[DraidodaRip]

Ditto. The matter of grave concern seems to be the accusation that the novice has condemned his family. Christ came not to condemn but to save. The abbot may not know about this problem that has been created by the novice's statements.

Believe it or not, I have vain imaginings. And one of them is becoming a monk, which is complicated by the fact that I have a wife and adult children. So, would my wife have to be dead? If not, would I not be bound to my wife unless she enthusiastically agreed (as a way of getting rid of me perhaps!) And what would I tell my children and would it cause them grief? I really cannot imagine doing something for my own soul that would inevitably cause great grief to others.

So you see, my thoughts about what it would like to be a monk (I have met a number of monks, enjoy their company, learn from them, like them) are really a vanity on my part, at least as important a factor than any sincere desire for repentance. But, God can use what we intend for evil and turn it into something good.

And we don't know anything about the family here, and I don't want to know! But hypothetically, there may be some "issues" as the head shrinkers love to say.

But let's turn the issue around. I would be DELIGHTED if my children decided to become monastics. There is no more exciting, dangerous, productive occupation. I would want to be able to see them once in a while, but if it were the monastic rule not to, I would abide by that. I honestly think I would weep tears of joy if one of them were to find his (or her) way into monasticism.