WHAT IS GOD'S WILL FOR US? HOW DO WE DISCERN THE WILL OF GOD? HOW DO WE HEAR GOD'S VOICE?

[@mullmonastery]

Since I've mentioned the wonderful St John of the Ladder several times, here is a video about his life and the canon of prayer to him (on the Monastery Daily Prayers Channel): kzbin.info/www/bejne/nWibooZtfd2kf80

[@vivienne4686]

It was Beautifulllll Father! Heaps of blessings 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@gretagarbo6930]

❤

[@littlesoul8908]

I started to read Ladder of Divine Ascent many years ago and did not finish it yet! It is quite tough reading for me, full of deep thoughts. But it is still easier to read something than put it to practice. Now I tend to read it in chunks. For example, when I am struggling with gossip or judgemental attitude, I read the chapter about it again and again..... although I do not know if it is ok to jump from one place in the book to the other or it should rather be read in consecutive way?

[@elenamurga3308]

Thank you so very much Father Seraphim, God bless you, Mother Mary keep you!!! So so proper moment in my life!!! Your videos are so providential!!! Praise the Lord!!!🙇‍♀️🙇‍♀️🙇‍♀️🙇‍♀️🙏🕯📿🌹😊💐❤️🤗

[@elenamurga3308]

I have you ando your brothers and your monastery in may prayers!!! In Christ love!!!🙇‍♀️🙏🕯📿🌹💐❤️🤗

[@scronchman0146]

Orthodox monk does youtube car vlog.... the world is a strange but wonderful place

[@paxvobiscum9859]

And who says men can't multitask? 😉😁

[@mullmonastery]

😆 the truth is that these strange videos are created out of three main reasons: first, I simply struggle to fit everything that needs to be done (so I do things whenever an opportunity comes); second, I hate pretending (so I don't feel comfortable dressing up in all my monastic vestments, placing myself in front of an icon and talking to you in a solemn voice - that is not me, that is not my life, so how could I talk to you about being yourself before God if I myself were not doing it?); and finally, I've had some of the most meaningful and honest conversations in the car, driving our pilgrims from one holy site to another. In fact, it was while driving and during our dinners together, so watch out for a dinnertime video soon! 😊 May we all be blessed, dear one.

[@gretagarbo6930]

@@mullmonastery ❤

[@MerryMaggie]

@@mullmonastery I am so grateful for your realness.

[@sumaj562]

Preach what you practice🙏.. hats off to you father.. now a days it is difficult to see people with true self. Please continue to bless us with your talks. May God's wisdom guide you in the right path.

[@zita-lein]

It is easy to find preaching, commentary, news, stories and everything else, but solid spiritual counsel, not so much. This loving monk and this wonderful channel are a gift to me from God and the Blessed Mother. God is so good! God bless and keep you, dear and precious brother, dear Fr. Seraphim. And Mull Monastery. ❤

[@cassaundramariac9075]

Hi Father, I loved the talk and appreciate the lovely view of the drive. I appreciate you taking the time to still send a message. I always look forward to them.

[@mullmonastery]

Glory be to God for His love for us all, dear Cassaundra. And thank you for your kindness, dear one.

[@syncleticasaint9134]

Forgive me Father but i just must express this truth : you are lovely. Your wonderful accent..and ways of speaking make me smile. You are gentle to us who listen and are , dare i say it..use to rather stony hierarchs . Thank you for You are needed at This Specific time in History. If i have been offensive in my comment please forgive. Blessed Great Lent.

[@TinaHyde]

Father IS a lovely human being, and I hope that someday, before I die, I can travel to Scotland and give him a big hug and tell him how much I love him. He can’t love us as much as he does and not expect us to love him right back. 😀🤗♥️

[@kevinmckay6815]

Father thank you for today's lesson disguised as a "road trip". As always you bring much love to our souls!

[@mullmonastery]

Whenever I end up driving our pilgrims, dear Kevin, the most extraordinary topics come out of nowhere and I've always enjoyed those honest, spontaneous, no-preparation conversations, so I thought I should drive with you, as well.

