Thursday Dec 06, 2018
The Ascetical Homilies of Saint Isaac the Syrian - Homily Fifty-one Part V

We continued with our discussion of homily 51 and once again Isaac through a kind of holy genius guides us deep within the truths of the gospel - In particular how we are to understand the nature of divine love and mercy and the hope that it brings to our soul and how it transforms the way that we look at others. He begins by warning us that asceticism absent a life of love and mercy is to be pitied. If we make ourselves castigators and chastisers we promise ourselves only a miserable life.
If we are weak in the spiritual life we must set ourselves with a strong resolve to at least strive within our limits. If we are not peacemakers we must at least not be troublemakers. If we are angry with others in our hearts we must hold our tongues and remain silent. If we judge others or allow them to be consumed by the anger of others, then we are accomplices and bear their guilt upon our shoulders.
In all of this, Isaac teaches us that humility is the key virtue that produces peace within the heart and leads us to the joy of the kingdom. Humility is truthful living, a willingness to see the poverty of our sin, to acknowledge the futility of our life without Christ.
We closed the evening by simply touching upon one of the most powerful teachings and reflections of St. Isaac. He tells us that divine hope uplifts the heart but fear of Gehenna crushes it. What does the love of God, he asks, tell us about hell? Do we desire the salvation of all as God himself desires it; or do we project our desire for retribution and worldly justice upon God?
Version: 20241125
3 years ago
To be a hopeful universalist is to agree with God’s desire “that all shall be saved.”
5 years ago
good podcast
5 years ago
17:00, to immerse yourself to the distractions of the world, will eventually dissipate your soul, and it will be more difficult to return to your stillness.
5 years ago
17:00. Whatever you give your most energy to is, what will eventually form you.
5 years ago
2:00 Do not judge. "Be ignorant of the wicked deeds of men. So that we can see the beauty in men, and to free ourselves of the desire to judge others."
5 years ago
39:00. Talk onhumility