What Monks Do and Why We Need Them

[@SaintCharbelMiracleworker]

God bless Fr ignacio and all the monks and nuns of Christianity. They can be under-appreciated but they pray for the WHOLE world every day. They are all warriors of Christ. 🙏🏽

[@petrosdorizas6814]

I remember when I was studying medieval history in university, I thought it was actually very cool in Catholicism how (correct me if I'm wrong) monks were considered good for the "community's" spiritual life and not just their own because they were constantly praying for everyone. It was definitely nice in the interview to get a sense of challenge present in the monastic life even after 14 years of commitment and even through this series you've been making to see that you can see different people and personalities who are all ultimately brothers.

[@ronselgrath1235]

You are correct. Those of us in the world have work to do like medicine The monk’s full time job is prayer including all of is Also in tough times I spend a few days there

[@joeterp5615]

Yes - which shows the power of prayer! It’s amazing to contemplate how God has set up the relationship between Himself and His people- that He allows our pleas and petitions to be so impactful. The almighty, all-powerful, all knowing God of the universe listens to US and answers our prayers. God humbles Himself to show His love for us… which He does over and over - in the Incarnation, the Cross, the Holy Eucharist, and even in answering our prayers. So how can WE not get this message of humility? - and seek also to make ourselves low, give our lives for others, be a source of brotherly/sisterly spiritual sustenance for others, and be the answer to others’ prayers through our attentive and loving service? There is so much to contemplate when we think about what it means to imitate Christ. I realize this was a tangent… but what you said about the benefits of prayer just got me thinking about how amazing God is, and how He shows us the way to be and what to do, by how He is and what He does.

[@cesarriojas114]

I know Father Ignacio and he is truly a wonderful a blessed man! We need more people like him in this world! 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻❤️

[@Midgiemoon]

I am a Baptist who was educated in an all girl Catholic high school. I always admired the sisters who taught me and showed me what grace looked like.

[@adambenedict6155]

Austin, thank you so very much for posting this wonderful interview. I am a convert to Eastern Orthodoxy, but I have an enormous debt of gratitude to the Western Benedictines for introducing me to praying the Psalms, Lectio Divina, and cultivating silence. These people are very dear to me! I chose St. Benedict as my patron saint when being received into the Orthodox Church. St. Benedict of Nursia, pray for us! ☦️

[@D.N..]

I'm glad this fellow found his calling and way. .

[@phillipnecessary6851]

Viva Jesus! Going to a monastery is always a sneak peek into a life of peace and grace. Through the constant rise and fall of societies, the monastics are in the shadows, still trunkin along!

[@masterchief8179]

Great and meaningful interview! The core argument was in line with Bishop Barron’s depiction of the spiritual dynamics of the Church using the rather impactful biblical scene we get in Exodus, 17, 11-13. For me it’s the single best (and also the simplest) way to explain why we intrinsically need monks (and other consecrated religious people) in the Catholic Church, and not only diocesan deacons, priests and bishops alongside with our lay ministers. In that passage, when Moses held up his hands, Israel prevailed in battle against Amalek in their quest for the Promised Land; but whenever Moses tired up and his hands went down, then Amalek took the edge and prevailed in battle. Aaron and Hur decided to hold Moses’ hands up to God, one on either side, so they were steady until the sun set. Only then Israel finally defeated Amalek through the sword. In that representation, of course the Church needs all the soldiers down there in the battlefield, so as to express Christ’s missionary command to preach the Gospel, baptize all the nations and perpetually make disciples: the soldiers are diocesan ordained deacons, priests and bishops alongside with laymen and women. But the religious people are those who elevate Moses’ arms and hands up to God so that the combatants, through their unceasing dedication to prayer and contemplation, can prevail in the battlefield against the enemy (Exodus 17, 11-13). So a faith which manifests its glory essentially from a kind of monastic grandeur, maybe at the detriment of the inalienable missionary character of Christian life, possibly failing to (really) roll up its sleeves among the dirties of the world, can be just as senseless as a faith that overfocuses the missionary job yet despises or reduces to symbolism the mere idea of celibate religious people dedicated to prayer and contemplation. So thank Our Lord Christ Jesus for so many Catholic “both/ands” and balance! I started to admire cenobitic and eremitic monasticism through the spirituality of the Benedictine monks, especially after reading theology and the life of saints. I love the Desert Fathers, Benedictines, Cistercians, Trappist, Carthusians, surely Eastern monks, etc. Still, there is something about the mendicant orders that speaks louder to me, mostly the Discalced Carmelite life (with an emphasis on Spanish monumental saints as St Teresa of Avila and St John of the Cross) because they both have monasteries and convents for cloistered nuns/friars and some pretty active missionary roles, even their tertiaries, without losing that kind of ancient Mount Carmel eremitic life of prayer and silence. Maybe a Carmelite monastery and some Eastern Orthodox/ or Catholic monasteries around you can make for great shows next, Austin. God bless!

