"Everyone is invited to become part of the kingdom, though not all will answer the invitation …. The call to celibacy, addressed to a limited group of people, is an invitation to help establish God's kingdom on earth in a special way.
"Jesus did not tell his disciples exactly how the celibate vocation helps build the kingdom — only that it does. But to see the special role played by celibacy, all we need to do is consider the lives of celibate saints throughout the history of the Church.
"Whether we are called to marriage or celibacy, we should aspire to follow God's plan. As Christ reminds us, marriage was intended to form a loving, indissoluble one-flesh union. And celibacy is intended to further the establishment of the kingdom. We must be careful not to take our vocation lightly, disregarding these values.
"Our ultimate destination, the kingdom of Heaven, is the fulfillment of all human aspirations. It is … the maximum expression of God's bounty poured out on man. It is a fullness unattainable in this earthly life.
"The kingdom of Heaven also refers to the nuptial union between Christ and the Church. The Apostle Paul says that the one-flesh union of man and woman is a 'great mystery' because it is a sign of the union of Christ and the Church (Eph. 5:32). This sheds light on both marriage and celibacy for the kingdom. In complementary ways, both vocations anticipate the 'wedding of the Lamb' described in the book of Revelation:
Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushong waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting:
Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns! Let us rejoice and be glad and give Him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come and his bride has made herself ready. (Rev. 19:6-7)"
We can still wonder about someone who has little or no sexual interest in the opposite sex but believes that sexual activity should only be between husband and wife. In effect, ho chooses celibacy. Does this constitute "celibacy for the sake of the kingdom?" Must celibacy for the sake of the kingdom be vowed, or can it be de facto? And what about the man who would like to marry but never finds a woman who will marry him? Can his celibacy be for the sake of the kingdom?
The Pope is speaking of very general categories. His focus is on marriage, but here he is concerned to explain how celibacy fits into God's plan for male and female. He seems to have in view only vowed celibacy in the Church, but surely there is something of value for the lives of other single people who do not refuse the invitation to God's kingdom.
4 comments:
I would really like to know if the questions you pose actually have answers outside the ones the Church gives, which basically aren't so much answers as attempts at consolation regarding how "hard" the "trial" of it is. A cancer diagnosis is a hard trial too, but a person who is under the weight of cancer doesn't see a movement in perspective just by being reminded about how "hard the trial" is... they seek answers for how to live happy lives with their condition and the limitations that it presents... in fact, they are often driven to. You pose very good questions I would love to see answered definitively by someone, but sometimes it seems like these questions REFUSE to be answered within the Church. Even St. Paul said "Now for virgins I have no commandment from the Lord..." (1 Cor 7:25) That silence has echoed down through the centuries it seems.
We know a few things from the Catechism, that all people are called to chastity, which is the "full integration of sexuality within the human person" and that sexuality "affects all aspects of the human person." We also know that the ONLY "end" for sexuality is the procreation and unity of spouses. Put three facts together in the case of homosexuals, and the most logical outcome would be something like the following... 1. Homosexuals have sexual desire like all human beings, and all human beings are then called to chastity... 2. What is chastity but the full integration of sexuality within the human person... 3. How does one fully integrate sexuality when its ONLY end is in the marital union... 4. Therefore (ergo), in order for homosexuals to practice chastity, they must somehow conform it to the ONLY end to which it exists, which is toward the marital union. Basically, I can't see how it can otherwise.
The only way it could be otherwise is if the homosexual in question is "an exception to the norm" (even among homosexuals) and is given special grace by God to "renounce marriage for the sake of the Kingdom." Once again though, this is supposed to be the exception, not the norm. It is therefore obvious that unless a homosexual has a special calling from God and a grace to perform it, most homosexuals, just like most heterosexuals, are called to the marriage vocation. However, that is not easy for a homosexual, and nor is it good for the other if their disordered sexuality causes the SSA individual to "deprive" them.
I can therefore see why the Church is hesitant to suggest "marriage" as the solution to the problem of homosexuality. I can also see why the Church is hesitant to suggest "celibacy" as well, considering its a special breed who can actually find happiness in the celibate life. The Church therefore plays the "we can't make a determination here" card in order to avoid having to come down one way or the other on this issue... which is good for them, but not very good for homosexual persons who are tasked with trying to "figure it out for themselves." If the Bishops can't even figure it out, how do they expect us to?
"It constitutes for most of them a trial..." You ain't kidding!
Thanks for commenting.
I think of it as the Church not so much refusing to answer the questions as not being prepared to answer. The Church needs time to reflect on new issues, and the implications of the idea that there is a more or less fixed homosexual orientation in some people are still being thought through.
When the Catechism gives the definition of chastity which you paraphrase, it seems to me that the remainder of the section on "The Vocation to Chastity" requires a view of sexuality as more than sexual activity. The Catechism is telling us that there can be a successfully integrated sexuality in single people. "The virtue of chastity blossoms in friendship." (CCC 2347)
2346 says that under the influence of charity, "chastity appears as a school of the gift of the person." (The phrase is highly reminiscent of JPII in Theology of the Body.) If the chastity of continence to which homosexuals are called (unless they choose to marry a woman) is not inherently celibacy for the sake of the kingdom, it seems to me that there should be some sort of self-giving, and that this can be a mutual self-giving which expresses itself in ways that do not include direct genital activity, but do not exclude other forms of physical expressions of affection, such as hugs and other sorts of touches. "Celibate" need not mean "solitary."
"The Catechism is telling us that there can be a successfully integrated sexuality in single people."
The question is not so much reiterating that such a thing is possible. The question that I always have is "how" such a thing is possible. I agree that there's more to intimacy than sexual intercourse, but homosexual persons still need intimacy of some kind. Sure, sexual intimacy may be out, but there are other forms of intimacy. The Church should therefore encourage gay people toward forming strong and affectionate relationships that merely exclude sexual relations.
"If the chastity of continence to which homosexuals are called (unless they choose to marry a woman) is not inherently celibacy for the sake of the kingdom, it seems to me that there should be some sort of self-giving, and that this can be a mutual self-giving which expresses itself in ways that do not include direct genital activity, but do not exclude other forms of physical expressions of affection, such as hugs and other sorts of touches."
This may be the BEST answer to the question that I have ever read anywhere. This may just be the "answer" to how to be gay and Catholic and still be happy... to seek out deep and affectionate friendships. It's a shame that not too many in the Church talk about it.
I agree with you. I hope the Church will figure these things out at an official level sometime soon, but realistically, I think for now the understanding will come from people "on the front lines" individual pastors, spiritual directors, and teachers, rather than in declarations from "headquarters."
Are you familiar with the blog http://spiritualfriendship.org — The writers there seem to get it.
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