The Mystery of the Human Person!
What comes forward in the ascetical writings of the fathers is not a moralistic or legalistic view of sin. Rather, we see within them a deep understanding of the complex beauty and dignity of the human person despite often being marred by sin. Perhaps too often we emphasize the negative; rather than fostering a desire both for God and for virtue and for the freedom and joy that it brings to the human heart.
Like so many of the fathers, Saint John describes certain passions as a disease in need of remedy. While we must be disciplined in so many ways and vigilant in our thoughts, we never want to lose sight of how God has created us; that it is through our very being that we love and give ourselves in love. We are not meant to hate ourselves but rather sin. Self-contempt can often be our demise in the spiritual life. True love of the self begins with the desire for God; not with self-indulgence or laziness that reduces and diminishes the image we have of creation and our own goodness.
---
Text of chat during the group:
The Evergetinos - Vol. I, Hypothesis V Part V
Letters of Spiritual Direction to a Young Soul - Letter Fifty-seven Part II
The Evergetinos - Vol. I, Hypothesis V Part IV
Letters of Spiritual Direction to a Young Soul - Letter Fifty-six Part II and Letter Fifty-seven
The Evergetinos - Vol. I, Hypothesis V Part III
Letters of Spiritual Direction to a Young Soul - Letter Fifty-five and Letter Fifty-six
The Evergetinos - Vol. I, Hypothesis V Part II
Letters of Spiritual Direction to a Young Soul - Letter Fifty-four
The Evergetinos - Vol. I, Hypothesis IV and Hypothesis V
Letters of Spiritual Direction to a Young Soul - Letter Fifty-two Part II and Letter Fifty-three
The Evergetinos - Vol. I, Hypothesis III, Part II
Letters of Spiritual Direction to a Young Soul - Letter Fifty-one and Letter Fifty-two
The Evergetinos - Vol. I, Hypothesis III, Part I
Letters of Spiritual Direction to a Young Soul - Letter Forty-nine Part II and Letter Fifty
The Evergetinos - Vol. I, Hypothesis II, Part II
Letters of Spiritual Direction to a Young Soul - Letter Forty-nine
The Evergetinos - Vol. I, Hypothesis I, Part X and Hypothesis II, Part I
Letters of Spiritual Direction to a Young Soul - Letter Forty-eight
The Evergetinos - Vol. I, Hypothesis I, Part IX
Letters of Spiritual Direction to a Young Soul - Letter Forty-seven Part II
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
Straight TV
The Tangent on Veritas Catholic Network
Life After Ministry
Conspirituality
Astrology of the Week Ahead with Chani Nicholas