Philokalia Ministries

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  

Discernment, as we have said, is the fruit of humility. Having removed the impediment of pride and having purified the heart of the passions, one comes to comprehend the things of the kingdom and the will of God. St. John gives us one example after another of how discernment helps us to perceive the things that lead us to God and that teach us to embrace that which endures.   As one progresses in the spiritual life, however, discernment is not simply the ability to know God‘s will, but rather also the ability to fulfill it in the way that God desires. In this, a soul can begin to trust in the action of the Spirit within the mind and heart. Therefore, although spiritual guides may be lacking one is not abandoned by God. Rather, God makes all things work for the good of those who love him.   In fact, the more one lays side ones will and turns to God in prayer and fasting, the more one lets go of the need to be driven by creativity, productivity, and one’s own intentions as a whole. The deeper the communion becomes with God, the more one finds joy in being drawn along whatever path He desires. --- Text of chat during the group: 00:08:12 FrDavid Abernethy: page 204 number 105   00:46:02 Rebecca Thérèse: I think Teresa preferred the priest to be learned rather than just intelligent because she thought that even holy priests could be misled. A learned priest wuld be better able to communicate the infallible teaching of the Church, in her view.   00:50:33 Michael Hinckley: Re: lack of elders… we miss not having enough monks & nuns available in communities.   01:00:37 Susanna Joy: This is so similar to a practice I learned from muslim friends, where one fasts and prays 3 days begore taking decision, that God may clarify what action one should take...The fast is called istakharra...means the right path. :)   01:03:21 Susanna Joy: It is so good to rest in God's wisdom before taking action.   01:06:32 Michael Hinckley: Modernity and technology have much to blame since many things can be created ex nihilo. Tempts thinking “ye shall be like Gods"   01:10:48 Anthony: Yes   01:10:50 Rachel: Id love to see that   01:11:38 David: I volunteered for catechism but was surprised there was no assignment with a spiritual director and it seemed to become more of a quasi entraining push by those who were the directors by the parish. The focus was keeping the kids coming back and making faith "fun". It seemed so different from my experience here an in Spain.   01:13:42 Susanna Joy: https://youtu.be/LOcCXt1n-fI?si=EGIJbH3UquEgdU0C   01:13:43 Michael Hinckley: Replying to "I volunteered for ca..."   Precisely the problem.   01:14:40 Susanna Joy: Here is a beautiful song for you all. "Who puts his trust in God most Just"   01:14:41 Anthony: Pierogi making brings my parish together   01:14:58 Michael Hinckley: TLM communities also see the young coming b/c of lack of “fun” things   01:15:08 Ambrose Little: I’m not “young” and feel more or less that way.   01:15:25 Adam Paige: You’re young at heart, Ambrose !   01:15:31 Ambrose Little: Reacted to "You’re young at hear..." with 😅   01:15:35 Jeff O.: Reacted to "You’re young at hear..." with 😆   01:15:46 Jeff O.: Reacted to "I’m not “young” and ..." with 👍   01:16:08 Susanna Joy: Reacted to Pierogi making bring... with "❤️"   01:16:17 Michael Hinckley: Gnocchi are pierogis   01:16:20 Rachel: haha I need to go to PA   01:16:54 Rachel: Can activism be another way of intellectualizing the faith?   01:17:08 Susanna Joy: Thank you so much, Father. God bless you.🙏🏻💗   01:17:09 Anthony: Reacted to Gnocchi are pierogis with "😂"   01:17:13 Rebecca Thérèse: thank you🙂   01:17:50 Sophia: Thank you so much fr.Abernethy. God bless you!   01:17:51 Louise: Thanks, Fr. Abernethy!   01:17:55 Jeff O.: Amen, thank you!   01:17:56 David: Thank you father!   01:18:01 Rachel: Thank you Father Thank you evryone  

