Philokalia Ministries

Renunciation: The word has certain connotations that are often tied to deprivation or unhappiness. What we find in the writings of the great ascetics, St. Isaac especially, is something quite different; the weaning of ourselves from the things that we are attached to in the world in order to become more attached to God, to what endures and fills the soul with consolation and strength.  For example, we are called to embrace the practice of vigils, to rise during the night to pray and thereby humbling the mind and the body. Yet Isaac does not see this as costly but rather as restorative and promising consolation in times of trial and affliction. It is in silence, often deepest during the night and free of distraction, that we are able to listen to God and receive what he desires to give us.  Likewise, we are to persevere in spiritual reading while we dwell in stillness. We let go of the hectic pace of society and the busyness into which we often thrust ourselves in order to taste the sweetness of the wisdom of the scriptures and the fathers. Perhaps more challenging, we are told that we are to love poverty. We are to willingly let go of material goods and radically simplify our lives. In doing so, Isaac tells us, the mind remains collected and is secured from wandering. We often become anxious about our worldly security and protecting what ilwe have come to possess. We become driven to spend more time focused on the things of this world than we are pursuing the life of virtue and prayer. In a similar vein, Isaac tells us to detest superfluity so that our thoughts might remain untroubled. Again, filling our lives with things, activities, work or social engagements steals from us solitude and the silence that is born from it. Surrounded constantly by the noise and the affairs of the world we begin to experience intense anxiety and depression seeing only the presence of chaos and violence that makes one question reality and the value and purpose of life.  Part of the beauty of reading the desert fathers is that they reveal to us the beauty and the dignity of the human person made in the image and likeness of God and redeemed by the blood of Christ.  Their lives and their writings fill the heart with hope in a dark world and set the soul on fire to to embrace what has been promised us by our Lord. To God be the glory unto ages of ages. Amen. --- Text of chat during the group:  00:04:19 Bob Čihák, AZ: P. 143, first short paragraph, 6 00:12:49 cameron: The names again please 00:14:56 Bob Čihák, AZ: P. 143, first short paragraph, 6 00:14:59 cameron: Monk and monastery 00:15:13 cameron: Thank you. 00:20:52 Myles Davidson: Replying to "P. 143, first short ..." “Honor the work of vigil…” 00:21:55 Bob Čihák, AZ: P. 143, first short paragraph, 6 00:32:20 James Hickman: For years I’ve found myself waking up against my will, then over the years (more recently, and not always!) seeing it as a gift. But when I have an icon on my wall, I find it a grace when I lay there awake in bed and make simple prayer of the heart, simple acts. This seems valuable. I’ll be ok to hear if there’s more expected than this. Objectivity is desired here. Work in progress here. 00:33:05 David: I have a prayer book that has a Greek orthodox evening prayer and in the ending it says "we sing to you in the night- Holy, holy holy are you oh God, through the prayers of the Theotokos have mercy on me". Is this a practice when one begins a vigil? When I do wake I always try to say it but was not sure if it is something formal in vigils? 00:35:59 Jessica Imanaka: Several Trappist monks I know have said they don't need as much as sleep as medical science dictates. The deceased abbot used to say that prayer reduces the physical need for sleep. Whenever I go on retreat, praying the full office, I just can't sleep as much. My body doesn't want to. 00:36:13 Anthony: On waking up at night....some people say 3am is the devil's hour, so it's advisable to pray then.  I think that gives way too much focus on the devil's? Or is this real Christian tradition? 00:40:58 Myles Davidson: The noonday devil was a desert father thing 00:41:11 Nicholas B. Besachio: What does St. Issac say about demonic attacks on Faith. 00:41:26 Rebecca Thérèse: Christ died on the cross at 3pm so Satanists say a black mass at 3am, that's why some people refer to it as the devil's hour 00:42:30 Bob Čihák, AZ: Catholic apologist Jimmy Akin did a Mysterious World session # 98 on “Sleep” which I found helpful. Cf. http://jimmyakin.com/ . 