[@marshabrubaker185]

Excellent message. I've struggled with the will of God versus my will. My parents were involved in adultry , betrayal & revenge and that's how I came into the world. I had to step away from my family to become a born again Christian.

[@florencetivoli10]

Any teaching from you Father is a blessing, whether from a road trip or your office. Thankyou for going the extra mile for us.

[@xSapphiirexx]

You have a beautiful mind and heart, gifted by Christ HimSelf. Thank you for answering His call to serve, every day and night🙏♥️ May Our Father bless you and keep you forevermore, in All of your ways, that of you And your precious family!! AlleuYah!! Amen

[@normaodenthal8009]

The beauty and spaciousness of the countryside mirrors the spaciousness of Fr Seraphim’s heart. May this help to make our hearts more spacious also.

[@thehooksman]

Mull is so beautiful even in the rain. Thank you for sharing it's beauty with us in your videos.

[@christaprice4090]

Please don’t ever stop speaking in your own unique “word pictures.” Being a person that seems to be unable to connect with academic understandings of things I have often struggled to really “get” what people are saying. But in your love you draw me pictures so that I can connect with them and go into to the world to be transformed. Much love 💕 and a blessed Lent

[@tallmikbcroft6937]

when the camera looks forward through the windshield, I noticed how it goes from being out of focus until the wipers clean off the rain...then I can see clearly. then the rain falls and it goes blurry again. repeat. I'm sure there is a lesson in that. Bless Father thank you for sharing the wisdom of the church and Fathers with us.

[@emilyawood]

I definitely struggle with this. When I first started my walk with Christ I came out of the world and lost a lot of friends because I was no longer obedient to their will. But that's also when I started respecting my mom and accepting the things she wanted for me. I consider myself good at discerning the will of God but since I haven't left home yet I question how much of His will I'm missing while I try to please my family. Thank you for this talk, I certainly need more life experience to really understand what you're saying but this is still helpful.

[@thomasbeardslee2418]

Please continue on...i dont live in past. But i do envy your youthful repentance and conve4sion ..thank u

[@thomasbeardslee2418]

Wished i would have respected both parents more...even tho both were unholy and damaging in different ways...i was obstinate and self righteous

[@mullmonastery]

My dear one, you are doing the right thing. Honour your mother and those who gave you life. We are all growing, we are all slowly maturing. It would be unnatural (and would lead to its death) for a babe to reject its mother (who would feed it?). It would also be unnatural (and detrimental for him / her) for a child to reject his / her parents (who would educate him / her?). It would be unnatural (and a tragedy) for a teenager to reject his / her parents (who would help them navigate the dangerous sea of passions without the parents' life experience)? Yet, similarly, it would be unnatural for a mature Christian to reject God Himself on account of his / her parents when God's revealed Truth comes into opposition with that truth of his / her parents. We all grow, and we need to patiently and humbly wait for this growth to take place. Be blessed, dear one - you, you mum and everyone you carry in your heart.

[@MerryMaggie]

@@mullmonastery Unless you have parents captive to evil, which was my case (my father mainly). The way of finding the right path in this case is to go opposite to everything my father taught me.

[@TinaHyde]

@@MerryMaggie I’m so sorry your father hurt you, my sister. 😔

[@23rsnyder]

Pray for us, Father. My husband is suffering from some of this struggle with family and has been for years. His sister is mentally ill, and we have been caring for her child for three years now. We are in the midst of court issues regarding guardianship. Thankfully, these matters are about to conclude, which we expect will bring more anger towards us from the family. It is hard on my husband because he feels he has to expose her sins to the Court in order to continue protecting her son from her poor choices. This is something he feels should not be, and indeed the fallen situation of our world has made this situation. So the intuition is correct. It should not be necessary, and yet it is. He loves her and wishes she would work at getting better, and this struggle to find balance between her needs and her son's needs/safety is very hard on him. He has had to cut out several family members from our lives due to the disfunction and misplaced priorities, namely their lack care for our nephew's wellbeing and safety. To make matters worse, we ourselves often experience the doubt many parents feel regarding our choices in raising this traumatized and challenging child. We pray we are doing the right things for his wellbeing and try to trust God. Pray for us, Nathaniel & Rachael, our nephew Herman, son Jonah, and our unborn child. You have our prayers as always. Thank you, Father.

