Philokalia Ministries

The fruit of humility is the emergence of discernment. For beginners, it is a true knowledge of themselves. For intermediate souls, it is a spiritual sense that distinguishes what is truly good from what is of nature or opposed to it. For the perfect it is knowledge that one comes by through divine illumination. God illuminates the darkness within by his grace.  St. John begins to define for us the nature of this gift. However, what follows is quite different from how we in modern times think of discernment. So often it does not rise above private judgment or the natural virtue of distinguishing between the nature of things in accord with our intellect. Yet, as mentioned, discernment is a divine gift for which one prepares to receive through the grace of God and the ascetic life.  We must seek to remove every impediment to our having a well formed conscience. Furthermore, we must avoid the traps that the evil one sets for us to draw us back in darkness. We must continue toiling in this fashion until the very fire of God enters the sanctuary of the human heart and renders our proclivity for sin powerless and consumes every fever of lust and movement of passion within us. Knowing that the demons seek to extinguish this light, we must constantly press on in the struggle. We must not believe ourselves incapable of engaging in the spiritual battle but always trust in the action of God‘s grace.  Once St. John defined discernment for us, he begins to lay out the path of education in the spiritual life that is needed. He warns us not to stop with the beginner’s lessons but rather to press on and strive to advance in our understanding. What we must come to value above all things is the science of sciences and the art of arts – that is the wisdom of the fathers. In comparison to our worldly formation, how deeply do we penetrate the treasure of their teachings? --- Text of chat during the group: 00:08:59 FrDavid Abernethy: Step 26 page 190   00:09:18 FrDavid Abernethy: On discernment of thoughts, passions and virtues   00:14:54 Sean: Isaac's awesome.   00:15:02 Art: Isaac the Syrian or Life of Repentance and Purity   00:15:32 Vanessa: Replying to "Isaac's awesome."   Agreed!   00:16:19 Sean: Replying to "Isaac's awesome."   I'm reading it a second time right now, slowly and listening to the old podcast.   00:25:21 Sean: #4. Why would one fall into disbelief upon seeing the supernatural? I would think it would lead one to believe in something more than oneself.   00:25:46 Vanessa: Reacted to "I'm reading it a sec..." with 👍   00:44:59 Sean: It's interesting that he links soul and mind in #11, which he also does in #8. These two are usually seen as separate or at least distinct, with the soul being pure. It's like the mind reflects the soul and the soul can go toward either good or bad.   01:00:22 Sean: pleasures = mud in the story, I would think.   01:18:43 Greg Chura: Thank you, Father!   01:19:52 Rebecca Thérèse: Thank you🙂   01:19:53 mflory: Thank you, Father!   01:19:54 Jeff O.: thank you!   01:20:26 Jeff O.: Palamas!  

Tonight we concluded our reading of step 25 on humility. I have no other way to describe my experience of reading this step other than the fact that it makes something within the heart leap for joy. For over the past months, what we have been shown is that humility is not simply a virtue that one strives to attain but rather a kind of truthful living that acknowledges God as the source of all.  Beyond that, however, we are shown that humility is part of the very essence of God that has been revealed to us through the incarnation.  God shows himself as Holy Humility.  In loving us, God comes down to us and takes our life, our identity, our burden upon himself. The sense of lack and incompleteness at the very heart of our lives is filled by the God who comes to us and gives himself to us.  Humility is so often presented to us as a kind of self hatred; whereas, in reality, it allows us to see not simply our weakness and our sin but the love of God with perfect clarity. Above all, St. John tells, us we should strive for humility. It is the narrow way. One must acknowledge one’s smallness in order to receive and participate in the greatness of the love of the one who created us. What better means do we have to do so than the Feast of the Nativity - unto us and child is born! --- Text of chat during the group: 00:56:01 Sharon Fisher: Backing up a bit — the fasts can be harmful, physically. I’ve experienced and know of others who had negative physical effects trying to do the prescribed thing. Yet, I haven’t had a priest directly suggest that it can be modified as necessary — but they say it’s not to be taken legalistically.   01:04:12 Ambrose Little, OP: Transfers liquid from one container to another   01:04:38 Ambrose Little, OP: Sucks you up into heaven. 