00:43:45 Thomas: I have heard priests say not to pretend to be monks what do they mean by this, because we should imitate them 00:46:06 Una: Reacted to "Catholic apologist..." with 👍 00:47:24 Ryan Ngeve: Father why is it the case that there is so much negligence or ignorance on guarding the heart/mind. Especially in today’s world 00:49:44 Jessica Imanaka: A Russian Orthodox monk advised me about a year ago to view my family life as my monastery. 00:51:01 James Hickman: The renewal of the domestic church in the west, particularly after Vatican II, seems to be the closest thing the Latins wish to recover a monastic (single focus) mindset. The family home should be a place of daily prayer of Scripture, rituals, etc that lead to putting on the mind of Christ. We still hear: don’t be a monk, but the lay vocations are being given a good challenge to strive for holiness. Might be centuries to really recover 00:53:46 James Hickman: https://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/vocations/parents/tools-for-building-a-domestic-church#:~:text=Find%20a%20time%20that%20works,home%2C%20and%20in%20every%20bedroom. 00:56:08 Jeffrey Ott: Where can we find that prologue from St. Nicodemus of the Holy Mountain? 00:56:34 Erick Chastain: There is a wonderful new book by a Benedictine monk that describes custody of the heart and interior silence among other things (From Silence to Silence by Fr Francis Bethel): https://tanbooks.com/products/books/from-silence-to-silence-a-benedictine-pilgrimage-to-god-s-sanctuary/ 00:57:35 James Hickman: Replying to "There is a wonderful…" Clear Creek is a refuge! 00:57:50 Erick Chastain: Reacted to "Clear Creek is a ref..." with 👍 00:58:39 Erick Chastain: Replying to "There is a wonderful..." Yes, Fr Bethel is at Clear Creek 01:02:56 Jeffrey Ott: Replying to "Where can we find th..." Thanks! 01:03:05 Anthony: I think I got the Rule of St Basil from 8th Day 01:03:39 Erick Chastain: oklahoma 01:06:10 James Hickman: Replying to "There is a wonderful…" Thomas 01:06:18 Anthony: Fr Thomas Dubay? 01:07:45 Myles Davidson: Happy are You Poor: The Simple Life and Spiritual Freedom by Fr Thomas Dubay https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/0898709210?ref_=mr_referred_us_au_nz 01:09:27 Ryan Ngeve: Father do you think the absence of monastic bishops in the western church could have something to do with the spirituality crisis? Bishop Erik Varden (Trappist) seems to be a breath of fresh air 01:12:53 Myles Davidson: Replying to "Happy are You Poor: ..." 👆Australian Amazon  👇US Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Happy-Are-You-Poor-Spiritual-ebook/dp/B002HE1K8S/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.hsMFxzX8IlA-ylEJ2L4PwA._WS7Go4mNqegxcy1NTQDBJiyC5RAmFcgPvoW9t8QpMg&qid=1753316681&sr=8-1 01:15:34 Rod Castillo: Yes, as Director of Religious Education in my parish, I attend endless meetings.  They are mind numbing! 01:16:55 David: The biggest change in my parish was a small adoration chapel which now needs to be expanded as it is always full and open 24/7. A small group started it but it has drawn a large amount of Gen Z people to our parish. It really has been astounding to me. Years ago daily mass was just old people now 50 to 100 people attend including families. 01:17:33 Myles Davidson: Reacted to "The biggest change i..." with 🙏 01:17:33 Lilly: No such thing as too many monastic books 🙂 01:17:49 Nypaver Clan: Replying to "The biggest change i..." Where do you live? Where is this chapel? 01:18:40 Anthony: The chaos of Covid & scandal showed us all that we want something more & deep. I see this in my diocese. 01:19:02 James Hickman: Reacted to "No such thing as too…" with ❤️ 01:19:38 Catherine Opie: Our priest asked us to organise a pilgrimage here in NZ and it consumed our entire lives for a whole year. However what an opportunity to develop charity through working with others. 🤣 01:20:53 David: If the devil can't make you bad he will make you busy- Fr. Josh Johnson 01:21:09 Ben: Reacted to "If the devil can't m..." with 😆 01:21:23 Lilly: On Feast of Saint Elias, we had 2 priests provide confessions left and right side of the Iconostasis. I've never seen it before ❤️ 01:23:40 Anthony: In Naples, multiple confessionals were all over the Gesu Nuovo, and a few were populated by priests. In Reggio Calabria cathedral, the priest was sitting out in the open, ready to receive penitents. 01:25:07 Jacqulyn: Thank you! 01:25:40 Catherine Opie: Thank you Fr. God bless. ❤️ 01:25:41 cameron: Thank you Father! 01:25:42 Diana Cleveland: Thank you! 01:25:43 Rebecca Thérèse: Thank you☺️ 01:25:46 Jeffrey Ott: Thank you! 01:25:51 David: Thank you father god bless you and your mother!

