1. Monasticism Solitude as a Way of Discipleship: “A Response to an Empire in Chaos…”

2. “Follow me…”: A Quest for Holiness Jesus’ teaching about the Kingdom as “a pearl of great price” Jesus’ teaching about the Kingdom as “a pearl of great price” For some, the deepening relationship with Jesus brings a desire to follow Him more closely For some, the deepening relationship with Jesus brings a desire to follow Him more closely The same desire to be ready to witness with one’s life if called to do so The same desire to be ready to witness with one’s life if called to do so

3. 3 rd and 4 th Century Christians Growth of Christianity throughout the Empire Growth of Christianity throughout the Empire Outside of persecutions: Outside of persecutions: ◦ How hard is it to be a Christian? Not very ◦ Wanting to be ready should persecution arise again ◦ Find truth and meaning

4. Ascesis An athlete’s “discipline” An athlete’s “discipline” Strict self-discipline or self-control, as for religious or meditative purposes Strict self-discipline or self-control, as for religious or meditative purposes Self-discipline for the body to serve a higher purpose Self-discipline for the body to serve a higher purpose A response to the easier lifestyles/business of the world, available to Christians during times of peace A response to the easier lifestyles/business of the world, available to Christians during times of peace

5. Solitude Imitating Jesus and Moses… “longing to be Christ-like” Imitating Jesus and Moses… “longing to be Christ-like” Seeking God in solitude Seeking God in solitude To confront who they were in the face of God... To confront who they were in the face of God...

6. The Early Monastics “monos” = “alone” or “single” “monos” = “alone” or “single” Yet, not really! Yet, not really! ◦ The desire for solitude is a desire to seek God in the depths of the heart ◦ The early “Desert Fathers” would be sought out as spiritual guides Prayer, fasting, ascesis Prayer, fasting, ascesis Temptations and distractions? More ascesis! Temptations and distractions? More ascesis!

7. Monastic Discipleship… “purity of heart!” “ a personal relationship with Jesus” via Solitude “ a personal relationship with Jesus” via Solitude “ a commitment to live His message” via Ascesis… “ a commitment to live His message” via Ascesis… “support of a community” via the one-on- one support the desert fathers offered as spiritual guides “support of a community” via the one-on- one support the desert fathers offered as spiritual guides Thomas Merton: (Koch page 75) Thomas Merton: (Koch page 75)

8. Antony of Egypt (270 C.E.) Remember Luke 18:22 (read in class) Longing to be more authentically Christlike The Clergy were given prestige and power in the 3 rd Century Monastic Lifestyle in the Wilderness = “a way of rejecting a complacent and soft Christianity”

9. Antony of Egypt (270 C.E.) The “father of Monasticism” The “father of Monasticism” Both parents died at 18…thought about Luke 18 (sign from God)…have we heard this before?? Both parents died at 18…thought about Luke 18 (sign from God)…have we heard this before?? Learned about Virtue and Discipline Learned about Virtue and Discipline Known as “God-loved”, “son,” and “brother”… Known as “God-loved”, “son,” and “brother”…

10. “Love as the Fruit of Prayer” Look to “Lumen Gentium, Chapter 5” Love, Charity, Holiness, Perseverance, Working for a Purpose… The main focus of the monastic was CONTEMPLATION = silently present to the loving God

11. “Love as the Fruit of Prayer” Continued… In finding God, they would find love as well = because God is love! Leads to Hospitality = care for the poor and the sick becomes a central component in monastic life…and thus leads to a more communal way of living.

12. Basil’s Rule for Communal Monastic life…4 th Century Individual monks may become too obsessed with the harsh practices to rid themselves of demons… 4 th Century – Basil creates a rule for monks to follow within the community To Note: Basil studied to be a teacher in Constantinople/Athens; then became a hermit in Cappadocia.