Everything about what it is to be a human being should be touched and shaped by the grace of God. Our identity and purpose comes through Christ. When we lose sight of this, a kind of disorder and imbalance enters into the way that we work, the kind of work that we take up, and the time that we spend engaged in it. This evening we were given one story after another about the nature of the work the desert monks did. Their focus was on manual labor that allowed them to be attentive to God while engaged in it. They also worked enough to provide for themselves modestly but always with an eye towards the needs of others. We do not work for ourselves. Nor do we work and labor to the extent that it reveals we want to reach a point where we will no longer have to bear that burden. Work prevents us from falling into idleness, but also allows us to provide for others in their needs. When Christ is absent from this part of our life, then “our toil shall be great, our path unsteady, our grief inconsolable, and our lives care-worn.” The one who is focused upon Christ and seeks him first will labor temperately and freely. In the absence of Christ, however, one is driven by agitation and fear.   ---   Text of chat during the group:   00:21:26 Amale Obeid: How do hermits balance the solitude with the duty to serve others?   00:28:13 Anthony: We Americans have the farce of the Puritan work ethic, though. We are people, not human resources.  That is a point of resistance for me.   00:37:50 Rebecca Thérèse: A siev is a strainer   00:38:02 Rebecca Thérèse: sieve   00:39:25 Anthony: As a matter of historical note, in the middle ages, cloth was the first commodity, and a source of wealth.  Weavers were treated poorly, like the way treat robots.  The heresy of Waldensianism spread among weavers, perhaps during to their social condition.   00:42:07 Lilly: Saint Francis of Assisi, comes to mind. He left his dad's linen business to live a monastic life :)   00:43:19 Anthony: Reacted to Saint Francis of Ass... with "👍"   00:59:29 Amale Obeid: How much work is “enough” to not be slothful or idle? Secular life does not let you step down or slow down. It feels more and more like it’s an all or nothing choice   01:09:33 Anthony: On the neglect of the most important things when work is too long or too heavy: St John Bosco & St Frances Cabrini looked after children whose families were forced to work to the neglect of children....and the boys themselves who worked so much but neglected their souls.   01:10:54 Vanessa: Reacted to "On the neglect of th..." with 👍   01:11:17 Anthony: Thank God Pope Francis preaches on the evil of usury / debt culture.   01:15:53 Maureen Cunningham: Thank You  Father David   01:15:56 Rebecca Thérèse: Thank you🙂   01:16:37 Andrew Adams: Thank you Father!   01:16:43 Rachel: Thank you   01:16:47 Nick Bodmer: Thanks!  

In St. John’s discussion of discernment, he reveals to us the beauty of a human being transformed by the grace of God and living in communion with Christ by removing every impediment within the heart and by constantly crying out to him in prayer. At the very center of this reality is the “eye of the soul”. It is extremely beautiful, St. John explains, and next to the angels it surpasses all things. The angels constantly gaze upon God and the purified eye of the soul, the nous, allows us to contemplate the beauty of God‘s love. There is also a freedom that comes to the soul through this purification. Our capacity to discern spiritual realities enables us to engage in the warfare with the demons more diligently and to avoid the pitfalls that are set for us. Furthermore, it allows us to understand that there is no such thing as a small sin. If neglected, it can consume the entire person. Likewise, there is no part of our life that we are to take for granted. The eye of the soul allows us to see that each moment is an opportunity for us to respond to God and to others with love; an opportunity embraced or lost. Thus, it is a very high view of the human person that is set before us; a view that allows us to understand the radical communion that exists between each of us and to see our destiny in Christ. Beautiful indeed!   ---   Text of chat during the group:   00:29:50 sprou: virtue beyond our ability?   00:50:31 Nypaver Clan: “Familiarity breeds contempt.” My Mom used to say this if we spent too much time with friends.   00:50:54 Vanessa: Replying to "“Familiarity breeds ..."   My mom used to say that too lol   00:52:59 Anthony: St Paul, 1 Cor 7 (?) Talks about spouses separating for a bit.   00:53:38 Marypaz Mencos: I’ve been listening to your podcasts for a year, this is the first time I’m able to be in real time with y’all. It’s so good to put faces to all of your voices.  God bless you Father, this podcasts have been a blessing to my spiritual life.   00:54:08 Vanessa: Reacted to "I’ve been listening ..." with ❤️   00:55:16 Amale Obeid: Replying to "St Paul, 1 Cor 7 (?)..."   “Let there be spaces in your togetherness, And let the winds of the heavens dance between you.” Gibran Khalil Gibran (Lebanese poet)   00:56:14 Susan M: Reacted to "I’ve been listening ..." with ❤️   01:05:40 Vanessa: Enjoying this very much tonight.   01:07:43 Sr Barbara Jean Mihalchick: Yet St. Basil came back from the desert saying the complete Gospel calls us to include service of others in one's authentic spiritual life...   01:13:27 Sr Barbara Jean Mihalchick: Sacrificial intercessory prayer for others is also service of the Body of Christ   01:13:52 Amale Obeid: Reacted to "Sacrificial interces..." with ❤️   01:18:37 Anthony: That kind of sounds superstitious, like an augury.   01:19:27 Anthony: Morning offering....yes. but there's repentance to a bad start and a possible bad end to a good start.   01:26:08 Maureen Cunningham: Thank you Father from Maureen & Kenneth   01:26:11 Arthur Danzi: That was wonderful. Thank you, Father!   01:26:14 Louise: Thanks, Fr. Abernethy!   01:26:18 Rebecca Thérèse: Thank you🙂   01:26:21 Jeff O.: Thank you!!   01:26:21 Andrew Adams: Thank you Father!   01:26:24 David: Thanks Father!   01:26:34 Alexandra K: Thank you Father!  