🙂   01:04:40 Art: carries a liquid from a higher level up and over a barrier and then down to a lower level   01:04:49 Mitch: “Waterspout” in the translation in front of me   01:04:52 Sean: I thought of it as like a tornado sucking one up to heavan   01:10:14 Victor: Reacted to "I thought of it as l…" with 👍   01:11:06 Victor: Thanks, Father. Merry Christmas to all! 🎄💐   01:11:11 Daniel Allen: What’s interesting to me is that it seems all other virtues do not by nature exclude pride, a type of natural perfection, only humility excludes pride and why it’s the only virtue that cannot be imitated by the demons as John said. But the difference is that all other virtues can be beautifully acquired, while humility is only received by acknowledgment of our own lack. Our own lack of other virtues even. Does that make sense? If so, while humility may be the God like virtue it is also terrifying.   01:11:25 Brian L: Reacted to I thought of it as l... with "👍"   01:11:46 Jeff O.: Reacted to "What’s interesting t..." with 👍   01:11:48 Vanessa: Reacted to "What’s interesting t..." with 👍   01:15:42 Art: Merry Christmas everyone!!   01:15:43 Lorraine Green: Merry Christmas!  Thank you Father   01:15:45 Rebecca Thérèse: Thank you. Happy Christmas everyone🙂   01:15:48 Ambrose Little, OP: 🎄   01:15:48 mflory: Thank you, Father! Merry Christmas!   01:15:48 Jeff O.: Merry Christmas! Thank you   01:15:49 TFredman: Thank you, Merry Christmas everyone!   01:15:51 Deiren: Merry Christmas father and everyone!   01:15:58 Sr Barbara Jean Mihalchick: Blessed Christmas!   01:16:01 Mitch: Merry Christmas!! Thankyou very much  

The stories of the humility of the Saints and monks described in The Evergetinos can be hard to stomach. But if we consume them with the spirit of faith and the desire for God, they will nourish us to everlasting life.  All of them point us to Christ himself - the prototype and standard of all virtue. We are ever so fortunate. It is amazing when you slow down and hear the story, read out loud how impactful it can be. When we can let go of our own critical spirit, when we can suspend judgment and simply allow ourselves to listen with faith then often we come to understand something astounding.  As is so often the case in The Evergetinos, we see that embodying the virtue of Christ, living the gospel concretely, has the capacity to work miracles, to raise the dead, and to give enliven faith within the hearts of others. May the gift of these stories take root in our hearts and produce fruit that is pleasing to God! --- Text of chat during the group: 00:09:30 FrDavid Abernethy: page 23 letter B   00:27:30 sharonfisher: Was he relieved of the obligation to tithe or was his tired refused? I don’t think I understand.   00:27:51 sharonfisher: *Or was his tithe refused   00:36:25 Louise: Could we say that, to be made humble, Peter was made to renounce Jesus Christ 3 times as predicted by Our Lord? The proud Peter humiliated himself tremendously by doing so.   00:37:53 Steve Yu: Reacted to "Could we say that, t…" with 👍   00:52:35 Sean: Interesting how the one knew about the scheme by 'spiritual insight'. Isaac the Syrian calls that teoria or basically the soul's knowing, in other words he got this info not by hearing or the body's senses.   01:04:31 Steve Yu: It seems so ironic to me that humiliation can bring us closer to God, and yet (speaking for myself), something that I try to avoid by instinct. It’s as if some of my instincts are programmed against growing closer to Him.   01:05:15 Sheila Applegate: I love this story. The humility to say, "yes, I am a corrupt, sinful person" but, "no, I do not reject God." Even in that horrid weakness of soul.   01:11:30 Lorraine Green: Thank you Father, good night   01:11:43 mflory: Wonderful! Thank you, Father!   01:11:44 Rebecca Thérèse: Thank you🙂  

It is impossible to capture in words the joy that sweeps over the heart when one comes to understand what St. John Climacus is revealing to us about the nature of humility. In this step, he strips away all of our limited, false, or distorted perceptions of humility and reveals it for what it is: a gift of God‘s own self.  After reading Step 25 our understanding of humility is forever changed. We are shown that God reveals the nature of humility by revealing himself to us in his Son. “Humility is Christ’s spiritual doctrine,” St. John tells us.  “It is introduced into the inner chamber of the soul by those who are counted worthy of it. It cannot be defined by perceptible words.”  Rather, by the grace of God, the heart is purified of the passions and all impediments are removed to our receiving God’s gifts. One of the greatest of those gifts is humility.  This virtue is a participation in the life of God. Whatever we might lose of honor or dignity in the world is nothing in comparison to the joy that Christ offers us through this virtue.  “He who humbles himself will be exalted”.  