The Ladder of Divine Ascent - Chapter IV: On Obedience, Part XV

The unvarnished truth is not easy to hear or see. This is especially true when it reveals that which is within our own heart or what is lacking in our love or our faith. 

Saint John Climacus gives us many stories from the lives of monks who live obedience to the point where it surpasses reason and right judgment; or when it seems to reach the point of absurdity. And indeed this is how the world sees Christianity and in its truest form; as foolishness and a stumbling block. In so many ways we have domesticated the gospel and the Christian life. What we bear witness to is the love of the kingdom made manifest in Christ and the cross. 

We let go of self-will and self-identity in order to put on the true self that is found only in Christ. We are sons and daughters of God and our identity is to be shaped by this reality. All that we do must begin and end with God otherwise it is vanity. When reading the fathers we are compelled to ask ourselves, “Who am I?“Who is Christ to me?”

---

Text of chat during the group: 

00:15:07 FrDavid Abernethy: page 92 para 110   00:16:56 Bonnie Lewis: Do tell.   00:17:45 Bonnie Lewis: your room is looking nice   00:18:33 Eric Ewanco: you do have a euphonious voice   00:25:08 Br Theophan the non-recluse: What page #? I was totally spaced out when Fr David announced it😀   00:27:18 Bonnie Lewis: 92, para 110   00:28:02 Br Theophan the non-recluse: Thanks!   00:32:59 Anthony: Trisagion Films had one film - I think it was about St. Joseph the Heychast - who was impelled to leave an unkind elder, after enduring for a while.   00:35:39 Rachel: I am amazed about how Acacius doesnt draw attention to his suffering but simply states what has happened when asked. It is a clear example of how obedience leads to humility   00:37:21 Eric Ewanco: mine says "fool" instead of "blockhead"   00:38:40 Carol Nypaver: Ours is the Charlie Brown translation.🤣   00:38:59 Anthony: So much for Italian grandmas as elders....   00:39:51 Eric Ewanco: Is this a representation of the idea of Purgatory, that there is debt from our sin that we need to suffer to resolve?   00:42:27 Anthony: 38 years   00:46:30 Eric Ewanco: Xenia?   00:46:55 Anthony: Basil of Moscow, Way of the Pilgrim Author, St. Francis of Assisi   00:47:58 Anthony: Andrew the Charcoal-burner   00:48:27 Rachel: St Benedic Labre   00:50:07 Eric Ewanco: https://orthodoxwiki.org/Fool-for-Christ   00:54:09 John Cruz: Are there contemporary fools for Christ?  Is this a charism for even our times?   00:54:32 Rachel: What??Noooo   00:54:39 Rachel: lol oh dear   00:54:48 John Cruz: LOL   01:04:02 Anthony: Religious communities don;t need to be formally approved; people can just have their own informal community, no?   01:11:12 Ambrose Little, OP: There are benefits of being in a recognized/authorized community, though.   01:15:23 Johnny Ross: We must embrace the scars of this battle-the obstacle is the way   01:22:04 Anthony: John Cruz wanted to know if there are contemporary Fools for Christ.   01:22:56 Johnny Ross: Thank u Father   01:23:00 Jeffrey Ott: Thank you!!   01:23:08 Rachel: Thank you Father and everyone   01:23:11 Rebecca Thérèse: Thank you   01:23:15 Cindy Moran: Thank you Father.