Christ could have come into our world as a celibate adult. But this was not God’s design. Family is the vehicle of salvation. And we must humbly accept its consequences for the institution of the church today. Reforms through discernment are badly needed.
First of all, let us accept the primacy of family spirituality as a way of relationship with God. Other spiritualities are second only to this – like monastic spirituality, ascetic spirituality, even the spirituality of celibate religious and priestly life. God’s original design for the human race is family life.
Thus, the intrinsic holiness of family life and all that this entails from day to day must be discovered and re-discovered, in every Christian home. This needs a new and a renewed consciousness and sustained efforts and leadership. And who else should be the meaningful leaders of such a revolution in family life but families themselves? Are celibates more gifted to do this?!
It is in this regard that the crucial issue and possibility of married priests and bishops must be faced. But was not Christ himself a celibate during his lifetime? In God’s providence, Christ was crucified in his early thirties (presuming this chronological age is accurate – he could have even been younger). Had he lived longer, who knows – he could have gotten married, like his own apostles. Difficult to say with metaphysical certainly.
In other words, just because the young Jesus was celibate does not necessarily follow that all priests should be celibate – especially because of our renewed appreciation that FAMILY is the center of God’s law of creation.
Mary’s words in today’s Gospel message regarding Jesus’ incarnation are most meaningful: "Be it done to me according to your word," (Lk.1:38). And God’s word through the angel is that FAMILY is to be the central reality of Christ’s incarnation, of the New Creation.
Personally, I am a Jesuit religious with vows – taken after a thorough process of discernment. In the case of religious priests like myself, celibacy is a special calling and lifestyle. But my heart goes out with compassionate concern to so many non-vowed priests who have a charism for the priestly ministry, but not necessarily a calling to celibate life. Because of a promise made upon ordination, they are bound to lifelong celibacy. As a consequence, throughout all these centuries, so many have faltered and failed.
And even if there is no church reform in the near future on the issue of celibacy – the least that can be done is to change the institutional governance of the church, from monarchical to participative. Married lay leaders should be given a more active role in governing the church, and not simply consulted – especially on major issues that concern family life.
In the name of FAMILY – the primal vehicle of Christ’s incarnation and the New Creation – may Almighty God guide our church leaders in the months and years to come.
A Blessed Christmas to all!