We may feel that we are falling into an abyss and losing our identity as we let go of our attachment to the things of this world. However, what we are falling into is actually the abyss of God‘s love. We are letting go of the false self in order that we might be immersed in He who is meaning, He who is truth, He who is reality!  What joy should be ours, St. John tells us: “By this shall all men know that we are God’s disciples, not because the devils are subject to us, but because our names are written in the Heaven of Humility.” --- Text of chat during the group: 00:08:00 FrDavid Abernethy: page 185 number 32   00:12:50 Anthony Rago: Fr Christopher Zugger 2 Vol History of Byzantine Catholic Church published by Byzantine Seminary Press   00:34:18 Anthony Rago: This is where nietzche's emphasis of will is important for us   00:35:31 Louise: I resonate with this definition of humility - we owe everything to God. I resonate see less to humility as defined in the Evergetinos as a self-deprecation. The former focuses about God, while the latter focuses on self.   00:40:39 Daniel Allen: How does this conversation about self a basement and not hatred factor in with John talking about the prison earlier?   00:50:50 Anthony Rago: Oh, so to grasp at humility - to be avaricious for it - is masochism?  For all good things are actually gifts,  not seized upon like a miser?   00:53:37 Jacqulyn: Amen!   00:57:22 Suzanne: According to this understanding, humility, like contemplation, requires that we wait for God. “Expect the Lord, do manfully, let thy heart take courage, and wait thou for the Lord.”   01:00:09 Sean: Are views, the like button and thumbs up the modern methods of mass vainglory?   01:03:27 mflory: I think the story about Symeon is from the Alphabetical Sayings of the Desert Fathers. In the translation that I have, he is called Simon.   01:03:44 Suzanne: Replying to "Are views, the like ..."   Yes!   01:03:58 Cindy Moran: I studied 3 yrs with Fr Van Kaam &  Dr susan Muto   01:05:40 Nypaver Clan: Is it open to the public now?   01:06:51 Cindy Moran: This is so exciting!!   01:07:04 Jeff O.: Reacted to "I think the story ab..." with 👍   01:13:18 Rebecca Thérèse: Thank you🙂   01:13:30 Maureen Cunningham: Thank You Father   01:13:31 Lorraine Green: God bless you, thank you Father   01:13:31 Louise: Thanks, Fr.!   01:13:38 Suzanne: Thank you   01:13:54 Kevin Burke: Thank you Father!   01:14:03 Victor Haburchak: Thanks   01:14:07 Cindy Moran: Great session!! Thank you Father!   01:14:11 Leilani Nemeroff: Thanks!   01:14:13 mflory: Thank you, Father   01:14:15 Jeff O.: Thank you!!  

Once again, reading the fathers on humility is humbling. Gradually our eyes are opened to the nature and reality of virtue; not as human reason or understanding grasp, but as it has been revealed to us in Christ and through the gift of His Spirit.  This stands forth most of all in thinking about humility among the virtues. It is not self hatred. It is not self contempt. It is living in He who is Truth. For this reason, both the Evergetinos and St. John Climacus describe humility as the “door to the kingdom” and to participation in the very glory of God. It is also for this reason that we discover that just as the proud feel satisfaction with honors so those who are humble of mind are especially thankful for the attacks and scorn which befall them in this world.  Such things free us from illusion; not only the illusions we have about ourselves but also the illusions that others often form about us. To be thought of as virtuous and holy, when in reality one understands that all is Grace, can be the bitterest of things to swallow. To know oneself as loved with an everlasting love and having been shown the mercy of God makes the thought of evaluating oneself in any measure seem absurd. --- Text of chat during the group: 00:05:32 FrDavid Abernethy: page 13 Letter G - Volume 2   00:18:21 Nypaver Clan: What page?   00:42:31 Louise: The Catholic protagonist of the movie entitled ''A Hidden Life'' (2019), a true story, is a beautiful example of humility. In 1943, he did NOT justify why he preferred to be tortured and killed by the SS, his compatriots, than signing an oath to Hitler. His heart belonged to Jesus Christ. His wife, also devoted to Christ, supported his decision despite the difficult hardship this brought to her and her three children. Two contemporary unknown saints!   00:43:07 Adam Paige: Reacted to "The Catholic protago…" with ❤️   00:43:41 Michael Hinckley: Blessed Franz Jagerstatter   00:44:08 Michael Hinckley: yes that'shim   00:44:26 Adam Paige: Reacted to "Blessed Franz Jagers…" with 👌   00:58:19 Michael Hinckley: how much these storis show you must be prepared to be dressed down   00:58:20 Louise: Isn't the greatest test to stay facing praises?   01:01:26 Michael Hinckley: I can only imagine in the monastic life with having nothing of the world (clothes, possessions, etc.. ) that things like praise risks becoming currency.   01:08:06 Anthony Rago: Having lived in s Calvinist environment, alarm bells are going off in my head about this kind of humility.   