Once again we are presented with the fathers’ writing on asceticism. This evening we were given the essentials, the starting point for the pursuit of the spiritual life; fasting and vigils. We are told that without these practices we enter into the spiritual battle unarmed and no virtue will be gained. We fail to imitate Christ who, before taking up his public ministry, fasted and prayed in the desert for 40 days; precisely to show us what is necessary in the battle against the Enemy who tempted Him at the end of His fasting period. We may feel humiliated and weakened in body but on a spiritual level we come to know the strength and the virtue of Christ himself. Fasting from food and sleep reveals our basic desire for God and an acknowledgment that strength and grace come from Him alone. In all of this we have to have bravery and show great resolve and willingness to continue patiently in doing what is good, ever calling upon God to help and defend us. When we fail, we should not be indifferent or despair or abandon the attempt. Rather, we should increase our zeal and look to the instructions and guidance of the expert; first and foremost Christ himself and then all of the saints throughout the centuries who have conformed themselves to Him.
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Text of chat during the group:
The Ladder of Divine Ascent - Chapter XXVI: On Discernment, Part IX
The Evergetinos: Book Two - Hypothesis III, Part IV and Hypothesis IV, Part I
The Ladder of Divine Ascent - Chapter XXVI: On Discernment, Part VIII
The Evergetinos: Book Two - Hypothesis III, Part III
The Ladder of Divine Ascent - Chapter XXVI: On Discernment, Part VII
The Evergetinos: Book Two - Hypothesis III, Part II
The Ladder of Divine Ascent - Chapter XXVI: On Discernment, Part VI
The Evergetinos: Book Two - Hypothesis II, Part VII and Hypothesis III, Part I
The Ladder of Divine Ascent - Chapter XXVI: On Discernment, Part V
The Evergetinos: Book Two - Hypothesis II, Part VI
The Ladder of Divine Ascent - Chapter XXVI: On Discernment, Part IV
The Evergetinos: Book Two - Hypothesis II, Part V
The Ladder of Divine Ascent - Chapter XXVI: On Discernment, Part III
The Evergetinos: Book Two - Hypothesis II, Part IV
The Ladder of Divine Ascent - Chapter XXVI: On Discernment, Part II
The Evergetinos: Book Two - Hypothesis II, Part III
The Ladder of Divine Ascent - Chapter XXVI: On Discernment, Part I
The Ladder of Divine Ascent - Chapter XXV: On Humility, Part V
The Evergetinos: Book Two - Hypothesis II, Part II
The Ladder of Divine Ascent - Chapter XXV: On Humility, Part IV
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