Theology of the Body 2014/12/11

At the end of the previous post in this series, John Paul II indicated that understanding the resurrection, which he had been discussing for a while, is important for understanding celibacy. The remainder of the series is devoted to the topic of celibacy. However, he seems to be thinking primarily of celibacy as part of a vocation in the Church to priesthood or membership in a religious order. He's not thinking of it as a moral requirement for homosexuals in view of the Church's teaching that same-sex sexual activity is wrong. So I may feel that I have to add remarks of my own along the way in order to draw out how this all applies to homosexuals who are not priests or members of religious orders.


"… To understand the celibate vocation, we must consider Christ's words about the resurrection: 'At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven" (Mt. 22:30).

"These words describe a state of life without marriage, where men and women find total fulfillment in communion with God and all the saints. Even without marriage, a person can experience the self-giving love that our bodies were created to give and receive. This way of life is not limited to heaven. It also echoes in the call to consecrated virginity, or celibacy for the kingdom, here on earth. Already, some anticipate what all will share in the resurrection.

" … It is significant that Jesus introduces the celibate vocation in the context of a discussion about marriage.

"In that exchange [with the Pharisees] Jesus says, 'I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, and marries another commits adultery.' … [H]is disciples [reply], 'If tis is the situation between a husband and wife, it is better not to marry.'

"Jesus … doesn't say whether marriage or singleness is preferable. Instead, Jesus describes the call to celibacy:

Not everyone can accept this word, but only those to whom it has been given. For some are eunuchs because they were born that way; others were made that way by men; and others have renounced marriage for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it. (Mt 19:9-12)

"… Christ refuses to put celibacy at odds with marriage. The call to celibacy does not arise from a negative view of marriage. Christ has already established the fundamental value of marriage by pointing to 'the beginning.' Here he adds that there is also value connected with the free choice to forgo marriage 'for the sake of the kingdom.' This is not a command for all Christians, but a gift for those to whom it has been given.

"The celibate vocation, then, requires two things: a special gift from God, and the free acceptance elf that grace on our part. Those who accept that grace orient themselves in a particular way toward the future resurrection when men and women do not marry. Of course there is an essential difference between the absence of marriage in the resurrection and the celibate vocation here on earth. The absence of marriage in the resurrection is due to the fullness of communion that everyone will experience with God and the saints. Marriage on earth is the normal path for Christians to prepare for that communion to come. Celibacy for the kingdom, then, as an earthly vocation, is an exception to the norm."


What are we to make of this in the context of the Church's teaching that sexual activity between two people of the same sex is always wrong, which amounts to a de facto obligation of celibacy? Clearly, the Pope is not thinking about the situation of homosexuals when he speaks about celibacy as he does. He's thinking about priests and members of religious orders. Can we see celibacy as a comparable gift for homosexuals? I don't know if the Pope addresses it later in tis teaching, but I'll make a post with some thoughts of my own on the topic.