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

As one moves along through this text, one begins to understand that St. John Climacus is not only addressing elders but all those who have the care of souls. Fundamentally this is every Christian!There is no radical individualism in our faith, nor do we see ourselves disconnected from the sins of others and the burdens they bear. Love, compels us to be attentive to the other; not in a condescending fashion, but attending to them with the tenderness and compassion that we have received from Christ. Our Lord is the archetype for us and the consolation that we receive from his hand we are to offer to others freely.

The fundamental virtues of an elder are humility and obedience; that is, truthful living and the capacity to listen. How can one serve others when there is any focus on the self or when they are still in the grip of the passions? There is  nothing so unseemly as an angry elder - one who looks at others with a harsh eye or is always quick to investigate trifling sins. The elder must be driven by love that makes him ever vigilant and watchful of those things that can be obstacles to the spiritual development of those in his care. He cannot be lax in fulfilling this responsibility or timid and cowardly in offering correction. He must be willing to offer counsel even when there is no thirst for understanding. 

One begins to understand that such a responsibility is carried out with fear and trembling. The care of souls carries within it the Cross; it is crucified love that guides the elder and gives light to his path.  He is never a passive observer, but one who like Christ looks out and acknowledges the crowds as being sheep without a shepherd; in fact, as sheep already mauled by the wolves and in desperate need of healing. Thus, the capacity to care for others in this fashion is not something that can be set aside; nor can the abilities that God has given to an elder be buried in the ground with drawing down His wrath.

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Text of chat during the group:

00:09:34 Una: Does Father send out handouts in email?

00:10:08 Una: Could I get one at Una.McManus@gmail.com?

00:10:25 Adam Paige: https://mcusercontent.com/c38acab568d650f7ef65f39df/files/22eb6d8c-a2f9-1ed8-1270-b5bcd86c22f6/To_the_Shepherd.01.pdf

00:10:31 Una: Thank you

00:10:43 Adam Paige: Reacted to "Thank you" with 👍

00:12:22 Una: Yes for me on New Year DAy

00:12:26 Sam: Greetings from Hot 🔥 Australia Fr

00:12:39 Adam Paige: Reacted to "Greetings from Hot ..." with 🇦🇺

00:18:01 paul g.: Amen

00:21:55 Bob Cihak, AZ: Amen, Amen!

00:33:54 Mary Clare Wax: Fr. it is so refreshing listening to you. We love your contemplative spirit and your love for the desert father teachings. Thank you. We appreciate your present sharing on the priesthood. So true.

00:34:22 susan: Amen

00:36:20 Bob Cihak, AZ: Reacted to "Fr. it is so refresh..." with 👍

00:37:22 Myles Davidson: Reacted to "Fr. it is so refresh..." with 👍

00:38:31 Andres Oropeza: Is it always pride when you have trouble trusting your spiritual Father because of his manner of life or that of his monks? I feel like I’m judging him/them but I also have serious misgivings. Could it be just a test of obedience where the Lord wants me to obey even with the misgivings, to have faith before understanding ?

00:41:56 Bob Cihak, AZ: As the fathers and you say, the wisdom required to be a spiritual leader is learned from and with experience, not just book learning, which usually required a lot of time.

00:43:08 MOME hermits: I (sr charista maria) believe Mary's special presence in our times helps to make up for what is lacking in the priesthood today, when we have a special relationship with her.

00:49:32 David: The orthodox later republished that as Unseen Warfare by Nicodemus of the Holy Mountain and Theophan the Recluse

00:49:47 Kate : Father, could you address what to do when one experiences a spiritual father who is not mentally healthy and whose guidance not sound?  In this case, I would think that one must pay attention to their misgivings.  We lived through this and sadly witnessed much damage done to souls.

00:50:24 Maureen Cunningham: Christ was betrayed

01:14:07 Victor - WV: Thanks to all, to Father as well. Merry Christmas! 🎄 🙏🏼

01:14:26 Bob Cihak, AZ: Reacted to "Thanks to all, to Fa..." with 👍

01:14:47 Myles Davidson: Reacted to "Thanks to all, to Fa..." with 👍

01:16:02 Laura: Reacted to "Thanks to all, to Fa..." with 🎄

01:16:17 Adam Paige: Reacted to "Thanks to all, to Fa..." with 🎄

01:20:00 Andres Oropeza: I think it was in this book where it describes the spiritual father being like Moses stretching his arms out so his child can pass through the sea unharmed. Beautiful image 

Off topic, but does it make a bad confession if you feel like you should’ve confessed to your spiritual father that you judged him specifically (vs just judging people) but didn’t because of anxiety ?

01:23:26 Maureen Cunningham: Thank You

01:23:28 Rebecca Thérèse: Thank you🙂Happy Christmas everyone🎄

01:23:29 David: Thank you Father and God Bless you and your mother! Merry Christmas! As we celebrate his birth may he be reborn anew in our hearts.

01:24:17 ANDREW ADAMS: Thank you, Father!

01:24:27 Rachel: Thank you father

01:24:28 Deiren Masterson: Thank you Father.

01:24:36 liz sabath: Thank you Father!!

01:24:37 Sr Barbara Jean Mihalchick: BleSSED Christmas~