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From martyrdom to monasticism

From martyrdom to monasticism. What is martyrdom and why was it considered the best form of discipleship?. Martyrdom was the model of discipleship Once Christianity was legal, people began moving into the desert: If everybody’s Christian, who takes it seriously?

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From martyrdom to monasticism

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  1. From martyrdom to monasticism

  2. What is martyrdom and why was it considered the best form of discipleship?

  3. Martyrdom was the model of discipleship • Once Christianity was legal, people began moving into the desert: • If everybody’s Christian, who takes it seriously? • Live a more radical Christian lifestyle • What Biblical stories might give people a calling to move to the desert? Changes in society

  4. Jesus 40 days in desert (Mk1:11-13) Man does not live by bread alone, but by every Word that comes from the mouth of God My food is to do the will of the one who sent me and to finish his work Jesus going off in private to pray. (Mt 14:13; 14:23; 17:1; 20:17; Mk 6:30) Pray without ceasing. You are in the world, but not of the world. Do not conform yourself to the present generation. Early Christian Communities – all things in common, breading of bread and Praying in temple area – Acts 2:44-46 Give away everything and follow me. Example of John the Baptist Scripture passages that would lead people into the desert

  5. What did you learn about discipleship from the martyrdom model of discipleship in the early Church? Review

  6. Monos (Gr.) “alone” – • gone apart to be one with God into desert • Anchoritic – solitary monks seeking God, or communities of hermits • Cenobitic – groups of monks • This became the norm, as men and women quickly found that communal life (prayer, Sacraments, advice, example) was vital to living a Christian life. Monks

  7. Prayer/Contemplation – contemplation of God was main goal • Psalms & Scripture– used psalms as the basis for prayer - Psalter • Sacraments – participate in Sacraments & were under authority of • a local bishop – fought against many heresies of the day. • Community Support/Guidance –formed through advice of elders – humility and attentiveness to older monks was necessary. • Ascetic lifestyle – simple lifestyle, renouncing goods of this world, celibate. Gave up good things for something greater: God. • Work – necessary for survival, but not for monetary gain. • Fasting – to have control over body, lessen passions. • food as metaphor for sin – enters into our body and changes us – need to be aware Practices of early desert monks

  8. Anthony – born 251 • first of the fathers, moved to desert around 270 or 300 • Exemplar of anchoritic monastic life • Pachomius(330AD) – • early community of monks in Egypt • Cassian (late 4th century) • traveled to many monasteries throughout Empire and recorded the life and wisdom of various desert fathers (Abba Moses, Paphnutius, Issac) • Benedict – • wrote a rule for monastic life compiled from other monks, which became the standard for monastic life. Major Figures in Early Western Monasticism

  9. Slow Down! • Reflect! • LectioDivina – divine reading • Allow room for God to speak through the text. • Read for wisdom, not information. Reading Desert fathers and mothers

  10. How does this reflect my life & experiences? How does it challenge me and offer new direction? What must I do differently to put this into practice? Write a ¾ page reflection to be turned in and discussed. Read article 17 in the textbook. Questions to consider

  11. What did you learn about discipleship from the monastic (monk) model of discipleship in the Church? Review

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