Posted on 10/04/2008 10:00:19 PM PDT by Salvation
I don't think that any are called to be hermits I do believe that all are called to share the faith. The bible says we are not to hide the give of salvation from the world.
And WOW do we differ! Mama mia! (if you'll excuse the Marian reference ... heh heh heh)
When Dominic started out (around 1206) to deal with Albigensianism and to form a group of like-minded priests who were especially inclined to preaching and evangelism, he was moved to establish a convent of enclosed nuns at a place in France called Prouille. As I understand it, he was providing shelter and occupation for young women who had left the Catharist heresy and had probably left behind the whole 13th century feudal and social structure which would provide them with a "situation" -- a husband and so forth. It was in that sense a work of mercy.
But Dominic was smart and the nuns were asked to lead lives of prayer to support the mission of the friars who would be more "in the world" engaged in evangelism and apologetics. (And to this day "2nd order" Dominicans are enclosed nuns who lead lives of prayer, which doesn't keep them from some works of mercy as well.) A friend of mine is preparing to "test her vocation" as one of these nuns.
Logistics rule warfare as armies move on their bellies, and not just the bellies of the men, but those of the weapons. Outrunning or overextending supply lines leads either to the dazzling heroism of Grant's campaign on Vicksburg or to starving Germans at Stalingrad.
We,you and I, are in the front lines. We contend with Satan in politics -- local, national, and international -- and in our work, and even in our family lives, in a world where marriage is scorned, parents mocked, and children are seduced.
When I am struggling to be a decent citizen, daddy, husband, and member of my community, I consider myself and you, to be assisted materially by the prayers of others. I'm glad for those prayers and for the people who offer them.
But the background world-view difference is this. I think I am never alone. Not only is God with me through Christ in the Spirit, but Christ's body also is with me, and as a cell in my little toe is nourished by the alimentary activities of the distant mouth and organs of digestion, so I am strengthened by the prayers of hermits and enclosed "religious". That's my view: a life charged and influenced by God Himself and with the angels and saints, those in heaven and those still here.
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