[@mmaakkiinn]

🙏

[@TinaHyde]

I can’t even imagine how painful all of that must be. Praying now for you.

[@mariamehaddad]

While I watch this in 2023, I am grateful it was given to me today. Thank you Father-

[@margarettsikoonis9314]

God bless you father amen amen amen ❤🙏

[@johanvandersandt8904]

Here I am in 2023 and this message is still relevant. What a beautiful message and very scenic trip! God bless you all my brothers and sisters!

[@subdeaconk]

10 years since Christ brought me home and I still never cease to be amazed at the depth and intimacy of our faith. Thank you, Father!

[@gretagarbo6930]

God so loved the world,that He gave His only Begotten Son,He had nothing else to give.it was His WILL TO DIE for the world,without anyone intervening.we canlove one another in this way in which one can forget oneself,wish only for the joy and good to the other.Even at our cost.Forget yourself.Love the other!May your life be his joy,his strength,his inspiration

[@cindymiller3416]

The drive and talk was way cool! And you could focus on both. Must be the Holy Spirit! Pray for me.... I’ve got a major life changing decision. God’s will be done!

[@bethanscotford6755]

Brilliantly clear - thank you for this at the beginning of Lent 2023. Father Bless.

[@monicaj.8545]

Thank you ❤️ for drawing me closer to God with explaining how to detach from the influences of the world. God bless... 🙏Amen

[@Abcdefg-ky6gg]

Thank you father. The way the lord has spoken through you has been a great blessing and a much needed message.

[@iliesculiliana5846]

THANK YOU FOR THE PROFOUND HOMILY.LILIANA

[@tomshaw1015]

Thank you very much for this sermon. It speaks to an issue which I have been struggling with for a long time.

[@cynthiacynthia1046]

I cannot thank you enough for such perfect words of wisdom! May God greatly bless you and your brothers in the monastery! I praise My Lord Jesus for using you humble servant!!

[@danielgaley9676]

We have not met, but I love you with a Godly Agape love. Thank you, Father.

[@kathyf7322]

O father, that is so much to take in. I am going to have to relisten over and over again. Jesus is alive.

[@dunsbroccoli2588]

Bless you too

[@miriam4091]

You've just inspired me to read St John's book which I have and has been waiting for me to get going! I thought the drive and scenery (with the sprinkles of rain) was very nice. Afterall, God is everywhere....."Your will Lord, not mine!" God bless from Canada.....

[@mullmonastery]

St John's Ladder is one of the lifetime readings, dear Miriam. It is not something to 'start and finish', but something to read again and again, as our spiritual selves mature and more of what st John says becomes truly understandable to us.

[@jwills3242]

I’d like to also recommend the book 30 steps to heaven which is the beginners version of the Ladder. Helped me out significantly.

[@miriam4091]

@@mullmonastery Thankyou for the guidance - I will treat it as a handbook to guide me along the path.....God bless!

[@gretagarbo6930]

NO ONE IS TAKING MY LIFE FROM ME.I GIVE IT FREELY.and this is something that very few would do.It isn't given for His Own sake.He believes absolutely that His life and death are not in vain.and that is enough in us to respond to it.His life and death were such a demonstration of perfect self forgetting love.

[@CelineCoeureContent]

Just amazing words for me , thank u brother,be blessed and joyful

[@Klotrik]

Thank you Father Seraphim! I pray that the Lord will continue to bless you and keep you always.

[@kaybrown4010]

No words, except “thank you” and “Amen”. ❤️☦️

[@ruggermulan]

Dear Fr. Seraphim, Thank you so much for this video. It is EXACTLY what I need at this moment. God bless you and His work through you !

