Philokalia Ministries

With each passing week, as we read St. John’s thoughts on discernment, we begin to see how it touches every aspect of our life. So often we confuse this gift with intellectually analyzing the circumstances around us or internal experiences and feelings or our perception of others’ actions.  Yet discernment is not rooted in our private judgment. Rather, it arises out of union and communion with He who is Truth and Love. We engage in the ascetic life and seek purity of heart in order that we comprehend the truth unimpeded, to see things as God sees them and to see and respond to what he wants us to perceive. Anything less than this leaves us completely vulnerable. St. John says, “let us watch and see which demon uplift us, which cast us down, which harden, which comfort, which darken, which pretend to communicate enlightenment to us, which make us slothful, which make us cunning, which make us sad, and which cheerful.”  It is only in Christ that we have the capacity to see these things. Strength and virtue of any kind comes not from climbing up a ladder of virtue on our own, but rather having Christ live within us. His virtue must become our virtue and his strength must becomes our strength. This is a difficult thing because it means letting go completely of the illusion that we can see the truth of the spiritual realities outside of our relationship with Him. It means being humble. --- 00:02:32 FrDavid Abernethy: page 214 number 172   00:26:36 David Swiderski: I struggled with discernment most of my life and got far too intellectual analyizing everything. A  wise friend made a comment that helped me- you only need to think of two things- does this lead us closer to God or away from God.   00:27:10 Lisa Smith: Reacted to "I struggled with dis..." with 👍   00:30:31 David Swiderski: My grandfather always said wisdom is absorbed slowly over time while being intellectual is something to grasp.   00:32:37 Jeff O.: julian of norwich seems to say the same thing about affliction going so far as to say to actually pray for it as it is one of the greatest graces of God.   00:36:27 Lisa Smith: Sufficient is the evil of today, Is that what Christ said?   01:02:47 Johnny Ross: God forgives seven times seventy-so long as the will is there   01:03:12 Vanessa: Reacted to "God forgives seven t..." with ❤️   01:12:15 Kate : At what point and in what circumstances can we make a judgement about a situation?   01:14:50 David Swiderski: Everytime I see arguments on how to make the sign of the cross or taking communion in the hand or on the tongue I feel like both sides want to be right rather than acknowledge each is seeking to get close to God.   01:16:11 David Swiderski: The focus falls to Pride as you mentioned before.   01:19:11 Tracey Fredman: Most recently, Romans 15:1-6 has been quite helpful for me - it's not about pleasing myself, but for building up others and letting go of what I think they should do: St. Paul wrote "... let each of us please our neighbor for the good , for building up. For Christ did not please himself …"   01:23:55 Rebecca Thérèse: God is often presented to us by people who want to control us.   01:24:06 Ambrose Little: Avoid “Catholic” Twitter/X. Social media in general.   01:24:27 sheri: Thanks Father.  Gotta go...   01:24:52 Kevin Burke: Thank You Father!   01:25:30 Andrew Adams: Thank you Father!   01:25:36 Jeff O.: Thank you!!   01:25:36 Rebecca Thérèse: Thank you🙂   01:25:43 David Swiderski: Thank you!  

The fathers continue to speak to us about service and work and the disposition that we are to have in doing it. Our understanding must move from a functional understanding of labor; engaging in it in a way that is determined by private judgment or by the desire for worldly things.  Everything that we do must be tied to our service of the providence of God. In other words, we are responding to the call of Love. The way that the Christian works and responds to the needs of others (as well as the one’s own needs) is tied to our relationship with the Lord. We are given the task of being the guardian of souls; our own and others’. We are to attend to our own needs, trusting that God will provide us with what is needed. We are to serve others without making excuses for our avoidance or negligence in doing so.  We are to seek first the kingdom of heaven. This is what shapes everything for us. We always return to the nest of prayer, there to be nourished upon the love and the grace of God. And it is only from that nest that we step out in response to His call to love and serve others.  So often we fill our life with needless tasks; more often than not to give us a sense of security and safety. Yet to do so draws us away from He who is the Lord of love and the Governor of history; the One who provides for every one of our needs. --- Text of chat during the group: 00:10:07 Ann Thelen: hello everyone. I've been listening to these podcasts for the last year or so. tonight is the first time i've been able to jump in live due to Easter Break. No children's activities. Happy and grateful to be joining you.   00:10:25 Adam Paige: Reacted to "hello everyone. I've..." with 👍   00:10:32 Ambrose Little: Southerner joining early…   00:10:37 FrDavid Abernethy: Reacted to "hello everyone. I've..." with 👍   00:10:41 Lori Hatala: Reacted to "hello everyone. I've..." with 👍   00:18:13 Dave Warner (AL): Reacted to "hello everyone. I've..." with 👍   00:22:01 Steve Yu: Social media has enhanced the spirit of rudeness. I think it has to do with interacting with others in a non physical manner.  We gain a certain “freedom” from politeness and respect, in my opinion.   00:22:15 David C: Reacted to "Social media has enh..." with 👍   00:23:54 Carol Roper: Reacted to "hello everyone. I've..." with 👍   00:24:23 Steve Yu: Cultural difference?   00:40:24 Nypaver Clan: Do you think St. Philip got that imagery from St. Isaac?   