01:08:42 Anthony Rago: We have to keep humility In  Tension with dignity.   01:08:54 Adam Paige: Reacted to "Having lived in s Ca…" with 😄   01:10:09 Sean: how often is one despised for humility vs. for being beyond  the pale of socially accepted behavior, crime, depravity etc. Equating the two seems difficult.   01:10:21 Michael Hinckley: Replying to "Having lived in s Ca..."   Great point!   01:10:22 Rebecca Thérèse: It's not easy to know the difference between heartfelt praise and flattery that's intended to manipulate so it's often better not to trust it   01:11:53 Michael Hinckley: One of the greatest deceptions is meekness equates weakness as apposed the fortitude.   01:12:51 Suzanne: I just read something today that said that the purer the heart, the more the soul sees God, and, the more it sees God, the more it understands its own wretchedness. This wretchedness is not a comparison with other men, but with the absolute purity of God.   01:15:25 Michael Hinckley: Reacted to "It's not easy to kno..." with 👍   01:16:21 Michael Hinckley: Reacted to "I just read somethin..." with 👍   01:17:17 Leilani Nemeroff: Dolores Hart  https://vocal.media/viva/the-hollywood-actress-who-became-a-nun   01:17:37 Michael Hinckley: what was the book you mentioned again please   01:18:13 Suzanne: Great Stories tonight! Thank you!   01:18:35 Susanna Joy: Thank you, Father.   01:18:41 Lorraine Green: Thank you Father   01:18:46 Louise: hanks!!!   01:18:56 Leilani Nemeroff: Thanks!   01:19:00 Rebecca Thérèse: Thank you🙂   01:19:04 Michael Hinckley: good night all  

The language that St. John Climacus uses to describe humility and its qualities is striking. In fact, in some ways it becomes unsettling. Unsettling - - because we often approach humility in an abstract fashion; as thinking little of ourselves, acknowledging our poverty and our sin.  What we discover in John’s writing is that humility is of the very essence of God and how God has revealed himself to us. To grow in this virtue is to find ourselves entering into the abyss of God‘s love. As we fall in our own estimation, we are in reality falling into the love and mercy of God. St. John describes humility as the “door to the kingdom”. It is the same way that Christ describes himself. “I am the door.“ Christ is humility and to be conformed to him, to enter into a union of love with him, is to pass into the very pasture of paradise.  Thus, to enter into the monastic life or the Christian life through any other door is to make ourselves thieves and robbers of our own life. In other words, it is to seek to seize for ourselves what only comes to us as a gift from God. While we were still enemies of God, he took our flesh and its burden upon himself, he humbled himself and became obedient in order that we might share in the fullness of his life. As those so redeemed, what other path could we dare travel? --- Text of chat during the group: 00:06:42 FrDavid Abernethy: page 182   00:11:55 Suzanne: Amore, Amore!!!   00:28:12 Anthony Rago: Didn't St Paul say he didn't even judge himself?   00:35:38 Suzanne: But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true adorers shall adore the Father in spirit and in truth. For the Father also seeketh such to adore him.   00:36:17 Fr Marty, ND, 480-292-3381: The idea of humility of heart will be on the lips, reminds me that it seems to me when I say she or he or you "made me" angry, etc., it's not so much about the other but God shining the light on where He wants to work with me on humility or other aspects of theosis. No one made me but merely revealed where I need God's touch of humility or healing.   00:37:38 Jeff O.: Reacted to "The idea of humility..." with 👍   00:38:05 Suzanne: Reacted to "The idea of humility..." with ❤️   00:44:53 Suzanne: My take home from what I’ve studied with you so far, is that humility is a great grace, and a participation of God, and not something we can attain solely by our own effort. We do best to work to dispose ourselves to receive it.   00:47:03 Cindy Moran: How would St John Climacus advise us to ask for a raise?...Or just don't do it.   00:47:23 Rebecca Thérèse: The chasm between the holiness of God and fallen humanity is so great, it's impossible not to be humble once someone has perceived it   00:49:20 Suzanne: Reacted to "How would St John Cl..." with 😂   00:49:53 Cindy Moran: Yes I'm serious   00:49:55 Suzanne: Reacted to "The chasm between th..." with 👍   00:58:16 Anthony Rago: I believe a post Communion prayer by St Basil the Great, in the Teal Ruthenian Book, asks God that the Holy Body and Blood be for the healing of our feelings or emotions.   