Philokalia Ministries

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  

Where are we in the spiritual battle? Do we understand the virtues that are generally most necessary in the pursuit of virtue? So often in our day, we approach the spiritual life in a piecemeal fashion, gleaning from the writing of saints things that speak to our own particular sensibilities. But are any of these things going to help us address the dominant passions that we struggle with?  We cannot be lazy in the labors of the spiritual life. We are blessed to be able to sit at the feet of the great elders and those who speak from experience. And yet, as with so many things in our day, we would have things come in our own time and in the way that we desire. Christianity overturns our perception of reality. What it means to love, what is truth, all comes into view only through the person of Christ. The shape of the Christian life is cruciform – always involving a dying to self and sin, and rising to new life in Christ. We must cast off the old man in order to put on the mind of Christ. Lacking discernment we may find ourselves being guided by the demons and settling into mediocrity or the embrace of selfishness and sin that merely is an aping of virtue. --- Text of chat during the group: 00:14:14 David Swiderski: Father do you know any good books on vigils? 00:15:56 Sharon Fisher: Would it be instructions for a home vigil service?   00:17:50 Anthony: For the bibliography, cookbooks are important such as "From a Monastery Kitchen" by Bro. Victor-Antoine d'Avila-Latourrette.   00:19:52 Eric Ewanco: With Great Lent on our heels, do you have suggestions for overcoming gluttony and sustaining our fasts?   00:29:26 Andrew Adams: How does one practice the life of obedience as a layperson?   00:30:23 Suzanne: Isaac the Syrian is great on not putting the cart of contemplation before the horse of purification.   00:32:54 Maureen Cunningham: The  Monks on Mt Athose are very healthy a Doctor did a study.   00:35:24 Suzanne: Greek food ain't no penace for me! 😄   00:35:38 Vanessa: Reacted to "Greek food ain't no ..." with 😂   00:39:16 Anthony: Our hypochondria is driven by our societal messaging; our avarice is driven by our capitalist presuppositions wealth, usury, over-emphasis on private property.   00:42:54 Maureen Cunningham: I was told that Christ suffers in the broken .   00:43:30 Anthony: And it's hard to go against presuppositions because it feels like you're doing something wrong.   00:47:02 Suzanne: I quit a part time job because of the filthy language and sick behavior of my fellow employees. I did it to protect my soul.   00:54:04 Jeff O.: I’m reminded of a quote from a Benedictine book - “Personal Prayer” - “Our hope is at its greatest when we have absolutely no other means to provide for ourselves than to beg God for help.” When our hope is rooted deeply in our full understanding of our poverty it’s at its strongest/fullest   00:54:20 David Swiderski: I have found hardship to be helpful in gaining detachment from many things and faults. A saint used to say-gold is purifiied in the crucible of life.   00:54:21 Lee Graham: What does “recklessly despised their torture”?   00:55:27 Eric Ewanco: My translation @Lee Graham has "It was this marvelous grace that enabled the souls of the martyrs to rise superior to their torments."   00:56:29 Vanessa: St. Teresa of Calcutta always said we have to see Christ himself in the poor, broken, and suffering.  Re-aligns our focus to see the humanity in them.   01:07:40 sprou: is that the language of silence?   01:09:26 Eric Ewanco: Is ignoring the demons an option open to everyone, or does this indicate that one is in a better spiritual position so to speak if one can do this?   01:11:19 Adam Paige: One of the tools of good works in the rule of Saint Benedict is “To dash at once against Christ the evil thoughts which rise in one’s heart.”   01:11:26 Rebecca Thérèse: Thank you🙂   01:11:30 Louise: Thanks, Fr. Abernethey!   01:11:42 Suzanne: God bless you all!   01:11:46 Lorraine Green: God bless, thank you   01:12:19 Barbara: Blessed Great Fast!!   01:12:22 Andrew Adams: Thank you Father!   01:12:23 Jeff O.: Thank you!   01:12:24 Sharon Fisher: And with your spirit!   01:12:36 Cindy Moran: Thank you Father  

