The Evergetinos - Vol. I, Hypothesis XI, Part II and Hypothesis XII, Part I

Thank you everyone who participated in the Evergetinos study group: Such beautiful readings tonight!  I know this is an oft repeated observation that I make, but there was something in the readings this evening that struck deep to the heart. The conclusion of Hypothesis 11 spoke to us about the deep union enjoyed by individuals who shared a common love of the kingdom and pursuit of love and faith in this world. The deeper our purity of heart, we were told, the more clearly will we see the brightness of God’s glory and participate in it. All of this should spur us on to seek God above all things. In beginning hypothesis 12, we discussed the formation of children in the life of faith. There is a deep need, from the earliest of years of life, to form a child in their desire to please God and in their love for virtue. Parents should rejoice in those trials of their children that are endured for the sake of Christ. This in turn calls parents to pursue the saintly life themselves. How can they encourage their children to long for the kingdom unless they have a similar yearning within their own hearts?  We were given the most beautiful story of the tender love of a mother for a son who was martyred. Her joy over her son’s participation in the glory of her Lord and her solidarity in the sufferings of her son was nothing short of extraordinary. She was no passive participant in the formation of her child; nor was she apassive participant in his suffering and thus deserving a share in the promised of glory.  Such stories reshape our understanding of existence and what it is that we value and cherish the most. --- Text of chat during the group: 00:33:44 Eric Williams: Nerdy Thomist? Is there any other kind? ;)   00:34:04 Ashley Kaschl: 😂😂   01:07:19 Daniel Allen: Wow   01:22:12 Carol Nypaver: Thank you, Father!