While certain laity and religious take temporary vows of celibacy; the richness of priestly celibacy is its permanence. A short-term commitment would be long on show but short on substance. The whole point is that one is not simply delaying gratification or the opportunity to be a husband and father; but rather that these goods are being forever taken off the table. The witness of Christ’s celibate and sacrificial love is manifest as absolute and forever. He is no part-time Savior and there should be no part-time priests. God will never break his covenant with us. It is an everlasting covenant. The pledge of this agreement is the redemptive blood of the Cross. Dying might seem permanent enough; but our Lord would not stay dead. It is his resurrection that is constant and that touches eternity. The promises of marriage speak to our constancy unto death. Priestly celibacy embraces the endless share and glory we are given in Christ’s resurrected life. Marriage ends with death. The priesthood will endure into the eternity of the heavenly kingdom.
Filed under: Anti-Catholicism, Apologetics, Catholic, Celibacy, Discipleship, Marriage, Priests, Religion, Sacraments, Sexuality | Leave a comment »
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