The Ladder of Divine Ascent
Categories: orthodox-life, monasticism, spiritual-writings
Date: 22 April 2008 12:10:42
I have been making my way, slowly, through my patron saint's The Ladder of Divine Ascent. It is a challenging read, but one I think is very profitable. One of the things I have most enjoyed, if that is the right word, is St John Climacus' vivid descriptions of the various passions, as well as virtues; and thanks must also go to the translators of my version [Colm Luibheid and Norman Russell] who have brought this out. He certainly does not pull any punches. The book was written for monastics under his leadership, so it is by nature harsh to our ears, but it does hold great profit for all, whether monastic or working out their salvation in the world.
I particularly find helpful his describing vices and virtues as offspring, or fathers and mothers, of other vices and virtues: for it is clear that some vices do give birth to other vices. And I also like the dramatic way he interrogates them, as can be seen in the quote I have given from Step 14 below. Some examples of particular sections that have moved, or challenged me, are below.
Step 5: On Penitence
Do not be surprised if you fall every day and do not surrender. Stand your ground bravely. And you may be sure that your guardian angel will respect your endurance. A fresh, warm wound is easier to heal than those that are old, neglected, and festering, and that need extensive treatment, surgery, bandaging and cauterization. Long neglect can render many of them incurable. However, all things are possible with God (Matt. 19:26).
...
Nothing equals the mercy of God or surpasses it.
Step 9: On Malice
Remembrance of wrongs comes as the final point of anger. It is a keeper of sins. It hates a just way of life. It is the ruin of virtues, the poison of the soul, a worm in the mind. It is the shame of prayer, a cutting off of supplication, a turning away from love, a nail piercing the soul. It is a pleasureless feeling cherished in the sweetness of bitterness. It is a never-ending sin, an unsleeping wrong, rancour by the hour.
Step 10: On Slander
Slander is the off-spring of hatred, a subtle and yet crass disease, a leech in hiding and escaping notice, wasting and draining away the lifeblood of love.
...
A good grape picker chooses to eat ripe grapes and does not pluck what is unripe. A charitable and sensible mind takes careful note of the virtues it observes in others, while the fool goes looking for faults and defects ...
Do not condemn. Not even if your very eyes are seeing something, for they may be deceived.
Step 14: On Gluttony
Let us put a question to this enemy of ours, the architect of our misfortunes, the gateway of passion, the fall of Adam and the ruin of Esau, this destroyer of the Israelites, the one who bares the shame of Noah, this betrayer of Gomorrah, this reproach of Lot, this killer of the sons of Eli the priest, this guide to every uncleanness. Let us ask her from whom she is born, who her children are, what enemy there is to crush her, who finally brings her low. Let us ask this bane of all men, this purchaser of everything with the gold coin of greed: "How did you gain access to us? To what does your coming lead? How do you depart from us?"
Angered by such abuse, raging and foaming, Gluttony answers us: "Why are you complaining, you who are my servants? How is it that you are trying to get away from me? Nature has bound me to you ... The reason for my being insatiable is habit ... And how is it that you are looking for the names of my offspring? If I were to count them, their number would be greater than the total of the grains of sand ... The thought of past failings is an obstacle to me, but hardly overcomes me. The thought of death is my enemy, but nothing human can really wipe me out. He who has received the Paraclete prays to Him against me; and the Paraclete, when entreated, does not allow me to act passionately ..."
John Climacus: The Ladder of Divine Ascent (The Classics of Western Spirituality), tr. Colm Luibheid, Norman Russell, Paulist Press, 1982