2
And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
Genesis 1:2
Conjugial Love #155
155. 13. Chastity cannot be ascribed to people who have renounced marriage by a vow of perpetual celibacy, unless a love for the truly conjugial life is present and remains in them. There is no ascribing of chastity to people like this, because after a vow of perpetual celibacy, they cast aside conjugial love, and yet chastity is applicable only to this love.
Moreover, there is still an attraction to the opposite sex in them from creation and so from birth, and when this is restrained and suppressed, it inevitably happens that the attraction turns into a feeling of warmth and in some cases into a state of heat, which, rising from the body into the spirit, torments it and in some people corrupts it. It can happen as well that the spirit thus corrupted in turn corrupts matters of religion and casts them down from their proper internal abode, where they are held in reverence, to an external abode, where they become merely words and gestures.
Because of this, the Lord has therefore provided that celibacy of this kind occur only among people who have an external worship, which they are in because they do not go to the Lord or read the Word. In their case, eternal life is not put in peril by conditions of celibacy imposed along with a vow of chastity, as it would be in the case of people who have an internal worship.
In addition, many of these people do not enter that kind of life of their own free will, but some do so before they reach a state of freedom arising from reason, and some do so as a result of seductive influences from the world.
[2] Among people who adopt that way of life in order to free their minds from the world so as to have time for Divine worship, only those are chaste in whom a love for the truly conjugial life either was present before the celibate state or came into being afterwards and then remained, because a love for the truly conjugial life is the love to which chastity applies.
For this reason, too, after death, all monastics are finally released from their vows and allowed to go free, in order that they may be led to choose either married or unmarried life according to the inner prayers and longings of their love. If they then choose to enter married life, those who have at the same time loved the spiritual things of worship are allowed to marry in heaven. But those who choose an unmarried life are sent to others like themselves, who live in the outskirts of heaven.
[3] With respect to women who devoted themselves to a life of piety, giving themselves up to Divine worship and thus withdrawing themselves from the illusions of the world and the lusts of the flesh, and who had therefore taken a vow of perpetual virginity, I have asked angels whether they are received into heaven, and whether they become first among the happy there, according to their belief. But the angels replied that they are indeed received, but when they feel the atmosphere of conjugial love there, they become unhappy and distressed. And then, the angels said, they leave or are sent away, some of them going on their own, some after asking permission, and some by being told to go. Moreover, when they are outside the heaven they had been in, a way opens before them leading to companions who had lived in a similar state of life in the world. And then they become no longer distressed but cheerful, and they rejoice with one another.
Psalms 73
1
Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.
2
But as for me, my feet were almost gone. My steps had nearly slipped.
3
For I was envious of the arrogant, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
4
For there are no struggles in their death, but their strength is firm.
5
They are free from burdens of men, neither are they plagued like other men.
6
Therefore pride is like a chain around their neck. Violence covers them like a garment.
7
Their eyes bulge with fat. Their minds pass the limits of conceit.
8
They scoff and speak with malice. In arrogance, they threaten oppression.
9
They have set their mouth in the heavens. Their tongue walks through the earth.
10
Therefore their people return to them, and they drink up waters of abundance.
11
They say, "How does God know? Is there knowledge in the Most High?"
12
Behold, these are the wicked. Being always at ease, they increase in riches.
13
Surely in vain I have cleansed my heart, and washed my hands in innocence,
14
For all day long have I been plagued, and punished every morning.
15
If I had said, "I will speak thus;" behold, I would have betrayed the generation of your children.
16
When I tried to understand this, it was too painful for me;
17
Until I entered God's sanctuary, and considered their latter end.
18
Surely you set them in slippery places. You throw them down to destruction.
19
How they are suddenly destroyed! They are completely swept away with terrors.
20
As a dream when one wakes up, so, Lord, when you awake, you will despise their fantasies.
21
For my soul was grieved. I was embittered in my heart.
22
I was so senseless and ignorant. I was a brute beast before you.
23
Nevertheless, I am continually with you. You have held my right hand.
24
You will guide me with your counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.
25
Who do I have in heaven? There is no one on earth who I desire besides you.
26
My flesh and my heart fails, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
27
For, behold, those who are far from you shall perish. You have destroyed all those who are unfaithful to you.
28
But it is good for me to come close to God. I have made the Lord Yahweh my refuge, that I may tell of all your works. A contemplation by Asaph.
