Help! (Matt 19:3-12)

[St.Curious]

3

Some Pharisees approached him, and tested him, 4 saying, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any cause whatever?”

4

5 He said in reply, "Have you not read that from the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female’

5

and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’?

6

So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, no human being must separate."

7

6 They said to him, “Then why did Moses command that the man give the woman a bill of divorce and dismiss (her)?”

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He said to them, "Because of the hardness of your hearts Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so.

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I say to you, 7 whoever divorces his wife (unless the marriage is unlawful) and marries another commits adultery."

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[His] disciples said to him, “If that is the case of a man with his wife, it is better not to marry.”

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He answered, "Not all can accept [this] word, but only those to whom that is granted.

12

Some are incapable of marriage because they were born so; some, because they were made so by others; some, because they have renounced marriage for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Whoever can accept this ought to accept it."

I understand what the first part is saying and how it is used to support the Church is not allowing re-marries. My question is about verse 12, is it saying that anyone who can renounce marriage for the sake of the kingdom should?

 

[FuzzyBunny116]

St.Curious:

I understand what the first part is saying and how it is used to support the Church is not allowing re-marries. My question is about verse 12, is it saying that anyone who can renounce marriage for the sake of the kingdom should?

That seems to be my conclusion. Whats so disturbing about that?

 

[Todd_Easton]

St.Curious:

My question is about verse 12, is it saying that anyone who can renounce marriage for the sake of the kingdom should?

This seems to be St. Paul’s advice in 1 Corinthians 7:25-40 as well.

 

[OLDSURFER]

This is one source for the Catholic belief that priests must remain celebate.

 

[sara888]

**some, because they have renounced marriage for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Whoever can accept this ought to accept it."

This part of scripture applies to Priest’s and Saints ,also If a woman or man is married and has a persistent calling by God the father to follow him and become Holy, he is then to discern and find a spriitual director to help him on his journey.**
Sara

 

[Mystophilus]

St.Curious:

I understand what the first part is saying and how it is used to support the Church is not allowing re-marries. My question is about verse 12, is it saying that anyone who can renounce marriage for the sake of the kingdom should?

Yes, but you should think long and hard about that modal verb (can) before you decide to become celibate.

“Not everyone can accept this word, but only those to whom it has been given.” (Mt 19:11)

Celibacy is an act of sacrifice and commitment. While I see the value in the Protestant clergy’s ability to marry and to understand first hand the roles of spouse and parent, I have not encountered as much focus, as much commitment among the Protestant clergy as I have among the Catholic. (I am not saying that all Protestant clergy are lazy, or that all Catholic clergy are committed.)

However, once membership of the clergy become a viable occupation rather than sacred vocation, more and more people joined the Church even though they lacked the necessary self-control, and numerous abuses resulted.

Do not do it unless you are absolutely certain.

 

[Della]

OLDSURFER:

This is one source for the Catholic belief that priests must remain celibate.

No, not must remain celibate, but rather best to remain celibate.

 

[sara888]

**Delia said"No, not must remain celibate, but rather best to remain celibate.

Hi Delia, I am quite puzzled by your response here, mabey you can clarify it for me.

Is it an option for the priest to remain celibate,? I thought it was an abosulute requirement for priesthood according to church doctrine unless one leaves the priesthood.

I never heard it put that way before as you claim above, “best to remain celibate.” Mabey just a misunderstanding on my part with your definition.

Sara**