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

Philokalia Ministries

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.

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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 👍 01:01:57 Nypaver Clan: Reacted to "I have heard a criti..." with ❤️ 01:04:08 Daniel Allen: That’s an interesting comment (re poetry), because oftentimes poetry can calm my thoughts, and give me a jumping off point for prayer 01:04:42 Vanessa: Replying to "That’s an interestin..." Psalms 01:05:30 David: The Syrian fathers write most things through poetry as well. 01:05:55 Cindy Moran: This relates to the need for formative spirituality. 01:06:20 Rachel: Gregory Narek 01:06:30 Daniel Allen: Reacted to "Gregory Narek" with ❤️ 01:06:35 Rachel: Pope Francis 01:11:25 Rebecca Thérèse: Thank you ☺️ 01:11:40 Rachel: yes 01:11:41 Cindy Moran: Yes 01:11:46 Jacqulyn Dudasko: Thank you! 01:12:24 Andrew Adams: Thank you Father! 01:12:27 Rachel: thank you 01:12:29 Jeff O.: Thank you!! 01:12:29 Cindy Moran: Thank you 01:12:31 Arthur Danzi: Thank you Father 01:12:32 David: Thank you father! May God bless you