[@mc-vu4vh]

Parinte Serafim, ma bucur enorm de mult pentru dvs, pentru voia Domnului de a va afla la Manastirea Mull, tocmai in Scotia. Sa aiba grija Bunul Dumnezeu de toate nevoile obstii Manastirii Mull. Amin Amin Amin

[@mullmonastery]

Sa va auda Bunu Dumnezeu!

[@mihabenn]

Beautiful way Father

[@yakove]

since i have no more school because i finished last year doing year 12 now i can teach myself more on this channel! because i didn’t have that many orthodoxy lessons last year at my school

[@webtraveler0774]

Thank you Father your words reached my heart🙂

[@andemariam1763]

Amen Amen Amen Thank you Father for sharing us as usual. we love you Father. Your vidoes Father have special mean in my life. I was waiting now I will sleep peacefully.

[@mullmonastery]

May God send your guardian angel to protect and bless your rest, dear one.

[@PhoebeK]

Father Bless, rewatching this video has helped me find words for the battle currently happening in myself. While the battle started when I chose to rebel against the training and expectations of my family and become Christian as a teenager, I am forever discovering more aspects of my will which need to be challenged to discover and follow the will of God in my life. It is a daily battle to decide to seek the will of God especially when my situation and family actively fight against my desire to seek the will of God and to do it in my life.

[@birukhailu7113]

Thank you father

[@alexandrinacojocea2709]

Amin,amin,amin,frate Serafim și pentru rugaciunile sf.Ioan Scararul Bunul Dumnezeu să ne înmulțească IUBIREA pentru El și intre noi!

[@annelizification]

What a wonderful adventure, thank you for bringing us along! Very thought provoking

[@rodicajichin4387]

MARE, MARE,MARE BINECUVINTARE SA VA ASCULTAM(PUTIN CIT INTELEG SI EU),DAR TRANSMITE-TI MULTA,MULTA,MULTA DRAGOSTE DE DUMNEZEU SI DE NOI! MULTUMIM! BINECUVINTATI SI IERTATI PARINTE SFINTITE SERAFIM!

[@lucduchien]

The image of the camera's focus going from the road ahead to the rain on the windshield and back to the road was impactful during this lesson. Thank you.

[@natachathebeau3702]

Thank you so much for this ❤

[@thewingedhussar810]

This video gave an actual insight on my struggles I had in my entire life against my family's will. It is a very tough task and every single word you say about it, Father, that it's literally like cutting off your arm hit me very hard. God bless you, Father Seraphim, and if I may have just one little request, please, take care and drive safe ☺️ there are quite a number of us here in the world, but there is only one of you. So you need to take good care if yourself, will you? 😊🙏🏻

[@mullmonastery]

My dear one, glory be to God that a little good came out of these words. As for my driving, trust me: I am 100% focused on driving, because I do not feel comfortable doing it; it scares me and so I am as careful as I can be. On the other hand, the worst thing that can happen on Mull is to run into a 🦌 or a 🐇. Both would be horrible experiences, but not much more, since our roads only allow a maximum of 50 miles per hour (I think 😊).

[@carolpopi623]

You able blessed also!

[@carolpopi623]

You be blessed also!

[@alfredhitchcock45]

1. World 2. Family 3. Own free will

[@lubicaverescakova8314]

God's will is best for us. But sometimes we must fight with ourself to receive it. Dear God have mercy with us. 🙏 Thank you my brother Seraphim. 💚

[@suzanaaston3189]

Thank you very much Father ! I always struggle to believe in my free will, this is a great video! Much love in Christ to you also. May God bless you the best way he can.

[@davidd1289]

Yes, I remember a verse I think that tells us to turn against our families for god if we must, its very painful. “For I have come to turn “’a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law” Jobe comes to mind of course too

[@LofiA2ura]

Thank you Father! Glory to God for all things! Amin

[@audreydonovan6710]

May you and your family in Christ be abundantly blessed Father. May the gift of our free will conform to the will of our Heavenly Father. May we have the trust to hand over every situation and every person to the mercifull will of Our Loving Father. He knows what is best for us,His precious childre.

