If the Apostle Paul was right, then single people should be the ones leading spiritual communities. And by single, I do not mean celibate in a repressive way. (Case in point: the Catholic Church).
Being "pure, in body and in spirit" means so much more than abstinence from sex. It means remaining free from entanglements that detract from the pursuit of service and spiritual growth.
Lady Crindeyes has friends who pined away for marriage during their single years, finding purpose mostly through meeting their mate and having their "ministry" fueled by their marital status. That is well and good. But judgement should be withheld from those who influenced the world for the better--alone in terms of marital status, but certainly in good company with fellow warriors for just peace.
And yet, how many churches are led by the married, who have no actual experience of Jesus satisfying all the needs of the Bride of Christ--and by "all the needs," I mean the sexual ones too. Relationships take a lot of work, and most married ministers are so occupied by the "cares of the world" that their spirituality (and take on sexuality) is practical in a way that lacks imagination.
If sex symbolizes (among other things) transcendence, then those who have had intercourse with the Divine would understand it best. (See examples from the Catholic Church, yet again).
"I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord." (Paul, supposedly, in 1 Corinthians 7:35)
No comments:
Post a Comment