The Arena Homily | Understanding The Ladder of Divine Ascent - March 26, 2026
Mar 26, 2026
A lively homily traces the Ladder of Divine Ascent from Jacob's vision to Christ as the bridge between heaven and earth. Themes include the ladder as cross, church, and liturgy, the role of the Theotokos, and virtue-by-virtue spiritual ascent. Worship, typology, pilgrimage, and the journey of renunciation, obedience, and prayer are explored as the roadmap toward heavenly union.
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Every Virtue Is A Step Up The Ladder
- St. John's Ladder is an image of the Christian life where each virtue gained is a step upward toward the heavenly life.
- Fr. Josiah frames each conquered passion and developed virtue as a literal step up the ladder toward God's kingdom.
The Church Is The True Holy Land
- The true Holy Land is the church liturgy where heaven and earth meet, not geographic Middle East.
- Fr. Josiah cites St. Gregory of Nyssa arguing the place with most altars is the holiest land and the altar is the portal between heaven and earth.
Gregory Of Nyssa Told People Not To Pilgrimage
- St. Gregory of Nyssa refused pilgrimages, telling parishioners their homeland with most altars is the holy land.
- Fr. Josiah recounts Gregory arguing Cappadocia was the true center of pilgrimage because of its many churches.