As we completed hypothesis 32 and considering the fathers’ teaching on contrition being a source of spiritual labor and protection, we made a segway into the most beautiful and compelling of stories found in the Evergetinos. The story captures why we must maintain a spirit of humility and contrition to the very end of our lives. Regardless of the depth of our love and mercy or our gratitude toward God and others for their care, the evil one through his relentless provocation can throw us back on our heels to such an extent that we don’t know whether we are going or coming. Thus, from our perspective, we may have sought to be loving, to go the extra mile in the service of others and God and that we have been grateful for the gifts that we have received. However, the oppression of the evil one’s temptations and our own vulnerability and instability of mind and heart can bring us to a point of turning away from God and others in a spirit of hostility. One of the most powerful aspects of the story in hypothesis 34 about Evlogios and the cripple is that it does not allow us to distance ourselves from the trial that they experience. We are not outside observers but we can see ourselves in both characters - sharing each of their vulnerabilities. After 15 years of living in mutual love and charity and in a spirit of gratitude, the relationship between these two men is torn to pieces. Confusion, resentment, hatred, and rejection rise up in a way that is not only unexpected but does not seem to be rooted in any reality that can be fixed or addressed. It is only the presence and the words of the holy man Saint Anthony the Great that shine a light upon what is happening. His words are like a scalpel and he quickly moves to cut out the disease that threatens them both with spiritual death. The devil‘s actions are fierce and so St.  Anthony’s words must be direct and severe. He rebukes Evlogios for considering casting out a child of God whom God loves and warns him that God will raise someone up with greater love to care for the cripple. With equal severity, Saint Anthony turns to the cripple, warning him that he is unworthy of heaven and of earth given the fact that it is Christ himself who has been caring for him and it is Christ that he, the cripple, has been abusing verbally.  Without being given an opportunity to respond, they are both ordered to return to their home and not to depart from one another for if they do so they will lose the crown that God has prepared for them. We come to see that the love that we are called to is that of the kingdom. It is not going to be rational. In fact in so many ways, it may push us to what seems to be absurdity; to the other worldly love of the Cross itself. Our ascent to Christ, our hope in his promises and our willingness to allow him to draw us along the path he desires must be absolute. To the world this will seem to be foolishness, but to those who have faith it is the shining light of God‘s glory and wisdom. --- Text of chat during the group: 00:07:16 Fr. Charbel Abernethy: August 9th at 7pm 00:11:21 Bob Čihák, AZ: P. 258, # 30 00:11:50 Fr. Charbel Abernethy: Page 258 number 30 00:34:00 Anthony: The difficult thing is to discern the thought & source, briefly, and quickly let it fly away (or chase it away!) 00:37:01 Myles Davidson: Nepsis 00:37:31 Adam Paige: Archimandrite Zacharou’s book Flying Over the Abyss is out of stock.. probably because of Fr Charbel ! The monastery says it’ll be reprinted in August 00:38:58 Julie: Do you think the evil one uses family, to distract us, that this is more important, to make you feel guilty 00:42:00 Andrew Zakhari: I think about the calls Jesus extends in his teaching and parables. "Let the dead bury the dead..." and the parable of the Great Banquet where people are too busy to accept the invitation. 00:43:24 Forrest Cavalier: The priest's homily at mass yesterday made the point that anger opposes meekness and mildness. I think this paragraph points out that even righteous anger can be enlarged which will eliminate the state of contrition. 00:43:45 Una: How about internal chatter than breaks the silence? 00:44:08 Myles Davidson: Reacted to "How about internal c..." with 👍 00:49:18 Julie: Reacted to "How about internal c…" with 👍 00:56:07 Anthony: Sometimes, the internal chatter turns very dark, as it did for me in the days of the sex scandal news, and make a wall of defilement between the soul and God, where reaching for God also brings up the defiling newd 00:56:20 Anthony: News 00:57:56 Una: "The Throne before the phone." Turn to God first 00:58:06 Maureen Cunningham: Internet makes it worst because it always demanding. You do not have time to make schedules .It seems to be a constant nag all mail that's unwanted 00:59:12 Erick Chastain: "Prayerbook not Facebook" 00:59:29 Una: Reacted to ""Prayerbook not Fa..." with ❤️ 01:11:38 Anthony: This is sounding like Alzheimer's or dementia 01:11:52 Forrest Cavalier: Reacted to "This is sounding lik..." with 👍 01:19:24 Anthony: Perhaps Evlogious in his delivery betrayed uncalled for indignation or self-righteousness or vanity? 01:20:47 Jonathan Grobler: Zero sugar coating, straight to the point... 01:28:39 Maureen Cunningham: Much  like Job God allowed  the suffering 01:29:49 Catherine Opie: Profound! 01:29:55 Andrew Zakhari: Thank you! Excellent study today! 01:30:09 Maureen Cunningham: Blessing 01:30:51 Rebecca Thérèse: Thank you☺️ 01:30:54 Catherine Opie: God Bless Fr. have a blessed week. 01:30:55 Bob Čihák, AZ: Thank you & God bless you. 01:31:04 Rick Visser: thank you 01:31:05 Nino: Thank you Father..goog to be back

