Orthodoxy is a religion of maximalism, not minimalism, and we are all called to be ascetics. Monks fast also on Monday while we do not, so there is a difference in fasting, but this is a modern thing to lessen it even further. Fasting is easy today, we should definitely be lessening our fasting because of the times!
Fasting
Daniel wrote:What difference is there really in the life of monk and that of every one else? Also not all monk are of clerical ranks, there are many lay monks.
Ummm, you're joking right? Can someone working a job and raising a family devote 24 hours a day to God?
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bogoliubtsy
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Regardless of whether we actually take part fully(whatever 'fully' may mean), the guidelines for fasting do, and should, remain in place. People should know what the "standard" or "norm" of Christian asceticism is...just in case someone wants to try and live up to it. 
The Church shouldn't lessen standards because of human weakness just so we can feel good about ourselves for meeting new, lower standards which might fulfill our ascetical "obligation".
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bogoliubtsy
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TomΣ wrote:Daniel wrote:What difference is there really in the life of monk and that of every one else? Also not all monk are of clerical ranks, there are many lay monks.
Ummm, you're joking right? Can someone working a job and raising a family devote 24 hours a day to God?
Though I don't care for much of his writing, this question is dealt with in some of Fr.Schmemann's works. Our lives shouldn't be separated into neat catagories of "sacred" and "profane", or "spiritual time" and "me and my family" time. If we acquire the right frame of mind, and with the aid of the Holy Spirit, we can live in communion with God through all of our thoughts and actions...at every hour of the day, in whatever situation we may find ourselves. Our lives can become a prayer in themselves. Keep in mind, of course, that I don't have my own family yet. 
Maybe I'll come back, revise this post, and declare all this bunk in a couple of years!
Peter J. Hatala wrote:If we acquire the right frame of mind, and with the aid of the Holy Spirit, we can live in communion with God through all of our thoughts and actions...at every hour of the day, in whatever situation we may find ourselves.
Yes in a spiritual sense. But a monks job is the outward actions of service to God. This cannot be the case for those living the "real world"
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They say that I am bad news. They say "Stay Away."
TomΣ wrote:Daniel wrote:What difference is there really in the life of monk and that of every one else? Also not all monk are of clerical ranks, there are many lay monks.
Ummm, you're joking right? Can someone working a job and raising a family devote 24 hours a day to God?
No, not really. I must sacrifice my will for that of my wife and daughter (and soon to be second child), much like who a monk sacrifices his/her will for that his/her brothers/sisters.
I read a story (again, I apologize for not remembering the details) about a great ascetic who was told he would meet 2 people who were far holier than he. When he finally met them they were 2 sisters-in-law (I beleive). He saw nothing really special about their life and kinda pondered why God concidered them holier. The reply was basically because they lived in such close proximity for so long and never quarreled, and set aside their own will for that of the other.
Though the mode of life may be different between that of a married couple and that of a monk, we really are to lead the same life.
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bogoliubtsy
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