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

Philokalia Ministries

With each passing week, as we read St. John’s thoughts on discernment, we begin to see how it touches every aspect of our life. So often we confuse this gift with intellectually analyzing the circumstances around us or internal experiences and feelings or our perception of others’ actions.

Yet discernment is not rooted in our private judgment. Rather, it arises out of union and communion with He who is Truth and Love. We engage in the ascetic life and seek purity of heart in order that we comprehend the truth unimpeded, to see things as God sees them and to see and respond to what he wants us to perceive.

Anything less than this leaves us completely vulnerable. St. John says, “let us watch and see which demon uplift us, which cast us down, which harden, which comfort, which darken, which pretend to communicate enlightenment to us, which make us slothful, which make us cunning, which make us sad, and which cheerful.” It is only in Christ that we have the capacity to see these things. Strength and virtue of any kind comes not from climbing up a ladder of virtue on our own, but rather having Christ live within us. His virtue must become our virtue and his strength must becomes our strength. This is a difficult thing because it means letting go completely of the illusion that we can see the truth of the spiritual realities outside of our relationship with Him. It means being humble.

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00:02:32 FrDavid Abernethy: page 214 number 172 00:26:36 David Swiderski: I struggled with discernment most of my life and got far too intellectual analyizing everything. A wise friend made a comment that helped me- you only need to think of two things- does this lead us closer to God or away from God. 00:27:10 Lisa Smith: Reacted to "I struggled with dis..." with 👍 00:30:31 David Swiderski: My grandfather always said wisdom is absorbed slowly over time while being intellectual is something to grasp. 00:32:37 Jeff O.: julian of norwich seems to say the same thing about affliction going so far as to say to actually pray for it as it is one of the greatest graces of God. 00:36:27 Lisa Smith: Sufficient is the evil of today, Is that what Christ said? 01:02:47 Johnny Ross: God forgives seven times seventy-so long as the will is there 01:03:12 Vanessa: Reacted to "God forgives seven t..." with ❤️ 01:12:15 Kate : At what point and in what circumstances can we make a judgement about a situation? 01:14:50 David Swiderski: Everytime I see arguments on how to make the sign of the cross or taking communion in the hand or on the tongue I feel like both sides want to be right rather than acknowledge each is seeking to get close to God. 01:16:11 David Swiderski: The focus falls to Pride as you mentioned before. 01:19:11 Tracey Fredman: Most recently, Romans 15:1-6 has been quite helpful for me - it's not about pleasing myself, but for building up others and letting go of what I think they should do: St. Paul wrote "... let each of us please our neighbor for the good , for building up. For Christ did not please himself …" 01:23:55 Rebecca Thérèse: God is often presented to us by people who want to control us. 01:24:06 Ambrose Little: Avoid “Catholic” Twitter/X. Social media in general. 01:24:27 sheri: Thanks Father. Gotta go... 01:24:52 Kevin Burke: Thank You Father! 01:25:30 Andrew Adams: Thank you Father! 01:25:36 Jeff O.: Thank you!! 01:25:36 Rebecca Thérèse: Thank you🙂 01:25:43 David Swiderski: Thank you!