♱ Single Life ♱
"Some have renounced marriage for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Whoever can accept this ought to accept it.” Matthew 19:12
"By reason of their special vocation it belongs to the laity to seek the kingdom of God by engaging in temporal affairs and directing them according to God's will. . . . It pertains to them in a special way so to illuminate and order all temporal things with which they are closely associated that these may always be effected and grow according to Christ and maybe to the glory of the Creator and Redeemer." CCC 898
What is single life?
In a world so centered around the idea of sex and longing for another, all too often in our society does single life get frowned upon, however, single life is actually a beautiful vocation filled with many graces! Single life can be either fulfilled by living vows taken publicly within a church or can be lived out with private vows within one's own heart. Single life can bring so many wonderful opportunities for an individual whether it be as a local church sacristan or in a community such as Opus Dei.
Am I called?
Single life although an often uncommon calling, is a very real calling by God and something that does indeed require discernment. It does not mean merely being "single" but rather is a life chosen by an individual to give themselves completely in service to the church without joining a religious order, therefore, single life by no means is less important than that of a religious or married person. Single life is a life that requires a sense of individual commitment unlike that of a married or religious person who most often live with others.
"With one’s heart freed in love, the person committed to chaste single life “bears witness that the Kingdom of God and His justice is that pearl of great price which is preferred to every other value no matter how great”
- Familiaris Consortio, 16
He Is Calling
Will you answer?