Devout Seclusion

But the report concerning him spread much more, and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by him of their infirmities. But he withdrew himself into the desert, and prayed.

—Luke 5:15-16

Around A.D. 275, following the death of his wealthy parents, a young man named Anthony gave all his family wealth to the poor, consigned his unmarried sister to a Christian community, and began a life of devout seclusion. He eventually attracted disciples which he organized into a community. And while Saint Anthony of Egypt was not the first Christian hermit, he became known as the "Father of Monasticism," and was the inspiration for similar communities.

Monasticism is a religious way of life in which one renounces worldly pursuits to devote themself fully to spiritual work. Many monastics live in monasteries to separate themselves from the secular world. The Christian monk embraces the monastic life as a vocation for God. His goal is to attain eternal life in God’s presence. 

Another monk and founder of monastic communities was Saint Benedict of Nursia (c. A.D. 480 - c. A.D. 547). Benedict’s communities, and others, followed the golden rule of Ora et Labora—Pray and Work, with each day composed of eight hours of prayer, eight hours of sleep, and eight hours of manual work, sacred readings and works of charity. 

Monks and nuns make religious vows when entering the monastic life. These vows are the basis for their life and conduct. One of the earliest vows in Christian monastic tradition is the “Benedictine vow,” which is still made to this day by all candidates that join Benedictine communities. Each candidate makes vows of “stability, obedience and conversion.” These vows have much to say to those of us not living in a monastery or convent:

Stability refers to the importance of community and commitment in life. While we all may not be a member of a monastic order, we can make our vow of stability to our families, to our faith communities, to our local and global communities, and to our fellow pilgrims along the journey of faith. In addition, we can embrace stability in our stewardship of the world God has given to our care.

Obedience comes from the Latin word obedire, meaning “to pay attention to,” or “to listen to.” The practice of attentive listening is foundational to the Benedictine Rule of Life. Benedict wrote that everyone in the community needed to listen to one another, and that sometimes God speaks through the youngest person in the community. Obedience can be a heavy word for us today. Yet a healthy, balanced view of obedience—as a way of cultivating a disciplined, intentional life that is yearning to be obedient to God—is a desire of many people today and this makes the vow of obedience relevant. Obedience can entail a healthy sense of humility (self-knowledge) and of respecting and following the guides, leaders, teachers, and fellow travelers who are guiding you on your path towards God.

Conversion (or Transformation, if you will) is not confined to a one-time experience. Transformation of life reminds the monastic that everything he or she does is from, for, and with God and that God transforms us continually.  The vow tells them they are to acknowledge that transformation and be open to it.  For those of us not in the monastery, transformation is an ongoing process as well, one that helps us walk continually in the presence of God. In order to open our ears to God’s voice and our eyes to God’s presence among us, Benedict tells us we must keep our hearts and our minds open to the ways that God is moving us. An open heart is one that allows balanced practices of prayer, work, study, hospitality, and renewal to illuminate the ways that God is working within us and within the world.

Though we may not have chosen for ourselves a season of seclusion, we each can turn it into a season of devout seclusion—using it to allow God further inroad to our life. And as we pray and work, may we seek God’s love and guidance, to be stable, to be obedient, and to transform for His glory.

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