More on Monasticism

OK, so I began to write about monasticism, but later I kept thinking about it.  The question you might be asking is, Why should I live like this?  Why would anyone live like this?

I could say, if you're called to it you'll want to.  But I think sometimes we can't hear a call until it's distinguished from other sounds by a conversation or an insight.  So, here's my attempt to sketch a distinction.

Many people associate monasticism with renunciation, focusing on what you can't do.  And it's true, traditional monasticism has vows that limit or exclude some activities that most of us like.  But that's not the point.  The point is to share our lives with others on the way to God, centering our lives on God and in God.  Any particular commitments gain legitimacy only insofar as they further that purpose.  So don't get confused by the history: many religious orders were modeled more on a military hierarchy than on a spiritual community.

Monasticism is rooted in the monos - the one.  While living in community, we are thrown back onto ourselves, forced to confront those parts of ourselves that make life difficult for ourselves and others and God.  We aim for the one pearl of great price - knowing God.  That's not to the exclusion of other people - we learn that we will know God primarily through those other people, just as they are.

Having children doesn't necessarily bar you from living a monastic life.  Having a life partner doesn't.  Having a job, civic commitments - we can do all these things as "monastics," grounded in a shared life of prayer and worship.  The distinguishing feature is our purpose.   Where is my treasure?  Where is the center of my life?  What am I about?

Not all lives devoted to glorifying God are monastic.  People can devote themselves to God through lives of active service.  That's good too, but monastic life is centered on prayer and worship in common.  As one of our advisors says, "one roof, one kitchen."  One chapel.  So "ideally" you will do this with others (maybe with us!).  But you can live a version of this with a network of others, sharing prayer and worship and study and the occasional meal.  You can share the hunger for God alone, together.

So why live like this?  Because it brings deep joy.  Because knowing God, knowing God's love for us and ours for God, is a treasure beyond anything on earth.  That's not to denigrate all the other joys in life; it's to say that there's another frontier.  Life together is a life of glimpses of that joy, glimpses of God in one another and in oneself and in creation.  It's a life of shared purpose, strengthening us to be the people we're called to be.  Beyond our wildest dreams, people!  Go for it.