[@cesarriojas114]

What a great video! Fr Ignacio and his parents are wonderful and beautiful people! After meeting his parents it’s clear why Fr Ignacio is the wonder person he is! We are blessed to have him!🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻❤️

[@MatthewLitzenberger]

"How how can i love god who i don't see if i don't love my brother who i do" - 1 John 4:20

[@artdanks4846]

Sister Vassa (an Orthodox nun who is also on You Tube), would also be an excellent one to interview, if you haven't already.

[@mapaz555]

Wonderful father Ignacio. Thank you for your words and blessings. Your inspiration and life. Christ lives in you and we’re only so lucky to see you. Thank you Austin for a wonderful work. Gracias Padre Nuestro, Amor de mis amores, porque estás con nosotros. Amén Blessings to all

[@mildredceciliavelazquezmen6560]

Me encanta saber de sus raíces latinas, por eso me atrevo a escribir ya que entiendo muy bien el inglés pero no me atrevo a escribirlo, espero que usted pueda leer en español. Saludes desde Nicaragua. Muy reconfortante saber que todos los laicos contamos con las oraciones de tantos monasterios católicos en todo el mundo, sigan orando que en verdad nos hace mucho bien. Bendiciones

[@CMDR-Cody]

I hope you spen a day at an Orthodox Monastery next. I just got back from Saint Anthony's Greek Orthodox Monastery in Arizona. It was absolutely amazing and I wish everyone could experience it.

[@victoriasantos9465]

This is very informative. Thank you Austin. I really like learning new things about my church. ❤️

[@viviennedunbar3374]

Like any commitment and vow and ultimately vocation, there will times of doubt, times of lack of inspiration but our vows keep us on the path. I am happily married 26 yrs and many of the descriptions of call and experience are the same. I can have up and down days but I absolutely would not want to have chosen any other life. I am very blessed to be committed to my husband.

[@Gerrysjamz]

Really enjoyed this! From Texas!

[@liehhungc3261]

Thank you for all the wonderful interviews, that offer us diverse views of spirituality.

[@GospelSimplicity]

Thank you so much for your generosity! I truly appreciate that. As for the interviews, they're my pleasure!

[@bbehzadi413]

You should tour an orthodox monastery as well 😊

[@timothyodonnell8591]

Great video!

[@NinevehMusicNZ-xf8yj]

beautiful

[@treeofknowledge7928]

Great video! Thank you for posting. How do monks struggle with doubt?

[@ignacio.gonzalez.osb_dc]

Good question. Best place to start is the father's cry in Mark 9:24 -- "I believe, help my unbelief." The words at the bottom of the Divine Mercy image are also helpful: "Jesus, I trust in you." I always add, "help me to trust you more."

[@mil.gan4mil.gan431]

Love the short hair.

[@GospelSimplicity]

Thanks!

[@zacdredge3859]