Saint Isaac the Syrian begins this homily with the words: “The soul that loves God finds rest only in God.“ This thought permeates all that is to follow. Our weaning ourselves from our attachment to the things of the world and our own self-esteem and judgment opens our eyes to the love and freedom that is ours in Christ. To see this, Saint Isaac tells us, one must engage in the ascetic life; that is, we must discipline the body through vigils, prayer fasting and the like; cultivating the heart in such a way that not only desires God above all things, but is willing to suffer every hardship for his sake. Indeed it is suffering and humiliation that frees us from the yoke of the self to such an extent that we can embrace such hardship with joy. In fact, the one who flees the futile glory of this world already has come to see something of the hope of the age to come. St. Isaac wants us to understand that our freedom from attachment to the things of the world does not merely mean our possession of riches, but rather also the acquisition of anything to which our will clings. Until this takes place, we are scattering with one hand what we have gathered with the other. All that we hold onto prevents us from rising above a worldly understanding of justice and prevents us from experiencing true freedom in our actions. We cannot show mercy to others except through what has been gained through our own labor and hardship. To sow from another man’s seed is to make our actions ingenuine and hypocritical. It’s a reflection of our desire to isolate ourselves from the suffering of our fellow man. What Isaac is preparing us to see is that we are not simply called to be merciful at the highest level of natural virtue or even what we would see as virtue elevated by the grace of God. Rather, we are called to be merciful as our Heavenly Father is merciful, to be perfect as our heavenly Father is perfect. This means giving to everyone who ask of us and not expecting our goods to return to us; not merely to suffer injustice or to have our possessions taken from us, but also to be willing to lay down our life for our brother. Our mercy must be such and our love for our brother so great that even if we were to be treated shamelessly and abusively, our desire would be not to grieve our brother‘s heart.  Guided by intellect and reason alone we have already reached the level of absurdity. In the months to come, we will be shown that the mercy and love of God stretches far beyond the measures of man’s mind. The love of God has the very dimensions of God Himself. --- Text of chat during the group: 00:18:47 Bob Čihák, AZ: P. 141, start of Homily 4, first paragraph 00:34:05 Myles Davidson: On the subject of suffering for Christ, “contempt and humiliation with good will”… I’m reading an extraordinary book called The Autobiography Of A Hunted Priest by John Gerard S.J. written by an English Jesuit priest who survived the Elizabethan anti-Catholic police-state known as the penal times. These young English Catholic men would travel to the continent to attend seminary, knowing when they returned they would be constantly hunted and faced a high chance of imprisonment, torture and martyrdom via being hung, drawn and quartered. While the author lived to tell the tale, he did suffer horrendous conditions in prison and painful torture. What is striking about the story, is the joy and peace he often experienced under these conditions and the often profound effect he had on his jailers. A very real example of “suffering contempt and humiliation with good will”. The book is a real faith booster! 00:35:10 Ryan Ngeve: Father what makes the trope of the fool-for-Christ different from those who actively seek humiliation or other forms of false piety 00:40:18 David: The movie "The Island" has a good example of a fool for Christ who is ideal as a follower of Christ and showing humility and humor. 00:40:25 Anthony: St Gabriel of Georgia should be patron of political philosophers but he was a fool for Christ. 00:40:34 Ben: Replying to "The movie "The Islan..." 👍 00:40:49 Julie: Reacted to "The movie "The Islan…" with ❤️ 00:42:05 Myles Davidson: Replying to "The movie "The Islan..." Is that the Russian film? 00:42:06 Bob Čihák, AZ: P. 141, paragraph 3 00:42:35 Ben: Replying to "The movie "The Islan..." @Myles Davidson That's right. 00:42:58 Myles Davidson: Reacted to "@Myles Davidson That..." with 🙏 00:45:25 Fr. C Mase: It reminds me of that overtaking desire that sometimes comes when we see something we really want and it turns out not to be all that great. Like a new phone or something like that. 00:47:54 Rod Castillo: LOL, I have neither PC nor Laptop.  I do everything on my phone. 00:50:46 James Hickman: Detachment from things so they don’t control us — not avoidance of potentially useful tools. We must posses them. The impoverished can be attached to his simplicity in a spiritually unhealthy way…pastor was preaching John of the Cross today because of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Ultimate detachment even from spiritual things, but this detachment might be aided by a prayer rope, Rosary, or other material thing in our hands. 00:52:58 Maureen Cunningham: Prayer Of  Saint Patrick Christ Before  Me 00:55:25 Bob Čihák, AZ: "Words" do not break into the heart. I think a sense of shared EXPERIENCE is what we hope words can bring to others. 00:55:56 Anthony: The manipulation of stories & images already is part of life, getting people to assent to wars, etc. 00:58:24 Catherine Opie: AI is also terrible for the environment, it uses an incredible amount of power and water. Unbelivable. It has been designed by people whose aim in life is to become gods and live forever by downloading their consciousness into machines. Delusional. I think its anti God and anti life. 01:00:13 Eleana Urrego: Reacted to "AI is also terrible …" with 😱 01:03:28 Myles Davidson: There is a phenomena where people think they have led “their AI” to consciousness and are going down a very dangerous spiritual path with it 01:04:27 Thomas: One of my friends asked me why there has been a decline in ascetics, and I kinda guessed at a few things, but a lot of what I read is about awareness, do you think that part of the reason could be because phones and stuff like that just distract us, so nobody can be aware of anything and therefore they don’t even consider the level of repentance of a monk 01:04:28 Nypaver Clan: Replying to "AI is also terrible ..." 😲 01:04:46 Elizabeth Richards: There's an app called "Be Present" that I found helpful to help break the dopamine cycle 01:15:53 Anthony: Should we as Christians be more open about praying for the souls of enemies.....Hitler & Nazis or people who burn monasteries, etc ?  Or would that bring scandal? 01:22:34 Catherine Opie: Reacted to "There is a phenomena..." with 🤣 01:27:13 Naina: Thank you Father 🙏✝️❤️ 01:27:33 Maureen Cunningham: Thank You   Father 01:27:38 Rebecca Thérèse: Thank you☺️ 01:27:39 David: Thank you Father. God bless you and your Mother! 01:27:47 Catherine Opie: Thank you Fr. apologies for being on call.  

