Podcasts about discernment part

Praying With Paul - Growing in Knowledge and Discernment (Part 6) by MCC

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This week, Sandy continues with week 7 of a 21 week series entitled, "Finish the Race." This series will target the Christian life and how we are supposed to live as followers of Jesus.

This week, Sandy continues with week 6 of a 21 week series entitled, "Finish the Race." This series will target the Christian life and how we are supposed to live as followers of Jesus.

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You've heard it said . . . “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.” And along that line, there's an important spiritual equivalent you need to consider. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/85/29

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You don't have to be a pilot to know that navigation requires skill and precision. But do you realize that avoiding deadly obstacles and averting disaster in your spiritual life requires a particular skill set? To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/85/29

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It's hard to fathom the precision it takes to be a brain surgeon. Yet the precision that God calls you to have in the Christian life is even more exacting. Next, you'll see why living up to God's high standard depends so heavily on discerning biblical truth from false doctrine. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/85/29

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Maple syrup and motor oil have a similar look . . . but you sure don't want to put the wrong one on your pancakes. That rather ridiculous scenario to make this serious point: To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/85/29

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If you had the undivided attention of a thousand college students preparing to start their careers and their families—in many ways, start their lives . . . what would you tell them? What advice would you give them? To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/85/29

Welcome to the online media of Life Church of Lafayette, Louisiana

Welcome to the online media of Life Church of Lafayette, Louisiana

Welcome to the online media of Life Church of Lafayette, Louisiana

Welcome to the online media of Life Church of Lafayette, Louisiana

Episode 164 - In part two of the Ignatian rules of discernment, Fr Sean Danda and Nathanael Rea focus on the concepts of spiritual consolation and desolation. They explore how to navigate these experiences, emphasizing the importance of patience, reflection, and community support. The discussion highlights the nature of the enemy, the significance of confession, and the need for self-awareness in spiritual growth. The speakers encourage listeners to engage in daily examination to foster a deeper connection with God and to recognize the patterns of consolation and desolation in their lives.Takeaways: Spiritual consolation is a sense of closeness with God.Desolation can be a time for purification and growth.Patience is key when experiencing desolation.Consolation is a gift from God, not something we earn.Strengthening oneself during times of consolation prepares us for desolation.Reflection on relationships helps during low times.The devil operates like a bully, exploiting our weaknesses.Community and confession are vital for spiritual health.Recognizing our weaknesses allows for healing and growth.Daily examination of conscience is essential for spiritual awareness.

Welcome to the online media of Life Church of Lafayette, Louisiana

Welcome to the online media of Life Church of Lafayette, Louisiana

Episode 163 - This episode features the first seven of fourteen Ignatian rules of discernment, emphasizing the importance of understanding God's will and our relationship with Him. It explores the role of feelings in discernment, the significance of spiritual consolation and desolation, and practical advice for navigating desolation while maintaining faith and perseverance in prayer.Takeaways: Discernment is about growing in relationship with God, not just making decisions.Feelings are signals that can guide us in understanding our spiritual state.Spiritual consolation leads us closer to God, while desolation pushes us away.In desolation, we should not change our goals or prayer life.The enemy uses apparent pleasures to keep us in sin.God's will is not locked away; He desires us to know it.We can discern between good and bad spirits affecting our decisions.Desolation can be a time for growth and deeper reliance on God.Perseverance in prayer during tough times is crucial for spiritual growth.Trust in God's grace during testing times is essential.Book referenced in this episode: The Discernment of Spirits: An Ignatian Guide For Everyday Living by Father Timothy Gallagher https://a.co/d/gPcKOk7Hosts: Father Sean Danda & Nathanael Rea

We come to the end of Step 26 on Discernment and in doing so we begin to see, or at least get a glimpse of, its importance for the spiritual life. So often sin distorts are perception of reality. It prevents us from seeing with clarity both the dignity and the blessings that come from being a son or daughter of God, baptized into Christ - as well as preventing us from seeing the darkness of sin.  Christ tells us in the gospel that when the eye has been darkened completely, how great is the darkness! When the eye of the heart, the eye of the soul is darkened by sin then all that we see is the world before us in its most basic form. We see it as an object of consumption or we covet the things that we do not possess.  In this we can become more like beasts who walk on all fours with their eyes cast down to the earth. It is discernment that allows us to see the glory of God in Christ Jesus. In the end, discernment gives rise to the acquisition of love - that is to say, the perfect dwelling of God. --- Text of chat during the group: 00:13:56 David: Father Mike Schmidt and neuroplasticity as well say with defects to right out the story or triggers. What leads to what and one often fines one needs to focus on the triggers and write a different story.   00:16:18 David: Like a dog returning to vomit. Can't get that out of my head now   00:27:38 Wayne: Very timely as suicide is being offered as an option if one finds their suffering overwhelming.   00:29:07 David: In one of my darkest times and despair I realized I had belief but no faith which is tied with hope. Now I just think what am I to learn from this situation and it will pass.   00:34:33 Anthony: There is a particularly horrible thought: curse God and die   00:35:00 Anthony: That cuts at rather suffering soul's very hope   00:48:47 Anthony: Father, remember cooking and baking are arts, to be done well...like the Cathdral of Monreale.  

