So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.” But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” And God said, “I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you[b] will worship God on this mountain.” Exodus 3:10-12
“Those who have surrendered themselves to God, deceive themselves if they suppose that they have no need of a director. Those who came out of Egypt had Moses as their guide, and those who fled from Sodom had an angel. The former are like those who are healed of the passions of the soul by the care of physicians: these are they who come out of Egypt. The latter are like those who long to put off the uncleanness of the wretched body. That is why they need a helper, an angel, so to speak, or at least one equal to an angel. For in proportion to the corruption of our wounds we need a director who is indeed an expert and a physician.”
John Climacus (6th century monk) in The Ladder of Divine Ascent, translated by Archimandrite Lazarus Moore (Harper & Brothers, 1959) 2.
The Ladder of Divine Ascent is a 30-step guide to monastic maturity. The 30 steps mirror the 30 years Christ spent in preparation. This serves as a template for a Christian’s journey toward maturity.
It outlines a spiritual journey from earthly detachment to divine love, emphasizing obedience, humility, and battling vices like anger, greed, and gluttony.
This week we will look at what John Climacus might say is needful for our own maturity and growth in generosity. On step 1 of 30 in his classic work, we learn that we need a guide.
That’s the role I feel God leading me to play in writing these daily meditations for nearly 17 years. I serve as your guide, like Moses, not because I know it all, but because God has called me to do it.
This also explains why I repeatedly invite you to surrender yourself to God. To pray the Surrender Novena daily: “Jesus I surrender myself to you, take care of everything.”
Why? The posture of surrender positions us for generous living, giving, serving, and loving, as Christ’s power and provision flows through us. If this seems hard, don’t fear.
Let me serve as your guide. Read these meditations daily. And stay tuned for an updated website to share widely with others.