I would put a few final touches on our understanding of the 24th Step on John’s Ladder, Meekness/Simplicity. As I shared with you, simplicity is a childlike innocence. It is the first characteristic of childhood: Be simple and guileless, and … Continue reading
Category Archives: The Spirituality Of the Christian East
I would continue sharing ideas about the 24th Step of John’s Ladder, which is Meekness/Simplicity. One could say that spiritual simplicity is a one-track mind. That may sound negative to many, but by this it is meant that it is … Continue reading
I would continue thoughts about St. John’s 24th Step on the Ladder that he created to teach his monks about spiritual development. The 24th Step is Meekness/Simplicity. Many think of simplicity as simple-mindedness and ignorance, but this is not what … Continue reading
Pride can, according to St. John, render salvation impossible, whatever other virtues we may possess. This is why it is so important to acknowledge our pride, to have enough humility to fight it, and to struggle to acquire greater humility. … Continue reading
In the last several issues of the Bulletin, I have been sharing thoughts about St. John Climacus’ 23 Step on his Ladder of Divine Ascent. His ladder presents the incremental steps we must go through in order to become truly … Continue reading
The 23rd Step on John’s Ladder is, as I shared in the last issue of the Bulletin, PRIDE. We find that even among the most anti-religious of people, there is no sin that makes a person so unpopular as pride. … Continue reading
I would share a few last thoughts on the 22nd Step of John’s Ladder, VAINGLORY. John remarks that vainglory induces pride in the favored and resentment in those who are slighted. If we always held back on complimenting people but … Continue reading
This continues the 22nd Step on the Ladder, namely VAINGLORY. I ended the last issue by relating John’s thought that vainglory can truly be present if one is scandalized at the sins of others. He very clearly says that the … Continue reading
The 22nd Step on the Ladder of St. John Climacus, is VAINGLORY. St. John writes: Like the sun which shines on all alike, vainglory beams on every occupation. What I mean is this. I fast, and turn vainglorious. I stop … Continue reading
In the last issue of the Eastern Herald, I began sharing St. John’s 21st Step, which is FEAR. It is quite serendipitous that today’s Gospel reading talks about casting out demons. St. John tells us that demons can only tempt … Continue reading