Obedience! The root of the word is to hear or to listen. What emerges in reading the fathers is that our capacity to hear the word of God is rooted in our willingness to set aside our own willfulness, ego, and our private judgment. We often become obstinate and entrenched in our own view of things in such a way that we are no longer able to hear the advice or counsel of others. We are shown in this evening’s text that sometimes we must be left to our own devices to experience the poverty of our choices that are contrary to the will of God and His love.
What also emerges is that obedience is not rooted in law but love. Obedience is the fruit of a deep relationship with God, and with one’s spiritual elder. An elder must love his disciple, and recognize that he bears responsibility for his salvation and so must give him constant care. The disciple must reciprocate this love and respect. In doing so, he enables the elder to be a true shepherd and not a mere hireling. This mutual obedience elevates the entire church and allows it to make present the humble love of Christ crucified to the world.
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Text of chat during the group:
The Ladder of Divine Ascent - Chapter IV: On Obedience, Part XI
The Evergetinos - Hypothesis XXIII, Part IV and Hypothesis XXIV
The Ladder of Divine Ascent - Chapter IV: On Obedience, Part X
The Evergetinos - Hypothesis XXIII, Part III
The Ladder of Divine Ascent - Chapter IV: On Obedience, Part IX
The Ladder of Divine Ascent - Chapter IV: On Obedience, Part VIII
The Evergetinos - Hypothesis XXIII, Part II
The Ladder of Divine Ascent - Chapter IV: On Obedience, Part VII
The Evergetinos - Hypothesis XXII, Part V and Hypothesis XXIII, Part I
The Ladder of Divine Ascent - Chapter IV: On Obedience, Part VI
The Evergetinos - Hypothesis XXII, Part IV
The Ladder of Divine Ascent - Chapter IV: On Obedience, Part V
The Evergetinos - Hypothesis XXII, Part III
The Ladder of Divine Ascent- Chapter IV: On Obedience, Part IV
The Evergetinos - Hypothesis XXII, Part II
The Ladder of Divine Ascent - Chapter IV: On Obedience, Part III
The Evergetinos - Hypothesis XXI, Part VI and Hypothesis XXII, Part I
The Ladder of Divine Ascent - Chapter IV: On Obedience, Part II
The Evergetinos - Hypothesis XXI, Part V
The Ladder of Divine Ascent - Chapter III: On Exile, Part V and Chapter IV: On Obedience, Part I
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