Sometimes we are unaware of the treasure that we possess in and through the gift of faith; and also in the living witness and writing of the Saints. As St. John speaks of discernment this treasure is magnified for us and we begin to see how precious their teachings are and the life that God has called us to embrace. Our ability to see the preciousness of these gifts allows us to enter into the life with heartfelt perception. We cannot live with one foot in the world and one foot in the kingdom. Our minds and our hearts must belong to God and we must seek Him above all things.
In great detail, St. John begins to speak to us about the gift of discernment. It is especially important and valuable for those who have the care of souls. To be a skilled physician one must have the experience necessary to apply the appropriate medicine and that which will be healing. It is also for this reason that monastic life has been so important for the life of the church. “Angels are a light for monks, and the monastic life is a light for all men.” They show us how important it is to learn divine truth by toil and sweat. We must give our hearts over to the ascetic life and not squander the treasure.
How quickly one begins to see that we would be wandering blindly without the guidance of the spiritual fathers. Let show our gratitude by our imitation of their zeal.
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Text of chat during the group:
The Evergetinos - Vol. I, Hypothesis XVIII, Part II
Letters of Spiritual Direction to a Young Soul - Letter Seventy-Six, Part II and Letter Seventy-Seven, Part I
Letters of Spiritual Direction to a Young Soul - Letter Seventy-Five, Part II and Letter Seventy-Six, Part I
The Evergetinos - Vol. I, Hypothesis XVIII, Part I
The Evergetinos - Vol. I, Hypothesis XVII
Letters of Spiritual Direction to a Young Soul - Letter Seventy-Five, Part I
The Evergetinos - Vol. I, Hypothesis XV, Part V and Hypothesis XVI
Letters of Spiritual Direction to a Young Soul - Letter Seventy-Four
The Evergetinos - Vol. I, Hypothesis XV, Part IV
Letters of Spiritual Direction to a Young Soul - Letter Seventy-Three, Part II
The Evergetinos - Vol. I, Hypothesis XV, Part III
Letters of Spiritual Direction to a Young Soul - Letter Seventy-Two, Part II and Letter Seventy-Three, Part I
The Evergetinos - Vol. I, Hypothesis XV, Part II
Letters of Spiritual Direction to a Young Soul - Letter Seventy-One, Part III and Letter Seventy-Two, Part I
The Evergetinos - Vol. I, Hypothesis XV, Part I
Letters of Spiritual Direction to a Young Soul - Letter Seventy-One, Part II
The Evergetinos - Vol. I, Hypothesis XIII, Part VI and Hypothesis XIV, Part I
Letters of Spiritual Direction to a Young Soul - Letter Seventy, Part II and Seventy-One, Part I
The Evergetinos - Vol. I, Hypothesis XIII, Part V
Letters of Spiritual Direction to a Young Soul - Letter Sixty-Nine, Part III and Letter Seventy, Part I
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