The Desert Fathers make it very clear that in every element of our faith life we are being drawn into the mystery of God and the kingdom. Therefore, we must become comfortable with living in mystery; of being immersed in a reality that is beyond intellect and reason and comprehended solely through the gift of faith and the light that God bestow upon us.  We often move very quickly to dissect what has been revealed to us by God, both for ourselves and others. Discussing matters of faith and reading books about dogma, however, can cause a man’s compunction to wither and disappear. We often cling to the notional and the abstract rather than focusing upon our relationship with God and seeking purity of heart. The Fathes tell us it is the lives in the sayings of the elders that enlighten the soul and fill it with spiritual tears. Our lives then must be shaped by the Gospel and as one elder tells us we must seek to draw Christ into every part of our life. We love and follow a humble and crucified Lord; One who has been afflicted for our sin and who seeks our healing. Thus, our lives should mirror the simplicity of our Lord. We must not pamper the body in such a way that we weaken the spirit of contrition within our hearts. Neither must we fear affliction, but rather embrace it when it comes into our lives; knowing that God and his Providence allows it and through it perfects our virtue.  To a certain extent, we must be willing separate ourselves from the world and surround ourselves with those who seek and desire the same thing. How else can we maintain the spirit of contrition? The world itself and our culture has become antithetical to the gospel. The cross has been and always will be a stumbling block to those without faith. The more those in the world become focused upon material goods and comforts and a manner of life that is contrary to the teachings of the gospel, we must strive to genuinely and heroically to conform our lives to Christ regardless of the costs. --- Text of chat during the group: 00:09:31 Maureen Cunningham: I think it like a rally good restaurant it always word of mouth 00:10:56 Maureen Cunningham: What is sub stack and how is it different 00:11:10 Maureen Cunningham: You tube is also a big 00:11:38 Bob Čihák, AZ: substack.com in short. 00:11:50 iPad (2): Yes Father I agree with you 100% 00:11:56 Bob Čihák, AZ: Look & see. 00:15:53 Andrew Adams: I vote website, but I don’t do social media anyway. I found you effectively by word of mouth. 00:16:23 Kevin Burke: I agree with Myles.. YouTube channel is the best.. 00:16:51 Mark South: I agree youtube is great 00:16:58 Maureen Cunningham: Yes  I agree 00:17:15 Bob Čihák, AZ: Please do let us know when you DO need support! 00:17:21 cameron: Suggest you think of making efforts to avoid being cancelled. 00:17:45 Maureen Cunningham: We love to support you 00:19:35 Bob Čihák, AZ: P. 256, # 24 00:24:27 Bob Čihák, AZ: P. 256, # 25 00:32:03 Forrest Cavalier: This footnote is on this page: https://archive.org/details/Evergetinos/Euergetinos%20II/page/423/mode/2up?view=theater 00:39:44 Anthony: R. C. Sproul of Ligonier Ministries commented on Martin Luther's long confessions, saying what did he confess? To coveting another's potato salad?   Little did Sproul know what monks face. 00:41:01 Andrew Zakhari: I am currently reading the Minor Prophets, and as messengers of God they seem to get angry at God's people for falling away.  How do you understand this prophetic anger? 00:42:05 Myles Davidson: Replying to "R. C. Sproul of Ligo..." Calvinists 😁 00:44:34 Anthony: Reacted to Calvinists 😁 with "😂" 00:54:21 Julie: Beautiful 00:55:30 Myles Davidson: Reacted to "Beautiful" with 👍 01:08:17 Maureen Cunningham: That Paul said that I may Know in in 01:08:40 Maureen Cunningham: His  suffering 01:15:49 Catherine Opie: On a smaller scale Fr. I'm struggling with the ethics of using social media to advertise my business now I'm Catholic as I had already surmised its an evil thing that addicts people to it like cocaine. And is designed like a pokie machine 01:16:38 Maureen Cunningham: Mull Monastery is very good he good 01:16:41 Anthony: Monasteries and friaries are not really well distributed in USA (or the Anglosphere!).  Neither are the third orders or oblates. We need to develop some kind of more localized groups that are not completely self-directed. 01:18:39 Bob Čihák, AZ: One priest I know has ministries in coffee shops and bars. 01:21:02 Catherine Opie: Post short chunks of content online but direct people to your website for full video. Get them off social media! 01:21:03 Maureen Cunningham: I think it is wonderful to give to the ministry. Bless all 01:21:22 Rebecca Thérèse: Thank you☺️ 01:21:29 Andrew Adams: Thanks be to God! Thank you father! 01:21:33 Bob Čihák, AZ: Thank you father! 01:21:55 Catherine Opie: Thank you Fr. God bless ❤️ 01:21:56 Maureen Cunningham: Blessing Thank You 01:21:59 Niño: Thank you Father Charbel...it's been a while 😊🙏

Links provided to the group:  Outline: https://mcusercontent.com/c38acab568d650f7ef65f39df/files/250d23a5-4286-ca11-aa97-511cb2db99e7/Phronema_Outline_2025.pdf Phronema in the Teachings of Archimandrite Zacharias Zacharou: https://mcusercontent.com/c38acab568d650f7ef65f39df/files/bcb1bdd1-e77a-1f58-b90d-8070e0f7f9d5/Phronema_in_Teachings_of_Zacharias_Zacharou.pdf Quotes: https://mcusercontent.com/c38acab568d650f7ef65f39df/files/e2d2937f-cb54-e3d1-e164-4fffc0d409da/Collection_of_Quotes_on_Phronema_2025.pdf  

