Today some Christians chose to become a member of a religious community because it is their vocation.
There are two types of religious communities a man or a woman can chose from a contemplative and apostolic. A contemplative order involves being separated form the everyday world and an apostolic community involves around the public, helping the ill, caring for the sick and the old, preaching and teaching. There is a big difference between these communities; to join a Christian would have to be dedicated and ready to become a better Christian and to serve God.
A Christian who is part of a religious order would have to take three vows poverty, chastity and obedience. These are the evangelical counsels. These are gifts and not commands. These gifts help the religious Christians to dedicate their lives to God. The vow of poverty is a vow to give up their earthly possessions so they can relate to the poor, to serve the public and so they may have treasures in heaven. A member of a religious order is not tied done by materialistic concerns.
Jesus said ‘‘ Go and sell all you have and give the money to the poor, and you will have riches in heaven.’’ (Mark 4: 1-9)
The vow of chastity is a vow that requires complete dedication. A member would have had to give up family life and just like Jesus have no sexual relationships, no marriage, and no children. This is called celibacy. A person who takes the vow is no better than any other with a vocation because a marriage for example is equal to that of a religious life.
The vow of obedience is a vow that requires patience and obedience. Jesus was obedient to God. A person who takes this vow would have to accept authority, a leader an abbot or a mother superior.
