In St. John’s discussion of discernment, he reveals to us the beauty of a human being transformed by the grace of God and living in communion with Christ by removing every impediment within the heart and by constantly crying out to him in prayer. At the very center of this reality is the “eye of the soul”. It is extremely beautiful, St. John explains, and next to the angels it surpasses all things. The angels constantly gaze upon God and the purified eye of the soul, the nous, allows us to contemplate the beauty of God‘s love.
There is also a freedom that comes to the soul through this purification. Our capacity to discern spiritual realities enables us to engage in the warfare with the demons more diligently and to avoid the pitfalls that are set for us. Furthermore, it allows us to understand that there is no such thing as a small sin. If neglected, it can consume the entire person. Likewise, there is no part of our life that we are to take for granted. The eye of the soul allows us to see that each moment is an opportunity for us to respond to God and to others with love; an opportunity embraced or lost. Thus, it is a very high view of the human person that is set before us; a view that allows us to understand the radical communion that exists between each of us and to see our destiny in Christ. Beautiful indeed!
Conferences of St. John Cassian - Conference Thirteen On God’s Protection, Part IV
Conferences of St. John Cassian - Conference Thirteen On God’s Protection, Part III
Conferences of St. John Cassian - Conference Thirteen On God’s Protection, Part III
Conferences of St. John Cassian - Conference Thirteen On God’s Protection, Part II
Conferences of St. John Cassian - Conference Thirteen On God’s Protection, Part I
Conferences of St. John Cassian - Conference Twelve on Chastity Part IV
Conferences of St. John Cassian - Conference Twelve on Chastity Part III
Conferences of St. John Cassian - Conference Twelve on Chastity Part II
Conferences of St. John Cassian - Conference Twelve on Chastity Part I
Conferences of St. John Cassian - Conference Eleven on Perfection Part II and Conference Twelve Intro.
Conferences of St. John Cassian - Conference Eleven on Perfection
Conferences of St. John Cassian - Conference Ten on Prayer Part IV & Conference Eleven Intro.
Conferences of St. John Cassian - Conference Ten on Prayer Part III
Conferences of St. John Cassian - Conference Ten on Prayer Part II
Conferences of St. John Cassian - Conference Ten on Prayer Part I
Conferences of St. John Cassian - Conference Nine On Prayer, Part VI
Conferences of St. John Cassian - Conference Nine On Prayer, Part V
Conferences of St. John Cassian - Conference Nine On Prayer, Part IV
Conferences of St. John Cassian - Conference Nine On Prayer, Part III
Conferences of St. John Cassian - Conference Nine On Prayer, Part II
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