There is so much wrong thinking about the terms that become jargon in "religion"...

Especially where religious life is concerned.

Because when it is seen from the outside? Then false ideas form and aspirants etc or those who make almost a hobby out of "religion" think that by adopting these  diluted and distorted ideas they can become more "holy".

One of these is "detachment"...

It is taken wrongly to mean that you form no attachments to anything earthly. Oneof the basics of a Monastic Rule is that you make no "particular friendships' in the order. Something that cannot and must not be emulated if  you live in the world as a lay person.

Because it related to celibacy; we are not speaking of sexuality here for that triviality is barely relevant to Monastic Celibacy.

Monastic celibacy is a life given to Jesus in every aspect, physical , emotional, spiritual.

Whereas sexual purity is something for every Christian to live; love not lust, lov within the laws of God. Within marriage between a man and a woman.

Celibacy means utter faithfulness to Jesus - period. So loving anything or anyone more than you love Jesus is as adultery.

Many take this wrongly to mean that thus you do not love anything or anyone - period.

The opposite is true.

It means that we love as Jesus loves; selflessly and utterly. Whatever or whoever He gives us to care for.

Like the babies our Sisters hold to themselves in the few hours of life they have; for their care, not for ours.

Watching a baby die is painful.

In Celibacy and in Poverty we own nothing; and we care for all.

Regardless of feelings.

We are formed as givers; as servants in real terms.

This is true for contemplative Nuns also; and we have many within the order. We serve each other's needs. No ivory tower for Nuns.

Thus with the animals we rescue.

The deep concern now is for a dog so abused that her needs are great. For her safety and welfare now.

We miss her; there is  a huge hole here now and a grief.

But for her needs and her terror and her hunger and bewilderment.

Many who live on the fringes, seeking status and not commitment in real terms of utter life giving , see "detachment" as an excuse not to involve.

Hence the fad for the status of  "hermit"' but more on that another day..

They need to read the words and see the life of Jesus.

Blessings this day