Every week it is as if we are diving into living waters that renew and refresh the soul. This is particularly true of step 26 on Discernment and St. John's summary towards its conclusion. So often as is true with the Fathers, St. John makes use of concrete and colorful imagery to capture for us the nature of the spiritual life and in this case discernment.  What one gathers in so many of the teachings is that Faith involves seeing; a pulling back of the veil that allows us to see with perfect clarity the love and the mercy of God. St. John describes the many things that hobble us in that regard: Avarice, pride, attachment to our appetites and desire for the things of this world. It also describes the things that sharpen that vision and open us up to receive the gift of faith. Our pursuit of the virtues, and of the truth in our life lays the foundation to receive the greater gift of eternal Truth. This kind of seeing is not passive but rather involves the whole self. The deepest part of ourselves, the Nous, must be purified by Grace and asceticism so no impediment prevents us from moving toward God. The Nous becomes the “helmsman” then to lead us through the rough waters of this world. --- Text of chat during the group: 00:12:54 FrDavid Abernethy: page 219 number 42   00:49:30 Lisa Smith: It reminds me of the verse where Christ asked if there would be faith in the end time.   00:51:43 Wayne: How do you respond to the remark I am spiritual but not religious?   00:58:48 Lisa Smith: Thoughts on church attendance? I'm struggling with this presently. I'm not Catholic, but I'm interested in this faith. Thank you Fr.   01:00:34 Lisa Smith:

As St. John draws us forward with these simple sayings about discernment and its fruit, we begin to see the immeasurable beauty of the ascetic life and the action of God's grace. The life that God calls us to is not one of frenetic activity but rather the cultivation of purity of heart and humility in order that He might act within us. We do not seek simply freedom from sin but rather the life of the kingdom. It is the love, the virtue, the goodness of Christ that transforms the world. It is our entrance into the Paschal Mystery, the dying and rising of the spiritual life (with and in Christ), that makes the love of the kingdom present to the world.  The life of the hesychasts, the ascetics who set all aside for Christ, is at the very heart of the church. When we lose sight of their love and desire for God, the church grows cold.  It is in the spirituality of the desert that the church will find renewal; when the minds and the hearts of men and women are open to the beauty of the life that God has called us to by His Grace. --- Text of chat during the group: 00:37:24 Anthony: In a way, some of the response to church scandal has been like an ill- guided peasants crusade.   00:39:35 Anthony: The peasants crusade led to harm for thr peasants   00:54:23 sprou: does solitude equal spiritual warfare?   00:55:33 David: I liked what Bishop Barron said about love being willing the good of the other. (St. John Paul) but first one needs to know what the good is and what is truth.   00:56:03 Vanessa: Reacted to "I liked what Bishop ..." with

We continued with St. John's summary of discernment and its particular fruit in the spiritual life. However, it does not read like a summary. Each saying opens us up to a divine reality and a participation in the life of Christ that comes to us by grace and the ascetic life. One cannot help but be captivated by the beauty of what St. John describes. It becomes evident that what we are being drawn into is the very beauty of Christ and that of the kingdom. Grace has the capacity to transform even the darkest of things within us and to illuminate the mind and the heart to see clearly what has eternal value. With the reading of each saying one begins to experience a holy desire growing within the heart. Thanks be to God! --- Text of chat during the group: 00:06:34 FrDavid Abernethy: page 217 page 14   00:25:57 Anthony: He says this while I'm making dinner....   00:31:19 David: Despair is suffering without meaning- Victor Frankl   00:49:34 Eric Ewanco: Reacted to "Κλίμαξ αγίου Ιωάννου.LadderClimatuspdf" with ❤️   00:49:43 Eric Ewanco: Reacted to "TheLadderofDivineAscent.pdf" with

Pastor John MacArthur preaches a part two sermon for session three of For the Valley Bible Conference on discernment from selected Scripture.