[@vulgarprophet2689]

This message came to be about 10 years ago when I was meditating and it sent me into a full-blown panic attack, I could not do it. I failed to do it. I love this channel, sometimes it is hard to hear.

[@jarrakis4834]

❤

[@mmaakkiinn]

Thank you Fr.Seraphim 🙏✝️🙏

[@Jsatchel2010]

I have been enjoying your videos dear brother. I really feel better, more spiritual, after listening to your words.

[@vivienne4686]

Many many thanks for your videos. Priceless! Graces upon graces! May the Lord keep you blessed! You are too wise and learned for your young age. You are in my daily prayers as I live like a “hermit without a permit,” as my priest calls me, yet I am a mother of 2. I am fortunate to be able to pray daily for about 5 hours🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@thomasbeardslee2418]

God bless your young motherhood

[@moshpitjo1146]

I have always had a strong love for languages, and I love to read about Linguistics in my spare time. It is the thing I love the most in the world. Is this a sign that God wants me to do linguistics (specifically be a professor as I love public speaking and want to do research)? How do I know if I should or should marry someone? Thank you Fr.

[@TraditionalCatholic2633]

How do I mortify my will? I have no idea what that even looks like. Roman Catholic here ❤

[@Jimmy001]

I am listening twice. Thank you. Amen, Amen, Amen...

[@mullmonastery]

May God bless and guide you, dear James.

[@The_Spaniard10136]

Thank you for the clarification

[@ioanadragut2201]

Amin, amin, amin, părinte! Va multumim enorm pentru tot timpul pe care ni-l oferiți! Daca ati putea sa adăugați subtitrare si in romana, romanii v-ar fi recunoscători!!! Doamne ajuta, ne rugam pentru sfinția voastră si pentru intreaga manastire!!♥️

[@mkeenan1955]

Thank you Father for taking us on a ride with you to listen to your prayerful discourse on the Ladder of St John Climacus. Thank you for your prayers. I am going to try to keep my eye on the road of the Royal Way more carefully.

[@higginsjoyce]

Very relevant

[@malardjm]

The thought of black ice and wet pavement brought back to memory a TV series from my youth, it was called The Flying Nun. Thank you for this video, you covered a lot of important grounds, I will listen again and over.

[@ikelewis678]

Hey father! Thank you for this wonderful drive. I do have questions about your understanding of “detaching from the will of your family”. I have always thought that one part of obedience as a lay person is fulfilling your obligations to your family, even if you don’t want to. Do you have examples of what you mean by “detaching from the will of your family”?

[@mullmonastery]

Dear one, even monastics - who strive to leave behind the world, which incorporates one's family - even they still express their care for their families through prayer and advice. The aim is to discern between the will of God and the will of one's family (the culture of a family, with its given values) and to always make certain that we choose God's will over that of our family. That is more difficult that it seems, for it requires an interior distance, a detachment from one's family in order to clearly perceive these moments when the two - the will of God and that of one's family - clash. May we all be blessed, dear one.

[@ikelewis678]

@@mullmonastery Thank you father, that makes a lot of sense :D

[@cathy3130]

Thank you for asking Father Seraphim that question. And thank you Father for answering it. I was confused about it at first, and so glad that Father Seraphim explained. (discerning between the will of God and that of one's family). (an interior distance). Thank you.

[@thomasbeardslee2418]

@@mullmonastery well patiently explained

[@johnpaulhumphrey2981]

This is probably the best channel on youtube! So often I neglect the communal aspect of free will. I think that I make decisions by myself, neglecting the fact that my will has been biased by the world! May God bless you richly, I pray for you and the monastary. These videos have blessed me richly.

[@mullmonastery]

This is so (undeservingly) kind to say, dear Johnpaul. May God continue to bless and direct the steps of all of us.

[@julie-u2y]

Hello🇭🇺 🙋‍♀️🇺🇸Father Seraphim, God bless you🙏thank you looking into a beautiful deep concept within each part of us body and soul🙏🌠☦️

[@richardlynch7321]

Immense Spiritual Insights and Beautiful Scenery

[@jamestregler1584]

WOW ! THANKS FATHER !