00:47:28 Susanna Joy: On the previous section: The bird has to hurry back to the nest because the egg needs warmth or the baby bird is hungry and waiting...what stuck with me from the nido image is taking what gleaned from the world and hurty back to care for this tender growing "baby" life within the love Divine...the goodness received from the sheltering nest of the hand of God...   00:51:34 David C: Reacted to "On the previous sect..." with 👍   00:55:23 Erick Chastain: where are we in the evergetinos?   00:55:41 Nypaver Clan: Top of 85   01:04:49 Ann Thelen: Is there a book or something of the sorts that gives a good recommendation for what the structure of what our daily prayer life should look like as someone who is married or taking care of family. Specifically, the amount of time spent in prayer that should be non negotiable.   01:10:48 Ann Thelen: haha   01:12:47 sharonfisher: Thank you — I needed this instruction and I need to heed it.   01:13:06 Lori Hatala: Reacted to "Thank you — I needed..." with ❤️   01:13:16 Kevin Burke: Me too.. “Prayer is a relationship”     01:13:46 Ann Thelen: Thank you. Thats very helpful   01:16:02 Kevin Burke: Thank you Father, very profound teaching tonight…   01:16:02 sharonfisher: And with your spirit!!   01:16:04 Susanna Joy: When my son was small I was at a retreat, and some were going to devotions while those of us with small ones to the children out on a hike. A community member remarked to me, too bad you cant be in worship...It occured to me that my life with my child is a devotion...   01:16:06 Rebecca Thérèse: Thank you🙂   01:16:15 Troy Amaro: Thank You   01:16:20 Erick Chastain: have a good night father   01:16:31 Lisa Smith: God bless   01:16:33 David C: Thank you God Bless all   01:16:40 Susanna Joy: Thank you, Father  

Discernment, St. John tells us, arises out of humility. It also allows us to see the value of humility in the spiritual life. It is the virtue above all virtues, that we must cling to in the spiritual battle. The enemy will seek to confuse us in one way or another; by flattery or by seemingly knowing our thoughts and placing ideas before us which then make us fear their control over us. However, discernment and humility, both protect our capacity to live in He who is the truth.  It also allows us to see the truth about ourselves as human beings and our dignity. We are not created with the passions. They rise out of our sin and the distortion of the desire that God has placed in us naturally. It is desire that makes us long for him and the life of virtue and it is anger that allows us to fight the good fight of faith and strike down the evil one and the temptations that are placed before us.   We also find, over the course of time, that discernment allows us to let go of our judgment and what gives us security in the spiritual life and to trust wholly in God. Therefore, when life seems to crumble around us and all seems to be wrapped in darkness, discernment allows us to step forward with trust in God and his love. While it keeps us from acting in rash way it also protects us from false prudence that hides cowardice and lack of courage.  What we begin to see is that any struggle in the spiritual life to overcome the passions, any sacrifice that we make to follow the Lord, promises what is beyond imagination. Even to lose all in this world is to lose nothing if we have Christ. --- Text of chat during the group: 00:06:22 Rachel: Hello everyone   00:11:11 Rachel: lol   00:12:42 Rachel: No one will take me😭 I guess trying to convince people what sinners they are and so need to go to the Holy Annointing as well as drive me was not a good stategy   00:13:28 Rachel: I have been but I went to Mass at noon, and others have other obligations   00:13:42 Rachel: When Rory gets home, Ill try to convince him. LOL   00:14:08 Rachel: He will gladly go. He loves the Byzantine Liturgies   00:17:48 Ambrose Little: I resemble that.   00:31:21 David: Virtue is nothing without the trial of temptation, for there is no conflict without an enemy, no victory without strife.-St. Leo the Great   00:33:09 David C: Reacted to "Virtue is nothing wi..." with ❤️   00:34:12 mhinckley: incisive anger: I always struggle with being just with it   00:34:36 David C: Reacted to "incisive anger: I al..." with 👍   00:34:39 mhinckley: not to mention charitable   00:40:01 mhinckley: I have always appreciated the use of "thorn" with sin. You never intentionally grasp for a thorn, only things that thorns surround.   00:40:51 David C: Reacted to "I have always apprec..." with 👍   00:42:58 Rachel: no. he is frozen   00:43:03 Lisa Smith: Same here.   00:43:04 Bob Cihak: Me too.   00:43:08 David C: Yeah he was frozen on my screen as well   00:43:29 Rachel: I only have Rens screen   00:43:38 Bob Cihak: Rising from the Frozen!   00:43:43 sprou: Reacted to "Rising from the Froz..." with 👍   00:43:46 David C: Reacted to "Rising from the Froz..." with 👍   00:47:29 David: I always try to remember what Mother Teresa said - I am a little pencil in the hand of God. At least when good flows through me however I often need frequent sharpening and a good eraser when I write :)   00:48:11 David C: Reacted to "I always try to reme..." with 👍   00:49:53 mhinckley: Reacted to "I always try to reme..." with 👍   00:53:40 Bob Cihak: What about St. Paul? "You have fought the good fight."   00:57:29 Sr Barbara Jean Mihalchick: Examples??   00:59:26 David: Would this be something like instead of dwelling on a temptation and agonizing vs. simply casting the thought from our minds in the beginning?   01:00:26 David: Evargius a good example   01:15:38 Rebecca Thérèse: Thank you🙂   01:16:13 Bob Cihak: Blessings to you, Fr.   01:16:20 Andrew Adams: Thank you Father!   01:16:21 David: Thank your Father!   01:16:24 Rachel: thank y ou   01:16:25 Jeff O.: Thank you Father!   01:16:25 mhinckley: buona pasqua tutti!   01:16:31 Semai: Oh i joined late 😭   01:16:38 Sr Barbara Jean Mihalchick: Blessed Easter!   01:16:41 Mitch: Thanks!  