01:03:31 Sean: from St.Basil's post communion Prayer: O Lord who love us all, you died and rose for our sake; and you have given us these awesome and life-creating mysteries for the benefit and sanctification of our souls and bodies. Grant that they may bring about the healing of my soul and body; the defeat of every enemy; the enlightenment of the eyes of my heart; the calming of my thoughts and emotions; a faith that cannot be confounded; a love that does not pretend; a wisdom that overflows; the full observance of your commandments; the increase of your divine grace; and citizenship in your kingdom. Being preserved in your holiness by them, I will remember your love at all times.   01:05:09 Anthony Rago: Reacted to from St.Basil's post... with "❤️"   01:05:20 Sean: yes   01:05:33 Daniel Allen: I get seeing the good in others and not seeking to lift oneself up in comparison to others, but if we examine ourselves constantly or even too often, how do we avoid become neurotic? How do we examine ourselves constantly and remain gentle tand patient to ourselves?   01:06:03 Suzanne: I wonder if a sign of growing humility is the subsiding of hair trigger emotional reactions to things people say.   01:13:12 Ambrose Little, OP: From Unseen Warfare: ‘If a man does not rely on himself but puts his trust in God, when he falls he is not greatly surprised and is not overcome with excessive grief, for he knows that it is the result of his own impotence, and, above all, of the weakness of his trust in God. So his downfall increases his distrust of himself and makes him try all the harder to increase and deepen his humble trust in God.’   Seems like part of not getting down on ourselves and anxious/neurotic is accepting that we are weak and allowing God to fill our weakness with His power.   01:14:34 Suzanne: Reacted to "From Unseen Warfare:..." with ❤️   01:15:37 Cindy Moran: My apologies if my question seemed flippant about asking for a raise. I suppose that everyone knows now that I've never been able to do it in 60 years of my profession.   01:15:58 Jeff O.: Nicodemus of the Holy Mountain too   01:16:38 Cindy Moran: Thank you, Father   01:18:09 Lorraine Green: Thank you Father   01:18:16 Suzanne: Thank you, Father, for your help!   01:18:56 Cindy Moran: Good night to all.   01:18:59 Rebecca Thérèse: Thank you🙂   01:19:00 Jeff O.: Thank you!   01:19:06 mflory: Beautiful! Thank you!  

In hypothesis 1 of book 2 of The Evergetinos, we continue to hear one story after another of the humility of the fathers. Again and again, what we find emphasized is the willingness to set aside the self and the ego. We cling so fiercely to a sense of self-esteem and religious identity that gives us a sense of value or elevates us in the view of others. However, as with so many of the virtues, we find the monks, loving humility; pursuing it precisely because of what it produces within the soul and the freedom that it brings.  What it produces is not the perfection of virtue as we understand it. By letting go of the self, Christ lifts us up to share in his life and glory. Thus, we find repeated stories of monks trying to hide themselves and any recognition of their holiness by fleeing the company of men. Yet, so often they find themselves discovered because the very glory of God shines forth from their countenance.  The opposite of vice is not virtue, but rather Christ living within us. We put on Christ. We are conformed to him by Grace. If the world is attracted to anything, it is to that reality. The monks understood this. The only thing they feared was being drawn away from the path of humble obedience. --- Text of chat during the group: 00:09:58 Suzanne: I found the exact volume we're starting on kindle for $9.99   00:10:10 Steve Yu: Reacted to "I found the exact vo…" with 👍   00:10:22 Steve Yu: Excellent. Thank you!   00:10:53 Suzanne: I tried my mic. It doesn't work. Yes, Amazon kindle.   00:12:14 Suzanne: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07ZJGFSPL/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_d_asin_title_o00?ie=UTF8&psc=1   00:12:45 Steve Yu: Reacted to "https://www.amazon.c…" with ❤️   00:31:44 Adam Paige: The Kindle version of the Evergetinos is a different translation. I believe this is the one Father is reading from: https://a.co/d/fcClhxD   00:32:38 Suzanne: Replying to "The Kindle version o..."   Yes, I enjoy it.   00:33:02 Suzanne: Reacted to "The Kindle version o..." with 👍   00:34:11 Rod Castillo: Litany of Humility   00:35:03 Suzanne: Card. Merry del Val   00:38:03 Rebecca Thérèse: When St John of the Cross was in the final weeks of his life he had to go from is hermitage to a monastery for them to take care of him. He chose to go to Ubeda rather than Baeza because he was known in Baeza and he didn't want the attention his holiness would attract there.   00:45:52 Suzanne: Roman Discipline, Order, and Common Sense. The Church understands both the power of the official worship of the Church and the feebleness of human nature.   01:08:44 Suzanne: Thank you, Father!   01:08:44 Rebecca Thérèse: Thank you🙂   01:08:46 Lorraine Green: Thank you FAther   01:09:33 Louise: Thanks, Fr.   01:09:34 Adam Paige: Thanks you so much, Father !  