[@MerryMaggie]

Ohhh thank you for this! This has been weighing deeply on my mind for forever. My takeaway for where I am now is that I need to accept that in my current state I most likely will not be able to discern what God's will is (in a more complicated issue in my life). It would be unrealistic for me to insist on not making a decision until I can accurately discern God's will. I guess I just cross myself and make the best decision I can at this point and open myself to the possibility that it will be the wrong one, and agree to submit to suffering and correction that will come from that unwise action. In this way my humility will grow and my discernment will be gradually shaped. Its almost that I have to make mistakes of going according to the world or my family formation, to see the brokenness in their ways, so I can avoid those paths in the future.

[@TeodorTsonev-k8m]

Thank you very much for that! I need an advice! I am Bulgarian who works in Germany, I decided to quit my job and go back to Bulgaria and then to Holy Mountain Aton. In the last day of my job, my boss somehow convince me to stay but I feel so wrong saying ''yes'', cause my soul and my desires wish to go to Holy Mountain Aton. What shoud I do ? I feel so empty and weak in Germany, the 1st time I was in Mountain Aton I was feel so happy, my soul sing from joy, I know that's the life I wish to live!

[@sorinvalentin9014]

Dintru adâncuri am strigat către Tine; Doamne ! Doamne auzi glasul meu ! Sanatate multa parinte Serafim 👍👍👍👍👍 Sorin - Valentin BOLNAVcare are nevoie de rugaciunea dvs👍👍👍

[@mullmonastery]

Domnul sa va apere, domnul sa va binecuvinteze, Domnul sa intoarca toata viata dumneavoastra - si bucuria si durerea; si sanatatea si suferinta - in trepte catre mantuire. Pastrati-ne si pe noi in rugaciune.

[@TheEaglesvisions]

great homily father;-) clean oats , not the kind that have passed thru the horse already;-)

[@andrewklager1347]

Mull looks so beautiful and peaceful, Fr - I look forward to visiting soon, if God wills it. Thank you for this teaching; I often sum up the paradox of our free will as vulnerability, which encourages me to guard my heart and practice discernment. Grace and peace +

[@blackmirror5559]

Oh some parents really do need blaming, especially when they're as guilty as hell. .

[@johnpaulhumphrey2981]

I think father seraphim has some stuff about not judging.... that might apply to parents, though they are the hardest not to judge.

[@Mark-yb1sp]

You sound like your deeply hurt. How can I help?

[@sophiamac9100]

Thank you so much for this rare gem of a video! This was a most enlightening and theological analysis of free will!

[@mullmonastery]

Glory be to God, dear Sophia.

[@sophiamac9100]

@@mullmonastery Amen, beloved father!

[@inezvasquez8104]

Glory to God 🙏. Once again, you have delivered to me a response that speaks to me. Blessing to you Fr. Seraphim.

[@ruthshivani]

heartfully appreciated and inspired.. thankyou father.

[@cornbreadfedkirkpatrick9647]

Please be safe while driving in the rain, be sure to keep the low beams on even though the fog might not be visible yet just be safe.

[@maurobattista4023]

I appreciate everything you say great monk, i totally agree 🙏 🙏🙏

[@gretagarbo6930]

God wants us to love.to love means to look at a person,and see in this person a treasure,infinitely precious,for whom it is worth giving one s all life,rejoicing in the fact that we can give all our heart ,all our intelligence,all our strength,in the service of this person,and also conquer in us every sin,which is contrary to love,which can hurt,which can diminish life of the person whom we want to love.

[@DavidHerron]

Thank you so much for these wonderful thoughts and ideas. This has encouraged me to read St. John of the Ladder. I loved the accidental symbolism of the forward-facing camera going out of focus when the windshield had rain, and to get clear vision when the windshield wiper wiped away the rain. I loved the scenery - having traveled to Mull back in 2006. But there was an overriding concern we had -- for your safety -- your passion for telling us this message had us cry out jointly at one point KEEP YOUR HANDS ON THE WHEEL! Drive safe, be safe, sanatate!