We continued our discussion from The Evergetinos on idleness. What begins to emerge from the wisdom of the fathers is that everything that is part of our life as human beings is filled with meaning and touched by grace. God has ordained that we provide for ourselves by the work of our hands. Furthermore, by this very same work, we are attentive to the needs of others. Work allows us to show charity to others in their needs. Avoiding idleness not only allows us to engage in fruitful labor but helps us to remain focused in our thoughts and avoid temptation.  The fathers also understood that when our work is taken up as from the hand of God, as an act of obedient love, we give ourselves over to it with zeal and attention. We are prevented from falling into laziness. Such an understanding also allows us to engage in work in such a way that others see what motivates us. The intentions of the heart are often revealed in the simple way that we engage in our day-to-day labors. When we love, we take up that work diligently and joyfully.  We do not complain or fall into resentment. Nor do we compare our work with others. When we take up our work from God, it frees us from the pitfalls that often plague us on a daily basis. A balance emerges in our life. When our identity is rooted in God then we take up our labor from him and knowing that it is completed by his grace. Work is not what gives meaning to our life. It is love in our hearts that shapes that work. --- Text of chat during the group:   00:15:59 Suzanne: Father, I'm just popping in to let you know I am going offline for Lent. I'll see you after Easter.   00:16:20 FrDavid Abernethy: Replying to "Father, I'm just pop..."   ok.  God bless   00:16:21 Suzanne: Thank you!!!   00:16:44 FrDavid Abernethy: page 52 top paragraph   00:21:32 Amale Obeid: The toil when working with the mind seems paradoxically heavier than the toil of working with the hands. How might we think about the difference between working the corporate grind versus what the monks consider work?   00:34:45 Louise: A beautiful book about being with God inwardly and with the world outwardly is The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence.   00:35:48 Maureen Cunningham: Yes a wonderful book   00:35:50 Anthony: Read it. Supposedly it was a Carthusian work. Very good.   00:56:26 Alexandra K: This is the issue I have while working remote. I really really really don't like it. Need to remember that I should work for God.   00:57:41 Amale Obeid: Reacted to "A beautiful book abo..." with ❤️   01:16:20 Maureen Cunningham: Do you think they were so hard on Monks because they understood Spiritual Warfare   01:19:44 Rebecca Thérèse: Thank you🙂   01:19:49 Maureen Cunningham: thank you many Blessings   01:19:53 Amale Obeid: Thank you   01:20:29 Andrew Adams: Thank you Father!   01:20:36 Sophia: Thank you, Fr   01:20:38 Alexandra K: Thank you for doing this Father! I'll pray for you  

As we have discussed, the fruit of humility is discernment. But what is that? Is it simply private judgment, a human wisdom that has deepened over the course of the years?  St. John gradually begins to reveal to us that it is a freedom that emerges from the removal of the impediments of our passions. A sole passion, the desire for God, begins to direct and guide our lives as well as reveal to us the truth about our actions and the realities around us.  Yet, it is humility that must continue to guide and direct this gift of discernment. It is to see things as God sees them only because we are allowing ourselves to trust in His providence in the warp and woof of day-to-day life. Whether we are embattled or at peace, whether we are called to be obedient or to guide others, we must rely upon the grace of God. It is His love, the love of He who is the truth that allows us to comprehend the realities of this world and the world come. Thus, St. John shows us, we can never think of ourselves or the gifts that we experience abstracted from a deep intimacy with the Lord. It is only in Him and through Him that we can live the life to which he has called us and through Him that we who were blind can see! --- Text of chat during the group: 00:18:44 Arthur Danzi: I'm sorry, what chapter are we reading?   00:19:53 Barbara: lost sound   00:19:59 Rebecca Thérèse: no audio   00:30:48 Anthony: Maybe another example is the miser who wears shabby clothes, just to save money?   00:45:18 Cindy Moran: Would oriental catholics call this yin-yang?   00:55:50 Cindy Moran: Replying to "Would oriental catho..."     ... 01:03:06 Anthony: Another thing to be careful of is to try observing what is a true state of affairs but to stop short of having unholy judgment or even feelings or inclination to hound something bad out or to resent something.   01:08:23 Carol Roper: Beware the leaven of the pharisees   01:09:21 David Swiderski: I used to waste a lot of time thinking and rethinking about decisions and people. Even doing this I often made bad decisions and was taken advantage by or attacked by people. I now simply concentrate on - does this lead me closer to God or further away from God. I also pay attention to the mood, other things around me much more.   01:11:42 Cindy Moran: Would oriental catholics call this yin-yang? My ? maybe not seen?? My relatives say that all religion is the same...   01:13:03 sam: I think he (John Climacus) also says elsewhere that vainglory has no birthdate but with pride is the mother of all vices. Humility he also says is one of the destroyers of its fruit and source.   01:16:05 Cindy Moran: It's  always a struggle for me . They are new age.   01:18:12 sam: Could we say that the all religions are equal idea is from a vainglorious attempt to please everyone and avoid real arguments about ascetical struggle?   01:20:41 Rebecca Thérèse: Thank you🙂   01:21:10 Maureen Cunningham: Blessing   01:21:20 Cindy Moran: Thank you, Father   01:21:27 David Swiderski: Thank you Father!!!   01:21:29 Andrew Adams: Thank you Father!   01:21:29 Jeff O.: Thank you Father!   01:21:34 Art iPhone: Thank you Father!   01:21:36 Arthur Danzi: Thank you father!  

