PLEASE NOTE THAT WE ENCOUNTERED TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES WITH THE AUDIO IN THE RECORDING OF THIS EPISODE. AS A RESULT, IT DOES SOUND GLITCHY. WE APOLOGIZE.

What is unique and distinctive about the Christian identity, perception of reality, and our experience of what it is to be a human being? How do we experience human sexuality and understand how it is shaped by the grace of God or how it can be distorted by sin or demonic provocation? 

If we are honest, we would have to say that it is the popular culture, modern psychology, and politics that shape our understanding of these things rather than an encounter with the living God. It is Christ who reveals to us what it is to be a human being made in the image and  likeness of God. Beyond this, it is the Grace that comes to us through baptism, the Eucharist, and the gift of the Holy Spirit that shapes are perception of reality most fully. The ascetic life, driven by our desire for God, seeks to remove the impediments to our understanding what it is to be a human being and “fully alive.” We are not simply seeking psychological peace of mind or self understanding. Rather, we are seeking to understand the mystery of our existence and our dignity and destiny in Christ. 

These realities should sharpen and intensify our sensibilities and how we engage in our day-to-day life and relationships. The writings and actions of the desert fathers may seem distorted, masochistic or misogynistic.  Yet, upon deeper reflection we discover they had a fuller experience and understanding of life. One Saint said: “HE who ceases to pray is no longer a human being.” In other words, when we turn away from God, we lose sight of ourselves and the truth. Our focus and our vision is turned downward, like animals, only seeing what is before us and what can be consumed or used to satisfy our own desires. The life and the writings of the fathers cry out to us saying: “See your dignity, O man. See your glory in Christ your Redeemer and embrace your true identity in Him.”

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Text of chat during the group:

00:11:32 Bob Čihák, AZ: P 220, paragraph starting "After these words...."

00:27:32 Sr. Charista Maria: So true Fr. Thank you for your vulnerable sharing regarding social media even if it's ministry; how important it is to be ever vigilant and conscienceous

00:36:27 Anthony: There are some special considerations regarding Arsenius. He fled imperial Rome to enter the Desert. And, he might have in mind the role women played in puffing up Arius.

00:44:39 Julie: This can be both ways.

00:44:55 Julie: For a women

00:49:09 Maureen Cunningham: Was this because it  is the early church. And it would have never lasted all these years.

00:49:18 Maureen Cunningham: Had they compromised

00:52:46 Kate : I don’t know if this is the proper use of the word “gluttony”, but curiosity seems to lead to a certain kind of gluttony for information.

00:53:22 Nypaver Clan: Reacted to "I don’t know if this..." with 👍🏼

00:55:43 Forrest Cavalier: Fr. de Souza in his March 29 2025 column warns against the 3 "digital P's" online that often lead young men  away from Jesus: Porn, Pious conflict, Politics. Most are aware of the danger of the first, not the other two.

01:06:10 Sr. Charista Maria: It is interesting how some Bible passages, such as Isaiah

10:66, can seem so free in sharing images of bonding between Mother and Child "Oh that you may suck fully... nurse at her breasts", or even espousal union with God, such as Song of Songs, where there is such an underlying purity, which can be so beautiful and meaningful; but still how cautious one must be as spoken of in these writings.

01:10:37 Sr. Charista Maria: Isaiah 66:10 (oops)

01:11:35 Una: Sorry if this is a stupid question, but how does same sex attraction figure with these young boys?

01:12:43 Mary Clare Wax: Reacted to "Isaiah 66:10 (oops)" with 👍

01:12:56 Mary Clare Wax: Reacted to "It is interesting ho..." with ❤️

01:13:06 Mary Clare Wax: Reacted to "Sorry if this is a s..." with 👍

01:14:28 Sr. Charista Maria: Reacted to "Sorry if this is a s..." with 👍

01:17:21 Joseph Muir: The editors note, that immediately follows the last reading, from Ephrem, addresses some of the cultural contexts

01:17:27 Rebecca Thérèse: I heard an expert say that homosexuality used to be something people did now it's something they are which makes it seem immutable.

01:17:28 Sr. Charista Maria: yes, there can be a danger with an emotional bond between a mentor and other.

01:17:49 Sr. Charista Maria: I've heard it said our bonding area is near the genital area.

01:20:11 Mary Clare Wax: The evil one is quite an expert in drawing spiritual friendships into something other.

01:20:52 Sr. Charista Maria: I already posted

01:25:24 Anthony: The Church has been continually berated for its conduct in regard to so many different groups - which is exaggerated  - and that hammers at the resolve to BE Christian.

01:26:33 Una: Thanks for spelling this subject out in detail. I know we'll probably be revisiting it as we go along.

01:27:19 Maureen Cunningham: Thank You  ! Blessing

01:27:35 Sr. Charista Maria: Fr. Charbel, thank you for your classes. They are a wealth of blessings in delving more deeply into the early Church desert Fathers.

01:27:44 Mary Clare Wax: Reacted to "Fr. Charbel, thank y..." with 👍

01:28:14 Rebecca Thérèse: Thank you🙂

01:28:16 ANDREW ADAMS: Thanks be to God! Thank you, Father!

01:28:27 Troy Amaro: Thank You Father.

01:28:42 Sheila Applegate: Thanks Father!