What a blessing it is to read slowly. It allows insights to unfold before our minds and imaginations that we often would not be attentive to due to our typical need to rush. Hurry, most often, comes from the evil one who seeks to undermine our peace. It is lingering over the thoughts of the fathers on idleness that we begin to understand that what they are talking about is not simply avoiding laziness and sloth. They are revealing to us that keeping our focus upon God in mind and body, that is with the whole self, we grow in our capacity to love God and others. 

Virtue forms within the soul from engaging in our tasks with love and humility. Our willingness to take up that which is simple and perhaps menial in the eyes of the world and to do so with love is what is seen by God. Pushing a broom, if done with love, draws us to the very heart of God. Whereas imbalance in our labor, whether it is driving ourselves harshly or laziness, makes us lose sight of the glory of God in all things. May we listen well as we sit at the feet of the fathers, so that we might live our lives and engage in our work with minds and hearts fixed on God.

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Text of chat during the group:

00:41:21 Rachel: I think it important to be clear that panic attacks when endured with patience, can be meritorious. Putting ones trust in God when flooded with waves of panic. The peace of Christ is a gift of God and I wonder, little by little one will find the peace of Christ within the storm. Patience, will teach one to see. Trust in God, He will reveal Himself in these moments00:41:56 Steve Yu: Reacted to "I think it important…" with 👍00:44:59 Susanna Joy: Wow...look at you know, though!!!00:45:36 Susanna Joy: You totally overcame and are presenting CONSTANTLY! 🙏🏻🌟AMDG...00:52:08 Susanna Joy: Our work becomes the altarspace...01:05:26 Suzanne: This is a really good class tonight.01:06:13 Paul G.: Replying to "This is a really goo…"+101:06:19 Andrew Adams: Reacted to "This is a really goo..." with 👍01:06:34 Sharon Fisher: Reacted to "This is a really goo…" with ❤️01:07:36 Sharon Fisher: Agreed - I love the asides to discuss practical application!01:11:57 Vanessa: Same with Jacinta and Francisco Marto (Lady of Fatima)01:12:10 Rebecca Thérèse: Therese's mother died when she was only five and she spent her whole life grief-stricken01:15:30 Suzanne: Great points.01:16:32 Vanessa: Reacted to "This is a really goo..." with ❤️01:17:01 Rebecca Thérèse: Thank you🙂01:17:10 Louise: Thanks, Fr. Abernethy!01:17:18 Suzanne: Ash Wednesday!01:17:43 Suzanne: God bless all and God prosper our Lent!01:18:12 Sharon Fisher: Many thanks!01:18:18 Andrew Adams: Thank you Father!01:18:19 Sophia: Thank you so much, fr.Abernethy. God bless you!01:19:07 Adam Paige: Reacted to "Therese's mother die…" with 😞01:21:29 Arthur Danzi: Thank you Father!01:21:31 Steve Yu: I was having similar thoughts before joining tonight! I felt too tired but I’m so glad I was able to make it! Thank God!01:21:42 Vanessa: These classes are the highlight of my week🙂  Thank you01:21:50 Rebecca Thérèse: Thank youfor persevering