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:
The Ladder of Divine Ascent - Chapter Two: On Detachment, Part I
The Evergetinos - Vol I, Hypothesis XX, Part III
The Evergetinos - Vol I, Hypothesis XX, Part II
The Ladder of Divine Ascent - Chapter One: On Renunciation, Part VII
The Evergetinos -Vol I, Hypothesis XX, Part I
The Ladder of Divine Ascent - Chapter One: On Renunciation, Part VI
The Evergetinos - Vol I, Hypothesis XIX, Part IV
The Ladder of Divine Ascent - Chapter One: On Renunciation, Part V
The Evergetinos - Vol. I, Hypothesis XIX, Part III
The Ladder of Divine Ascent - Chapter One: On Renunciation, Part IV
The Evergetinos - Vol. I, Hypothesis XIX, Part II
Repentance: Life’s Continual Effort
The Ladder of Divine Ascent - Chapter One: On Renunciation, Part III
The Evergetinos - Vol. I, Hypothesis XVIII, Part V and Hypothesis XIX, Part I
The Ladder of Divine Ascent - Chapter One: On Renunciation, Part II
The Ladder of Divine Ascent - Chapter One: On Renunciation, Part I
The Evergetinos - Vol. I, Hypothesis XVIII, Part IV
Letters of Spiritual Direction to a Young Soul - Letter Seventy-Eight, Part II and Letter Seventy-Nine
The Evergetinos - Vol. I, Hypothesis XVIII, Part III
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