Pastor John MacArthur preaches a part one sermon for session two of For the Valley Bible Conference on discernment from selected Scripture.

As we come toward the end of Step 26 on Discernment, St. John begins to offer us a summary of all that we have considered in the previous pages. In doing this, he alters his typical way of writing. One may speculate that he does this because of the importance of the virtue of discernment; both in fostering it and in protecting it.  Using brief sayings, very much like those found in the Philokalia, St. John begins to lay out for us the path to perfecting this virtue as well as to speak of the fruits of it in our lives.  Our capacity to see spiritual realities in an unimpeded fashion allows us to be attentive to all of the vices as well as the remedies that the fathers set before us for overcoming them. In summarizing the step in this fashion, St. John presents us with the truth very much in the way that we receive it from the gospel. It overturns the worldly way of viewing things. It allows us to experience the discomfort of having our sensibilities challenged in regards to our patterns of thought and our most basic desires. It compels us to ask ourselves, “For whom  do I live? Who do I love above all things?” --- Text of chat during the group: 00:02:46 FrDavid Abernethy: page 215   00:02:51 FrDavid Abernethy: number 85   00:03:29 FrDavid Abernethy: number 185   00:08:47 Tracey Fredman: Thank you, Fr. David for referencing the book "Toward God" by Michael Casey. It's amazing!   00:08:57 FrDavid Abernethy: great!!   00:09:11 FrDavid Abernethy: he's a wonderful writer   00:09:40 Kate : I am reading it too!  It is wonderful.   Like nothing I have read before.   00:09:41 FrDavid Abernethy: his book on lectio divina called Sacred reading is great too   00:26:15 Anthony: Do you have any comments on discerning the origin of thoughts without playing with the thoughts?   00:43:12 Anthony: That makes sense since Eros is a seeking, inquisitive movement.   00:51:38 David Swiderski: Especially prayer with gratitude.   00:52:19 Andy Nguyen: Replying to "Especially prayer wi..."     Yup   00:52:21 Wayne: Reacted to "Especially prayer wi..." with

With each passing week, as we read St. John's thoughts on discernment, we begin to see how it touches every aspect of our life. So often we confuse this gift with intellectually analyzing the circumstances around us or internal experiences and feelings or our perception of others' actions.  Yet discernment is not rooted in our private judgment. Rather, it arises out of union and communion with He who is Truth and Love. We engage in the ascetic life and seek purity of heart in order that we comprehend the truth unimpeded, to see things as God sees them and to see and respond to what he wants us to perceive. Anything less than this leaves us completely vulnerable. St. John says, “let us watch and see which demon uplift us, which cast us down, which harden, which comfort, which darken, which pretend to communicate enlightenment to us, which make us slothful, which make us cunning, which make us sad, and which cheerful.”  It is only in Christ that we have the capacity to see these things. Strength and virtue of any kind comes not from climbing up a ladder of virtue on our own, but rather having Christ live within us. His virtue must become our virtue and his strength must becomes our strength. This is a difficult thing because it means letting go completely of the illusion that we can see the truth of the spiritual realities outside of our relationship with Him. It means being humble. --- 00:02:32 FrDavid Abernethy: page 214 number 172   00:26:36 David Swiderski: I struggled with discernment most of my life and got far too intellectual analyizing everything. A  wise friend made a comment that helped me- you only need to think of two things- does this lead us closer to God or away from God.   00:27:10 Lisa Smith: Reacted to "I struggled with dis..." with

Discernment, St. John tells us, arises out of humility. It also allows us to see the value of humility in the spiritual life. It is the virtue above all virtues, that we must cling to in the spiritual battle. The enemy will seek to confuse us in one way or another; by flattery or by seemingly knowing our thoughts and placing ideas before us which then make us fear their control over us. However, discernment and humility, both protect our capacity to live in He who is the truth.  It also allows us to see the truth about ourselves as human beings and our dignity. We are not created with the passions. They rise out of our sin and the distortion of the desire that God has placed in us naturally. It is desire that makes us long for him and the life of virtue and it is anger that allows us to fight the good fight of faith and strike down the evil one and the temptations that are placed before us.   We also find, over the course of time, that discernment allows us to let go of our judgment and what gives us security in the spiritual life and to trust wholly in God. Therefore, when life seems to crumble around us and all seems to be wrapped in darkness, discernment allows us to step forward with trust in God and his love. While it keeps us from acting in rash way it also protects us from false prudence that hides cowardice and lack of courage.  What we begin to see is that any struggle in the spiritual life to overcome the passions, any sacrifice that we make to follow the Lord, promises what is beyond imagination. Even to lose all in this world is to lose nothing if we have Christ. --- Text of chat during the group: 00:06:22 Rachel: Hello everyone   00:11:11 Rachel: lol   00:12:42 Rachel: No one will take me

