Wednesday of the
Twenty-third Week in Ordinary Time
(I Corinthians 7:25-31; Luke 6:20-26)
A perennial question in the Church concerns priestly
celibacy. Should married men be ordained
to the priesthood? There are former Episcopalian
priests with wives who are ordained Roman Catholic priests, but here we want to
consider the rule and not the exception.
Some believe that celibacy is the right option for those who believe
they would be happier without a wife.
St. Paul offers an interesting alternative to this position.
Paul admits that he is speaking on his own here;
nevertheless, his words are authoritative.
Believing that Jesus is to return soon, he recommends that all people not
marry. Paul says that although married
couples should not separate, the unmarried should not seek marriage. Rather, he believes that they are wise to
keep the Lord constantly in mind. Paul
is well aware of the human tendency to preoccupy itself with sex if that is at
hand.
Most priest celibates experience some difficulty. Like most men they long for intimacy with a
woman and to raise a family. However, married
couples do not have life easy either. Marriage
is necessary to continue the human enterprise, and celibacy testifies to the Lord’s
eventual return. It is not likely that
enough men would choose celibacy without a rule for this witness to be widespread. Therefore, it may be said that although it requires
deeply felt sacrifice, priestly celibacy is valuable for preaching the full gospel.
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