What a beautiful group! Beauty, however, is not only found in the things that are attractive or appeal to our sensibilities. What is beautiful is found in the truth – the truth that speaks to the depths of our hearts and our religiosity. Once again, the fathers speak to us and present to us the gospel in unvarnished fashion.    What is the disposition that we are to have in our service of God and others? If we give ourselves over to task with obedience, then we can be assured that God will provide all the grace that is necessary. If we do these tasks poorly, if we make mistakes, these do not diminish the value of our work. What gives shape to the work is the love and the humility of Christ.    There are so many things that rush to our minds as to why we cannot bear something or why we cannot do a certain work. However, the fathers show us that so often such things are excuses; that is, plausible lies. They are reasonable because they are rooted in the reality of our own weaknesses. They are lies because they do not take into account the grace and the mercy of God. So often when we take up a task we engage in the labor abstracted from Christ. However, if we simply offer that labor to Christ, if we take it up by his grace and for his glory, then it has more value than we could ever imagine. --- Text of chat during the group: 00:03:54 FrDavid Abernethy: page 78   00:04:01 FrDavid Abernethy: New Hypothesis Tonight   00:06:45 Arthur Danzi: Hi Fr David   00:07:01 Arthur Danzi: I’m fine, how are you?   00:07:06 Arthur Danzi: My internet connection is poor…   00:29:12 Rachel: yes   00:40:27 sharonfisher: Thank you for the comment that even the monks struggle. My priest, after 2.5 or 3 years, revealed that he, too, sometimes struggles to keep the prayer rule. It was helpful to me to hear that.   00:54:21 Rachel: This is a magnificent passage. It needs to be read very slowly. Finding humility, doorkeeper, etc. This is so rich and multilayered. One can only understand through experience I am sure.   00:55:08 Rachel: No,but I think it needs to be unpacked   00:55:17 sharonfisher: 😂   00:55:29 Tracey Fredman: Experiential understanding is really hard to go through, though. This discussion is really helpful to me this evening.   00:55:49 Rachel: There is more to it..when one finds humility, one finds Christ, but what happens when we become the doorkeeper, or christ becomes the doorkeeper of our heart?   00:58:16 Rachel: He speaks about finding salvation by finding humility. Either way, we learn by experience whether we want to or not. But we may not experience what Our Lord desires that we experience. We may go kicking and screaming instead of finding the humility that the desert fathers speak of. He desire that we experience Himself   00:58:21 Liz D: It is consoling that you have shared this Father, about persecition with the Church, thank you. It can difficult to trust people in the Church when one experienced being persecured from within the Church. Also, to remember to go to Christ first-because sometimes I realize I go to God last for some areas of my life. As if in some things I subconsciously believe I am expected (by God) to go it alone--only turning to Jesus for help when things become nearly unbearable   00:58:39 sharonfisher: Reacted to "He speaks about find..." with ❤️   00:59:56 sharonfisher: Reacted to "It is consoling that..." with ❤️   01:00:06 Keith Abraham: Reacted to "It is consoling that…" with ❤️   01:00:56 Rachel: Oh we can trust them alright! trust them to be very human like ourselves lol   01:01:31 Lisa Smith: My favorite verse is where Christ speaks of faith as a grain of mustard seed.   01:01:56 Rachel: I'm too melancholic for my own good, sorry i will be quiet again.   01:02:13 Rachel: lol   01:04:11 Lisa Smith: lol Amen on the doorkeeper, Fr   01:04:23 Adam Paige: Saint Brother André was a porter   01:05:11 Lisa Smith: not for the socially anxious.   01:07:23 Steve Yu: I love the parable of the mustard seed because Jesus starts by comparing the Kingdom to someone who plants such a seed in a garden. The problem with that is someone would have to be crazy to do that. They grow enormous and quite ugly in my opinion. It would ruin a garden.     Isn’t that reflective of the spiritual life? We search for the beautiful garden not realizing that the ugly or inconvenient event may have Christ hidden within. I *think* this is attributable to humility. Christ has us see Him where we least expect Him.   01:09:07 Andrew Adams: Reacted to "I love the parable o..." with ❤️   01:12:48 Keith Abraham: “Domesticating” Christianity is one of the worst things we can do.   01:12:49 Steve Yu: That went by fast   01:12:56 Rebecca Thérèse: thank you🙂   01:13:37 Andrew Adams: Thank you Father!   01:13:42 sharonfisher: And with your spirit!!   01:13:43 Dave Warner (AL): Thank you   01:13:49 Troy Amaro: Thank You  