Discernment is so much more than our analyzing the realities and circumstances around us by the use of intellect and reason. These faculties, as wonderful as they are, have inherent limitations. They are not infinite, nor can they speak of God as he is in himself.  What God begins to show us in the spiritual life is that the more that we enter his love and truth, the more we are drawn into a mystery that is beyond us. Faith is described by many of the Saints as a “dark obscure knowing”. It is God‘s light, his divine light, that pierces through the darkness, and reveals to us the beauty of his love. It reveals (draws back the veil) and shows us that this love is worth everything to pursue and attain. “Love never ends”, the scriptures tell us. Discernment opens the door to that reality and allows us to step towards the beloved who desires to give us all. Our destiny is to move from glory to glory in the never-ending love of God. --- Text of chat during the group: 00:07:32 FrDavid Abernethy: page 209 para 139   00:40:44 Daniel Allen: Is the inverse then true?   00:42:28 Amale: What can the demons see or not see within us?   00:46:21 Rachel: The Elder would also know that in turn.. they could merit by true charity towards each other   00:47:33 Rachel: Where despite the feelings of animosity that arose, the monks would then more purely offer charity in the only way they can due to their limited capacity to love purely without unholy attachments   00:47:55 Maureen Cunningham: Father can demons reproduce? i was just wonderfing   00:48:00 Maureen Cunningham: Wondering   00:48:49 Kate : Can the demons hear our confessions to a priest within the context of the sacrament?   00:49:19 Maureen Cunningham: Best News   00:49:25 Jeff O.: Cassian seems to say in his conferences that they cannot reproduce   00:50:23 Amale: Do any souls who go to hell end up becoming demons? 00:51:10 Vanessa: Replying to "Do any souls who go ..."   I thought demons were the 1/3 of heavenly beings who went with Lucifer.   00:51:17 Jeff O.: He talks about it in the eighth conference on the principalities   00:51:24 David: In organization studies clicks can start which can create toxic results for teams.   00:51:53 Rachel: It is like the story of the Desert Father who, as soon as he instructed his Spiritual son would quickly leave him   00:52:39 David: We becomes us and them   00:52:51 Rachel: I suppose that was not for the community but purity of heart   01:00:58 David: I have heard a critism of the western church that we try to explain everything while the east embraces mysteries to be contemplated more. When I was younger I wanted the answers the older I get the more I love contemplating mysteries more.   01:01:15 Vanessa: Reacted to "I have heard a criti..." with ❤️   01:01:28 Jeff O.: Reacted to "I have heard a criti..." with

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! --- Text of chat during the group: 00:03:27 Carolus: Good evening Father.   00:03:34 FrDavid Abernethy: good evening   00:13:08 Genesius B: Father Michael of the Eparchy of Parma can only grow a goatee   00:13:36 Genesius B: we still love him though   00:19:18 David: Is this related to as one gets closer to God sometimes the attacks of the demons become stronger and often in different ways?   00:23:46 Sr Barbara Jean Mihalchick: this translations says "greedy and grubby flesh" not corpulence   00:28:18 Genesius B: How can such inquisitiveness lead us to pride? Surely trying to understand Divine Providence can only reveal our own wretchedness? Is it that merely trying to understand is itself beyond us and thus an act of hubris?   00:28:25 Genesius B: and self assetion?   00:34:30 Genesius B: then when gifts are given should we seek to hide them, lest we become prideful in them. I see this in many saints but how does this not violate the Divine command to not hide our light?   00:35:58 Carolus B: Replying to "then when gifts are ..."   Or to not burry our talents.   00:55:58 Kate : St. Elizabeth of the Trinity, a French Carmelite saint, wrote, “Let yourself be loved by God.”  I often ponder this quote.  Why do I run from this love?  We do I not allow myself to be loved by God?   00:59:50 Ren Witter: I don't think, though, that we run from the love of God when it feels like love. I can't even imagine doing that, honestly.  I think we run from what we are taught is the mysterious love of God, because more often than not it feels like something terrifying, or threatening, or even wounding.   01:00:05 Ren Witter: We are told to trust that these things are manifestations of the love of God.   01:02:02 Daniel Allen: Christ says, “everyone when he is fully taught will be like his teacher.” Imitating Christ, and the saints in deed teaches us little by little until we our not like our fallen selves but like Christ.   01:03:41 David: When I used to teach catechism I heard many comments when discussing the saints saying they are not like that or it is not reachable from teens and even my sons. It seems helpful to discuss the whole lives of the saints like the difficulties and sinful past of St. Ignatius. Most writings seem to focus on them being perfect and so special rather than the journey.   01:06:55 Rebecca Thérèse: I find that reading what the saints wrote themselves is very helpful because they're very honest about their struggles and that makes them more relatable to me.   01:08:28 Rachel: Yes, this is true.We are all starving. For Christ.   01:12:55 Sr Barbara Jean Mihalchick: One's image of God is so important - a distorted one gets in the way of living faith truly. This needs to be examined and renovated many times in one's life. Important to see self in God not outside of Trinity/grace.   01:14:30 Andrew Adams: Reacted to " One's image of God ..." with ❤️   01:16:11 Andrew Adams: Thank you Father!   01:16:11 Cindy Moran: Excellent session...thank you Father!   01:16:12 Jeff O.: Thank you Father!! Good to be with you all.   01:16:13 Rebecca Thérèse: Thank you