It is a curious thing to be humbled by hearing a saint speak about humility. Yet, this is what happens. In and of itself, it reveals to us how far the human heart can be from grasping not only the nature of the virtue but what God has revealed to us in his only begotten Son.  The Incarnation manifests to us this virtue in its full glory. The word of God, through whom all things have been created, becomes an infant, (infans), that is, “wordless one”. God draws back the veil in order that we might see and comprehend for ourselves the depth of His love and also the life and virtue that we are to embrace as those made in his image and likeness. To embrace Holy Humility, the very life of God, means to let go of our attachment to the things of this world or good deeds accomplished by our own hands. We begin to comprehend with greater clarity and firmness that all is Grace.  To acknowledge this is to die to self and sin; it is, as John describes it, “reposing securely in the casket of modesty”. The humble heart becomes impervious and unmovable to the demons. As a quality of the Divine, it is not something that we can gauge in its perfection. John, however, works to help us understand its distinguishing characteristics.  One is struck by the fact that the humility of beginners is as different and distinct from the humility of the perfect as yeast and flour are from bread.  Purified by the fire of God‘s love it is freed from all of pride. This is something only God can reveal to us.  God reveals himself to us in and through the gift of faith. We cannot approach him or the truth that he reveals with a consumerists mentality or seek to dissect these realities as we do with so many things in this world.  It is His light that reveals the depths of the human heart and it is His Spirit of Truth that draws us in the very depths of God. --- Text of chat during the group: 00:05:33 FrDavid Abernethy: page 181 number 4   00:09:25 David Swiderski: Have you heard about the Holy Resurrection Monestary in Wisconsin. They offer retreats but I just was wondering if they are worthwhile?   00:10:17 Jake: I was there for 3 days, it was a great retreat   00:14:07 Cindy Moran: Antiochian village?   00:36:57 Sharon Fisher: How does one try to take this step if a spouse or close friend doesn’t welcome the transformation we intend to make? You can’t just cut them off; you can be sincere in faith and not burden them with it until they see the (positive) change?   00:37:40 Carol: this discussion reminds me of Isadora from Evergetinos   00:38:32 Carol: and the indignities she embraced   00:38:58 Daniel Allen: It’s startling that the beginning is acceptance of indignity, I tend to see that as the end - or the perfected state. Yet, John says it is the first property. And that’s something.   00:39:52 Suzanne: Why is it that as long as we are alone with God at home, we maintain peace of soul and continuous prayer, but as soon as we get into conversations with others, our restraint goes out the window? For example, I got sucked into a discussion about politics earlier today, and I was unable to detect and prevent anger from arising inside me - ultimately my words took on an angry tone, and I said words I now regret. It’s like all I accomplished this morning with God was stolen from me. Basically, when tested, I fail.   00:40:38 Jeff O.: Reacted to "It’s startling that ..." with 👍   00:43:14 Suzanne: Replying to "It’s startling that ..."   Interesting.   