Chaste Life?

[stacybks]

This is my own version of the “Single Life?” thread…

Since to me it’s not about being single, considering I’m an ex-practicing homosexual… it’s about being chaste and living fully for God in His service and for the service of the Church, family, friends, and all other human beings…

If the Lord ever sees fit that my sexual orientation is to change and glorify Him and receive the Sacrament of Friendship (marriage) then, so be it… if not… my life as a chaste “soon-to-be” Catholic will continue until the day I die.

Anyone else devoting themself to a chaste life?

 

[Through_Anyone]

That’s wonderful. I admire your courage. As Christians, we’re all called to chastity according to our state in life, so I certainly hope folks are devoting themselves to a chaste life. I’m devoting myself to it b/c it’s right; we owe it to the Lord b/c it’s what he intended. If I become a priest, I’ll be celibate (as I am now) for the rest of my life. If I get married, I won’t be celibate, but I’ll remain chaste within that vocation. Never look at celibacy as an absence of love, but rather as the abundance of it. It takes a lot of love in your heart to die to self enough to commit to lifelong celibacy. Many people do it and find it’s right for them, which should provide inspiration. I do realize, however, given your orientation, that you’re already obligated to celibacy even without that abundance of love (unless your orientation eventually changes). That’s rough, which is why Fr. Groeschel always says it’ll take a great deal of courage. It will, but God will give you the grace to succeed if you let him into your heart. All the best!

 

[vee8]

it’s about being chaste and living fully for God in His service and for the service of the Church, family, friends, and all other human beings…

:clapping::clapping: Amen! Im in my twenties too and I think our generation is really taking a beating. At the same time your post is fantastic so full of God`s grace so welcome home!

 

[stacybks]

snippity snip snip

**Never look at celibacy as an absence of love, but rather as the abundance of it. **

snippity snip snip

You said a mouthful of truth!

What too many people think when they consider “chastity” is “Oh man! This sucks! It’s totally hard… how can a loving God expect us to refrain from something that feels so good and that He created us to have these desires?!”

When one really looks at Christ in the proper manner as the Savior, God who became man to experience what he or she was suffering so that He may be the High Priest of Ages, the Beloved of Hearts, and so many other things that reveal to him or her His true nature… that person can finally receive the fullness of Christ within their heart and the Truth of the Church to guide him or her in the right way.

Chastity all in all is devoting yourself to Christ in the present state of life to bring glory to Him and experience the fullness of His Love since we are united with Him in a union so holy and pure that sin can disrupt that union.

It’s a marriage… the marriage we have to Him carries through into any state of life that we live… but He expects us to be chaste in that state so that our love for Him may grow and that His love for us may show.

 

[Fran65]

Although I’m not single or experiencing SSA, I’m chaste too for several reasons.
Its difficult, but I’m 8 years in (give or take a couple of occasions).
God Bless!
Karen

 

[Through_Anyone]

I probably should have said voluntary celibacy or celibacy for the Kingdom though.

 

[blessedtoo]

Stacy,
I am really enjoying your thoughtful posts. Thank you for your contributions to CAF!

I too was immersed in a homosexual lifestyle, many years ago. I was also married at a very young age and while I left my husband nearly 21 years ago, I never actually got divorced. Since my re-conversion to the Church, I have remained very happily chaste and do not consider it a cross or hardship at all. Of course, I also realize that, for some reason, God dumped TONS of graces upon me and somehow allowed for this ease into chaste living. And while He generously lifted this tendency toward lust from me, He still left me with enough burdens to remind me that earthly life is definitely not as good as our heavenly lives will be!

I also think that age and gender have a lot to do with our ability to manage chastity. I am much older now and have probably gone through some radical hormonal changes which probably make chastity less “painful”. As a woman, I think we are often at the mercy of our “changes” - sometimes they work in our favor and sometimes not. Men, in general, probably struggle more with chastity because they are not in a constant state of hormonal flux.

Thanks for the great thread!

 

[Fran65]

Yes, voluntarily celibate - of course!
In my experience, it does get easier, particularly if one avoids material that is of an overtly sexual nature.
God Bless
Karen

 

[stacybks]

Stacy,
I am really enjoying your thoughtful posts. Thank you for your contributions to CAF!

I too was immersed in a homosexual lifestyle, many years ago. I was also married at a very young age and while I left my husband nearly 21 years ago, I never actually got divorced. Since my re-conversion to the Church, I have remained very happily chaste and do not consider it a cross or hardship at all. Of course, I also realize that, for some reason, God dumped TONS of graces upon me and somehow allowed for this ease into chaste living. And while He generously lifted this tendency toward lust from me, He still left me with enough burdens to remind me that earthly life is definitely not as good as our heavenly lives will be!

I also think that age and gender have a lot to do with our ability to manage chastity. I am much older now and have probably gone through some radical hormonal changes which probably make chastity less “painful”. As a woman, I think we are often at the mercy of our “changes” - sometimes they work in our favor and sometimes not. Men, in general, probably struggle more with chastity because they are not in a constant state of hormonal flux.

Thanks for the great thread!

My name is Brian… but some people call me by my last name here on CAF for some reason… the stacy in my member name is my surname… doh Probably should have mentioned it.

Anyways… if God deems it necessary to give me the graces to escape these feelings… then “hallelujah!” If not… then I’ll forever be in remembrance of St. Paul:

2 Corinthians 12:8-10 (Douay-Confraternity)

“8 Concerning this I thrice besought the Lord that it might leave me. 9 And he has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for thee, for strength is made perfect in weakness.” Gladly therefore I will glory in my infirmities, that the strength of Christ may dwell in me. 10 Wherefore I am satisfied, for Christ’s sake, with infirmities, with insults, with hardships, with persecutions, with distresses. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

 

[blessedtoo]

My name is Brian… but some people call me by my last name here on CAF for some reason… the stacy in my member name is my surname… doh Probably should have mentioned it.

Anyways… if God deems it necessary to give me the graces to escape these feelings… then “hallelujah!” If not… then I’ll forever be in remembrance of St. Paul:

2 Corinthians 12:8-10 (Douay-Confraternity)

“8 Concerning this I thrice besought the Lord that it might leave me. 9 And he has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for thee, for strength is made perfect in weakness.” Gladly therefore I will glory in my infirmities, that the strength of Christ may dwell in me. 10 Wherefore I am satisfied, for Christ’s sake, with infirmities, with insults, with hardships, with persecutions, with distresses. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

Thanks for the heads-up!

For you, and for all those who wish to experience chastity as the joy filled gift that it is, I recommend the tiny but powerful book, The Courage to Be Chaste, by Fr. Groeschel.

 

[Spirithound]

Brian, God bless you, welcome home, and may you be a source of inspiration and a reflection of God’s love to everyone around you.
Peace

 

[stacybks]

Brian, God bless you, welcome home, and may you be a source of inspiration and a reflection of God’s love to everyone around you.
Peace

Let me be the Lord’s servant to do as He wills…

As long as they see God, then my work is being accomplished.