As we read St. John Climacus, we begin to see discernment as rooted in our relationship with God; a relationship that is founded upon the revelation of God‘s love and the desire that it stirs within the human heart to respond in kind. If we love God, then it is not going to seem to be a burden to us to take every thought captive and bring it before God for his blessing or judgment. Nor is waiting upon the Lord going to be a point of frustration.  Rather, when we love God, we understand that he is going to desire what is best for us. This desire leads him to test our intentions so as to purify them. What God looks for is humility and a spirit of repentance. Faced with our own weakness, and the darkness that sin brings into our life and into the world, we must cling to God and allow him to guide us with his light.  Often only one step ahead is illuminated for us. We must be at peace with this if we have faith in him and trust in his love.  Part of what this requires from us is an honest heart; one that avoids distractions and holds fast to innocence. Often our sensibilities can become hardened through our experience of the world, and we lose the capacity not only to be vulnerable to others but to God himself. It has been said that “haste destroys the poet and the saint”.  In the face of the frenetic pace of the world, let us hold on to simplicity and silence in order that we might hear the Beloved when he speaks to us. ---   Text of chat during the group:   00:08:06 FrDavid Abernethy: page 206 number 114   00:16:33 Susanna Joy: It can be years and years...   00:16:56 Susanna Joy: ...one must have the patience of Job.   00:27:28 Susanna Joy: I have a friend who says, "Set all your thoughts, words, and actions as flowers at the feet of the Lord."  Then whatever the result, the intention is right.   00:28:10 Paul G.: Reacted to "I have a friend who …" with ❤️   00:30:37 Rebecca Thérèse: Therese thought of herself as a plaything of the infant Jesus so sometimes he would discard her in order to play with something else.   00:32:09 Genesius B.: Would it be imprudent to treat everything as beyond us, or perhaps prudent so we might never overreach?   00:33:35 Susanna Joy: Replying to "Would it be impruden..."     There is the riddle ...   00:34:50 Susanna Joy: Replying to "Would it be impruden..."     ...we must do our be...   00:42:31 sharonfisher: But how do we deal with the ‘warped souls' in life as we encounter them and recognize them as too familiar to our circumstances? It seems scary.   00:43:00 Kate : Father, Could you offer any guidance on finding the balance between overreaching in the spiritual life versus not pushing oneself enough?  I find it very hard to get the right balance.  It is a long, hard struggle.   00:46:23 Anthony: 1. Thanks for explaining the unforgivable sin.  2. No need to fall I to scrupulousity over this sin because concern about it indicates one has not confused good and evil. 3. I like a sentiment by St Paisios you shared on Facebook about keeping a calm soul so the devils can't cast their lines in our soul.   00:51:18 Susanna Joy: Replying to "1. Thanks for explai..."     That is such a great...   00:52:20 Susanna Joy: Replying to "1. Thanks for explai..."     Fish are tempted to ...   00:52:30 Susanna Joy: Reacted to 1. Thanks for explai... with "❤️"   00:53:10 Carolus B: Replying to "1. Thanks for explai..."   Should we avoid holding personal goals, instead endeavoring to only hold the single goal which is the desire of God, regardless of how we feel about the outcome?   00:53:52 Anthony: Hahaha. Yes he might   00:54:07 Paul G.: Reacted to "Hahaha. Yes he might" with

