December 12, 2023

The Evergetinos: Book Two - Hypothesis I, Part III and Hypothesis II, Part I

1 hour 5 minutes

Once again, reading the fathers on humility is humbling. Gradually our eyes are opened to the nature and reality of virtue; not as human reason or understanding grasp, but as it has been revealed to us in Christ and through the gift of His Spirit.

This stands forth most of all in thinking about humility among the virtues. It is not self hatred. It is not self contempt. It is living in He who is Truth. For this reason, both the Evergetinos and St. John Climacus describe humility as the “door to the kingdom” and to participation in the very glory of God. It is also for this reason that we discover that just as the proud feel satisfaction with honors so those who are humble of mind are especially thankful for the attacks and scorn which befall them in this world.

Such things free us from illusion; not only the illusions we have about ourselves but also the illusions that others often form about us. To be thought of as virtuous and holy, when in reality one understands that all is Grace, can be the bitterest of things to swallow. To know oneself as loved with an everlasting love and having been shown the mercy of God makes the thought of evaluating oneself in any measure seem absurd.

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Text of chat during the group:

00:05:32 FrDavid Abernethy: page 13 Letter G - Volume 2

00:18:21 Nypaver Clan: What page?

00:42:31 Louise: The Catholic protagonist of the movie entitled ''A Hidden Life'' (2019), a true story, is a beautiful example of humility. In 1943, he did NOT justify why he preferred to be tortured and killed by the SS, his compatriots, than signing an oath to Hitler. His heart belonged to Jesus Christ. His wife, also devoted to Christ, supported his decision despite the difficult hardship this brought to her and her three children. Two contemporary unknown saints!

00:43:07 Adam Paige: Reacted to "The Catholic protago…" with ❤️

00:43:41 Michael Hinckley: Blessed Franz Jagerstatter

00:44:08 Michael Hinckley: yes that'shim

00:44:26 Adam Paige: Reacted to "Blessed Franz Jagers…" with 👌

00:58:19 Michael Hinckley: how much these storis show you must be prepared to be dressed down

00:58:20 Louise: Isn't the greatest test to stay facing praises?

01:01:26 Michael Hinckley: I can only imagine in the monastic life with having nothing of the world (clothes, possessions, etc.. ) that things like praise risks becoming currency.

01:08:06 Anthony Rago: Having lived in s Calvinist environment, alarm bells are going off in my head about this kind of humility.

01:08:42 Anthony Rago: We have to keep humility In Tension with dignity.

01:08:54 Adam Paige: Reacted to "Having lived in s Ca…" with 😄

01:10:09 Sean: how often is one despised for humility vs. for being beyond the pale of socially accepted behavior, crime, depravity etc. Equating the two seems difficult.

01:10:21 Michael Hinckley: Replying to "Having lived in s Ca..."

Great point!

01:10:22 Rebecca Thérèse: It's not easy to know the difference between heartfelt praise and flattery that's intended to manipulate so it's often better not to trust it

01:11:53 Michael Hinckley: One of the greatest deceptions is meekness equates weakness as apposed the fortitude.

01:12:51 Suzanne: I just read something today that said that the purer the heart, the more the soul sees God, and, the more it sees God, the more it understands its own wretchedness. This wretchedness is not a comparison with other men, but with the absolute purity of God.

01:15:25 Michael Hinckley: Reacted to "It's not easy to kno..." with 👍

01:16:21 Michael Hinckley: Reacted to "I just read somethin..." with

👍

01:17:17 Leilani Nemeroff: Dolores Hart

https://vocal.media/viva/the-hollywood-actress-who-became-a-nun

01:17:37 Michael Hinckley: what was the book you mentioned again please

01:18:13 Suzanne: Great Stories tonight! Thank you!

01:18:35 Susanna Joy: Thank you, Father.

01:18:41 Lorraine Green: Thank you Father

01:18:46 Louise: hanks!!!

01:18:56 Leilani Nemeroff: Thanks!

01:19:00 Rebecca Thérèse: Thank you🙂

01:19:04 Michael Hinckley: good night all

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By Father David Abernethy

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