The Ladder of Divine Ascent - Chapter XXIX, and XXX, Part I

2024-10-30

We are brought to the denouement of the Ladder in these final steps on Dispassion and the “Trinity of Virtues” - Faith, Hope and Love. The words of St. John ring forth as if from the mouth of a poet. It is only one who has experience of and has seen the beauty of Divine love who can then speak of the urgent longing that begins to take over the soul when it no longer is held back by the weight of sin or one’s ego. The dispassionate man, St. John tells us, no longer lives himself, but Christ lives in him. He has eyes only for the beloved and living in constant union with him. All becomes Grace; Christ’s virtue becomes our virtue, Christ’s strength becomes our strength, Christ’s love becomes our love. Understanding this we must not allow anything to hold us back. Above all we should desire to enter into the brid...

The dispassionate man, St. John tells us, no longer lives himself, but Christ lives in him. He has eyes only for the beloved and living in constant union with him. All becomes Grace; Christ’s virtue becomes our virtue, Christ’s strength becomes our strength, Christ’s love becomes our love.

Understanding this we must not allow anything to hold us back. Above all we should desire to enter into the bridal chamber; for this is exactly what Christ has made possible for us. Our relationship with God is often described with nuptial imagery; we are destined to become one with the most holy Trinity. What excuse could we possibly put forward for not at least seeking to break through the wall of our sin by embracing the forgiveness that is so freely offered?

St. John’s discussion of dispassion leads us to the final step of the Ladder. The theological virtues, named so because they have God as their end, become St. John’s subject matter. These three are preeminent because they endure unto eternity. The greatest of them, love, allows no respite for the soul but drives her on with a kind of blessed madness. Overcome with an urgent longing for the Beloved it takes on a greater resemblance to God in so far as this is possible. The soul becomes inebriated - so often does it seek to satisfy its thirst for divine love. Having satisfied this desire the heart expands, taking on distinctive properties where it becomes a fountain of faith, an abyss of patience and a sea of humility. What takes place then is extraordinary: love banishes every thought of evil or judgment. Only mercy, forgiveness and compassion remain.

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Text of chat during the group:

00:13:44 Myles Davidson: According to Wikipedia Scorcese is doing one on Moses the Black

00:14:08 Myles Davidson: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Scorsese_Presents:_The_Saints

00:18:40 Bob Cihak, AZ: P. 243, #13

00:37:15 Anthony: Renzo Allegri write a book: "Padre Pio Man of Hope." Good book.

00:39:32 Anthony: And this is why legalism and scrupulousity is such a problem. They strangle wonder and longing.

00:41:29 Anthony: Franciscans are like the east

00:56:20 Anthony: Eastern Star

00:56:26 Leilani Nemeroff: Eastern Star

00:57:29 David: A book that really lead me to the fathers and from mere belief to faith was "What Difference Does Jesus Make"- Frank Sheed. Really hard to find not sure why this is not more popular.

00:59:25 carol_000: What time zone did this meeting start at 7:30

00:59:34 Nypaver Clan: EST

00:59:34 David: EST

00:59:48 carol_000: Thanks

01:00:09 Nypaver Clan: Reacted to "Thanks" with 🥰

01:01:21 Sr Barbara Jean Mihalchick: The kingdom must be preached/shared - we are way too silent about sharing our faith...

01:02:42 Sr Barbara Jean Mihalchick: Guardini has a great book on prayer..

01:02:49 Jeff O.: Reacted to "Guardini has a great..." with 👍

01:04:42 carol_000: Calgary, Alberta Canada. Mountain Standard Time. My first time here.

01:05:07 Nypaver Clan: Meditations Before Mass - Guardini

01:05:07 Myles Davidson: Welcome 🙂

01:06:19 carol_000: Replying to "Welcome 🙂"

Thanks.

01:07:33 Nypaver Clan: Replying to "Welcome 🙂"

Hooray! Glad you found us! 🙏🏼

01:07:36 Jeff O.: The madness of pride as opposed to the madness of love is an interesting juxtaposition. Two very distinct and different “pictures” of madness.

01:09:10 Cindy Moran: Reacted to The madness of pride... with "👍"

01:09:48 Cindy Moran: Me, too!!

01:09:53 Nypaver Clan: Replying to "Welcome 🙂"

Welcome, Canada!🇨🇦

01:10:06 carol_000: Replying to "Welcome 🙂"

I've been following Fr. Charbel for a while, but now I'm wondering which branch of Orthodoxy is this? Reference to author & "Mass" ?

01:10:59 Nypaver Clan: Replying to "Welcome 🙂"

Byzantine

01:11:09 carol_000: Replying to "Welcome 🙂"

Thanks

01:12:54 Anna Lalonde: Thank you! My children and I are loving this.

01:13:03 Nypaver Clan: Replying to "Welcome 🙂"