Reflection on April 21, 1982

https://www.ewtn.com/library/PAPALDOC/jp2tb78.htm

This talk feels like the same type of statements about continence for the kingdom expressed in a slightly different way, but the focus is on the sacrifice or what is given up. When Christ tells the disciples that this is something that they may be called to, He knew exactly what He was saying, He knew how hard it would be for them to give up, He knew the sacrifice it would be. But how is that different then many of the teachings of Christ. Those that argue celibate priest is a teaching that is too difficult is probably the same group that believe teachings against contraception are too difficult. Love you enemies, turn the other cheek, forgive those that persecute you, blessed are those that weep, eat my flesh, drink my blood, etc. Christ does not pull punches when it comes to the teachings He gives us. He never says that to follow Him will be easy. He actually describes it as picking up your cross and bearing it. Anyone that feels the need to go to a “feel good, hold hands, flowers and rainbows” type of Christian Church is not one that fully understands the Gospel. Christian Churches that insist on taking Christ off the cross miss the absolute necessity of Christ in the Cross. FOLLOWING CHRIST IS NOT EASY.

If you are going to rail against the idea of celibate priest, you need to come with some better ammunition than remaining celibate is too hard in this day and age. Yet, that is the argument they use for this, abortion, contraception, divorce, cohabitation, and many other teachings of the Church that are “old fashioned” and “out of date”. Yes, they are difficult, they require sacrifice, they require work, but that is what it means to follow Christ, and living in continence for the kingdom flows right into that as an example of a life lived fully for God. A spouse is called to give themselves fully to the other. The celibate religious gives themselves fully to God. To give themselves to anyone else in that conjugal and unique way would be to not be able to fully give themselves to God. But that is what God calls them to, in that supernatural motivation that SJPII describes. We should stop looking for the easiest way to live life and realize that Christ calls us to pick up our cross to follow Him. If you carry it with Him, ask Him for help, He says our burden will be light, but we need the faith to pick up the cross in the first place.