What is a Punk Monk?

I have fallen in love with the term "Punk Monk." I think it describes me and my parishioners at All Souls Mission. I also believe it should describe the Church as a whole.

The dictionary says that a Punk is a member of a rebellious counter-culture group. Isn't that a description of who and what Christians are? As Christians we have rebelled against the prevailing culture of this world. We have rebelled against Satan and the forces of evil. We live counter to a culture that is steeped in greed, sex, and violence by being a giving, loving and peaceful people. And we live our lives, not as individuals, but as part of a group called the Church. According to this definition we are Punks!

The dictionary says that a Monk is a religious person living in cloister and devoting themselves to contemplation, prayer and work. We are a religious people. We come together on a weekly basis to worship the Almighty. We read and study the Scriptures as we contemplate what they mean for our lives. We pray, not just during worship, but everyday at morning, noon, and night. And we work. We all have jobs, whether it be in an office, factory, home, etc. And even though the word "cloister" is used, which means living together separated from the world, we do that as well. We may not always be under the same roof together but we live our lives as part of the community of faith. Therefore we are Monks!

We are Punk Monks! We are living our lives in radical devotion to Jesus Christ. Are you a Punk Monk? Would you like to be? Live your life as Christ has called you to and you will most definitely fit the definition of a Punk Monk.