The Ladder of Divine Ascent: Chapter 1: On Renunciation, Part III

[@heterodoxx5300]

Thank you so much for sharing this. Exactly what I need on my pilgrimage.

[@junesilvermanb2979]

God is the ultimate treasure... His love is worth more than gold...

[@sandie157]

Wow. This is amazing. Will listen more than once . Thank you!!

[@johnwallace7580]

DEO GRATIAS AMEN AUSTRA;IA

[@ChadTheGirlDad]

1:07:30 look up the turnspit dog. Almost none of us know what this is. It was actually a k9 now extinct that would walk within a type of barrel to turn a dspit. I’m looking at this portion of the text with this in mind. Help me out with this please. Because a greedy kitchen dog works. It serves but constantly cries for more scraps.

[@donnarourke259]

Thank you ,you tube no computer will follow.

[@justiceforallcreation]

The issue is that no one today in the Church, as far as I know, understands the Kingdom of Heaven, nor do they understand the conditions by which it is Realized. The newtonian paradigm has infiltrated the minds of the world, including those in the Church. The idea that everything can be fixed by something finite runs rampant. The beginning of the Kingdom of Heaven is discovered when someone stops gives up the addiction to their own mind and experiences life as it comes, regardless of emotions. There is a reason why Jesus says "Who by taking to thought can add one cubit to their stature".

[@mgpc.]

How does a removal from the world, being a hermit per say, qualify the Beatitudes?

[@KidsMezmur]

A Christian hermit, someone who chooses a life of solitude and prayer, might understand and live out the Beatitudes in a unique and deeply contemplative way. The Beatitudes, found in Matthew 5:3-12, are a series of blessings that Jesus pronounced on those who exhibit certain qualities or experiences. Here's how a Christian hermit might interpret or "qualify" the Beatitudes in their life: 1. **"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."** - A hermit may embrace poverty of spirit by living in humility, recognizing their total dependence on God. Through their solitary life, they might cultivate detachment from worldly possessions and desires, seeking only the richness of God's presence. 2. **"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted."** - A hermit might mourn not just personal losses but also the sins of the world, offering their life as a form of penance and intercession. In their solitude, they might find comfort directly from God, experiencing a deep inner peace. 3. **"Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth."** - Living a hidden life away from society, a hermit may practice meekness through humility and submission to God's will, rather than seeking recognition or power. Their inheritance is the spiritual richness they gain through their communion with God. 4. **"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled."** - A hermit might hunger and thirst for righteousness through a disciplined life of prayer, fasting, and meditation, always seeking deeper union with God and striving for personal holiness. They trust that God will satisfy their spiritual longing. 5. **"Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy."** - Though isolated, a hermit can practice mercy through prayer and intercession for others, showing compassion in a spiritual sense. They might also extend mercy by forgiving any who have wronged them in the past, trusting in God's mercy for themselves. 6. **"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God."** - A hermit often seeks purity of heart through constant prayer, self-denial, and contemplation, striving to remove any distractions or impurities that hinder their relationship with God. In their solitude, they may experience a profound sense of God's presence. 7. **"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God."** - While they may not engage directly with others, a hermit can be a peacemaker by praying for peace in the world and by cultivating inner peace. Their life of solitude and prayer can contribute to the spiritual well-being of the wider community. 8. **"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."** - A hermit might face spiritual or psychological trials, such as loneliness, temptation, or misunderstanding by others. They may see these challenges as a form of persecution for the sake of their calling and embrace them as a way to share in Christ's suffering. 9. **"Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven."** - If a hermit is misunderstood or criticized for their choice of life, they may find comfort in this Beatitude, knowing that their reward is not in earthly recognition but in heaven. They might rejoice in their solitude, seeing it as a way to draw closer to God. For a Christian hermit, the Beatitudes can be a profound guide to living a life that is wholly devoted to God, even in the absence of worldly interactions. Their solitude and dedication to prayer allow them to internalize and embody these teachings in a deeply personal and spiritual way.

[@jerrymarshall2095]

Too much supposition