The Desert Fathers make it very clear that in every element of our faith life we are being drawn into the mystery of God and the kingdom. Therefore, we must become comfortable with living in mystery; of being immersed in a reality that is beyond intellect and reason and comprehended solely through the gift of faith and the light that God bestow upon us. 

We often move very quickly to dissect what has been revealed to us by God, both for ourselves and others. Discussing matters of faith and reading books about dogma, however, can cause a man’s compunction to wither and disappear. We often cling to the notional and the abstract rather than focusing upon our relationship with God and seeking purity of heart. The Fathes tell us it is the lives in the sayings of the elders that enlighten the soul and fill it with spiritual tears.

Our lives then must be shaped by the Gospel and as one elder tells us we must seek to draw Christ into every part of our life. We love and follow a humble and crucified Lord; One who has been afflicted for our sin and who seeks our healing. Thus, our lives should mirror the simplicity of our Lord. We must not pamper the body in such a way that we weaken the spirit of contrition within our hearts. Neither must we fear affliction, but rather embrace it when it comes into our lives; knowing that God and his Providence allows it and through it perfects our virtue. 

To a certain extent, we must be willing separate ourselves from the world and surround ourselves with those who seek and desire the same thing. How else can we maintain the spirit of contrition? The world itself and our culture has become antithetical to the gospel. The cross has been and always will be a stumbling block to those without faith. The more those in the world become focused upon material goods and comforts and a manner of life that is contrary to the teachings of the gospel, we must strive to genuinely and heroically to conform our lives to Christ regardless of the costs.

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Text of chat during the group:

00:09:31 Maureen Cunningham: I think it like a rally good restaurant it always word of mouth

00:10:56 Maureen Cunningham: What is sub stack and how is it different

00:11:10 Maureen Cunningham: You tube is also a big

00:11:38 Bob Čihák, AZ: substack.com in short.

00:11:50 iPad (2): Yes Father I agree with you 100%

00:11:56 Bob Čihák, AZ: Look & see.

00:15:53 Andrew Adams: I vote website, but I don’t do social media anyway. I found you effectively by word of mouth.

00:16:23 Kevin Burke: I agree with Myles.. YouTube channel is the best..

00:16:51 Mark South: I agree youtube is great

00:16:58 Maureen Cunningham: Yes  I agree

00:17:15 Bob Čihák, AZ: Please do let us know when you DO need support!

00:17:21 cameron: Suggest you think of making efforts to avoid being cancelled.

00:17:45 Maureen Cunningham: We love to support you

00:19:35 Bob Čihák, AZ: P. 256, # 24

00:24:27 Bob Čihák, AZ: P. 256, # 25

00:32:03 Forrest Cavalier: This footnote is on this page: https://archive.org/details/Evergetinos/Euergetinos%20II/page/423/mode/2up?view=theater

00:39:44 Anthony: R. C. Sproul of Ligonier Ministries commented on Martin Luther's long confessions, saying what did he confess? To coveting another's potato salad?   Little did Sproul know what monks face.

00:41:01 Andrew Zakhari: I am currently reading the Minor Prophets, and as messengers of God they seem to get angry at God's people for falling away.  How do you understand this prophetic anger?

00:42:05 Myles Davidson: Replying to "R. C. Sproul of Ligo..."

Calvinists 😁

00:44:34 Anthony: Reacted to Calvinists 😁 with "😂"

00:54:21 Julie: Beautiful

00:55:30 Myles Davidson: Reacted to "Beautiful" with 👍

01:08:17 Maureen Cunningham: That Paul said that I may Know in in

01:08:40 Maureen Cunningham: His  suffering

01:15:49 Catherine Opie: On a smaller scale Fr. I'm struggling with the ethics of using social media to advertise my business now I'm Catholic as I had already surmised its an evil thing that addicts people to it like cocaine. And is designed like a pokie machine

01:16:38 Maureen Cunningham: Mull Monastery is very good he good

01:16:41 Anthony: Monasteries and friaries are not really well distributed in USA (or the Anglosphere!).  Neither are the third orders or oblates. We need to develop some kind of more localized groups that are not completely self-directed.

01:18:39 Bob Čihák, AZ: One priest I know has ministries in coffee shops and bars.

01:21:02 Catherine Opie: Post short chunks of content online but direct people to your website for full video. Get them off social media!

01:21:03 Maureen Cunningham: I think it is wonderful to give to the ministry. Bless all

01:21:22 Rebecca Thérèse: Thank you☺️

01:21:29 Andrew Adams: Thanks be to God! Thank you father!

01:21:33 Bob Čihák, AZ: Thank you father!

01:21:55 Catherine Opie: Thank you Fr. God bless ❤️

01:21:56 Maureen Cunningham: Blessing Thank You

01:21:59 Niño: Thank you Father Charbel...it's been a while 😊🙏