In the Christian life, there are two paths to salvation, and whichever road you choose must be embraced with your whole being. The married state and monasticism both have as their primary means of aiding in our salvation the acquisition of a humble and a contrite heart. Without having attained humility, there is no salvation.
The salvific role of the institution of marriage and the monastic vocation is based on the destruction of self-will. In marriage the husband and wife are charged with being obedient to one another. The symbolism of the crowns used in the Orthodox marriage ceremony represents the crowns of martyrdom: death to self. The obedience a monk gives to his abbot, and the obedience to the Typicon of the community the abbot gives himself over to, are likewise paths to the destruction of self-will. The ego is the enemy, for like the tempting of Adam and Eve in the Garden, Satan uses the ego to keep us from communion with God.
When we are disobedient to our spouse or the rule of the monastery, God’s Grace departs from us. If we argue with our spouse or our abbot, it is pride and self-will that rule, and we become the losers.
When we give ourselves over to humble obedience, Grace abounds! Each day we should begin with the prayer, “Lord Jesus Christ, help me to pass through this day without sin.” The use of the Jesus Prayer throughout the day is also a good way to keep ourselves centered in that plea to Christ to help us through our day. “Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me a sinner!”
The crushing of our self-will requires effort and struggle, for our fallen nature is all about our rebellion against God. Ascetic struggle, keeping the fasts, being strict with our observance of a prayer rule, and making the services at the parish the center of our week all contribute to our eventual triumph in the struggle for humbleness of heart.
God’s Grace abounds and is our ready helper. Like Saint Paul, we can say that anything good we do is Christ in us. God did not create us as robots but gave us the freedom of choice. Choose wisely, and eternal life with God is ours for all eternity.
Abbot Tryphon
All-Merciful Saviour Monastery
Vashon Island, Washington
