To start with, let me begin my
article with a short conversation of the Seminarian and the Rector of the
seminary.
Seminarian: Msgr., murag dili
gyud ko angayan mag pari kay dali ra man gyud ko mahigugma’g gwapa.
Rector: Mao ba dong? Aw okey ra
man na! Ang kuyaw kung dali ra ka mahigugma og maot.
Living a celibate life, as agreed
by most, is very difficult to practice inasmuch as human feeling is concerned.
Feeling is indubitable in our life; it is undeniably intrinsic in us. Even
before the time we are born, we are already dominated by feelings through our
parents. It is indeed the main reason why we experience love, being loved,
hurt, sad, or happy. We are primarily influenced by our feelings so much so
that in the first glance we would directly assert that living a celibate life
is very difficult to realize.
Admittedly, as a seminarian
aspiring to embrace the sacred priesthood, to live a chaste life, for the sake
of Christ, is not easy as learning the alphabet or any mathematical equations.
It is indeed a difficult endeavor. But then again, it doesn’t mean it cannot be
realized. The difficulty of living a celibate life does not presupposes of
something negative. Sad to say, many of us, if not all, misconceived the true
essence of such virtue.
According to the CFC no. 1093, to
live a life of chastity is tantamount to live a life having a purity of heart. In
other words, the church demanded the clergy not to fall in love, rather the
church encourage the clergy to love, but in a right and Christian way. In line
with the premise above, the clergy must learn how to value love and to love
itself, but in an inclusive way not in an exclusive way. My point is, living a celibate life doesn’t
mean we should stop loving. It does not mean we should stop listening to our
feelings and emotions. Living a celibate life simply means to be in touch with
our feelings and emotions. By doing so, we will know how to handle them and
make them an instrument of evangelization.
Finally, Rev. Msgr. Vicente Ray
Pinagunda would say, “Celibacy is not a
way of avoiding love. It is a way of loving.” Celibacy teaches us to become
more loving, more caring, and more respectful. So much so that, celibacy helps
us to deepen our understanding about love and bring us far away from the perils
of our selfishness and aggressiveness. It helps us to a full realization of our
mission; and that is to introduce Christ to all humanity. Furthermore, Priests
who are called to embrace the celibate life is called to deepen their
relationship with God through prayer. Celibacy is not just an outcome of
personal endeavor. It is first and foremost a gift from God. No one can acquire
it through own efforts. Thus, we have to have a constant dialogue with God
through prayer.