We turn now in the Evergetinos to consider the “avoidance of idleness”. With this, of course, we are compelled to consider the nature of work, and its connection to the spiritual life and our sanctification.  Avoiding idleness is not simply keeping busy - much less busyness. It is something that allows us to prevent the mind and the heart from wandering from He who is the source of life, God. We are not angels.  We are called to provide for ourselves and also to provide for the poor. And so it is by the labor of our hands that we not only keep ourselves from becoming distracted - but enable ourselves not to become a burden to others and also to offer charity to those in need.  Furthermore, keeping oneself from idleness also allows for the formation of virtues; obedience, self-control, ordering of the appetites, humility, etc. What is being presented to us, then, is connected to the overall portrait of what it is to be a human being; one whose life is directed completely toward God. The love that we have received and bear within us transforms everything about what it is to be a human being; to suffer, to love, and to work. It is our identity as Christians that must shape our perception of reality. Text of chat during the group: 00:29:31 Michael Hinckley: Anthony's comment, or rebuke, hits the vainglory   00:35:03 Andrew Adams: What was the name of that commentary on St. Mark again?   00:38:32 Adam Paige: Fire of Mercy, Heart of the Word, the four-volume “Meditations on the Gospel According to St. Matthew” by Erasmo Leiva-Merikakis.   00:38:34 FrDavid Abernethy: Erasmo Merikakis   00:45:57 Michael Hinckley: can't over busyness, lack of focus be acedia   01:05:34 Rebecca Thérèse: The devil makes work for idle hands   01:14:51 Rebecca Thérèse: Thank you🙂   01:15:26 Maureen Cunningham: Thank You   01:15:53 Andrew Adams: Thank you Father!   01:16:06 Rachel: Thank you!!  

Extraordinary and beautiful! We are currently reading Step 26 from The Ladder on discernment. As St. John begins to unpack things for us, that is, what discernment allows us to perceive about our intentions, our dispositions, how virtue and vice often get mixed together, why prayers sometimes go unanswered, and why demons often will cease their attack for a period of time - - St John also shows us the beauty and the mystery of the human person in relationship to God and as created by God.  God‘s loving care for us, when seen with the clarity of the fathers’ wisdom and experience is enough to make one weep for joy. And this joy fosters a desire for God that, if inflamed, can not only purify us of the passions but transform us in such a fashion that we are drawn into the life of the very Holy Trinity. May God grant us this desire! --- Text of chat during the group: 00:09:49 Carol Roper: St. Anne's?   00:31:05 Cindy Moran: I remember a few times the night before a huge exam I slept w the school book under my pillow LOL   00:43:18 maureencunningham: What is the time frame , if one thinks of this as a long journey or one could be discourage   00:48:24 Kate : There are some spiritual writings that take the form of a colloquy…Fr. Gaston Courtois, for example.  How does this fit with the dark knowing of faith, that you mentioned?  The writers seem to have such a tangible intimacy with Our Lord.   00:56:29 Susanna Joy: When the Lord Speaks to Your Heart: Daily Devotions (English and French Edition) https://a.co/d/4ZRzjVi   00:56:46 Vanessa: Replying to "When the Lord Speaks..."   Thank you:)   00:57:02 Susanna Joy: Divine Intimacy https://a.co/d/2WqoJ5e   00:57:43 Susanna Joy: The links are Amazon links to the books mentioned   01:00:46 Cindy Moran: Are the other 4 kinds of dispassion in this chapter?   01:01:18 Jacqulyn: An excerpt from Pauline Books... https://paulinestore.com/media/productattach/1/7/172412-compressed.pdf   01:02:05 Susanna Joy: Reacted to An excerpt from Paul... with "👍"   01:04:51 Nypaver Clan: Reacted to "An excerpt from Paul..." with 🥰   01:06:09 Rachel: yes   01:09:24 Michael Hinckley: Leave Christ for Christ... is the Filippo Neri?   01:09:35 Michael Hinckley: that ...   01:10:04 Adam Paige: Reacted to "that ..." with 👍   01:11:58 Rachel: Our Lord was did not have passions   01:14:18 David Swiderski: I have been reviewing some courses for work on Emotional Intelligence and it is interesting some of the information on nueroplastisity. I keep thinking how this research could learn so much from the desert fathers. In nueroplasticity they often talk about the trigger leading to emotion leading to and action and reptitivity creating behavior.   01:14:50 Adam Paige: Reacted to "I have been reviewin..." with ❤️   01:20:22 Suzanne: Thank you!   01:21:57 Art: Reacted to "I have been reviewin..." with 👍   01:22:37 Suzanne: To Rachel, passions in the Roman Church are not disordered in themselves, but part of human nature. Our Lord had no disorder in His Body and Soul. But He had human nature.   01:23:06 Lorraine Green: God bless you, thank you Father   01:23:24 maureencunningham: Thank You Father Dave , My husband said thank you too.   01:23:44 Andrew Adams: Thank you Father!   01:23:45 Louise: Thanks, Fr.  Abernethy!   01:23:47 Cindy Moran: Excellent session... thank you Father   01:23:52 Jeff O.: Thank you!!   01:23:53 Rachel: Thank you   01:24:01 David Swiderski: Thank you father!   01:24:08 Rachel: LOL thank you   01:24:09 Kevin Burke: Thanks you!