Desert Fathers with Bishop Erik Varden

Bishop Erik Varden, a Cistercian monk and Bishop of Trondheim, dives deep into the concept of Xeniteia, exploring solitude and trust in God. He discusses the importance of fortitude and preparing for wisdom through challenges. Varden emphasizes the need for contextual understanding of the Desert Fathers' teachings, urging personalized spiritual guidance. He contrasts the tension between remaining in one's cell and the call to venture into the unknown, highlighting that true spiritual growth often requires surrendering comfort.

Bishop Erik Varden, a Cistercian bishop and writer, reflects on the virtue of fortitude as taught by the Desert Fathers. He discusses how embracing philosophy involves enduring hardship and critiques the modern misconceptions of philosophy. Varden illustrates Plato’s broad vision and emphasizes that monastic life embodies lived philosophy. He connects the biblical notion of wisdom to Christ, arguing that true understanding arises from self-sacrificial love. The conversation culminates in a call to pursue philosophical fortitude in today's world.

Bishop Erik Varden, a Cistercian bishop and spiritual writer, leads a deep reflection on the teachings of the Desert Fathers. He discusses materialism versus generosity and shares a poignant parable about a wealthy donor and the response of the monks at Scetis. Varden highlights the importance of distinguishing true needs from mere wants, stressing how wealth can challenge spiritual focus. The conversation culminates in lessons on humility and the purpose of giving, urging listeners to reconsider their relationship with possessions.

Bishop Erik Varden, a Norwegian Catholic bishop and monk known for his insights on monastic spirituality, dives into the transformative tale of a gardener. He explores themes of possession, trust, and the journey from hoarding to repentance. Varden highlights how the gardener’s struggle with avarice reveals the deeper spiritual implications of our choices. Through discernment and community, he illustrates the power of faith and the importance of relying on divine providence instead of material wealth.

Explore the profound themes of unity in early Christianity and the essential role of literature in monastic life. The discussion highlights how books can be both spiritual weapons and potential idols when misused. Bishop Varden shares touching anecdotes, including a monk selling his gospel to aid the poor, and critiques the hoarding of knowledge. Emphasizing generosity, he argues for sharing resources and maintaining an open-handed approach to learning. Dive into the delicate balance of purpose versus possession in the quest for spiritual growth.

Bishop Erik Varden delves into the striking lesson from Abba Antony, highlighting the spiritual pitfalls of divided commitments. He weighs the dangers of clinging to worldly riches against true devotion to God. Drawing parallels with the early Church’s struggles in Acts, Varden emphasizes the beauty of radical generosity and communal living. This thought-provoking discussion challenges listeners to reflect on their own attachments and the cost of true discipleship in the journey of faith.

In this special Q&A episode of Desert Fathers with Bishop Erik Varden, host Jamie Baxter welcomes Bishop Varden to answer listener questions, offering profound insights from the Desert Fathers’ wisdom. Recorded as Jamie prepares to travel to Norway to join Bishop Varden for future episodes, this session covers topics from the recent chapters on self-mastery and lust, as well as practical and personal questions about living a radical Christian life. From the communal nature of redemption to navigating temptation and fostering chastity, Bishop Varden’s responses illuminate how the Desert Fathers’ teachings remain relevant for modern believers. The episode also announces a simplified series name—Desert Fathers with Bishop EriK Varden—and a shift to monthly roundtables with guests for added variety.Key Discussion Points:Series Updates: The series, now halfway through its year-long journey, is renamed Desert Fathers with Bishop Erik Varden. Roundtables will move to a monthly format with guests to bring diverse perspectives.Recommended Reading: Bishop Varden suggests diving directly into the Desert Fathers’ sayings through Cistercian Publications’ editions translated by Benedict Ward, or exploring introductory works like Rowan Williams’ Silence and Honeycakes and Helen Waddell’s The Desert Fathers and Beasts and Saints for their accessible and engaging insights.Visiting Monastic Sites: Bishop Varden shares a transformative experience at Subiaco, St. Benedict’s first place of solitude, where a monk’s declaration of “this is paradise” captured the site’s spiritual depth.The Radical Christian Call: Responding to a listener’s question about embracing the Desert Fathers’ lifestyle today, Bishop Varden emphasizes that all are called to a radical Christian life, starting with small, intentional steps to curb destructive habits while aspiring to divine communion.The Two Brothers and Communal Redemption: Addressing concerns about the second monk’s “lie” in the sympathy episode, Bishop Varden explains that in the sacramental view of the communion of saints, one brother’s sin affects all, making the second monk’s shared penance a truthful act of solidarity. This teaches that redemption is communal, requiring us to bear one another’s burdens, especially in matters of sexual failure.Anger vs. Lust: Bishop Varden notes that the Desert Fathers likely viewed anger as a more fundamental sin than lust, as it often underlies other sins, drawing on Dorothy L. Sayers’ distinction between “hot” (passionate) and “cold” (calculating) sins in Dante’s Inferno.Reframing Chastity: Responding to questions about chastity, Bishop Varden advocates for a joyful, aspirational view of the virtue, integrated with other virtues to foster human dignity and freedom, rather than isolation or shame. His book Chastity: Reconciliation of the Senses seeks to reframe chastity as a life-giving pursuit.Enduring Temptation: Bishop Varden offers practical advice for facing temptation without despair: recognize it honestly, trust in God’s healing purpose, share struggles with a wise confidant, and view temptations as opportunities for growth in courage and self-knowledge.Marriage and Openness: Reflecting on the “spitting the blood” saying, Bishop Varden clarifies that withholding hurtful words, not honest communication, is the goal. In marriage, openness about tensions fosters unity, while spiteful words risk harm.Balancing Radical Faith and Solidarity: Addressing a pastor’s tension between vertical commitment to God and horizontal solidarity with humanity, Bishop Varden affirms that both are united in God’s call to bear fruit where planted, as exemplified by Mother Teresa’s contemplative service.Resources:Submit questions for future Q&As at desertfathers.com or email hello@desertfathers.com.Recommended readings: The Sayings of the Desert Fathers and The Lives of the Desert Fathers (Cistercian Publications, trans. Benedict Ward), Silence and Honeycakes by Rowan Williams, and The Desert Fathers and Beasts and Saints by Helen Waddell.Explore Bishop Varden’s Chastity: Reconciliation of the Senses for a deeper understanding of chastity as a life-giving virtue.Join Saint Michael’s Lent starting August 15 on the Exodus 90 app for a 40-day spiritual devotion._____________We owe a special thanks to our partners. Desert Fathers with Bishop Erik Varden is...• 🦉...written by Bishop Erik Varden. You can follow Bishop Varden on his blog, coramfratribus.com.• 🎥 ...produced by EWTN• 🧡...and brought to you by Exodus 90, download the Exodus 90 app today

