Reflection on April 14, 1982

https://www.ewtn.com/library/PAPALDOC/jp2tb77.htm

It is very interesting to think about the relationship between those that choose marriage or continence for the kingdom. SJPII spends this whole reflection challenging any theory that one choice is better or superior to the other. Both are necessary in the Christian community, both are a vocation that a person is called to, both need love to be fruitful, and both can fail in fruitfulness without love. SJPII seems to come at the issue from a position that would argue the choice of continence for the kingdom is the preferred way of life. Choosing this will avoid the “imperfection” involved in a conjugal relationship with another and if your focus and union is with God only, you will be closer to a life of perfection. SJPII argues that choosing married life or a life of continence for the kingdom is not how perfection is achieved. Perfection has to do with the whole self, all aspects, not just the choice in vocation. A married man can be closer to perfection than an ordained priest if his life as a whole is more modeled on love than the other. The more we are a full and total gift of self to one we are united to is closer to the measurement of perfection, not the vocation we have chosen.

SJPII goes into the similarities between the 2 vocations in order to drive the point home that they are not 2 sides that need to be segregated, they are not choice of better or worse, only 2 different paths to God and to perfection. He looks at both vocations being a commitment of unity to another (spouse or God), both being fruitful when the commitment is fully and freely given, both needing to have their foundation in love to achieve perfection. There is nothing better or worse in either choice, but we are called to one or the other and the one is a supernatural call or motivation to seek out that type of life. Both are necessary, or else why would Christ mention it in such a profound way. Why would He speak of “eunuchs by choice” if there was not a purpose to it, a reason for it.