celibacy

In the chapter on celibacy in Henri Nouwen’s book, Clowning in Rome, he utilizes Thomas Aquinas’ definition of celibacy as a vacancy for God to recommend it as an appropriate pursuit for married individuals. Leaving an open space in one’s life and marriage reflects one’s belief in a love that transcends human intimacy. Once this space is created we leave open the possibility for God to fill parts of our relational cavity inaccessible to human grasp. Procuring this vacancy is difficult not only due to its practical definition and maintenance, but due also to the disquieting fear that God won’t show or that he won’t be enough. Go on then unsettled soul and pursue this emptying, for the fulfillment of the world has already expired..