[@lauramariailea4235]

Inspired by the words of father Rafail Noica, I wrote, two or aybe three years ago something I am not sure I can translated it properly in english: sunt picătura unui ocean îngheţat care refuză să îngheţe. Of course, I forgot about it and remembered listening to this video. And I just can help but wonder how can we stay alive, living into this frozen ocean? Maybe our prayers will transform one day these drops which refuze to frozen into a warm vapour which will rise up to the sky. Even if I know that prayer is just a way to ask God for His help, and only Him, through His Holy Spirit can save us from this frozen ocean. God help us all! Thank you, dear father, for these videos, they are spiritual bread we all need so much these days!

[@pilgrimcarolee7294]

Believe me Father your Love is felt!!! And returned!!! And thanks for the scenic drive! Interesting way to make use of a single lane and cars can Still go around! 😃

[@barrycartner3855]

Inspired message Father. Thank you!

[@Mary-ui4im]

So beautiful Father. Word's so deep and to be lived out daily with the Grace of God. Thank you Father for your insight and teaching on discerning the way on our journey to do the will of God in our life. Amen Amen Amen

[@joannagalezowska8725]

Thanks for your reflections that are charged with such a spiritual enthusiasm and help us in our own spiritual life. Could you comment on discernment of spirits and discernment of God's will, since they are not the same. Blessings

[@davemaverick8438]

ive started following your blessed messages, and was thinking oh if there is only somehow translation in Serbian language so I can show this amazing talk to some of my friends and family, and just out of curiosity clicked on available translation and lo and behold there is not only one translation in Serbian, but two, Cyrillic and Latin version, im speechless, thank you for this amazing messages they are really food for soul in this very heavy times, God bless you brother! and Marry Christmas

[@melodiethompson]

You keep speaking about a book and the ladders and there’s so many steps and you describe different ladders and I’m not sure what book you are referring to and I would really like to know Father so I can purchase the book and read the book I would appreciate it thank you

[@asimplelife977]

Hello! It's called "The Ladder of Divine Ascent" by St John Climacus.

[@michaelashurdekelaita4128]

This was an excellent video brother. While you were busy driving, the Spirit of God was busy teaching. I just purchased the book by Saint John of the Ladder, it sounds a lot like a certain amazing book from our ancient Syrian Monks, called the Book of Steps. It is amazing how God our Loving Father is leading us out of the world and closer to Him, but because many are ignorant of these teachings they simply do not understand, what they call troubles and difficulty, is really a blessing in disguise. The basic of Paul says that evil company corrupts good habits, and this is the foundation for much of your teachings in reference to the Saint. So let no one consider it strange, that whoever loves father or mother more than Christ are not worthy of him, and even that Christ Himself foretold that our enemies would be the members of our own household. But David also told us that even when our father and mother desert us, God is there for us!

[@franciscalester8879]

Amen Amen . Mull Monastery God blessed you Fr. Seraphim always ♥

[@annaread3829]

Thank you for this encouraging talk Fr:)

[@CrisTina-bc3oc]

🙏

[@Jimmy001]

Thank you

[@ando5858]

How can anyone hear this without it feeling like their own whole lives are about to turn upside down? Are we not to have any kind of relationship with our families, to cut all ties and look at them like they are dead weights we need to free ourselves from, like they are poor damned souls that we need to shake off before we, destined to become angels, can begin to discern the tiniest bit of God’s will for our lives? Can His will include our families in it, I.e. taking care of our parents in their old age , or are we called to, like the Pharisees declare everything we have, including ourselves, to be Corban and thus freeing ourselves from the responsibility? Does this then extend to children and spouses? Why not cut them off too, as well as friends. Aren’t we influenced by everyone around us? Even if we join a Monastery, what of the connections there, should we shun the cenobitic life and rush to the wilderness to become an anchorite?

[@ninaarpolahti3582]

Thank you so much.