7/31/2019 Study Guide 18

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Ascending The Heights

Getting Serious

Step 18

This rung of the ladder is labeled by St. John as Insensitivity.

Insensitivity is a deadened feeling in body and spirit Lack of awareness is negligence that

has become habit.

The insensitive man complains about what has happened and does not stop eating what is

harmful.

When we are first awakened to the spiritual life and introduced to its depths, we are

awestruck and experience a godly fear but then what happens?

Insensitivity develops when we allow a division to exist between our words and our actions.

We need to do more about our Orthodox Christianity than talk about itwe must live it!

We live it by following the teachings of the church.

When have I arrived? For the Orthodox, the word is never on this earth. We must

constantly strive, pushing ourselves to a higher plain as an athlete preparing for a

competition. The difference between the athlete on earth and a soul attaining salvation is

that we strive for the crown of glory in heaven rather than on earth that does not fade away.

What should we be struggling with? Struggle to forgive, to fast, to love, to give, not to

judge, to live a moral life in an immoral world.

Orthodoxy according to Fr. Alexander Schmemann should not be reduced to a set of rules

and rituals which must be performed by rote. Orthodoxy is not a religion, it is life!

What can I do this week to be less insensitive and live my faith?

1. pray daily

2. be kind to others

3. do not judge others

4. volunteer to do something at the church

Let us be serious about this life which we have received.