Discernment, as we have said, is the fruit of humility. Having removed the impediment of pride and having purified the heart of the passions, one comes to comprehend the things of the kingdom and the will of God. St. John gives us one example after another of how discernment helps us to perceive the things that lead us to God and that teach us to embrace that which endures.   As one progresses in the spiritual life, however, discernment is not simply the ability to know God‘s will, but rather also the ability to fulfill it in the way that God desires. In this, a soul can begin to trust in the action of the Spirit within the mind and heart. Therefore, although spiritual guides may be lacking one is not abandoned by God. Rather, God makes all things work for the good of those who love him.   In fact, the more one lays side ones will and turns to God in prayer and fasting, the more one lets go of the need to be driven by creativity, productivity, and one's own intentions as a whole. The deeper the communion becomes with God, the more one finds joy in being drawn along whatever path He desires. --- Text of chat during the group: 00:08:12 FrDavid Abernethy: page 204 number 105   00:46:02 Rebecca Thérèse: I think Teresa preferred the priest to be learned rather than just intelligent because she thought that even holy priests could be misled. A learned priest wuld be better able to communicate the infallible teaching of the Church, in her view.   00:50:33 Michael Hinckley: Re: lack of elders… we miss not having enough monks & nuns available in communities.   01:00:37 Susanna Joy: This is so similar to a practice I learned from muslim friends, where one fasts and prays 3 days begore taking decision, that God may clarify what action one should take...The fast is called istakharra...means the right path. :)   01:03:21 Susanna Joy: It is so good to rest in God's wisdom before taking action.   01:06:32 Michael Hinckley: Modernity and technology have much to blame since many things can be created ex nihilo. Tempts thinking “ye shall be like Gods"   01:10:48 Anthony: Yes   01:10:50 Rachel: Id love to see that   01:11:38 David: I volunteered for catechism but was surprised there was no assignment with a spiritual director and it seemed to become more of a quasi entraining push by those who were the directors by the parish. The focus was keeping the kids coming back and making faith "fun". It seemed so different from my experience here an in Spain.   01:13:42 Susanna Joy: https://youtu.be/LOcCXt1n-fI?si=EGIJbH3UquEgdU0C   01:13:43 Michael Hinckley: Replying to "I volunteered for ca..."   Precisely the problem.   01:14:40 Susanna Joy: Here is a beautiful song for you all. "Who puts his trust in God most Just"   01:14:41 Anthony: Pierogi making brings my parish together   01:14:58 Michael Hinckley: TLM communities also see the young coming b/c of lack of “fun” things   01:15:08 Ambrose Little: I'm not “young” and feel more or less that way.   01:15:25 Adam Paige: You're young at heart, Ambrose !   01:15:31 Ambrose Little: Reacted to "You're young at hear..." with

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!   ---   Text of chat during the group:   00:29:50 sprou: virtue beyond our ability?   00:50:31 Nypaver Clan: “Familiarity breeds contempt.” My Mom used to say this if we spent too much time with friends.   00:50:54 Vanessa: Replying to "“Familiarity breeds ..."   My mom used to say that too lol   00:52:59 Anthony: St Paul, 1 Cor 7 (?) Talks about spouses separating for a bit.   00:53:38 Marypaz Mencos: I've been listening to your podcasts for a year, this is the first time I'm able to be in real time with y'all. It's so good to put faces to all of your voices.  God bless you Father, this podcasts have been a blessing to my spiritual life.   00:54:08 Vanessa: Reacted to "I've been listening ..." with ❤️   00:55:16 Amale Obeid: Replying to "St Paul, 1 Cor 7 (?)..."   “Let there be spaces in your togetherness, And let the winds of the heavens dance between you.” Gibran Khalil Gibran (Lebanese poet)   00:56:14 Susan M: Reacted to "I've been listening ..." with ❤️   01:05:40 Vanessa: Enjoying this very much tonight.   01:07:43 Sr Barbara Jean Mihalchick: Yet St. Basil came back from the desert saying the complete Gospel calls us to include service of others in one's authentic spiritual life...   01:13:27 Sr Barbara Jean Mihalchick: Sacrificial intercessory prayer for others is also service of the Body of Christ   01:13:52 Amale Obeid: Reacted to "Sacrificial interces..." with ❤️   01:18:37 Anthony: That kind of sounds superstitious, like an augury.   01:19:27 Anthony: Morning offering....yes. but there's repentance to a bad start and a possible bad end to a good start.   01:26:08 Maureen Cunningham: Thank you Father from Maureen & Kenneth   01:26:11 Arthur Danzi: That was wonderful. Thank you, Father!   01:26:14 Louise: Thanks, Fr. Abernethy!   01:26:18 Rebecca Thérèse: Thank you

