The answer
There is no doubt that when one experiences the bitter taste of being away from God, he/she can sincerely thereafter desire to abandon all the vanities of the world in order to reconnect with God at a closer level in His peace and tranquility. Thus, the Synexarium introduces the readers to these many saints that have gone from one extreme to the other. While on the one hand, they achieved the infamous status as sinners, they now have achieved the honorable status of the righteous and saints.
St. Paul addressed the many concerns of the new converts and other debates of the time. He was ecstatic to remain celibate, while others had found that their spirituality was lacking without a life partner. Both are blessed. There is an inner feeling that will either be agreeable to marriage, celibacy, or monasticism. Through the prayers and guidance of the confession father, much light can be shed on these important life decisions. It is not that one path is just generally better than the other, but rather that one path is better for you personally than the other.
Being proactive and productive is preferred over laziness and idleness, whether one is married, celibate, or a monastic. Just because one is married does not mean he/she will not wander into fantasy and sin in the mind and heart. The same applies for the celibate and the monastic. Therefore, one must always be guarded, especially the inner self that has the ability and potential to entertain boundless sins. Let your energy be consumed in prayer, service, and spiritual growth, alongside with professional and educational advancement that does not impede on your spiritual commitments.
Answered by His Eminence Metropolitan Youssef (opens in a new tab)