Posted on 11/07/2015 9:23:52 AM PST by Salvation
Msgr. Charles Pope 11/4/2015
Question: I cannot escape the conclusion that the Bible denigrates marriage. We are told by Paul by that we should live as though we had no spouse (1 Cor 7:29), and Jesus says that in heaven there will be no marriage. The Church also calls priesthood and religious life “higher callings.” What am I to make of all this negativity?— Joseph Harris, Washington, D.C.
Answer: The solution is to understand the statements you reference in their wider context. The statements by St. Paul and Jesus, rather than denigrating marriage, actually use marriage as an image of high glory and joy. Then, in effect, they say as good as this is, heaven and life in Christ is even greater.
St. Paul, in 1 Corinthians 7, notes that marriage can have its hardships and that, in the natural sense, one is focused on pleasing their spouse (7:32-34). But supernaturally, even the most intimate and precious relationship of marriage cannot take precedence over our relationship to Christ. And therefore, St. Paul specifies his statement about living as though having no spouse in the following way: “I am telling you this for your own benefit, not to impose a restraint upon you, but for the sake of propriety and adherence to the Lord without distraction” (1 Cor 7:35).
In other words, Christ must be first in your life, even if you are married. If your spouse should ask something of you not in keeping with the Faith, the response has to be, “Sorry dear, I love God more.” Hopefully such conflicts are rare, but if they exist, God is obeyed. And in this sense we live “as having no spouse” to please.
Jesus’ remarks also take up the theme of heaven far exceeding even the greatest earthly comparisons. The Sadducees challenge him with a complex marriage question (Mt 22:23-33) and ask how it will be resolved in heaven. Jesus dismisses their legalism by saying, in effect, that heavenly realities cannot be understood in even the most beautiful and intimate earthly terms. Marriage here implies a deep intimacy and oneness that points to the intimacy in heaven among all the saints. Here it is expressed and experienced sexually, but there even more deeply and richly and widely among all the saints. This does not mean that one’s spouse here will just be a face in the crowd but more that what marriage signifies here is a sign of even greater things to come.
And this is why the Church calls the celibate vocations a “higher calling.” Not that they are “better” in human terms but that they point higher to what will one day be for all: a deep intimacy that marriage signifies but wherein we live like the angels (Mt 22:30) and experience this union nonsexually.
Monsignor Pope Ping to OSV article.
Two young monks were in the monastery after several years of study. They had both fulfilled the period as a postulant and had been novices for many years. It was now time to take their permanent vows.
Both went to their respective rooms in quiet contemplative prayer while fasting to receive their guidance for the future of their life. The first monk had a vision where he was guided to spend the rest of his life in constant silence and prayer, stopping once per day for sustenance. He was told “Eventually you will become “One” with Jesus and Our Father.”
The second monk had a vision where he was to leave the monastery, go to the village where he would find a wife, marry and have a dozen children. Puzzled, he prayed even harder and asked God, why can’t I be devoted to you through your Son Jesus and surrender my will to and know You? Why must I leave my path and marry?
Suddenly the second monk hears the thunder roar, the lightning flashes and a deep voice responds, “You are on the “fast track” to knowing Me!!!
Always for everyone.
God first.
Family Second
Country Third
Work Fourth
Other interests last
“Christ must be first in your life, even if you are married.”
When I married I told my wife that God will always be my first Love and that she would be second. I further added that I will not inflate my ego and pretend to be God!!!
Yes, I did this and did not just make it up! It’s honestly how I feel. the problem becomes when you empty yourself to become a servant of God, you do not often hear your Master’s Will communicated to you. It is very easy to slip up and form an identity around your perceived mission purpose in life and be totally off target. Thus the most difficult thing in surrendering to God is hearing His Will.
Thus I strive daily to “Practice the Presence of God” at all times. When I slip and fall, it feels as though a truck has driven over me and I must stop everything and focus in deep prayer and meditation until I can hear again. This is a constant battle in life.
Amen to THAT and THANK YOU for posting it.
You are a winner!.
God first.
Family Second
Country Third
Work Fourth
Other interests last
Correctomundo.
All my family is gone except two first cousins. One is in a wheelchair and he hasn't had anything to do with me or the rest of us for 40 years.
I REALLY dislike the other first cousin. She had four children and THREE of them want nothing to do with her either.
Also, I retired on March 5, 2013. No more work.
I go to daily Mass during the week and it's a 9:00 daily Mass. Huzzah.
I got roped into the choir which is at 11:30 on Sundays AT MY PARISH (which the other one isn't) and I find that I like it VERY much. :o) Whodda thunk?
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