How does one approach something such as grumbling and murmuring against others, or complaining about what our judgment and sensibilities react to negatively in our lives? How is it that we suspend that judgment? Beyond this, how is it that we let it go all together and allow ourselves to be drawn along in the darkness of faith; where God alone illuminates the path before us to draw us into the truth and the love of the kingdom?
The short answer to all of these questions is: through experience. Only God can reveal to the human heart that has the faith, perhaps only the size of a mustard seed, the depths of His mind and His truth. The greatest miracle, if you will, is to move the mountain of our ego and self-esteem. Our passions make it so difficult to keep our focus solely upon God, upon his love, and upon the truth that is being revealed to us.
These stories are not about disciples being slavishly obedient to their masters no matter what the circumstances. In fact, the stories given to us tonight were how novices and disciples, who were pure of heart, were able to see the truth with clarity and bring about the conversion of their Elders who had lost their way. The stories are presented to us in order that we would not be tempted into condescension. We must understand that God can reprove us and correct us in the most unexpected of ways. What these hypotheses (36 & 37) reveal to us is the preeminence of humility and love. Age, experience or depth of discipline are no guarantee that we will see the truth or embrace it. May God have mercy and illuminate our hearts.
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Text of chat during the group:
The Ascetical Homilies of Saint Isaac the Syrian - Homily Thirty-eight and Homily Thirty-nine Part I
The Ascetical Homilies of Saint Isaac the Syrian - Homily Thirty-seven Part VIII
The Ascetical Homilies of Saint Isaac the Syrian - Homily Thirty-seven Part VII
The Ascetical Homilies of Saint Isaac the Syrian - Homily Thirty-seven Part VI
The Ascetical Homilies of Saint Isaac the Syrian - Homily Thirty-seven Part V
The Ascetical Homilies of Saint Isaac the Syrian - Homily Thirty-seven Part IV
The Ascetical Homilies of Saint Isaac the Syrian - Homily Thirty-seven Part III
The Ascetical Homilies of Saint Isaac the Syrian - Homily Thirty-seven Part II
The Ascetical Homilies of Saint Isaac the Syrian - Homily Thirty-six and Homily Thirty-seven Part I
The Ascetical Homilies of Saint Isaac the Syrian - Homily Thirty-four and Homily Thirty-five
The Ascetical Homilies of Saint Isaac the Syrian - Homily Thirty-two Part III and Homily Thirty-three
The Ascetical Homilies of Saint Isaac the Syrian - Homily Thirty-two Part II
The Ascetical Homilies of Saint Isaac the Syrian - Homily Thirty Part II, Homily Thirty-one and Homily Thirty-two Part I
The Ascetical Homilies of Saint Isaac the Syrian - Homily Twenty-nine and Homily Thirty Part I
The Ascetical Homilies of Saint Isaac the Syrian - Homily Twenty-eight Part II
The Ascetical Homilies of Saint Isaac the Syrian - Homily Twenty-seven Part II and Homily Twenty-eight Part I
The Ascetical Homilies of Saint Isaac the Syrian - Homily Twenty-six and Homily Twenty-seven Part I
The Ascetical Homilies of Saint Isaac the Syrian - Homily Twenty-five Part II
The Ascetical Homilies of Saint Isaac the Syrian - Homily Twenty-four and Homily Twenty-five Part I
The Ascetical Homilies of Saint Isaac the Syrian - Homily Twenty-three Part II
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