:22:40 Diana Cleveland: Thank you!

The desert fathers were incredibly sensitive to the simple things in life that we often take for granted; the ways that we speak with others and treat them. In this sense, they were psychologically astute; realizing that in the warp and woof of day-to-day life, it is often the small things that affect relationships the most and so also a place where we are provoked to sin. We often describe these aspects of our life as normal or natural; that is, being human. Yet, even that which is good must be perfected by the grace of God for it can be corrupted if the heart is impure or lacking in charity. Thus, without hesitation, the fathers can say “there is no passion, more terrible than familiarity, for it gives rise to all the other passions.“ At first this might seem to be hyperbole. Familiarity seems to be an essential part of relationships and intimacy. What the fathers discovered, however, is that it can break down the reverence, dignity and meekness with which we engage others. The more that we are around a person we begin to think that we can take liberties and dispense with courteousness and tenderness in speech. We can use our intimate knowledge of others to tear them down or to gain a position of emotional power within the relationship. What has been entrusted to us as precious can be used in ways that inflict emotional wounds. Similarly laughter is seen as a natural part and perhaps one of the best parts of our lives. Humor often is the means through which we are able to cope with a harshness of life. It seems to lighten the spirit. However, it can often devolve into buffoonery; nothing is taken serious at all, and humor is used to mock the others. Such laughter then makes us lose sight of the dignity of the other and more importantly makes us lose sight of their dignity as sons and daughters of God. We feel that we are liberty to make fun of them or to laugh at their misfortune.  Our consideration of these things shows us how important it is for us to have the mind of Christ. We are to live in Him and it is His grace that must shape all of our actions. There is only one appropriate way for us to relate to another person and that is to love them! --- Text of chat during the group: 00:03:56 Fr. Charbel Abernethy: Page 266 00:06:34 Fr. Charbel Abernethy: Hypothesis XXXIV 00:15:52 Adam Paige: I found the groups via a friend who shared a Sensus Fidelium YouTube repost of a podcast 00:16:59 Myles Davidson: Pg 266 Hypothesis XXXIV 00:17:18 Catherine Opie: That's why its important to make sure people who find you on Social Media are funnelled to your website and you get their email addresses so you can contact them direct. Via a download of a free pdf of something like that. 00:23:52 Forrest Cavalier: Wikipedia has a page with the root word in Greek. The Wikipedia page defines it as parrhesia (Greek: παρρησία) is candid speech, speaking freely.[1] It implies not only freedom of speech, but the obligation to speak the truth for the common good, even at personal risk.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parrhesia 00:24:43 Rev. Andrew: Often times in troubled marriages the spouses lose that kind of respect and mindfulness that was there when they were dating. 00:25:12 Nypaver Clan: Reacted to "Often times in troub..." with 👍🏼 00:29:35 Una: Yeah, this kind of familiarity can lead to abuse, especially verbal/psychological abuse 00:30:36 Anthony: This reminds me of Rocky, the painful scene where Paulie verbally disrespects his sister Adrian at their home during the holidays. 00:32:02 Rick Visser: In familiarity we are no longer able to see the face of Christ in their face. The entire sacred dimension of life is drained of its life. 00:33:29 Una: Is there a good side to familiarity? 00:33:45 Julie: Do you think it is a danger getting too close to others. Is there a limit with what you share or guard.? 00:35:25 Una: Difference between fraternity and familiarity? 00:35:28 Una: Difference between fraternity and familiarity? 00:39:14 Anthony: This self exposure is the culture of evangelicalism.  It was at my alma mater, Liberty University. 00:40:45 Bob Čihák, AZ: I'm finding my most fruitful way to know Christ seems to be seeing and finding Christ in other people, usually male friends. How does or should this sense of respect and comfort with others differ from familiarity? 00:40:51 Rev. Andrew: Reacted to "This self exposure i…" with 👍 00:42:02 Una: Can this familiarity dynamic be different in a male/female relationship or friendship? How to guard against this 00:43:44 Catherine Opie: Psycho drama 00:47:17 Rick Visser: Serve tea to all without familiarity. Some small degree of ceremoniousness in all our interactions. 00:48:33 Una: Special pitfalls in male/female dynamics? 00:48:43 Una: Beyond the obvious (sexual temptation) 00:51:39 Rick Visser: Humility 00:55:23 Una: Reacted to "Serve tea to all w..." with 👍 00:57:12 Forrest Cavalier: One of our children wrote an essay on the use of the Latin words for LAUGH (ridere) in St. Augustine’s confessions for an upper level Latin course in college. In short, there are very few legitimate occasions to laugh that are rightly ordered spiritually. Almost always there is a pride and superiority at root, at the expense of someone. 00:57:38 Catherine Opie: Reacted to "One of our children ..." with 👍🏻 01:00:47 Nypaver Clan: Reacted to "One of our children ..." with 👍🏼 01:02:11 Rev. Andrew: In the spiritual life this applies to. We are so familiar with God we miss times of prayer, attendance of worship, etc. 01:02:32 Catherine Opie: Reacted to "In the spiritual lif..." with ❤️ 01:02:57 Nypaver Clan: Reacted to "In the spiritual lif..." with 😢 01:04:05 Anthony: I'm one of those people who tries way too hard in things.  Can I adopt an attitude of kind simplicity and be ok in the spiritual life? 01:06:01 Rick Visser: Late night TV -- who is the most clever in laughing at others. 01:06:19 Lee Graham: Reacted to "In the spiritual lif…" with ❤️ 01:08:45 Myles Davidson: Germans have a word for delight in the downfall of others… schadenfreude 01:10:36 Una: Like this couple that got caught on the camera. We should be praying for their conversaion. Severe mercy that they were caught 01:13:18 Rick Visser: Reverence, dignity, and meekness - Confucius knew how this is tied to ceremoniousness. 01:13:52 Nypaver Clan: Where is the place for fraternal correction? 01:14:24 Forrest Cavalier: The second to last verb in #5 in greek is HUBRIS. ὑβρίζῃ 01:14:40 Nypaver Clan: Reacted to "The second to last v..." with 👍🏼 01:17:14 Forrest Cavalier: This was a fascinating hour1 01:17:22 Myles Davidson: Reacted to "This was a fascinati..." with 👍 01:17:42 David Fraley: This gave me a lot to think about. Thank you, Father! 01:18:00 Maureen Cunningham: Thank You Blessing 01:18:02 Rebecca Thérèse: Thank you☺️ 01:18:11 Janine: Thank you Father! 01:18:12 Catherine Opie: Thank you God Bless 01:18:22 Una: Thank you. Great class 01:18:31 Rick Visser: Thank you Father! 01:19:10 Nypaver Clan: You’ll get over it….. 01:19:33 Catherine Opie: If those people really value the material they will look for you 01:19:45 Myles Davidson: Reacted to "If those people real..." with 👍 01:19:53 Nypaver Clan: Reacted to "If those people real..." with 👍🏼 01:20:11 Una: Missing those dopamine hits 01:20:27 Nypaver Clan: Reacted to "Missing those dopami..." with 😂 01:20:27 Maureen Cunningham: Bless REN 01:20:28 Una: It's real and it's touch 01:20:36 Una: tough 01:21:25 Catherine Opie: Time wasting 01:22:05 Catherine Opie: Great move Fr.