Bearing One Another’s Burdens - Lessons from the Desert Fathers on Lust and FraternityIn this powerful bonus roundtable discussion for Episode 26 of Desert Fathers in a Year, host Jamie Baxter, joined by Adam, Doyle, and Jared, dives into the Desert Fathers’ wisdom on sympathy, focusing on a poignant saying from the systematic collection’s chapter on lust. This episode explores the profound Christian call to bear one another’s burdens, as illustrated by a story of two brothers—one who falls into lust and another who, through love and compassion, takes on his brother’s penance to win his forgiveness. The discussion highlights the communal nature of faith, the dangers of individualism, and the transformative power of sympathetic fraternity in overcoming temptation and despair.Key Discussion Points:The Saying: Two brothers go to the market, and one falls into lust. The other, in an act of profound love, claims to have sinned as well, doing penance for his brother. This selfless act leads to divine forgiveness for the fallen brother. This is a vivid example of “giving one’s life for one’s brother” (Galatians 6:2).Communal Faith vs. Individualism: The panel reflects on how modern Christianity often views faith as an individual pursuit, missing the Desert Fathers’ teaching that “our life and death is with our neighbor.” Our sins and virtues impact the entire Church, from our families to our parishes.The Domestic Church and Parish Life: The family, as the domestic church, and the parish, as a communal shelter, are essential for living out faith in community. They provide support to face temptations like lust, which thrives in isolation and shame.Temptation and Perseverance: Temptation is inevitable, even in holy spaces like monasteries or homes. The Desert Fathers teach the importance of withdrawing for prayer, staying connected in community, and persevering through trials to grow in true virtue.Sympathy Over Surveillance: The discussion contrasts modern “surveillance accountability” with the Desert Fathers’ model of sympathetic fraternity, where compassion, not judgment, motivates conversion. This mirrors Christ’s sacrifice, taking on our sins as the innocent victim.The Role of Solitude and Mission: Balancing solitude for prayer, community for support, and mission in the world is key to the Christian life. The panel emphasizes creating “monastic enclosures” in our lives to shield against worldly distractions while remaining open to evangelizing others.Resources:Submit questions for the upcoming Q&A with Bishop Varden at desertfathers.com or email hello@desertfathers.com.Join Saint Michael’s Lent starting August 15 on the Exodus 90 app for a powerful 40-day devotion. Learn more at exodus90.com.Explore the full series at desertfathers.com and subscribe to the email newsletter for updates._________We owe a special thanks to our partners. Desert Fathers with Bishop Erik Varden is...• 🦉...written by Bishop Erik Varden. You can follow Bishop Varden on his blog, coramfratribus.com.• 🎥 ...produced by EWTN• 🧡...and brought to you by Exodus 90, download the Exodus 90 app today

Bishop Erik Varden, a Cistercian leader and author on monastic spirituality, joins to share profound insights from the Desert Fathers. They discuss a powerful narrative about two brothers facing temptation in a bustling marketplace, highlighting the struggles with sin and the path to redemption. Varden emphasizes the importance of compassion, as one brother embodies charitable support, taking on the other's burdens. This exploration of solidarity against despair offers wisdom for today's challenges, revealing how communal love can restore hope.

Jared Stout and Doyle Baxter, both involved with Exodus 90, join the discussion to explore the tenacity of Amma Sarah, the first Desert Mother. They delve into her 13-year struggle against lust, emphasizing reliance on divine strength rather than seeking escape from temptation. The conversation addresses the revolutionary role of the Desert Mothers, urging a return to foundational Christian values. Listeners are encouraged to embrace daily 'little crosses' as transformative opportunities for spiritual growth, highlighting the importance of endurance in the journey of faith.