Singlehood

Today’s Gospel Text: And he arose and left the synagogue, and entered Simon's house. Now Simon's mother-in-law was ill with a high fever, and they besought him for her. 39 And he stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her; and immediately she rose and served them. 40 Now when the sun was setting, all those who had any that were sick with various diseases brought them to him; and he laid his hands on every one of them and healed them. 41 And demons also came out of many, crying, "You are the Son of God!" But he rebuked them, and would not allow them to speak, because they knew that he was the Christ. 42 And when it was day he departed and went into a lonely place. And the people sought him and came to him, and would have kept him from leaving them; 43 but he said to them, "I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other cities also; for I was sent for this purpose." 44 And he was preaching in the synagogues of Judea. Luke 4:38-44

Reflection:  Simon’s mother-in-law makes an interesting reading! It means that Peter, the first among the apostles had a wife.

St. Paul also talking about it the context of his dedication and commitment does make a reference to this: “Do we not have the right to be accompanied by a wife, as the other apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas?” 1 Cor 9:5 

Married Bishops, priests and deacons were a common thing in the early Church, St Paul advising Timothy has this to say: “Now a bishop must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, sensible, dignified, hospitable, an apt teacher, no drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, and no lover of money.” 1 Tim 3:2-4 (also cfr. Tit. 1: 5-6)

Further. St. Paul, who was single, had these two advices to give, in this particular context:

1.  “I wish that all were as I myself am. But each has his own special gift from God, one of one kind and one of another.” 1 Cor 7:7
2. “The unmarried man is anxious about the affairs of the Lord, how to please the Lord; but the married man is anxious about worldly affairs, how to please his wife, and his interests are divided. And the unmarried woman or girl is anxious about the affairs of the Lord, how to be holy in body and spirit; but the married woman is anxious about worldly affairs, how to please her husband. I say this for your own benefit, not to lay any restraint upon you, but to promote good order and to secure your undivided devotion to the Lord.” 1 Cor 7:32-35

Though in the early church there were instances of married men in key positions, yet the clarion call was always towards a service of God with a singleness of heart.

Christ Jesus by his teaching, life, sacrificial death and resurrection makes it possible reality, hence he makes a reference to those “who have made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. He who is able to receive this, let him receive it." Matt 19:12

Prayer: Lord, let my heart be devoted to you and through you to others.

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