Modern Day Monastic

I have given up tv for Lent (especially downloads) and already I'm finding other outlets for my procrastination. But since I don't consider updating my blog procrastination I am going to make a concerted effort at posting a little more often. Currently I am 'procrastinating' from doing my readings for History of Christianity. Next week we will be looking at monasticism in the 4th century so that's what I've been reading about this afternoon...until I started surfing the net. But back to the monasticism, I am just floored at the parallels I see with our society. Or maybe I'm surprised at how much I can relate to these early monastics - those who were seeking solitude from the world.

The earliest monastics were hermits who simply wanted to escape the stresses and distractions of society. By isolating themselves they could dedicate more time to studying scripture and furthering their own spiritual growth. However, if they were 'successful' they would of course gain followers and their knowledge and spiritual discipline would gain them renown, sometimes throughout the empire. Soon they would find themselves being called back to the 'real world' to positions of leadership in the church (even against their wishes at times). Eventually monasticism became a communal enterprise and apparently many people became converts to Christianity because they were attracted by the ideals of simplistic living and service.

I find myself caught in this web between wanting to move to the country, far far away from the 'hustle and bustle' of the city life; to escape what sometimes feels like madness to be closer to nature and to God. But then I feel this call to ministry and service - something that of course cannot be done in isolation. Somehow it was very comforting to realise that my desire to cut myself off from the craziness of this world isn't a new thing. Although our globalised world is wholly different from the 4th century Roman Empire there were perhaps more similarities than we are sometime aware. And I know that no matter how often I try to escape the world I will be drawn back into it...and that's probably a good thing.