The Ladder of Divine Ascent - Chapter XXVI: On Discernment, Part VIII

Philokalia Ministries

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🙂 01:26:21 Jeff O.: Thank you!! 01:26:21 Andrew Adams: Thank you Father! 01:26:24 David: Thanks Father! 01:26:34 Alexandra K: Thank you Father!