Step 1: Renunciation

just for the sake of doing so. Rather, it means that given the choice between all these and Christ, we choose Christ:

“He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.” (Matt. 10:37–38)

But let us not forget that, for most of us, it is through these blessings that we learn to love Christ. If the monastery is the arena for the spiritual training (ascesis) of the monk, then the home, the family, the workplace, the busy urban street are the arenas for those in the world. We must choose the way of life that is most conducive to our spiritual progress. As St. John writes:

The real servants of Christ, using the help of spiritual fathers and also their own self-understanding, will make every effort to select a place, a way of life, an abode, and the exercises that suit them. Community life is not for everyone, because of gluttonous tendencies, and the solitary life is not for everybody, on account of the tendency to anger. Let each seek out the most appropriate way.

Do not think monasticism is the only way to holiness. Even outside monastic life, by confronting all of life’s temptations and adversities with patience, humility, and love, especially in our dealings with others—family, friends, colleagues, strangers, enemies—it is possible to reach the very summit of virtue.

There are many roads to holiness—and to hell. A path wrong for one will suit another, yet what each is doing is pleasing to God.

As St. Symeon the New Theologian writes, “Provided they live a worthy life, both those who choose to dwell in the midst of noise and hubbub and those who dwell in monasteries,