What a blessing it is to read slowly. It allows insights to unfold before our minds and imaginations that we often would not be attentive to due to our typical need to rush. Hurry, most often, comes from the evil one who seeks to undermine our peace. It is lingering over the thoughts of the fathers on idleness that we begin to understand that what they are talking about is not simply avoiding laziness and sloth. They are revealing to us that keeping our focus upon God in mind and body, that is with the whole self, we grow in our capacity to love God and others.  Virtue forms within the soul from engaging in our tasks with love and humility. Our willingness to take up that which is simple and perhaps menial in the eyes of the world and to do so with love is what is seen by God. Pushing a broom, if done with love, draws us to the very heart of God. Whereas imbalance in our labor, whether it is driving ourselves harshly or laziness, makes us lose sight of the glory of God in all things. May we listen well as we sit at the feet of the fathers, so that we might live our lives and engage in our work with minds and hearts fixed on God. --- Text of chat during the group: 00:41:21 Rachel: I think it important to be clear that panic attacks when endured with patience, can be meritorious. Putting ones trust in God when flooded with waves of panic. The peace of Christ is a gift of God and I wonder, little by little one will find the peace of Christ within the storm. Patience, will teach one to see. Trust in God, He will reveal Himself in these moments   00:41:56 Steve Yu: Reacted to "I think it important…" with 👍   00:44:59 Susanna Joy: Wow...look at you know, though!!!   00:45:36 Susanna Joy: You totally overcame and are presenting CONSTANTLY! 🙏🏻🌟AMDG...   00:52:08 Susanna Joy: Our work becomes the altarspace...   01:05:26 Suzanne: This is a really good class tonight.   01:06:13 Paul G.: Replying to "This is a really goo…" +1   01:06:19 Andrew Adams: Reacted to "This is a really goo..." with 👍   01:06:34 Sharon Fisher: Reacted to "This is a really goo…" with ❤️   01:07:36 Sharon Fisher: Agreed - I love the asides to discuss practical application!   01:11:57 Vanessa: Same with Jacinta and Francisco Marto (Lady of Fatima)   01:12:10 Rebecca Thérèse: Therese's mother died when she was only five and she spent her whole life grief-stricken   01:15:30 Suzanne: Great points.   01:16:32 Vanessa: Reacted to "This is a really goo..." with ❤️   01:17:01 Rebecca Thérèse: Thank you🙂   01:17:10 Louise: Thanks, Fr. Abernethy!   01:17:18 Suzanne: Ash Wednesday!   01:17:43 Suzanne: God bless all and God prosper our Lent!   01:18:12 Sharon Fisher: Many thanks!   01:18:18 Andrew Adams: Thank you Father!   01:18:19 Sophia: Thank you so much, fr.Abernethy. God bless you!   01:19:07 Adam Paige: Reacted to "Therese's mother die…" with 😞   01:21:29 Arthur Danzi: Thank you Father!   01:21:31 Steve Yu: I was having similar thoughts before joining tonight! I felt too tired but I’m so glad I was able to make it! Thank God!   01:21:42 Vanessa: These classes are the highlight of my week🙂  Thank you   01:21:50 Rebecca Thérèse: Thank youfor persevering