As we have discussed, the fruit of humility is discernment. But what is that? Is it simply private judgment, a human wisdom that has deepened over the course of the years?  St. John gradually begins to reveal to us that it is a freedom that emerges from the removal of the impediments of our passions. A sole passion, the desire for God, begins to direct and guide our lives as well as reveal to us the truth about our actions and the realities around us.  Yet, it is humility that must continue to guide and direct this gift of discernment. It is to see things as God sees them only because we are allowing ourselves to trust in His providence in the warp and woof of day-to-day life. Whether we are embattled or at peace, whether we are called to be obedient or to guide others, we must rely upon the grace of God. It is His love, the love of He who is the truth that allows us to comprehend the realities of this world and the world come. Thus, St. John shows us, we can never think of ourselves or the gifts that we experience abstracted from a deep intimacy with the Lord. It is only in Him and through Him that we can live the life to which he has called us and through Him that we who were blind can see! --- Text of chat during the group: 00:18:44 Arthur Danzi: I'm sorry, what chapter are we reading?   00:19:53 Barbara: lost sound   00:19:59 Rebecca Thérèse: no audio   00:30:48 Anthony: Maybe another example is the miser who wears shabby clothes, just to save money?   00:45:18 Cindy Moran: Would oriental catholics call this yin-yang?   00:55:50 Cindy Moran: Replying to "Would oriental catho..."     ... 01:03:06 Anthony: Another thing to be careful of is to try observing what is a true state of affairs but to stop short of having unholy judgment or even feelings or inclination to hound something bad out or to resent something.   01:08:23 Carol Roper: Beware the leaven of the pharisees   01:09:21 David Swiderski: I used to waste a lot of time thinking and rethinking about decisions and people. Even doing this I often made bad decisions and was taken advantage by or attacked by people. I now simply concentrate on - does this lead me closer to God or further away from God. I also pay attention to the mood, other things around me much more.   01:11:42 Cindy Moran: Would oriental catholics call this yin-yang? My ? maybe not seen?? My relatives say that all religion is the same...   01:13:03 sam: I think he (John Climacus) also says elsewhere that vainglory has no birthdate but with pride is the mother of all vices. Humility he also says is one of the destroyers of its fruit and source.   01:16:05 Cindy Moran: It's  always a struggle for me . They are new age.   01:18:12 sam: Could we say that the all religions are equal idea is from a vainglorious attempt to please everyone and avoid real arguments about ascetical struggle?   01:20:41 Rebecca Thérèse: Thank you

Where are we in the spiritual battle? Do we understand the virtues that are generally most necessary in the pursuit of virtue? So often in our day, we approach the spiritual life in a piecemeal fashion, gleaning from the writing of saints things that speak to our own particular sensibilities. But are any of these things going to help us address the dominant passions that we struggle with?  We cannot be lazy in the labors of the spiritual life. We are blessed to be able to sit at the feet of the great elders and those who speak from experience. And yet, as with so many things in our day, we would have things come in our own time and in the way that we desire. Christianity overturns our perception of reality. What it means to love, what is truth, all comes into view only through the person of Christ. The shape of the Christian life is cruciform – always involving a dying to self and sin, and rising to new life in Christ. We must cast off the old man in order to put on the mind of Christ. Lacking discernment we may find ourselves being guided by the demons and settling into mediocrity or the embrace of selfishness and sin that merely is an aping of virtue. --- Text of chat during the group: 00:14:14 David Swiderski: Father do you know any good books on vigils? 00:15:56 Sharon Fisher: Would it be instructions for a home vigil service?   00:17:50 Anthony: For the bibliography, cookbooks are important such as "From a Monastery Kitchen" by Bro. Victor-Antoine d'Avila-Latourrette.   00:19:52 Eric Ewanco: With Great Lent on our heels, do you have suggestions for overcoming gluttony and sustaining our fasts?   00:29:26 Andrew Adams: How does one practice the life of obedience as a layperson?   00:30:23 Suzanne: Isaac the Syrian is great on not putting the cart of contemplation before the horse of purification.   00:32:54 Maureen Cunningham: The  Monks on Mt Athose are very healthy a Doctor did a study.   00:35:24 Suzanne: Greek food ain't no penace for me!