13. Basil’s Rule…4 th Century Stressed “Simple Living:” ◦ ◦ Seek God in their hearts, through prayer ◦ ◦ Help the poor and care for the sick, through love ◦ ◦ Encourage intellectual work, through study

14. The Danger of the Desert On your own, it’s easy to confuse the method for the goal On your own, it’s easy to confuse the method for the goal The goal: deepening the relationship with God! (and thus transforming the inner self…) The goal: deepening the relationship with God! (and thus transforming the inner self…) The danger of the solitary ascetic was to try to control not just his/her body but the relationship through more and more discipline The danger of the solitary ascetic was to try to control not just his/her body but the relationship through more and more discipline

15. Gregory the Great (540-604 CE) Inspired by Benedict's example = wanted to be a simple monk Inspired by Benedict's example = wanted to be a simple monk Here’s what God desired: Here’s what God desired: ◦ His father dies, he sells off most of the family’s holdings and establishes a monastery ◦ At Constantinople = recognized corruption! ◦ The Pope dies and he’s elected Pope

16. Servant of the Servants of God Gregory always signed his letters this way Gregory always signed his letters this way His energy for leadership was an energy for service, and came from the monastic desires in his heart His energy for leadership was an energy for service, and came from the monastic desires in his heart

17. Pope Gregory I He hides, hoping they change their minds He hides, hoping they change their minds He gives in, and carries out his responsibilities with great energy: He gives in, and carries out his responsibilities with great energy: 1. Friend of the Poor 1. Friend of the Poor 2. Church Educator 2. Church Educator 3. Liturgical Music Innovator 3. Liturgical Music Innovator 4. Diplomat 4. Diplomat

18. Gregory the Great Friend of the Poor: ◦ ◦ Church was one of the only welfare agencies ◦ ◦ Using profits from farms owned by the church, fed many poor people ◦ ◦ Helped rebuild crumbling churches ◦ ◦ Helped rebuild walls of Rome

19. Gregory the Great Church Educator: ◦ ◦ Poorly educated clergy… ◦ ◦ Encouraged bishops to open schools for men wanting to become priests ◦ ◦ Church schools/monastery schools were the ONLY sources of education for the laity!

20. Gregory the Great Liturgical Music Innovator: ◦ ◦ Called for organized/written forms of music for liturgies Gregory developed a specific type of Music for the liturgy, which became known as the Gregorian Chant

21. Gregory the Great Diplomat: ◦ ◦ He sent missionaries to barbarian tribes to try and convert them/make alliances with them, instead of resisting and fighting… In the big picture, Gregory the Great was a smart diplomat because his tolerance of the barbarians and sending of missionaries would eventually lead to Europe being solidly Christian

22. Charlemagne (aka “Charles the Great”) Powerful general and king A bit too violent… But he values the work of monks in education, and thus encouraged building Benedictine monasteries throughout the empire.

23. A Need For Reform… Feudalism = bishops and abbots of monasteries were often powerful lords of feudal estates… Feudalism = bishops and abbots of monasteries were often powerful lords of feudal estates… Often served as government officials Often served as government officials Concern for the land led to bishops and abbots not being especially concerned with preaching the Gospel Concern for the land led to bishops and abbots not being especially concerned with preaching the Gospel Church = largest landowner in Europe!! Church = largest landowner in Europe!! Rich men could buy the office of Bishop!? Rich men could buy the office of Bishop!? King (then)… Higher Lord (then)… Landlord (then)… Serf (lowest) Concern for the poor? Concern for the poor? No more monks working in the fields?? No more monks working in the fields?? Is Feudalism a good thing…? Is Feudalism a good thing…?

24. The Reforms at Cluny 910 CE: William of Aquitaine founds a new monastery at Cluny with an unusual charter 910 CE: William of Aquitaine founds a new monastery at Cluny with an unusual charter ◦ The monks could select their abbot with no interference ◦ The only authority over the abbot would be the Pope ◦ Lived simply, prayed, gave food to the poor, ◦ A return to Benedict’s vision makes Cluny a place of spiritual formation ◦ This idea spreads! Free from feudalism!! Free from feudalism!!

25. Impact on Other Church Offices… 1073: Gregory VII, called Hildebrand… 1073: Gregory VII, called Hildebrand… “Lay investiture” develops where the feudal lord gives his new vassal (bishop or abbot) the signs of his authority “Lay investiture” develops where the feudal lord gives his new vassal (bishop or abbot) the signs of his authority The practice of lay investiture is resolved by the Concordat of Worms in 1122. The practice of lay investiture is resolved by the Concordat of Worms in 1122.

26. Impact on Papal Elections… 1059: College of Cardinals = bishops declare the election of a pope is a strictly internal matter: group of bishops alone elect the pope. 1059: College of Cardinals = bishops declare the election of a pope is a strictly internal matter: group of bishops alone elect the pope.

27. Contributions of Monasticism To the Church To the Church ◦ School of prayer ◦ Place of priestly formation (Cluny) Communal Contribution… Communal Contribution… To society To society ◦ Stability during the “dark ages” ◦ Place of education ◦ Agricultural advances