The Value of Asceticism

Jake and Brett have a rich conversation covering everything from the principle of asceticism, to how true self-actualization is found in Christ, to what it means for us to be living in what George Weigel describes as the ‘Age of Witness’. The hosts challenge us to consider what captures our attention and time, and reveal how giving up good things to pursue something greater can offer us freedom and intimacy in our friendship with Christ.

 

Guiding Quote:

 

It would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased. - CS Lewis

 

Key Points

 

The podcast will be switching to seasons soon to be able to dive deeper into certain themes Asceticism = disciplines that bring about purification of the soul The Purgative Way = renunciation of sin in our lives in order to orient our lives towards the Lord The important distinction between the purgative way and asceticism  What it means to seek a greater good Some common things we are enchanted with that can be a distraction How to find out if you’re addicted to something: try giving it up How asceticism can point us towards the condition of our hearts Moving from the age of apologetics to the age of witness and what this means for Christians The importance of good psychology grounded in an accurate understanding of the human person in this new age

 

Discussion Questions

 

What stood out to you in this episode? What do you find yourself enchanted by, or in other words what do you spend the most time on? How would pulling back from this allow you to deepen your friendship with Jesus? What feels impossible to give up in my life? Challenge yourself to be free of that thing over the next two weeks. What areas of your life are hard to trust that God will be able to provide for or satisfy?

 

Resources

 

Exodus 90 The Utter Relief of Holiness, John Eldredge (book) Redemptor Hominis, Pope John Paul II (encyclical)

 

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Editing by Forte Catholic