...we must first scrutinize thoroughly anything appearing in our hearts or any saying suggested to us. Has it come purified from the divine and heavenly fire of the Holy Spirit? Or does it lean toward Jewish superstition? Is its surface piety something which has come down from bloated worldly philosophy? We must examine this most carefully, doing as the apostle bids us: 'Do not believe in every spirit, but make sure to find out if spirits are from God'.
Interpretation
The quote emphasizes the importance of discerning the origins of our thoughts and beliefs to ensure they align with divine truth rather than human superstition or worldly philosophy.
John Cassian highlights the necessity of critically examining our inner thoughts and the messages we receive. He urges us to evaluate whether these influences are genuinely inspired by the Holy Spirit or if they stem from misguided beliefs and worldly philosophies. This reflection is crucial to ensure that our understanding and convictions are rooted in divine truth rather than in human tradition or superficial piety.
In practice
During a spiritual retreat, one might share this quote to encourage participants to reflect on the authenticity of their beliefs.
We are often indifferent to our brethren who are distressed or upset, on the grounds that they are in this state through no fault of ours. The Doctor of souls, however, wishing to root out the soul's excuses from the heart, tells us to leave our gift and to be reconciled not only if we happen to be upset by our brother, but also if he is upset by us, whether justly or unjustly; only when we have healed the breach through our apology should we offer our gift.
If you wish to attain to true knowledge of the Scriptures, hasten to acquire first an unshakeable humility of heart. That alone will lead you, not to the knowledge that puffs up, but to that which enlightens, by the perfecting of love.
The Doctor of our souls has placed the remedy in the hidden regions of the soul.
All thought of something is at the same time self-consciousness [...] At the root of all our experiences and all our reflections, we find [...] a being which immediately recognises itself, [...] and which knows its own existence, not by observation and as a given fact, nor by inference from any idea of itself, but through direct contact with that existence. Self-consciousness is the very being of mind in action.
Identify the dominant philosophy of a society and you can predict its future.
The idea that putting Americans 'first' requires a withdrawal from the world is simply wrongheaded because a retreat would achieve exactly the opposite for our citizens.
The veneration of Mary is inscribed in the very depths of the human heart
This is what a city is, bits and pieces that supplement each other and support each other.
There is more in you of good than you know, child of the kindly West. Some courage and some wisdom, blended in measure. If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.
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