OUR Lord realized that he was asking a very hard
thing of his disciples in urging them to accept the state of virginity, and so
he sought to draw them towards the desire of it by first showing them the
binding nature of the marriage law. From there, he led them on to see that
however hard it might be, yet it was possible to achieve, saying: For there
were some eunuchs which were born from their mother’s womb: and there are some eunuchs
which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made
themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven’s sake.
THESE words are an inducement to them to choose
virginity, while
at same time they make it clear that the state is indeed attainable. He puts it
to them like this: Supposing, through some disablement from birth or through
some injury from the hands of men, you were deprived of sexual enjoyment and
had nothing to atone for the lack of it, what would you do?
SO now give thanks to God because he helps you on with
the promise of a reward and a crown, for accepting the same state that others
have to endure with neither reward nor crown. Yet yours is not really the same
state, but a far happier one, because it is accompanied by an holy hope and an
upright conscience, and is at the same time free from the pounding waves of
carnal desire.
HE spoke of two kinds of eunuchs. The first were
the vain, useless sort, whose minds were by no means continent. The second were
those who were chaste for the kingdom of heaven's sake. Then he added, he that
is able to receive it, let him receive it; to help them to receive it more
readily. In his infinite lovingkindness he did not wish to make virginity a
precept under obligation of law. By putting it to them in this way, he shows that
attainment is the more possible in proportion to the strengthening of will.
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