The Ladder of Divine Ascent - Appendix "To The Shepherd", Part XI

We come to the end of this journey with St John Climacus knowing that it is also only the beginning. What joy has come through sitting at the feet of St. John for these few years and to be led along the path that brings us to Christ and the freedom to give ourselves in love and receive love. 

In these final paragraphs about the qualities and the responsibilities of a spiritual elder, what shines forth most brightly is the absolute and complete love that the elder must have for those in his care. The love of Christ that burns within his heart must embrace and give warmth to all those he guides and be a true source of light for them. There are times where he may have to be strict and forceful yet the love dwells within his heart, like divine love, is curative not punitive. Divine love offers itself completely, lavishly, allowing itself to be broken and poured out for others. Thus, the elder must have ever before him those in his charge; so much so that purity of heart allows him to see their needs and suffering and compels him to come to their aid. 

There will be many times when he must carry those in his charge to the Lord through his own example, his hidden sufferings and constant prayer. Like a parent, there will be moments when he must take them by the hand and guide them one step at a time along the narrow path that leads to the kingdom. Despite the fact that the kingdom of heaven dwells within us, the journey is often toilsome.  Left to ourselves, we may never find the narrow gate or enter. 

The elder must be long suffering; that when the lack of dispassion in others pierces his heart like a sword his response is like the Divine Judge - restraining himself and looking at others only with compassion. He must be willing to receive and take up upon his shoulders of the burden of his office as Christ took upon himself the burden of the cross and he must not despise the wounds that may come through rejection and betrayal.

The elder’s love must run so deep that intuitively he knows the sufferings of those in his care even before they speak of them to him. Without hesitation and quickly, he seeks to apply the healing balm. 

And perhaps most powerful and beautiful of all - - in the end, the elder must acknowledge that he must decrease in order that Christ might increase within his children’s hearts. There will come a time when they no longer need human instruction because they have given their hearts to the Lord and are guided by His Spirit. Blessed are those who bring others to Christ and whose guidance passes on from generation to generation.

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Text of chat during the group:

00:12:41 Bob Cihak: P. 260, # 89

00:17:46 Anna Lalonde: It was a complete blessing the four months I was in religious life! Transformed my prayer life.

00:19:12 Joanne Martínez : Joanne Martínez here, just signed on

00:19:55 Bob Cihak: P. 260, # 89

00:20:13 Joanne Martínez : Reacted to "P. 260, # 89" with 👌

00:31:14 Kate : In order to be broken and poured out in love for others, does it necessitate allowing ourselves to be broken first by God, so to speak, and to have received the Love of God poured into us?

00:31:58 Rebecca Thérèse: Nathan

00:32:59 Jeffrey Ott: The daily meditation of Gaston Courtois was on that very thing…profiting first from God’s love so that we may reveal that love to the multitude of other souls

00:33:58 Tracey Fredman: Sometimes willingly pouring ourselves out for others is the way we are broken by God, particularly when we don't feel like doing whatever it is for others whether in ministry or simply serving another.

00:44:53 Joanne Martínez : In reading about the lengths to which the people of Mesoamerica went to receive baptism after the apparition of Guadalupe, I have a new understanding of the gift that sacrament truly is

00:57:21 Maureen Cunningham: There is a short you tube called  The 21 remembering Martyrs who died in February 2015. The faith of  these men  was moving

01:01:58 Anna Lalonde: Fostered about 130 teens. 😂

01:22:16 Sr. Mary Clare: That is certainly a love that is not possessive

01:22:58 Joanne Martínez : Thank you! These last two years journeying with you all has been extraordinary.

01:23:02 Maureen Cunningham: Thank You Father

01:23:55 Zachary Morgan: This was wonderful - thank you Abouna!

01:24:37 Sr. Mary Clare: Beautiful

01:24:40 Janine: Thank you Father Charbel…looking forward to St Isaac

01:24:43 Jeffrey Ott: It’s been a joy. Thank you Father.

01:24:52 Lee Graham: Thank you, this has been wonderful

01:25:42 ANDREW ADAMS: Thanks be to God! Thank you, Father!

01:25:45 Rebecca Thérèse: Thank you🙂

01:25:45 David: Thank you Father God Bless you and your Mom!

01:25:58 Art: Thank you for this wonderful journey with John Climacus!

01:26:08 Cindy Moran: Than you Father