Discernment is so much more than our analyzing the realities and circumstances around us by the use of intellect and reason. These faculties, as wonderful as they are, have inherent limitations. They are not infinite, nor can they speak of God as he is in himself.  What God begins to show us in the spiritual life is that the more that we enter his love and truth, the more we are drawn into a mystery that is beyond us. Faith is described by many of the Saints as a “dark obscure knowing”. It is God‘s light, his divine light, that pierces through the darkness, and reveals to us the beauty of his love. It reveals (draws back the veil) and shows us that this love is worth everything to pursue and attain. “Love never ends”, the scriptures tell us. Discernment opens the door to that reality and allows us to step towards the beloved who desires to give us all. Our destiny is to move from glory to glory in the never-ending love of God. --- Text of chat during the group: 00:07:32 FrDavid Abernethy: page 209 para 139   00:40:44 Daniel Allen: Is the inverse then true?   00:42:28 Amale: What can the demons see or not see within us?   00:46:21 Rachel: The Elder would also know that in turn.. they could merit by true charity towards each other   00:47:33 Rachel: Where despite the feelings of animosity that arose, the monks would then more purely offer charity in the only way they can due to their limited capacity to love purely without unholy attachments   00:47:55 Maureen Cunningham: Father can demons reproduce? i was just wonderfing   00:48:00 Maureen Cunningham: Wondering   00:48:49 Kate : Can the demons hear our confessions to a priest within the context of the sacrament?   00:49:19 Maureen Cunningham: Best News   00:49:25 Jeff O.: Cassian seems to say in his conferences that they cannot reproduce   00:50:23 Amale: Do any souls who go to hell end up becoming demons? 00:51:10 Vanessa: Replying to "Do any souls who go ..."   I thought demons were the 1/3 of heavenly beings who went with Lucifer.   00:51:17 Jeff O.: He talks about it in the eighth conference on the principalities   00:51:24 David: In organization studies clicks can start which can create toxic results for teams.   00:51:53 Rachel: It is like the story of the Desert Father who, as soon as he instructed his Spiritual son would quickly leave him   00:52:39 David: We becomes us and them   00:52:51 Rachel: I suppose that was not for the community but purity of heart   01:00:58 David: I have heard a critism of the western church that we try to explain everything while the east embraces mysteries to be contemplated more. When I was younger I wanted the answers the older I get the more I love contemplating mysteries more.   01:01:15 Vanessa: Reacted to "I have heard a criti..." with ❤️   01:01:28 Jeff O.: Reacted to "I have heard a criti..." with 👍   01:01:57 Nypaver Clan: Reacted to "I have heard a criti..." with ❤️   01:04:08 Daniel Allen: That’s an interesting comment (re poetry), because oftentimes poetry can calm my thoughts, and give me a jumping off point for prayer   01:04:42 Vanessa: Replying to "That’s an interestin..."   Psalms   01:05:30 David: The Syrian fathers write most things through poetry as well.   01:05:55 Cindy Moran: This relates to the need for formative spirituality.   01:06:20 Rachel: Gregory Narek   01:06:30 Daniel Allen: Reacted to "Gregory Narek" with ❤️   01:06:35 Rachel: Pope Francis   01:11:25 Rebecca Thérèse: Thank you ☺️   01:11:40 Rachel: yes   01:11:41 Cindy Moran: Yes   01:11:46 Jacqulyn Dudasko: Thank you!   01:12:24 Andrew Adams: Thank you Father!   01:12:27 Rachel: thank you   01:12:29 Jeff O.: Thank you!!   01:12:29 Cindy Moran: Thank you   01:12:31 Arthur Danzi: Thank you Father   01:12:32 David: Thank you father! May God bless you  

We are drawn ever deeper into the subtle manifestations of Avarice and how the demons make use of this passion to draw us into other sins. Indeed, it is a fearsome vice. The evil one can convince us that our identity is dependent on our having a certain objects or money and the security that it seems to offer us. Once we have given ourselves over to this thought, it gradually oppresses the mind and heart of the individual. Our incapacity to discern the truth of avarice’s grip upon us, we lose the ability can see what has enduring value.  Such oppression undermines our commitment to God, others, and the pursuit of the path of sanctification he has set us upon. Suddenly we can no longer see what is good about a godly life and fidelity. We begin to see the weaknesses of others and the failure of a community to reach the ideal. We become hyper-critical. This the Evil One uses psychologically to make our exit from our vocation more acceptable to the mind. He first makes us despise what we once loved. What we once entered into with zeal, we now turn away from with cowardice.  When given over to avarice we find ourselves falling under the control of the demons who continue to torment us; making us more vulnerable to the darkness of other passions. In this particular vice, we see the truth that “sin is its own punishment”. The more we grasp for the things of this world, the more we descend into darkness and ingratitude. --- Text of chat during the group: 00:12:18 FrDavid Abernethy: page 69   00:12:30 FrDavid Abernethy: midway down the page. second para   00:13:05 Keith Abraham: Thank you very much!   00:23:09 Anthony: This sounds like what happened in the hundred years prior to the reformation.  The vices preceded an explosion leaving the Church and the religious life.   00:46:23 Alexandra: Can avarice be wanting to have control. Control of Knowing everyone's business?   00:50:10 Anthony: This story is funny. Dragons are associated with the avaricious guarding of gold.  The serpent is like a mirror for his avaricious state.   01:24:31 Rachel: No career changes according to one's whims   01:30:40 Andrew Adams: Thank you Father!   01:30:42 Rebecca Thérèse: Thank you 😊   01:30:44 Rachel: Thank you Father and everyone   01:30:51 Dave Warner (AL): Thank you!   01:30:57 Lisa Smith: Thank you Fr   01:30:57 Troy Amaro: Thank You   01:31:12 Kevin Burke: Thank you !  

