The Ladder of Divine Ascent - Chapter XXVI: On Discernment, Part X

Philokalia Ministries

As we come toward the end of Step 26 on Discernment, St. John begins to offer us a summary of all that we have considered in the previous pages. In doing this, he alters his typical way of writing. One may speculate that he does this because of the importance of the virtue of discernment; both in fostering it and in protecting it. Using brief sayings, very much like those found in the Philokalia, St. John begins to lay out for us the path to perfecting this virtue as well as to speak of the fruits of it in our lives.

Our capacity to see spiritual realities in an unimpeded fashion allows us to be attentive to all of the vices as well as the remedies that the fathers set before us for overcoming them. In summarizing the step in this fashion, St. John presents us with the truth very much in the way that we receive it from the gospel. It overturns the worldly way of viewing things. It allows us to experience the discomfort of having our sensibilities challenged in regards to our patterns of thought and our most basic desires. It compels us to ask ourselves, “For whom do I live? Who do I love above all things?”

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Text of chat during the group:

00:02:46 FrDavid Abernethy: page 215 00:02:51 FrDavid Abernethy: number 85 00:03:29 FrDavid Abernethy: number 185 00:08:47 Tracey Fredman: Thank you, Fr. David for referencing the book "Toward God" by Michael Casey. It's amazing! 00:08:57 FrDavid Abernethy: great!! 00:09:11 FrDavid Abernethy: he’s a wonderful writer 00:09:40 Kate : I am reading it too! It is wonderful. Like nothing I have read before. 00:09:41 FrDavid Abernethy: his book on lectio divina called Sacred reading is great too 00:26:15 Anthony: Do you have any comments on discerning the origin of thoughts without playing with the thoughts? 00:43:12 Anthony: That makes sense since Eros is a seeking, inquisitive movement. 00:51:38 David Swiderski: Especially prayer with gratitude. 00:52:19 Andy Nguyen: Replying to "Especially prayer wi..." Yup 00:52:21 Wayne: Reacted to "Especially prayer wi..." with 👍 00:58:03 Lisa Smith: I just read this today. 01:01:41 Andy Nguyen: Social media in general is an addiction 01:02:00 Rod Castillo: I go on to Facebook every day to see what you have posted, Father 01:02:36 Lee Graham: I go to X 01:03:05 Susanna Joy: Reacted to I go on to Facebook ... with "❤️" 01:03:35 Lisa Smith: Yeah, there was a time I would turn the internet off totally. It was easier to pray more fully then. I struggle with that these days. 01:03:44 Susanna Joy: Replying to "I go on to Facebook ..." I do too...you often... 01:04:26 Lisa Smith: But on the flip side I discovered Eastern Christianity online. 01:04:40 Art iPhone: Reacted to "But on the flip side…" with 👌 01:04:46 Art iPhone: Reacted to "I go on to Facebook …" with 👌 01:05:45 Art iPhone: Your posts Have real value Father. 01:05:49 BRIAN L: Your posting of On the Passion of the Saviour became part of my daily Lenten prayer so thank you 😃 01:09:17 David Swiderski: I have read this before with the Fathers I think Issac and I don't understand the relation between deer and snakes. Deer seem like fragile creatures and I grew up always being close to them. Destroyers of roses and alfalfa yes. 01:11:14 Jeffrey Fitzgerald: Father, what is the next book after Climacus? 01:11:24 Sr Barbara Jean Mihalchick: Prayers, Father! 01:11:38 Rebecca Thérèse: Thank you🙂. Have a good retreat🙏 01:11:39 Jeff O.: Many blessings on your time there!! 01:11:49 Lori Hatala: and i will be guilty of jealousy 01:11:53 Susanna Joy: Praying for you.🙏🏻 01:11:55 Wayne: Replying to "Father, what is the ..." good question 01:11:56 Art iPhone: Prayers!! 01:12:35 Andrew Adams: Thank you Father! Have a blessed retreat!! 01:12:37 David Swiderski: Safe travels and God Bless you father! 01:12:39 Jeff O.: Thank you Father!