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

Philokalia Ministries

This evening we continued our discussion of discernment;
in particular, developing an awareness of the action of the demons and their attempts to lead us astray. However, John also seeks to make us aware of the fact that it is not only the demons that we have to be aware of but our human nature in its fallen state. We are often weak of will and changeable in our mind. We are filled with contradictions and will often choose that which offers nothing over the love and the mercy of God. We have within certain destructive tendencies that are beyond reason. St. John would not have us over analyze these things but be aware of them so to avoid them and turn more radically toward God when we see them arise within our hearts.

What is most striking in this section of the Ladder is that divine light shines through John‘s own words. The open up reality for us and we see on the horizon our dignity and destiny in Christ so brilliantly that one can only gasp. It creates within the heart an urgent longing to run to the Beloved. It reveals in a fraction of the moment the entire meaning of the ascetical life. It is not about self-perfection or endurance, but rather about Love. It is about acknowledging that what has been fashioned from clay has now been placed and seated upon the very throne of God. Joy!

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Text of chat during the group:

00:03:27 Carolus: Good evening Father. 00:03:34 FrDavid Abernethy: good evening 00:13:08 Genesius B: Father Michael of the Eparchy of Parma can only grow a goatee 00:13:36 Genesius B: we still love him though 00:19:18 David: Is this related to as one gets closer to God sometimes the attacks of the demons become stronger and often in different ways? 00:23:46 Sr Barbara Jean Mihalchick: this translations says "greedy and grubby flesh" not corpulence 00:28:18 Genesius B: How can such inquisitiveness lead us to pride? Surely trying to understand Divine Providence can only reveal our own wretchedness? Is it that merely trying to understand is itself beyond us and thus an act of hubris? 00:28:25 Genesius B: and self assetion? 00:34:30 Genesius B: then when gifts are given should we seek to hide them, lest we become prideful in them. I see this in many saints but how does this not violate the Divine command to not hide our light? 00:35:58 Carolus B: Replying to "then when gifts are ..." Or to not burry our talents. 00:55:58 Kate : St. Elizabeth of the Trinity, a French Carmelite saint, wrote, “Let yourself be loved by God.” I often ponder this quote. Why do I run from this love? We do I not allow myself to be loved by God? 00:59:50 Ren Witter: I don’t think, though, that we run from the love of God when it feels like love. I can’t even imagine doing that, honestly. I think we run from what we are taught is the mysterious love of God, because more often than not it feels like something terrifying, or threatening, or even wounding. 01:00:05 Ren Witter: We are told to trust that these things are manifestations of the love of God. 01:02:02 Daniel Allen: Christ says, “everyone when he is fully taught will be like his teacher.” Imitating Christ, and the saints in deed teaches us little by little until we our not like our fallen selves but like Christ. 01:03:41 David: When I used to teach catechism I heard many comments when discussing the saints saying they are not like that or it is not reachable from teens and even my sons. It seems helpful to discuss the whole lives of the saints like the difficulties and sinful past of St. Ignatius. Most writings seem to focus on them being perfect and so special rather than the journey. 01:06:55 Rebecca Thérèse: I find that reading what the saints wrote themselves is very helpful because they're very honest about their struggles and that makes them more relatable to me. 01:08:28 Rachel: Yes, this is true.We are all starving. For Christ. 01:12:55 Sr Barbara Jean Mihalchick: One's image of God is so important - a distorted one gets in the way of living faith truly. This needs to be examined and renovated many times in one's life. Important to see self in God not outside of Trinity/grace. 01:14:30 Andrew Adams: Reacted to " One's image of God ..." with ❤️ 01:16:11 Andrew Adams: Thank you Father! 01:16:11 Cindy Moran: Excellent session...thank you Father! 01:16:12 Jeff O.: Thank you Father!! Good to be with you all. 01:16:13 Rebecca Thérèse: Thank you🙂 01:16:13 David: Thank you Father David! 01:16:14 sue and mark: good night