This evening we continued our discussion of discernment; in particular, developing an awareness of the action of the demons and their attempts to lead us astray. However, John also seeks to make us aware of the fact that it is not only the demons that we have to be aware of but our human nature in its fallen state. We are often weak of will and changeable in our mind. We are filled with contradictions and will often choose that which offers nothing over the love and the mercy of God. We have within certain destructive tendencies that are beyond reason. St. John would not have us over analyze these things but be aware of them so to avoid them and turn more radically toward God when we see them arise within our hearts. What is most striking in this section of the Ladder is that divine light shines through John‘s own words. The open up reality for us and we see on the horizon our dignity and destiny in Christ so brilliantly that one can only gasp. It creates within the heart an urgent longing to run to the Beloved. It reveals in a fraction of the moment the entire meaning of the ascetical life. It is not about self-perfection or endurance, but rather about Love. It is about acknowledging that what has been fashioned from clay has now been placed and seated upon the very throne of God. Joy! --- Text of chat during the group: 00:03:27 Carolus: Good evening Father.   00:03:34 FrDavid Abernethy: good evening   00:13:08 Genesius B: Father Michael of the Eparchy of Parma can only grow a goatee   00:13:36 Genesius B: we still love him though   00:19:18 David: Is this related to as one gets closer to God sometimes the attacks of the demons become stronger and often in different ways?   00:23:46 Sr Barbara Jean Mihalchick: this translations says "greedy and grubby flesh" not corpulence   00:28:18 Genesius B: How can such inquisitiveness lead us to pride? Surely trying to understand Divine Providence can only reveal our own wretchedness? Is it that merely trying to understand is itself beyond us and thus an act of hubris?   00:28:25 Genesius B: and self assetion?   00:34:30 Genesius B: then when gifts are given should we seek to hide them, lest we become prideful in them. I see this in many saints but how does this not violate the Divine command to not hide our light?   00:35:58 Carolus B: Replying to "then when gifts are ..."   Or to not burry our talents.   00:55:58 Kate : St. Elizabeth of the Trinity, a French Carmelite saint, wrote, “Let yourself be loved by God.”  I often ponder this quote.  Why do I run from this love?  We do I not allow myself to be loved by God?   00:59:50 Ren Witter: I don’t think, though, that we run from the love of God when it feels like love. I can’t even imagine doing that, honestly.  I think we run from what we are taught is the mysterious love of God, because more often than not it feels like something terrifying, or threatening, or even wounding.   01:00:05 Ren Witter: We are told to trust that these things are manifestations of the love of God.   01:02:02 Daniel Allen: Christ says, “everyone when he is fully taught will be like his teacher.” Imitating Christ, and the saints in deed teaches us little by little until we our not like our fallen selves but like Christ.   01:03:41 David: When I used to teach catechism I heard many comments when discussing the saints saying they are not like that or it is not reachable from teens and even my sons. It seems helpful to discuss the whole lives of the saints like the difficulties and sinful past of St. Ignatius. Most writings seem to focus on them being perfect and so special rather than the journey.   01:06:55 Rebecca Thérèse: I find that reading what the saints wrote themselves is very helpful because they're very honest about their struggles and that makes them more relatable to me.   01:08:28 Rachel: Yes, this is true.We are all starving. For Christ.   01:12:55 Sr Barbara Jean Mihalchick: One's image of God is so important - a distorted one gets in the way of living faith truly. This needs to be examined and renovated many times in one's life. Important to see self in God not outside of Trinity/grace.   01:14:30 Andrew Adams: Reacted to " One's image of God ..." with ❤️   01:16:11 Andrew Adams: Thank you Father!   01:16:11 Cindy Moran: Excellent session...thank you Father!   01:16:12 Jeff O.: Thank you Father!! Good to be with you all.   01:16:13 Rebecca Thérèse: Thank you🙂   01:16:13 David: Thank you Father David!   01:16:14 sue and mark: good night  

