Geronta, what should someone answer to young children who ask if the monastic life is higher than the married life?
First, help them to understand what is man’s destiny and the meaning of life. Next, explain that the Church blesses both of these paths, because both are able to lead them to Paradise if they live according to God’s will. Let’s say that two people set out on a pilgrimage. The first goes by bus, while the other goes on foot; but they both have the same destination. God rejoices in the first just as he is amazed by the second. What’s bad is when the one who goes by footpath judges the one who goes by bus, or vice versa.
It’s good for youth who think about monasticism to know that the monk’s vocation is very great: it is to become an Angel. Christ told the Sadducees that in the next life, in Heaven, we will live as Angels. [1] For this reason many youth—those with much philotimo [2]—become monastics and begin the angelic life in this life. Read more →
Both the Married and Celibate Life are Blessed
Geronta, what should someone answer to young children who ask if the monastic life is higher than the married life?
First, help them to understand what is man’s destiny and the meaning of life. Next, explain that the Church blesses both of these paths, because both are able to lead them to Paradise if they live according to God’s will. Let’s say that two people set out on a pilgrimage. The first goes by bus, while the other goes on foot; but they both have the same destination. God rejoices in the first just as he is amazed by the second. What’s bad is when the one who goes by footpath judges the one who goes by bus, or vice versa.
It’s good for youth who think about monasticism to know that the monk’s vocation is very great: it is to become an Angel. Christ told the Sadducees that in the next life, in Heaven, we will live as Angels. [1] For this reason many youth—those with much philotimo [2]—become monastics and begin the angelic life in this life. Read more →