Interestingly enough the thing I found most from this was the core of what he's describing should be true for all Christians. 😅 I think my brother and his wife would classify as Oblate; they don't live in a monastery but they are formally associated with one. Beyond that, I'm curious how this fellow would justify bringing up the Russia-Ukraine conflict(he addresses his own comment at 27:57) in light of his understanding of Benedictine teaching(29:26), as it seems to be contradictory. To be fair I'm not clear how beholden he is as a monk to take Benedict's teaching as authoritative and universal, though them being referred to as a set of Rules seem to suggest a Benedictine Monk would be bound by them under his monastic covenant. My curiosity on how this connects to Benedict's teaching on Restraint of Speech(Rule 6) is that it seems impossible to talk aptly about politics if you can only speak when questioned. The culture has no interest in hearing Christian ethics so I suppose this means that most monks are only to converse with other monks or Christians on issues of politics and religion? Maybe that's what he means by the Benedictine calling. When I actually looked Rule 6 up there was immediately something about this teaching that troubled me; Benedict references the incorrect verse number and also misquotes the relevant verse. While there's a numbering difference at play in terms of the number of each Psalm, due to the Catholic Bible using the numbering from the Septuagint as opposed to the Hebrew text, that's not what I mean. What was quoted here is originally from Psalm 38/39 and Benedict 'references' verses 2-3. When you read the passage you immediately realise he's actually quoting from 1-2. Now, this may seem trivial, and if Benedict quoted the verses accurately I'd agree, but he doesn't, and this just highlighted that greater concern. Benedict omits a line of Scripture where David states that he is silent 'while the wicked are before me'. Benedict then teaches this as a proof that 'good words are [at times] to be left unsaid out of esteem for silence' and expounds on this to be a standard of behaviour for 'even mature disciples' of any Benedictine order, but in Ps 39 David was *not* being silent out of esteem for silence itself. I don't say this to criticise anyone who abides by Benedictine's Rules, but I do believe hearing misuse of Scripture is ironically an issue where silence is clearly inappropriate, so I must comment accordingly as one who loves God and the Bible. Here's Psalm 39:1-2 (NKJV) in full if you were curious: I said, “I will guard my ways, Lest I sin with my tongue; I will restrain my mouth with a muzzle, While the wicked are before me.” I was mute with silence, I held my peace even from good; And my sorrow was stirred up. The other thing that struck me as troubling was that Benedict says 'we absolutely condemn in all places any vulgarity and gossip and *talk leading to laughter*.' I understand if monks choose to live a reverent lifestyle that involves dispensing with humour in some or even most monastic settings, but to assert a blanket condemnation of all use of humour seems to deny that humour is a source of joy to people and that God made us this way without ever teaching through the Prophets or Apostles that it was a sinful behaviour.

[@LilithinMerria]

I am patiently waiting... ^^

[@katieboyum]

This is an odd question, but are you at all related to Sean Wes McCabe who does hand lettering and talks about starting your own business? You sound a lot like him, that's why I ask. Just curious. Anyway, just started watching your channel as my husband has been interested in Orthodoxy and is bringing me with him. I was very reluctant at first, but am now starting to take an interest. You videos have been helpful, thank you!

[@francescos7361]

Thanks man

[@jonathanbohl]

Thanks!

[@elijahc.brooks3493]

I’m a convert to the Greek Orthodox Church from the Pentecostal movement. Honestly, I truly found my Lord Jesus in the Orthodox Church. Now, as for the monks and nuns, they influence me to crave and worship Christ more daily. I don’t mind Roman Catholic monks, but they don’t have the long beards like the Orthodox monks do. Everybody go see “Man of God”! It’s about the life and trials of St. Nektarios of Aegina. I almost wept... ☦️

[@artdanks4846]

@Elijah C. Brooks. My wife and I went to see that movie as well! So very inspiring! St. Nektarios was such a blessing to the church! (We are also converts to Orthodoxy.)

[@elijahc.brooks3493]

@@artdanks4846 God bless you!

[@briandelaney9710]

The beard doesn’t make the monk

[@elijahc.brooks3493]

@@briandelaney9710 haha. I know, but Orthodox monks are just cooler in my opinion. Read the life and teachings of St. Paisios, St. Nektarios, and St. Porphyrios.

[@hellebartelsen8208]

Some do! Look up Fr. Boniface Hicks, who is also a Benedictine monk.

[@nicoleyoshihara4011]

❤

[@tinapassis]

I think you should go to Mount Athos that woul be awesome to see!

[@billstrom351]

I am sorry to post this here but I tried to address your discussion with Trent Horn under that video but he seems to have deleted my comment. You don't need to post thsi under this video it is just the simplest way for me to reach out to you. I was addressing your problem with the Orthodox saying there is no salvation outside of their Church. Well the Catholics hold the same dogma. Like you I have been on a journey but within Catholicism. While I respect Trent and his friends like Matt Fradd. They will not address the dogma EENS. There are some groups that have given this dogma a bad name. Mainly Sedevacantists, and occasionally some overly zealous Catholics. But there have been also those who are trying to address this topic in a more calm approach. There are two broad camps. 1. the Liberal (Trent Horn and his friends) the salvation of those who do not believe in Christ. 2. Strict --Those who say membership in the Catholic Church is necessary for salvation. This would be all those validly baptized. Both positions are permissible for debating according to Rome at present. The Liberal version has been dominating the Church for the past 100 years or so. But before that the Strict view was the main accepted view. This is a very important topic and at first seems absurd. It took me many years before I was willing to look at it in detail. Bishop Hay ( he was a convert) en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Hay_(bishop) Here is a good article by him about the topic of EENS drawn from mainly scripture. catholicvox.blogspot.com/2011/05/whether-salvation-can-be-had-without.html

[@l21n18]

What’s your point? How are you reaching out?

[@fisterklister]

We need Thelonius Monk