Marriage or Monasticism?
Marriage or Monasticism?
Question
I am hesitant. I do not know my path: is it marriage or monasticism? What do you advise me?
Answer
If you are hesitant, do not hasten into monasticism.
For the one who loves monasticism alone does not think about marriage at all. The idea of marriage does not occupy him, nor does it represent a desire within him. If he desires this matter, it is dangerous for him to become a monk, especially if he is sometimes struggling with sexual temptations, for these struggles may return to him after entering monasticism…
Hesitation indicates instability of thought.
It also indicates instability of purpose or direction.
Therefore, waiting is better until the Lord makes His will clear.
But if the thought of monasticism has been completely fixed within you for a long time, and you have no bodily desires driving you toward marriage,
then perhaps the thought of marriage is a warfare from Satan to prevent you from monasticism.
This becomes clear if the thought comes from outside you and not from within you. You resist it with all your heart, yet it continues to press upon you. At the same time, your faith in the monastic way springs from the depths of your being and is firmly established within you.
If this is the case, do not be troubled. Rather, it is good for you to be patient and pray that the Lord may reveal to you the path that He desires for you.
Do not hasten into marriage lest you regret it. Rather, wait.
The time will come when God will deliver you from your hesitation.
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