Perhaps there has been no greater or more beautiful exhortation written than Saint Isaac the Syrian’s homily on temptation. This may seem to be a rather bold statement, but Isaac’s words draw us into the very heart of a reality that even many men and women of faith do not see; that is, we are engaged in a spiritual warfare against the Evil One. Evil is not an abstraction or a story meant to instill fear as a means of control. Isaac speaks of it from the perspective of experience and like the other desert fathers, he stands before us as a living and breathing icon, encouraging us to run the course with courage and fidelity. In the spiritual battle, there is no Sabbath day rest; in other words, we must be ever vigilant in regards to temptation that comes to us in many forms. The only one that we must be concerned about is the temptation to which we freely give ourselves over through neglect or laziness or our attachment to particular sins. Rather, we are to take heart from and acquire zeal in our soul against the devil through the example and the histories of those who proved “allies of the divine laws and commandments of the Spirit in fearful places, and amid most grievous tribulation.”  The one in essential thing that this requires of us is that we have in our mind God‘s providence, and always to remember that he is ever faithful, and will not abandon those who trust him. This is our hope - that God is ever present to us in the spiritual battle, strengthening us, and surrounding us with a host of angels and Saints. We have a God who is set upon our salvation and who provides everything that is needed in order that we might be raised even above the ranks of angels. Our Lord has humbled himself, taken our poor humanity and its poverty, embraced it in all of its fullness and weakness in order to raise us up to share in the fullness of the life of God.  Deification is the fruit of the spiritual battle and the promise of our loving Lord! --- Text of chat during the group: 00:03:18 Fr. Charbel Abernethy: Page 138 paragraph number 33 00:12:58 Bob Čihák, AZ: P. 138, first full paragraph 00:14:35 Janine: Happy birthday Fr. Charbel…60 is nothing…just wait til 70! You are still very young! 00:15:18 Bob Čihák, AZ: ..or 84... 00:19:24 Catherine Opie: Happy Birthday Fr. May your next circle around the sun be full of Gods graces and blessings🎂 00:21:17 Rebecca Thérèse: Happy birthday it's the 10th already in the UK as well🎂☺️ 00:22:22 Gwen’s iPhone: Smile you could be turning 79 00:32:42 Erick Chastain: It is interesting that he emphasizes the role of the guardian angel in defending against the temptations. My oblate master says one should pray to the guardian angel to prevent sins. \ 00:36:12 Ryan Ngeve: Father it is easy for us who live in the world to tend to forget of spiritual realities in our daily life. How does one change this  ? 00:36:27 David: St. Moses the Black/Strong episode of 'Martin Scorsese Presents: The Saints' is streaming now on Fox Nation. I believe this is also on youtube but likely violating copyright. 00:42:15 Anthony: To become prayer is like the lesson on computation on Monday. 00:43:38 paul g.: Reacted to " St. Moses the Black…" with ✔️ 00:59:15 Anthony: I think it's important to note they recognized perils, even perils of devils, but did not seek to indulge curiosity about the demons.  The focus was God, without craven feeling toward devils or to God. They shone like simple, confident icons. 00:59:37 Ryan Ngeve: Father, could the very realization of one’s own wretchedness/ poverty/ powerlessness or need for some external mercy lead to tears or even despair? 01:02:11 Elizabeth Richards: Yes! 01:17:13 Catherine Opie: ❤️ 01:19:03 David: I heard an interesting podcast with Fr. Josh Johnson who said if the Devil can't make you bad he will make you busy. Apparently a parishioner doubted the devil existed he told her to set a time to sit in adoration or prayer and you will see tons of things will come up to interfere and often not bad things. 2 weeks later she came back and said- ok I believe in the devil. This also has been my experience. 01:21:44 Eleana: And temptations. I usually tell my patients you are often desperate for a "fix" and miserable but when you are trying to be sober and clean, you encounter friends that will invite you and even FIND everywhere what you avoid the most. 01:26:11 Maureen Cunningham: Thank You Father Blessing 01:26:49 Elizabeth Richards: 🥳 Happy Birthday! 🎉   Looking forward to Saturday! 01:26:53 Rebecca Thérèse: Thank you☺️ 01:26:53 Bob Čihák, AZ: Thank you and Bless you, Father. 01:26:54 Art: Have a happy birthday!! 01:26:59 Jeffrey Ott: Thank you! Happy Birthday! 01:27:10 David: Thank you father and may you have a joyful Birthday. I turn 60 next year tell me how it goes

This engaging discussion centers on the relational aspect of contrition, intertwining heartfelt sorrow with a deeper connection to God. Personal narratives reveal the struggle between managing spiritual life and allowing divine guidance. The importance of humility in prayer and the role of persistent prayer in encountering mercy are explored. Compunction emerges as a pivotal experience for spiritual growth, emphasizing the need for vulnerability. Ultimately, the conversation champions a reflective approach to recapturing spiritual insight through prayer.

