I have been in conversation with Maximos for 142 days. My original intent was to draw on the Philokalia as a segue to Yom Kippur. It has been much more than that.

We have disagreed regarding passion. Maximos mistrusts it and encourages its suppression. I perceive passion to be a gift, but like all God's gifts requiring purposeful and mindful use.

In arguing across the 1400 years separating us, I am sure I did not always fully understand the argument Maximos was making. But the discussion has been productive.

In defending the passions I found a principle. How does the passionate thought, attitude, action, whatever... effect my relationship with God and with my neighbor?

To the extent these relationships would be weakened or division would result, we ought be very careful regarding our passions. God intends for us to heal and bind, not hurt and divide.

Like all principles, this one can be ambivalent. Application will not resolve every ambiguity. In seeking to strengthen our relationships we will sometimes achieve the opposite.

But the trinity of self, neighbor, and God has, from this conversation, been lifted up in a new and powerful way. I thank God and thank Maximos for provoking this insight.

I have come to another long lacuna in my source for the Philokalia. I will use this as an opportunity to adopt a new source: The Ladder of Divine Ascent sometimes known as the Climax by Saint John Climacus.

This Saint John was born a few years before Maximos. While Maximos was active in the imperial capital of Constantinople, John chose the ascetic life at St. Catherine's in the Sinai.

The Ladder of Divine Ascent is a principal Lenten reading in the Eastern church. This year the Great Lent of the East will begin on February 15. We are already within a season the eastern church considers pre-Lent. So for the next eight weeks or so I will draw on John Climacus for morning meditation.

The Ladder consists of short chapters rather than the convenient short paragraphs of Maximos. As a result I will be plucking certain paragraphs out of context. If you wish to read the full context Google provides an online copy.