Food for Thought...

I am currently reading a book entitled, "Theology of the Body for Beginners: A Basic Introduction to Pope John Paul II's Sexual Revolution" by: Christopher West. All-in-all there is a lot I disagree with in the book (much because Christopher West puts his own spin on John Paul's words). I think he gives Adam and Eve a lot more credit for understanding their relationship with God and the gift that was given to them than they deserve. I mean...they ate the one thing they were told to stay away from. They can't be that intelligent!

However, there is a chapter on Christian Celibacy (mostly talking about priests), and I found this quote to be quite stimulating, so I thought I would share it. Mr. West says, "A sacrifice only has value to the degree that the thing sacrificed has value." That statement struck me as quite true and worthy of posting. He goes on to relate this to the celibacy issue, which I had never thought about in this manner, "The Church values celibacy so highly precisely because she values what it sacrifices - sexual union and all that is connected to it - so highly."

I still think priests should be able to get married, but I can now understand why the church places such a big importance on this issue. However, in order to completely understand your parishioners I think you need to come from a place of understanding in your own life. I encounter that issue a lot in my line of work. I may be a teacher, and have students whom I cherish as my own children, but often I find difficulty in giving parents advice for how to work with their children (outside of academics) at home as I do not have any children myself. Oh well, sais la vie!