00:43:29 Fr Marty, ND, 480-292-3381: It seems that within humility there is recognizing that God loves me, in a breathless way. When I'm around someone who genuinely loves me, I tend to love myself more when I'm with them. Feeling loved and loving myself without condemnation. it seems, helps me accept my weakness and need for God. Humility, then, becomes a natural honesty that helps me put down my defenses of my ego and let God do whatever is necessary to make me like Him and united to Him. Then, denying myself and carrying the cross I recognize to be therapeutic and seems to be the most reasonable and honest thing to do.   00:44:54 Sharon Fisher: Replying to "Why is it that as lo..."   Same here. Just recently, too. And frequently, too . . .   00:45:23 Anthony Rago: Replying to "Why is it that as lo..."     Suzanne, my studies ...   00:45:28 Daniel Allen: I haven’t read her diary but the diary of Elizabeth Liseur may be a good concrete example of what it looks like for one to be trying to live the faith while another one isn’t at all, and how to do that faithfully.   00:46:14 Suzanne: Reacted to "Same here. Just rece..." with ❤️   00:46:36 Suzanne: Reacted to "Suzanne, my studies ..." with ❤️   00:46:51 Anthony Rago: Replying to "Why is it that as lo..."     Suzanne I wouldn't t...   00:48:02 Suzanne: Replying to "Why is it that as lo..."   Fall, and get back up. Never stop.   00:52:04 Sharon Fisher: Replying to "Why is it that as lo..."   Proverbs 24:16!   00:55:28 Sharon Fisher: Reacted to "Suzanne, my studies ..." with ❤️   00:55:37 Kevin Burke: Reacted to "Suzanne, my studies …" with ❤️   00:57:57 Suzanne: Reacted to "Proverbs 24:16!" with ❤️   00:59:18 Sharon Fisher: Replying to "How does one try to ..."   Followup to the discussion: “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and one’s foes will be members of one’s own household” (Matthew 10:34-36).   01:06:45 Sean: Stephen Hawking: "If we find the answer to that, it would be the ultimate triumph of human reason—for then we would know the mind of God." That always struck me as hubris.   01:07:15 Anthony Rago: Also in regard to not prying into mysteries, does this apply to the errors of heretics? And does it apply to the orthodox whose censures might have caused more harm than good (ex. The way we used anathema which had the effect of alienating whole peoples)?   01:09:51 Patrick Caruso: In step 25:7, he says the highest degree includes 'a constant desire to learn'. However in Step 24:29 he says 'If knowledge puffs up most people, simplicity and a lack of learning can perhaps in the same measure humble them.' Is he saying that the path of knowledge is to first learn to be simple through perhaps a lack of learning to bring about true knowledge via humility and only then will we be capable of a purified desire to learn?   01:12:53 Suzanne: I’ve been putting into practice lately, taking all my thoughts to God. It’s really powerful, and it’s leading me to actually speak with Him quietly and intimately about past sins. I sense that there is a deep pride that causes us to withdraw from His gaze, and refuse to reflect upon our sins in His holy sight. Yet He has shown me that He is ardently ready and willing to discuss my sin with me, and make me understand His Providence. This, I think, is going to lead to humility in my soul.   01:15:33 Anthony Rago: Reacted to I’ve been putting in... with "❤️"   01:15:50 Fr Marty, ND, 480-292-3381: Reacted to "I’ve been putting in..." with ❤️   01:17:06 Suzanne: I so appreciate your help!   01:17:59 Cindy Moran: Thank you Father excellent session   01:18:03 Sean: prayers and gratitude Father   01:18:04 Lorraine Green: Thank you Father, good night   01:18:05 mflory: Thank you!   01:18:06 Jeff O.: Thank you!!   01:18:14 Rebecca Thérèse: Thank you🙂   01:18:28 Sharon Fisher: And with your spirit!   01:18:29 Kevin Burke: Thank you Father!   01:18:31 David Swiderski: Thank you Father!  

