Grand Canyon Adventure
Living Chaste Celibacy in 2005 and beyond
The South Rim stands at more than 7,000 feet above sea level,
nearly 2,000 feet higher than Denver. And the North Rim is even
higher. It took 5 to 6 million years for this deep chasm to form.
Its width from Rim to Rim varies from 8 to 16 miles. In depth
and length and width, it is the greatest of all canyons in the
world. Its majesty humbles us. Its beauty enthralls us. Its steep
trails frighten yet beckon us to explore. It reminds me of celibate
chastity.
One must dig deep
To hike the Bright Angel or Kaibab Trails, you must begin by going
down, way down, more than 4,500 feet. The same is true of chaste
celibate love. A celibate for the love of Christ does not seek
to be upwardly mobile. He seeks rather to take the last place.
He seeks to go down in humble service of those Christ gives him
to love, especially "the least ones of the Gospel" (Cf.
Matthew 25:31ff). He seeks to love Christ "with an undivided
heart" (I Cor 7:32-34). He seeks, in other words, to imitate
Jesus, "who, though He was in the form of God, did not regard
equality with God something to be grasped. Rather, He emptied
Himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness;
and found human in appearance, He humbled Himself, becoming obedient
to death even death on a cross (Phil 2:6-8)."
Do not over-pack
A close link exists between celibacy and simplicity. To have an
undivided heart (the key to celibate love), a spirit of poverty
and a discipline of self-denial are needed. We detach from things
in order to cling more closely to Christ. A selfish celibate is
like a hiker who doesn't know that he needs to travel light. He
won't survive the rigors of the challenge. Celibacy, lived rightly,
does not make life easier in this world's terms. But it does make
it easier to take up one's cross each day and follow Jesus. That,
after all, is what every follower of the Lord is required to do.
Sacrifice is as essential to Christianity as water is to hiking
the Grand Canyon. We cannot make the trek to the Kingdom without
sharing the cross with Christ.
The Example of Jesus
Jesus Himself, who fully reveals the truth about human nature,
lived a celibate life. He lived in poverty, not even having a
place to lay His head. He so truly took the lowest and last place
that no one can ever take it from Him. Although completely innocent,
He was condemned to a cruel death. He was scourged and mocked
and spat upon. He suffered, died and was buried. His steep descent
into the misery of all humanity's sinfulness makes the steep descent
of Kaibab Trail look like nothing. He even descended into hell,
that is, into the place where all the dead waited until a Savior
would open the gates of heaven.
But then He rose from the dead. He conquered sin and He vanquished
death. He opened the way for all of us to enter with Him into
the Kingdom of heaven. Where He has gone we hope to follow. Chaste
celibacy aims squarely at this lofty goal of eternal happiness,
not only for the celibate himself but also for all those whom
he serves in Christ's name.
A leap of faith
Hiking the Grand Canyon is dangerous. One slip of the foot and
instant death follows. Celibate love also involves risk. Its failure
can bring disaster to the celibate himself and cause terrible
suffering to others. The recent clergy sexual abuse scandal makes
this all too evident. However, the scandal is not due to chaste
celibacy but to failed celibacy. The scandal is due to a lack
of fidelity to Christ and to His Gospel. It came about when men
did not keep their word, when they sought pleasure instead of
prayer, comfort instead of sacrifice, compromise instead of fidelity;
when they failed to heed Christ's words, "Unless you take
up your cross each day and follow after me, you cannot be my disciple."
A beauty that attracts
The Grand Canyon attracts hikers from around the world, not because
it is easy to hike but because its beauty inspires, and its grandeur
humbles us before its Creator and our God. Celibate loving still
attracts young men and women today. It is obvious in the joyful
spirit of our newest priest Father Patrick Farley, in the Poor
Clare Nuns who recently came to our Diocese, and in our happy
and healthy seminarians - the largest number in years. Celibacy
for God's Kingdom makes sense in the life of a priest and of a
religious sister or brother because it is a sign of pastoral charity
and a source of spiritual fruitfulness in the world.
Our new Holy Father Benedict XVI says, "A life lived by faith
resembles more an expedition up a mountain than a quiet evening
spent reading in front of a fire." This is also true of celibacy
lived out of love for Christ. It is even a more daring adventure
than hiking the Grand Canyon.