Knowledge of God comes through the experience of God. When faith remains an abstraction, an idea, it is destined to remain lifeless and loses its capacity to transform and heal. It is the Lord Himself - He who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life - who must teach us.  Outside this path, we will lack all understanding. What we are called to contemplate is not simply what we can see with our eyes, perceive through our senses or conceive through our intellect. It is the mind of God, the mind of Christ, that we are called to put on. Furthermore, what we are given to understand is not worldly realities but the very mysteries of the Kingdom and the nature of divine Love.  Such is true in our understanding of the presence of temptation and affliction in our lives. We are told to pray not to enter in the temptation and yet the path the Christ calls us to walk leads us directly into them. The temptations that we are not to give ourselves over to are the ones that come through our own negligence and attachment to the things of this world and the self. We are not to put ourselves to the test by exposing ourselves to things that enliven the passions. Yet, in the gospel we are called by Christ to enter into the tribulation and the trials that we experience in this world and to do so with patience and hope in Him. The temptation that we are to fear is the one that comes through the mind’s self-esteem which opens us up to the demon of blasphemy and pride. It is then that we make ourselves judge of God and become blind to the poverty of our own sin.   The temptation, the trial we are called to enter into and embrace is the cross. With firm hope we are to take it up daily and in doing so God will reveal the truth to us. Isaac writes: “For without trials, God‘s Providence is not seen and you cannot obtain boldness before God, nor learn the wisdom of the spirit, nor can divine longing be established within you.” Knowledge of the cross, only comes through the experience of the cross, and our willingness to embrace it. This reality allows us to become bold in our hope and trust in the Lord‘s love. Unless we enter into hell, we will never know through experience that that we need not fear it – for Christ has already descended there. Our virtue, our strength is to be the virtue and strength of Christ. This comes only through living in Him and embodying that same love and hope that was made present on Calvary.   These mysteries even made Saint Isaac cry out: “O the subtlety of the path of the Thy teachings, O Lord!“  We must humbly allow Him to take us by the hand and guide us to the truth. --- Text of chat during the group:  00:09:50 Bob Čihák, AZ: P. 136, last paragraph, last line, bottom of page 00:12:16 Bob Čihák, AZ: We started on p. 113 00:17:23 Bob Čihák, AZ: P. 136, last paragraph, last line, bottom of page 00:19:22 Thomas: Where do I find the raise hand button 00:20:03 Myles Davidson: Replying to "Where do I find the ..." At the React button 00:20:54 Thomas: Replying to "Where do I find the …" Thanks 00:27:21 Anthony: We also need to be perceptive while simple so we don't let liars beguile us. 00:29:33 Myles Davidson: Replying to "We also need to be p..." Wise as serpents while innocent as doves 00:31:56 Thomas: Would it be imprudent or untrusting, or something like that to want to suffer more? 00:39:00 Ryan N: Father how does one endure when the pains of the cross become overwhelming 00:39:06 Ryan N: Or even less to a loss of faith 00:39:11 Ryan N: Lead* 01:02:44 Eleana: The father of lies with the daily illusion that freedom is instant gratification is in itself the battle that leads to sanctity. Where sin is abundant so is grace. 01:07:36 Ryan N: Father how do temptations of lusts differ from temptations of affliction 01:14:24 Anthony: That's the spirit of Enlightenment so-called. We are told by our government even, that doubt and blasphemy are freedom. 01:20:53 Jeffrey Ott: I was just there two weeks ago. It was hot then 😆 01:23:49 Catherine Opie: Thank you Fr. once again. God bless. 01:23:52 Rebecca Thérèse: Thank you☺️ 01:23:57 Jeffrey Ott: Thank you Father!

