A Husband's Heart

​In the Roman Catholic Church, priests don’t get married, and this isn’t due to a form of discrimination. On the contrary, the Church, as mother and teacher, has seen it prudent, throughout the centuries, that priests remain celibate in favor of their mission. And the point is that the priest’s love pours itself out for the whole Church family. He takes on this commitment freely, and always for love. As we can read in the Gospel according to Matthew, “Not all can accept [this] word, but only those to whom that is granted” (Mt 19:11).

From the very early days in the Church, Christ has been called “the Bridegroom of the Church,” and the priest also becomes the “bridegroom” by acting in the name of God, with whom he commits to be faithful and educate his children about the faith. This is a very important dimension in the life of the priest. As a husband, the priest has responsibilities and rights. That is how he lives as part of a great family, looking after it with love and protecting it with his own life if it’s necessary.

“Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ loved the church and handed himself over for her to sanctify her, cleansing her by the bath of water with the word, that he might present to himself the church in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish” (Eph. 5:25-27).

(Original article and image first appeared here: ​https://catholic-link.org/seven-hearts-of-a-priest/)