All this talk about inclusion--how about excluding (onesself)

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We have altar girls and women lectors galore (despite 1 Cor 14 and 2 Tim). That has women wanting to be priestesses. St Francis was so humble as to not accept the high honor (that is no negative statement on those who want to be priests to serve God, because it is not some socialist agenda that moves them). St. Francis knew how much the devil would have it out for him if he accepted the offer and noone with a darkened intellect from any Pride can do well as a priest for long–especially id unpopular truths are what he’ll teach. The Priesthood is not some high position in a corporation.

Anyway…Instead of being so concerned about who is not being included, including ourselves, why not ask how we, ourselves, can exclude ourselves from honors, privileges, entertainment, a lot of friends, many of which may be detrimental to our souls, etc.
 
Lord, my heart is not exalted: nor are my eyes lofty. Neither have I walked in great matters, nor in wonderful things above me. :bible1: Psalms 130:1
 
work(name removed by moderator)rogress:
We have altar girls and women lectors galore (despite 1 Cor 14 and 2 Tim). That has women wanting to be priestesses. St Francis was so humble as to not accept the high honor (that is no negative statement on those who want to be priests to serve God, because it is not some socialist agenda that moves them). St. Francis knew how much the devil would have it out for him if he accepted the offer and noone with a darkened intellect from any Pride can do well as a priest for long–especially id unpopular truths are what he’ll teach. The Priesthood is not some high position in a corporation.

Anyway…Instead of being so concerned about who is not being included, including ourselves, why not ask how we, ourselves, can exclude ourselves from honors, privileges, entertainment, a lot of friends, many of which may be detrimental to our souls, etc.
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A monk told me one time that most cowards are behind monestary walls… Now, i am not about to call anyone behind monestary or convent walls a coward, nor was he… his point was, its hard out there in the cruel, cruel world and lots of people retreat to what they think is a less stressful existance, i.e, the monestary, it doesn’t take long however to discover that hiding is not the answer… Mother Thereas didn’t exclude herself from the world, awards, or friends thank God… she didn’t exclude, she just didn’t let them rule or control who she was… but thank God she was out there as a shining becon for all to see… not off in obscurity behind a convent wall… Thank God for all those who are behind the walls praying for us as well, but i really think we need a few more beacons… i.e., Bishop Sheen, Mother Theresa, maybe it’s time for another Joan of Arc… 👍
 
I read a book about Mary and Martha regarding the contemplative life. It gave a good defense for being contemplative. I don’t know if it was directly implying joining a monastery, but I think it could apply. After all, Jesus seemed to make a more positive example of Mary, though I wouldn’t believe he didn’t appreciate Martha’s efforts.
We are an active (maybe hyperactive) society. Not everyone is a busybody (not that there’s anything wrong with that) or feel they need to be and some feel a life of mostly prayer is their calling. Besides, who’s to say they are escaping any “Real world”? Is not heaven the “Real World” and do not the angels and saints spend eternity praising and imploring God for others?
As for real world experiences, people are people and St. Therese experienced that with the nun who was always getting upset with her for nothing. You can’t escape human imperfections. Supernaturally, for those with special graces or try super hard, with God’s grace, to please God, I believe Satan physically attacked St Anthony of Padua and he was not the only one. People in the “real world” have to go to work and make a living–many for others’ sakes as well as their own. It sounds like monastic life. Bosses are not always the easiest to live with–read about any saints who reformed their convents/monasteries.
I think monks just live an alternate, yet somewhat the same and pleasing-to-God-lifestyle. I know in Far-Eastern cultures as well as Western cultures, it was not uncommon for a repentant sinner to escape the world that tempted them to some kind of seroius sin. In these days those temptations are worse than ever. Of course, some were probably sent there (to become monks or live their lifestyle) unrepentant also.

Just a thought
 
As I was praying this morning, I felt the Holy Spirit reprimand me and ask that I stop focusing so much of my prayer on my needs and focus on others.

It was a good awakening…to have to be told by the Holy Spirit I was spiritually selfish.
 
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