We continued our discussion of Step 4 on Obedience. As deeply challenging as St John’s teachings are and as jarring as the examples of monks being tested can be, a light begins to shine through to the dark places of our minds that resist allowing ourselves to be conformed to the obedience of Christ.
Obedience as well as Love is cruciform. It involves a dying to self, self-will, and vanity in order that true meekness, love, and freedom might emerge.
The trials that the monks endured were not something meant to break down their personality or to crush them and throw them into despair. Rather, their shepherd, in imitation of Christ, sought only to purify their hearts and perfect their virtue. They entered into the monastic life with a clear understanding of its asceticism. It is distinctively Christian.
All that they do, every aspect of their life is meant to direct them to Christ and conform them to His image; to let His love bloom within their hearts.
It turns out that the truest and straightest path to freedom is obedience. Our confidence in this reality comes not from our own understanding but from what we see in Christ himself. By being obedient to His Father in love salvation comes to the world.
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Text of chat during the group:
Letters of Spiritual Direction to a Young Soul - Letter Fifteen
Letters of Spiritual Direction to a Young Soul - Letter Fourteen Part II
Letters of Spiritual Direction to a Young Soul - Letter Thirteen Part III and Letter Fourteen Part I
Letters of Spiritual Direction to a Young Soul - Letter Thirteen Part II
Letters of Spiritual Direction to a Young Soul - Letter Twelve Part III and Letter 13 Part I
Letters of Spiritual Direction to a Young Soul - Letter Twelve Part II
Letters of Spiritual Direction to a Young Soul - Letter Twelve Part I
The Ascetical Homilies of Saint Isaac the Syrian - Homily Seventy-one Part V and Homily Seventy-two Part I
The Ascetical Homilies of Saint Isaac the Syrian - Homily Seventy-one Part IV
The Ascetical Homilies of Saint Isaac the Syrian - Homily Seventy-one Part III
The Ascetical Homilies of Saint Isaac the Syrian - Homily Seventy-one Part II
The Ascetical Homilies of Saint Isaac the Syrian - Homily Seventy Part II and Homily Seventy-one Part I
The Ascetical Homilies of Saint Isaac the Syrian - Homily Sixty-nine Part II and Homily Seventy Part I
The Ascetical Homilies of Saint Isaac the Syrian - Homily Sixty-eight Part III and Homily Sixty-nine Part I
The Ascetical Homilies of Saint Isaac the Syrian - Homily Sixty-eight Part II
The Ascetical Homilies of Saint Isaac the Syrian - Homily Sixty-seven Part II and Homily Sixty-eight Part I
The Ascetical Homilies of Saint Isaac the Syrian - Homily Sixty-seven Part I
The Ascetical Homilies of Saint Isaac the Syrian - Homily Sixty-six Part IV
The Ascetical Homilies of Saint Isaac the Syrian - Homily Sixty-six Part III
The Ascetical Homilies of Saint Isaac the Syrian - Homily Sixty-six Part II
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