John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven. Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him. He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled. He must increase, but I must decrease.
John 3:27-30 (KJV)
The ascetic life is a desire to decrease (in this world) so that Jesus may increase (in me and this world). Or, to not be anchored in this world but in Jesus alone.
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