Reading the Fathers with Discernment

What is the limit of our desire for God?  What conditions do we set on our pursuit of virtue, constancy of prayer and the avoidance of sin? What emerges from the writings of the fathers is their willingness to sacrifice themselves and comfort in ways that are unimaginable to the modern mind. Beyond that their actions seem to be absurd and extreme to the point of falling to the criticism of masochism or self hatred. It is very difficult for many to grasp the nature of such thirst and desire for God and to please Him. Equally, it is hard to imagine going to the lengths that these ascetic did in avoiding sin or overcoming temptation in the heat of the battle. They often treated the body harshly to prevent themselves from pursuing natural or disordered desires. Rarely do we consider the pretext that the Evil One is willing to use to draw us into sin. Therefore, we often will put ourselves to the test or engage in futile warfare that bears witness to pride within our hearts. Thus, even in our critical reading of the fathers we have to be wary of allowing our modern sensibilities to convince us that we see things with greater clarity psychologically and spiritually. If we are wrapped in the illusion of faith and comfortable with mediocrity, our sensibilities are going to be dulled and the Cross will remain for us as it has often been in every generation – a stumbling block rather than the revelation of selfless love.

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Text of chat during the group:

00:01:26 Fr. Charbel Abernethy: Page 231 number 9

01:01:12 Suzanne Romano: This is the reason  why people should dress modestly.

01:02:40 Myles Davidson: Reacted to "This is the reason  ..." with 👍

01:03:02 Catherine Opie: Reacted to "This is the reason  ..." with ❤️

01:07:45 Kate : When children are formed in truth, goodness, and beauty from a young age, they are able to see the falsehood in secular culture.

01:08:37 Suzanne Romano: Reacted to When children are fo... with "❤️"

01:12:15 Catherine Opie: Reacted to "When children are fo..." with ❤️

01:12:28 Anthony: I often think: if these things against innocence are wrong, why does God let it happen? And I have to fight rising anger.

01:16:36 Suzanne Romano: That is a truly consoling answer!

01:16:58 Sr. Charista Maria: Wow, great response Father :).I

01:21:57 Tracey Fredman: I have tasted it - what Fr. is saying is so right - so true, transformative - and then He sends us -

01:22:18 Anthony: Reacted to I have tasted it - w... with "❤️"

01:22:27 Sr. Charista Maria: Reacted to "I have tasted it - w..." with ❤️

01:23:02 Sr. Charista Maria: Reacted to "When children are fo..." with ❤️

01:23:49 Suzanne Romano: Your soul is always young!

01:24:31 Laura: Reacted to "Your soul is always ..." with 👍🏼

01:24:51 Suzanne Romano: 😆

01:25:05 Lee Graham: What is your address

01:25:11 Rebecca Thérèse: Thank you🙂

01:25:30 Maureen Cunningham: Thank You Blessing

01:25:57 Andrew Adams: Thanks be to God! Thank you, Father!

01:25:58 Catherine Opie: Deo Gratias

01:26:10 Julie: God bless

01:26:24 Catherine Opie: My dog has awoken