We take up this evening a new hypothesis (VI) dealing with the ownership of property. At the heart of it, however, is the temptation to avarice and the impact that it has upon the spiritual life and upon our commitments to God and others.    The monks relinquishment of property, their embrace of a life of poverty and simplicity, highlights for us the subtle temptations that are involved in our attachment to the things of the world. Where lust and gluttony perhaps fail to satisfy - avarice often step in to test us. It can become something insatiable. The more we amass the more we desire.    Our attachment to things can begin on a very small level. Yet unchecked, it can affect the way that we enter into our relationship with God. We slowly begin to seek our security and identity in things. This, in turn, can make us ever so vulnerable to the demons attack against our commitments. The possession of things can make it seem more plausible to change and alter our life; to pursue another path of salvation, for ourselves, that does not require hardship or that offers more satisfaction. It gives room for our internal instability to drive us away from what challenges us internally to overcome the ego. What begins with a small attachment eventually can develop to the point where a demon tells us that “if stay where we are we the place our salvation in jeopardy. It is better to take what we have, and to create something better in our own judgment.”  In this, we often place our own judgment above God’s. It creates an atmosphere of infidelity and strips us of long-suffering. --- Text of chat during the group:   00:11:21 FrDavid Abernethy: page 64   00:23:46 Eric Ewanco: 2nd maccabees   00:28:24 Eric Ewanco: Replying to "2nd maccabees"   12:39-45   00:41:56 Michael Hinckley: I know I’m that way about books. Desire for more   00:42:38 Eric Ewanco: Reacted to "I know I’m that way ..." with ❤️   00:48:28 Eric Ewanco: Replying to "I know I’m that way ..."   There is a Japanese term, "tsundoku" (積ん読). This word describes the habit of acquiring books and letting them pile up, without reading them.   00:52:21 John I.: Replying to "I know I’m that way ..."   I used to think that reading a lot of good Catholic books would make me very virtuous....   00:54:39 Eric Ewanco: I can see those worries about the future being very real   00:56:33 Lori Hatala: I have always feared thinking "I deserve".  I probably would not like getting what I deserve.   00:57:13 Kate : As an aside, we have a daughter who is a Carmelite nun.  When she received the holy habit, all of her hair was cut off.  We were given this hair to keep as a momento.  She had a beautiful head of hair, but she gave it up with great joy.  And now, I think there is more beauty in her Carmelite veil and all it signifies than in her hair.   00:57:21 Tracey Fredman: There's an emotional type of attachment to un-needful things - why is that? Not necessarily security - things like … I don't know, teacups - are hard to part with for some people. I'm very much aware of this in myself and I trying to declutter - it's really hard.   00:58:34 Vanessa: Reacted to "As an aside, we have..." with ❤️   00:58:51 Jacqulyn: Reacted to As an aside, we have... with "❤️"   01:00:42 Eric Ewanco: There is a tradition, I think in the Romanian churches maybe, at the wedding of the priest saying "You are now each other's crosses"   01:27:51 Rebecca Thérèse: Thank you,🙂 sorry I was late. I'm in the UK and forgot about daylight saving time.   01:28:32 Andrew Adams: Thank you Father!   01:28:38 Sophia: 🙏   01:28:45 Kenneth: thank you Father  

As we read St. John Climacus, we begin to see discernment as rooted in our relationship with God; a relationship that is founded upon the revelation of God‘s love and the desire that it stirs within the human heart to respond in kind. If we love God, then it is not going to seem to be a burden to us to take every thought captive and bring it before God for his blessing or judgment. Nor is waiting upon the Lord going to be a point of frustration.  Rather, when we love God, we understand that he is going to desire what is best for us. This desire leads him to test our intentions so as to purify them. What God looks for is humility and a spirit of repentance. Faced with our own weakness, and the darkness that sin brings into our life and into the world, we must cling to God and allow him to guide us with his light.  Often only one step ahead is illuminated for us. We must be at peace with this if we have faith in him and trust in his love.  Part of what this requires from us is an honest heart; one that avoids distractions and holds fast to innocence. Often our sensibilities can become hardened through our experience of the world, and we lose the capacity not only to be vulnerable to others but to God himself. It has been said that “haste destroys the poet and the saint”.  In the face of the frenetic pace of the world, let us hold on to simplicity and silence in order that we might hear the Beloved when he speaks to us. ---   Text of chat during the group:   00:08:06 FrDavid Abernethy: page 206 number 114   00:16:33 Susanna Joy: It can be years and years...   00:16:56 Susanna Joy: ...one must have the patience of Job.   00:27:28 Susanna Joy: I have a friend who says, "Set all your thoughts, words, and actions as flowers at the feet of the Lord."  Then whatever the result, the intention is right.   00:28:10 Paul G.: Reacted to "I have a friend who …" with ❤️   00:30:37 Rebecca Thérèse: Therese thought of herself as a plaything of the infant Jesus so sometimes he would discard her in order to play with something else.   00:32:09 Genesius B.: Would it be imprudent to treat everything as beyond us, or perhaps prudent so we might never overreach?   00:33:35 Susanna Joy: Replying to "Would it be impruden..."     There is the riddle ...   00:34:50 Susanna Joy: Replying to "Would it be impruden..."     ...we must do our be...   00:42:31 sharonfisher: But how do we deal with the ‘warped souls’ in life as we encounter them and recognize them as too familiar to our circumstances? It seems scary.   00:43:00 Kate : Father, Could you offer any guidance on finding the balance between overreaching in the spiritual life versus not pushing oneself enough?  I find it very hard to get the right balance.  It is a long, hard struggle.   00:46:23 Anthony: 1. Thanks for explaining the unforgivable sin.  2. No need to fall I to scrupulousity over this sin because concern about it indicates one has not confused good and evil. 3. I like a sentiment by St Paisios you shared on Facebook about keeping a calm soul so the devils can't cast their lines in our soul.   00:51:18 Susanna Joy: Replying to "1. Thanks for explai..."     That is such a great...   00:52:20 Susanna Joy: Replying to "1. Thanks for explai..."     Fish are tempted to ...   00:52:30 Susanna Joy: Reacted to 1. Thanks for explai... with "❤️"   00:53:10 Carolus B: Replying to "1. Thanks for explai..."   Should we avoid holding personal goals, instead endeavoring to only hold the single goal which is the desire of God, regardless of how we feel about the outcome?   00:53:52 Anthony: Hahaha. Yes he might   00:54:07 Paul G.: Reacted to "Hahaha. Yes he might" with 😇   00:54:16 sharonfisher: This is an aside that you may or may not want to read re: what we deign to touch or interact with. I was crossing, on foot, an intersection to the metro station and my luggage got all sideways. This homeless-type fellow ran out and collected my stuff for me and handed it to me on the other side. I gathered a few dollars to give him. I didn’t realize what I was doing when I went to grab the bag handles, but he did — he asked, pointedly, if I was afraid to touch his hand. Apparently, I had avoided contact with him, even after his assistance. I’m ashamed to this day. And I have another story equally shameful. Won’t bore you with it. Point, I think, is to be aware of our own actions, and how others perceive them.   00:55:14 Genesius B.: how do we discern when one malevolently disputes with us, vs one who disputes due to a misplaced but genuine and fervent care for the soul?   00:55:20 Carolus B: Should we avoid holding personal goals, instead endeavoring to only hold the single goal which is the desire of God, regardless of how we feel about the outcome?   01:07:33 Rebecca Thérèse: People admire athletes who train physically from dawn to dusk but if people want to "train" spiritually people think they're mentally disturbed!   01:07:37 sharonfisher: Not sure if Eastern Church recognizes Alfred and Briget and other English saints prior to Great Schism (other than Patrick, perhaps)?   01:07:38 David: I always loved a tradition in northern spain. They celebrate "Tu Santo" or saints day which often is more important or more celebrated than a birthday. These celebration's always explain about the life of the saint.   01:08:24 Art iPhone: Looking forward to the Frances Cabrini movie coming soon.   01:08:33 sharonfisher: Reacted to "People admire athlet..." with ❤️   01:09:03 Cindy Moran: Teresa of Avila & her young brother tried to run away from home to become martyrs.   01:09:13 sharonfisher: Reacted to "Looking forward to t..." with ❤️   01:09:18 Joseph Chiappetta: Reacted to "Teresa of Avila & he..." with ❤️   01:10:16 Carolus B: Replying to "Teresa of Avila & he..."   When asked by her parents why she ran away she answered: "I want to see God, and you have to die first."   01:10:38 Anthony: The serious troubles caused by religious nuts make us wary of asceticism   01:11:03 sharonfisher: Fasting could bring one to extremes.   01:11:04 Ren Witter: When I was little I heard the story of a martyr who died being boiled in oil. I used to pray that that would be the one way I wouldn’t be martyred.   01:11:07 Genesius B.: can we go back to 124 briefly   01:11:15 Rebecca Thérèse: A lot of trouble is caused by atheists!   01:11:43 Kate : Who was it who said “I could be a martyr if they kill me real quick?”   01:11:58 Anthony: Replying to "Who was it who said ..."     St Thomas more?   01:12:00 Genesius B.: Replying to "can we go back to 12..."   how do we ensure our kids have an appropriate upbringing which would best instill these virtues beyond the mere basics   01:14:22 Genesius B.: Replying to "can we go back to 12..."   i.e. how do we instill a proper spirit of mortification and humility in our children?   01:14:43 Alice Hirsch: By saying the 12 year St. Bridget prayers, a person can become martyr like.  The promise is stated as follows:  “The soul who prays them will be accepted among the Martyrs, as though he had spilled his blood for his faith.”   01:14:58 Genesius B.: Replying to "can we go back to 12..."   w/o simultaneously being too harsh   01:15:11 Rebecca Thérèse: Thank you🙂   01:15:13 Lee Graham: This was a most informative and spiritually strengthening teaching. So glad I attended even though I was not well. Thank you and bless you.   01:15:21 Nypaver Clan: Reacted to "By saying the 12 yea..." with 🥰   01:15:45 Lori Hatala: feel better Lee   01:16:20 sue and mark: Reacted to "feel better Lee" with 🙏   01:16:25 Andrew Adams: Thank you Father!   01:16:28 David: Thank you Father!   01:16:28 sue and mark: Reacted to "This was a most info..." with 🙏   01:16:28 Jeff O.: Thank you!!   01:16:31 sharonfisher: And with your spirt!!   01:16:31 Genesius B.: Thank you father   01:16:33 sue and mark: good night   01:16:38 Kevin Burke: Thanks you Father!   01:16:41 Cindy Moran: Thanks Father's  