Extraordinary and beautiful! We are currently reading Step 26 from The Ladder on discernment. As St. John begins to unpack things for us, that is, what discernment allows us to perceive about our intentions, our dispositions, how virtue and vice often get mixed together, why prayers sometimes go unanswered, and why demons often will cease their attack for a period of time - - St John also shows us the beauty and the mystery of the human person in relationship to God and as created by God.  God‘s loving care for us, when seen with the clarity of the fathers' wisdom and experience is enough to make one weep for joy. And this joy fosters a desire for God that, if inflamed, can not only purify us of the passions but transform us in such a fashion that we are drawn into the life of the very Holy Trinity. May God grant us this desire! --- Text of chat during the group: 00:09:49 Carol Roper: St. Anne's?   00:31:05 Cindy Moran: I remember a few times the night before a huge exam I slept w the school book under my pillow LOL   00:43:18 maureencunningham: What is the time frame , if one thinks of this as a long journey or one could be discourage   00:48:24 Kate : There are some spiritual writings that take the form of a colloquy…Fr. Gaston Courtois, for example.  How does this fit with the dark knowing of faith, that you mentioned?  The writers seem to have such a tangible intimacy with Our Lord.   00:56:29 Susanna Joy: When the Lord Speaks to Your Heart: Daily Devotions (English and French Edition) https://a.co/d/4ZRzjVi   00:56:46 Vanessa: Replying to "When the Lord Speaks..."   Thank you:)   00:57:02 Susanna Joy: Divine Intimacy https://a.co/d/2WqoJ5e   00:57:43 Susanna Joy: The links are Amazon links to the books mentioned   01:00:46 Cindy Moran: Are the other 4 kinds of dispassion in this chapter?   01:01:18 Jacqulyn: An excerpt from Pauline Books... https://paulinestore.com/media/productattach/1/7/172412-compressed.pdf   01:02:05 Susanna Joy: Reacted to An excerpt from Paul... with "

When reading The Ladder of Divine Ascent, we begin to see that discernment is quite different from what we imagine. It is not simply the use of our reason and judgment to look at the realities around us, to dissect them, and so understand them. Discernment, as described by the fathers, is rooted in the virtue of humility. It is only when we live in He who is Truth that we come to understand the truth about ourselves, the world, and the kingdom.  St. John in particular gives us a multiple examples of how discernment reveals to us the specific qualities of vices, how they manifest themselves and how they are to be remedied. It is curious that we often use our intellectual abilities to avoid reality or to create a certain perception of reality in our minds. It is only humility that allows us to be vulnerable; to expose the deepest part of ourselves to the light of truth. It is this vulnerability and our trust in God and his love that allows us not only to see the truth but to experience the light of it as a healing balm. --- Text of chat during the group: 00:07:17 Sr. Simeon: I hate camera!   00:07:35 Eric Ewanco: Reacted to "I hate camera!" with

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. --- Text of chat during the group: 00:14:31 FrDavid Abernethy: page 194 number 23   00:33:20 David Swiderski: The devil speaks with a scratching, loud and gnarling voice and calls you by your sin. God calls you by name and his voice like a whisper on the wind. Only with peace and quite can we hear the whisper. - Not who wrote this but heard this from a priest in Spain on a retreat in the Pyrennes.   00:43:43 Sharon Fisher: Fr, please repeat the title of the second book you ref'd? I have the Eastern Monasticism and Future of the Church, but couldn't write fast enough to get the next one. Thank you!   00:44:30 Anthony: That prejudice for the active life goes back to the "reformation" - I think as a way to justify the reformation.   It saw a revival in "josephism" of the 1700s and 1800s   01:05:38 David Swiderski: Where would resentment be placed I have seen despondency and also pride in being a victim.   01:06:58 Sharon Fisher: Just fyi to participants: The level of detail we get w/ Fr. David in discussions about the Fathers' writings is not found in very many places. I'll put a plug in for a guided book study on You Tube: St Silouan the Athonite Guided Book Study with Isaac Lampart, written by Archimandrite Sophrony.  The videos are hosted by Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church Lancaster, PA. It's very good; but it's hard to find the actual book. It took me a few months of monitoring used book sites to get a copy.   01:07:01 mhinckley: that;s virtue signaling, no. Just the other side of the vaingflory coin, no?   01:08:04 mhinckley: despondency and also pride in being a victim. 01:10:16 Sean: Replying to "Just fyi to particip..."   I really long for this sort of content now but it's non existent AFIK