When reading the fathers, it is as if we are swimming in the living waters of their faith and love for God.  In this sense we are in a privileged position: we are able to catch a glimpse of what might otherwise be completely incomprehensible to us. Yet the warmth of the light of their faith is undeniable; for contrition is often understood and experienced as the coldest of realities, expressing only the poverty of our sin and the distance from God that it creates. When reading the fathers, however, we begin to see that contrition is love and rooted, most importantly, in a relationship of love with merciful God.  God has come among us and take our flesh upon himself and so there is nothing foreign to Him about our experience or the poverty of our sin. He has entered into it all, embracing it, carrying it, and experiencing every subtle impact that it has upon our hearts. Contrition and the tears that often flow because of it is part of God‘s providential care for us. There are many reasons why we might have a punitive vision of God and how he engages us. If we focus only on our sin or if we simply over analyze on an intellectual level who God is and the nature of sin then we are destined for despondency. A faith that is solely moralistic and legalistic can crush the spirit, sometimes permanently. Once we experienced true contrition, we must allow it to reveal the meaning and the purpose of our tears; or better yet, we must simply allow ourselves to experience the impact of this reality on our hearts and how it can open us up to an unparalleled experience of the love and mercy of God. One period of tears shed for love can preserve virtues that have been hard won over the course of years. These tears are shaped not only by emotion or sorrow but by the grace of God. --- Text of chat during the group:  00:15:15 Bob Čihák, AZ: P. 253, # 12 00:32:45 Kate : If someone has had a very legalistic experience within the Church, does it take a leap of faith to make the shift to even believe in the love of God?  In other words, does one have to bow down in humility and accept the love of God as a matter of faith? 00:52:15 Myles Davidson: More than one Catholic exorcist have said that Nefarious is the best portrayal of demonic possession on film they’ve seen. Great film! 01:05:58 Myles Davidson: That’s just about my favourite desert father teaching thus far. Beautiful image! 01:06:17 Vanessa: Love it too. 01:06:26 Vanessa: Reacted to "That’s just about my..." with ❤️ 01:17:09 Maureen Cunningham: Thank You Blessing 01:17:37 Andrew Adams: Thanks be to God! Thank you, Father! 01:17:40 Rebecca Thérèse: Thank you☺️ 01:18:00 Bob Čihák, AZ: Bless you!!

Text of chat during the group: 00:15:43 Fr. Charbel Abernethy: https://mcusercontent.com/c38acab568d650f7ef65f39df/files/7dc24fb1-6e46-0667-4ec1-01790064a60b/Thirst_for_God_Zacharou.pdf 00:16:31 Fr. Charbel Abernethy: https://mcusercontent.com/c38acab568d650f7ef65f39df/files/7dc24fb1-6e46-0667-4ec1-01790064a60b/Thirst_for_God_Zacharou.pdf 00:16:48 Fr. Charbel Abernethy: https://mcusercontent.com/c38acab568d650f7ef65f39df/files/506f6085-0052-3e6d-7e04-806ca4478091/Thirst_for_God_handout_of_quotes.pdf 00:17:35 Lou Judd: Thank you so much for offering this talk, Father. Gd bless you! 01:19:17 Suzanne Romano: Does not this thirst presuppose a willingness to suffer? 01:21:45 Michael Rosteet: A Willingness to Sacrifice in order to satisfy thirst 01:21:50 Mark Kelly: Reacted to "A Willingness to Sac..." with 👍 01:28:39 Anne: Reacted to A Willingness to Sac... with "👍" 01:32:34 Suzanne Romano: I just heard that St. Francis de Sales said that suffering is the 8th Sacrament! 01:34:08 Mark Kelly: "To them that long for the presence of the living God, the thought of Him is sweetest itself: but there is no satiety, rather an ever-increasing appetite...” ― Bernard of Clairvaux, On Loving God 01:40:09 Naina: Thank you so much Father🙏☦️❤️ Needed this 🙏 01:40:51 Jade: Reacted to "Thank you so much Fa…" with ❤️ 01:41:55 Suzanne Romano: Great topic! 01:42:09 Una: Profound! Thank you! 01:42:15 paulmccloskey: Thank you. Yes, this has been very helpful. 01:42:23 Julie: Beautiful 01:42:42 John Sullivan: Excellent, will there access to the recording afterwards? 01:42:50 Art: This was wonderful!  Thank you! 01:43:15 Lou Judd: I still don’t understand replace satisfaction with expectation 01:43:37 Karine: Very helpful Father, God bless you 01:43:45 Craig Klampe: Thank you. Yes. Will this be a podcast? 01:43:59 Eric Ewanco: Will this recording be posted? 01:44:03 Jade: Thank you Father, Beautiful!  I have felt the closest to God in my suffering.  I can’t remember who said this maybe Saint Anthony the great, but it was something along the lines of “The devil taught me how to pray, The demons would tempt me and I would run to God in prayer, the further they would tempt me the more I would run to prayer, therefore the devil taught me how to pray”. I’ve never related so deeply to something. 01:44:12 Andrew Adams: Thanks be to God! Thank you, father! 01:44:15 cameron: Thank you. 01:44:17 Rebecca Thérèse: Thank you, have a good retreat🙂 01:44:20 Una: Where is this library? 01:44:22 Adam Paige: Thank you so much Father !!!! 01:45:27 Una: Thank you