THE MONASTIC STRUGGLE

It is impossible to be with God and human beings at the same time, this has been said by many elders who have sought the most intimate communion with God by entering the monastic life and adhering to strict ascetic struggle. Asceticism, coming from the Greek word for athlete, are exercises by which we keep our body and soul in control so that it may be presentable to the Lord. To enter into a life of communion with the Lord, requires our full departure from the world. Once we have parted from the world, unlike the wife of Lot, we do not and never should turn back, but constantly move closer and closer to the Beloved, and further that the world which ensnares us. There indeed can be many distractions to developing this life of communion, for even a remembrance of an upcoming encounter with another person can be enough to distract us from the calmness needed for contemplating the Lord and His glory. It is of urgent necessity for there to be obedience to the Lord’s will, placing aside our desires and thoughts, and conforming ourselves to the will of the Lord who provides us with everything for our benefit. It is also of necessity to develop stillness, that is, a quiet and humble spirit, as this is what makes us truly alive rather than dead like those attached to the vain world. We must ‘die to ourselves’ if we are to truly live. We must live in Christ by whom we have our being, who indeed created us from nothing. This death means we flee from the fleshly passions that wage war against our souls. "If you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you shall live." (Romans 8:13)

Monasticism is the ideal for the Church, it is the standard by which it measures itself, but this is not to say that all are called to live in monasteries, but indeed all are called to have the ‘monastery in ther own backyard’. This means, that all are called to incorporate the virtues of the monastic life- humility, obedience, ceaseless prayer. As Saint Gregory Palamas states, " Cleansing can also be accomplished by those who live in marriage…Those who live in the world must force themselves to use the things of this world in conformity to the commandments of God." The Saint also says, " God loving monasticism and God given marriage (are virtuous paths to) fulfil the commandments."

In having dissatisfaction with the world, we can look to three examples- the intellectual aspect as shown forth by Saint Justin Martyr as he shought the light of knowledge of the Divine Essence; in the appetitive aspect as in the example of Blessed Augustine who sought peace for his troubled heart; and the incessive aspect, as in the case of Saint Moses the Ethiopian who examined carefully his conscience and repented in the fullest.

GUIDANCE FOR YOUTH FOR THEIR SPIRITUAL LIFE

from +Hieromonk Dionysios

Young people, preserve the grace which you received at baptism! Everyone realizes at some point that they are human, but if one preserves the enormous gift of grace within them, they will find themselves to be Christians. From this, he will learn that the path given to him by grace is the only path leading to his salvation, all other paths lead to perdition. This can be readily evidenced by us merely examining the chaotic state of the world, and in particular with young people, looking at the various ‘paths’ they have chosen, leaving God behind, which has led to distress, addiction, and suicide. Our attitude as Saint Theophan tells us is that we should say, "I am a Christian, obliged by my Saviour and God to live in such a way so as to be vouchsafed the blessed communion with Him and with His chosen ones in the future life."

Do not lose conviction in learning that our chief work is the pleasing of God. As Saint Theophan teaches, an excessive desire for learning apart from this is poisonous and ruinous and can lead us to immorality. There are some who try to distinguish faith from learning, but this should not be done, a simple spirit is imbued with principles of learning just as it receives faith and is penetrated by it.

Even a young person should have someone he can confer with in regards to spiritual questions. This will help give him strength to fight the many temptations that beset us. We should also be careful in our choice of ‘friends’. A true friend is one who suffers with us, who uplifts us in virtue, and will always stand with us even in times of trial. A true friendship is a trinity, two persons with Christ in the middle. But these days, many relationships which we call ‘friendships’ are nothing of the sort, but often acquaintances which often lead to our downfall, as in the case of peer pressure to use drugs. Saint Theophan says, " Thus, every young man is rightly advised to be careful in choice of a friend. It is good not to conclude friendships until the friend has been tested. It is even better to have as one’s first friend one’s father, or a relative who is experienced and good. For one who has resolved to live in a Christian way, the first friend given to him by God is his spiritual father. Converse with him, entrust our secrets to him, ponder what he says, learn. Under his guidance, with prayer, God will send some other friend also, if it is necessary."

Young people begin to develop a sense of the ‘beautiful’ and feelings of loneliness, as well as the so called need to please others. This can be particularly damaging, as it can lead one into fornication, teen pregnancy, and other unfavorable scenarios which will always burden the soul. To alleviate these things, one needs to be serious with attention, not letting the mind wander, and need to discipline themselves. Those who lack discipline or as those who open the gates of the city, allowing the enemy to readily attack.

Preserve the treasure bestowed upon you, young people, and have courage and strength despite temptations, despite even the trials and scandals even within the Church. Christ is calling each of you, love and uphold His Church, you are the future. Nothing worthy is without struggles, so fear not, immerse yourself in Him who is our only hope.

From "Night in the Desert of the Holy Mountain" by Metropolitan HIEROTHEOS