We began this evening with page one of the second volume of The Evergetinos. In many ways, we pick up where we left off in the first volume with humility. However, we are given very explicit examples of those who are a model of the virtue. Perhaps it would be better said that they present us with an other-worldly manifestation of the virtue - the Holy Fool.  Such individuals, so driven by the love for Christ, have set aside so completely self-esteem and reputation that their presence reveals the poverty,  inadequacy or complete lack of this holy virtue in others; especially those who deem themselves to be religious.  To hear the stories of their lives almost knocks the wind out of the reader. The very presence of their sanctity brings down upon them the scorn and the abuse of others. They embody Christ’s teaching, “You will be hated by all because of my name.” They are hated because they embodied the humility of Christ, who counted reputation as nothing, emptied himself and became a servant, obedient unto death.  It is hard to be in the presence of such individuals. Their hidden sanctity will still speak to the souls of those in their midst and provoke a reaction. The demons who guide and direct our thoughts will seek to make us mock and ridicule them and blind us to their true goodness. Thus, they provide us with a cautionary tale – that in our lesser moments we are capable of mocking the Lord in others, when we hold them in contempt. We are not so far from committing such unholy violence in our hearts, when we lose sight of the dignity of those around us. --- Text of chat during the group: 00:04:02 Leilani Nemeroff: Thank you!  I am driving right now.   00:11:45 Suzanne: Can hear a pin drop!   00:12:55 Adam Paige: Reacted to "Can hear a pin drop!" with 📌   00:13:16 Suzanne: Reacted to "Can hear a pin drop!" with ☺️   00:35:06 Rebecca Thérèse: The thing that people don't understand is that even if she had been a simpleton and their judgement of her was correct, they still shouldn't have treated her like that. "For inasmuch as you did it to the least of these..."   00:36:47 sharonfisher: It’s odd to me that the most holy among us behave this way.   00:36:57 Louise: Was she a victim soul?   00:39:02 maureencunningham: They did not see her   00:40:53 Suzanne: She reflected Christ's attribute of taking upon Himself the sins of mankind.   00:42:49 Lee Graham: No doubt, she forgave all those who abused her, lest they would have to live separated from God throughout eternity   00:43:16 sharonfisher: How is it that she feigned foolishness, 1st para. Was she testing them?   00:43:29 maureencunningham: Did the early church  run to be Marty   00:45:33 Anthony Rago: If she were foolish perhaps she was like Brother Juniper, companion of St Francis, very plain kind and simple. Perhaps even a little "touched" but that weakness became a strength by grace.   00:46:44 Suzanne: The Age of the Desert corresponds to the Age of Heresy, post persecution. It's a communal reparation.   00:49:10 sharonfisher: Reacted to "If she were foolish …" with ❤️   00:58:57 Sean: it would be hard to find someone who "longs to be loathed"...quite the opposite...   01:00:33 Rebecca Thérèse: The problem with being loathed is that people don't just loathe you and leave you alone, they're constantly bothering you with their loathing!   01:01:04 Suzanne: Reacted to "The problem with bei..." with ❤️   01:05:31 sharonfisher: I so agree, the West sometimes pays less attention to the saints than I would like. But in an effort to provide services that people (families) can actually attend, they have to cut somewhere.   01:07:37 Adam Paige: I think the West has emphasized the temporal cycle over the sanctoral cycle in recent years, but if the Office of Readings and the Martyrology could become more prevalent in the life of the church, that would go some way to helping   01:09:29 Anthony Rago: I was thinking this sounded like the charcoal saint!  Didn't Alexander also see Our Lady of Blachernae promising to protect the city from besieging barbarians?   01:11:54 Michael Hinckley: The West tends to get very Thomistic I believe.   01:13:16 Suzanne: Father, is it too late to ask a question about one of your FB posts?   01:13:37 Suzanne: You put up a quote from St. Symeon: “For unless a person has been trained in strict vigilance, so that when attacked by a flood of useless thoughts he tests and sifts them all … he is readily seduced in many unseen ways by the devil.” Presuming there is no human being available to train and guide you in learning to discipline your thoughts, how do you acquire this skill? Is there a book you can recommend that gives practical instruction on how to purify the thoughts?   01:14:17 sharonfisher: Reacted to "You put up a quote f…" with ❤️   01:14:18 Suzanne: LOL!   01:14:38 Jacqulyn: Reacted to "LOL!" with 👍   01:16:46 sharonfisher: Thank you for not rushing us through this and allowing questions and discussion. So valuable!   01:17:01 Adam Paige: Reacted to "Thank you for not ru..." with ☦️   01:17:16 Suzanne: Reacted to "Thank you for not ru..." with ❤️   01:17:30 Sean: the coal carrier reminds me the movie the island   01:17:48 maureencunningham: Thank You Blessing   01:17:48 Rebecca Thérèse: Thank you🙂   01:17:53 Adam Paige: Reacted to "the coal carrier rem..." with 👍   01:17:54 Louise: Thanks, Fr. Abernethy!   01:17:58 Suzanne: Great meeting, and God bless you all!   01:18:00 Anthony Rago: Reacted to the coal carrier rem... with "👍"   01:18:03 Lorraine Green: Thank you, Father   01:18:17 sharonfisher: Reacted to "Thank you for not ru…" with ❤️   01:18:22 sharonfisher: Reacted to "Thank you for not ru…" with ☦️   01:18:40 Leilani Nemeroff: Thank you.   01:19:06 sharonfisher: And to your spirit!  

Elder Porphyrios emphasizes the need to become a poet to grasp the mystery of 'Holy Humility.' St. John's writing on humility delves into our call to participate in divine life. It challenges us to let go of preconceived notions and embrace a path beyond reason and imagination.