Sometimes in the simplest teachings is found the greatest wisdom. Such is true in tonight‘s readings from The Evergetinos. The focus is on work, how we engage in it and also how we engage others with whom we work.   What becomes evident is that the Christian works in a distinctive fashion. Above all charity is to guide the manner in which we work, our diligence, and also the way we treat others. Whether they are good workers or not, we do not compare ourselves to them or the quality of our labor. Nor do we hold up the weakness or defects of people for others to see and so diminish their character.   It is for this reason that our spiritual work must always take precedence over and shape the work that we do within the world. We take up all things from the hand of God. And in doing, so we keep before our eyes the dignity of the other. There is nothing that we could produce within this world and nothing that we could accomplish that has more value than our own soul or that of others. Love and humility in all things!   ---   Text of chat during the group:   00:06:16 Tracey Fredman: I've been thinking a lot about the question "How is your prayer life?" - what would be a proper response?   00:09:48 sharonfisher: I would respond that it’s in fits and starts — frequent during the day but not very structured. I need to do better.   00:25:39 Steve Yu: Is the Constitutions of the Holy Apostles another title for the Didache?   00:28:46 Anthony: I think the Constitutions are on librivox app   00:28:54 Steve Yu: Reacted to "I think the Constitu…" with 👍   00:29:00 Steve Yu: Replying to "I think the Constitu…" Thanks!   00:29:03 Adam Paige: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apostolic_Constitutions   00:29:09 Steve Yu: Reacted to "https://en.m.wikiped…" with 👍   00:29:10 Anthony: Also latin and slavonic   00:29:33 Steve Yu: Replying to "https://en.m.wikiped…" Thanks!   00:30:07 Kevin Burke: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1493752200?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details   00:36:50 Adam Paige: Reacted to "Thanks!" with 👍   00:37:26 Rachel: Whoah   00:37:49 Steve Yu: Reacted to "https://www.amazon.c…" with 👍   00:38:01 Steve Yu: Replying to "https://www.amazon.c…" Thanks much!   00:39:00 Rachel: So, I would have trouble having a poker face in that situation. I love the grace I have seen in others who handle these things, even great things in stride. The humility it takes to cover anothers faults and mistakes   00:46:22 Rachel: I do lol   00:52:28 Anthony: These men have complete freedom but choose to discipline their lives for the vision of something better than a "Batchelor life."   00:52:45 Vanessa: Reacted to "These men have compl..." with 👍   01:00:55 Anthony: An interesting book: "Catholicism, Protestantism and Capitalism" by Amintore Fanfani   01:01:29 Rachel: Some nuns who gave a talk to a prayer group a talk spoke about guarding oneself from touching in a layperson's life as well. It seems strange on the surface to the world. There are naturally affectionate people who want always to hug others. As an introvert I have admires the way in which the nuns held themselves. When we are not intruding on another's space, in charity or not, it is a way in which we can respect the image of God in the other. In the context of the talk, which was given about friendships and the life of prayer, I could see how there are many behaviors that on the surface seem charitable but are subtly self serving.  The actions lack true humility and charity.   01:04:10 Liz D: Are there any prerequisites to praying the Prayer of the Heart, also known as the "Jesus Prayer.” mentioned as a way to pray in the morning? Also, can we pray this way during work times? I  read an admonition from one of the Fathers that it can be ill-advised to pray this prayer if one is not ready for it. Perhaps it had to do with certain breathing while praying. I’m sorry I don’t recall the exact quote or admonition. How may I discern if ready to try this prayer as a non-monastic Catholic? I’d like to pray the "Jesus Prayer" in the morning as discussed in the previous hypothesis discussion.  I apologize if this question is from the prior chapters or was covered previously.   01:12:35 Liz D: Thank you, Father.   01:12:45 Rebecca Thérèse: Such a priest probably doesn't understand it or finds it offensive and doesn't want his parishioners asking him awkward questions or judging him harshly   01:12:47 FrDavid Abernethy: Reacted to "These men have compl..." with 👍   01:13:41 Rachel: My comment was Irrelevant, we had moved on  =)   01:14:47 Maureen Cunningham: Thank. You   01:14:49 Rebecca Thérèse: Thank you🙂   01:14:52 Andrew Adams: Thank you Father!   01:15:07 sue and mark: good night   01:15:36 Rachel: Thank you