Close to His Heart

The Catechism of the Catholic Church states :  (1658) We must also remember the great number of single persons who, because of the particular circumstances in which they have to live - often not of their choosing - are especially close to Jesus' heart and therefore deserve the special affection and active solicitude of the Church, especially of pastors. Many remain without a human family often due to conditions of poverty. Some live their situation in the spirit of the Beatitudes, serving God and neighbor in exemplary fashion. The doors of homes, the "domestic churches," and of the great family which is the Church must be open to all of them. "No one is without a family in this world: the Church is a home and family for everyone, especially those who 'labor and are heavy laden.'"


Did you catch that? (Hopefully the bold letters helped you...) Single people are especially close to Jesus' heart?  Wow....I think it's amazing that the Bishops of the Catholic Church felt inspired by the Holy Spirit to include that statement in the Catechism.  (For all of you non-Catholics, the Catechism is kind of the "everything you ever wanted to know about being Catholic and how Catholics stand on most issues" book.)  In our current society, being single is often frowned upon.  How many woman's magazines for teens and young adults have titles such as "How to land a man in 30 days," "How to tell if he's into you or not", "Online dating"...and so on, and so forth.  Even within our church being single isn't necessarily looked down upon, but it certainly isn't celebrated.  Each year I take my students down to the local seminary for a Vocations Day.   The seminary puts on a great program and does a great job of talking about a vocation to the priesthood, married live, and religious orders, but besides a slight mention of being a consecrated single, nothing is mentioned about the single life.  But we are special to Jesus....held close to His heart, and yet no one seems to know what to do with us singles....temporary or consecrated... the single life, is a good life....but just don't bring it up! ;)

A friend of mine had recently told a struggling single that the vocation to the single life needed to be celebrated and embraced!  There are roles in this world that we as singles (without attachment to a husband, children, or religious community) are able to fill that others just are not.  There are opportunities we are able to take and positions to fill that married men and women are unable to.  We are able to fully dedicate our lives to the Lord, while priests have to give of themselves unselfishly to the church, just as married couples have to also be dedicated to their families.  I don't mean any insult to these vocations by any means, but I think it's important for us as singles to realize that we too have things to celebrate our livelihood.  (Talk to any mother of 3 young kids who would do anything to get out of the house for the night.)

I think it's time for the church to really celebrate the call that some may have to be single.  For some people that call may be short, and for others that call may be for the rest of their lives here on this planet.  We need to recognize and encourage the singles we know to live fully their life now.  In addition to the blind dates and social engagements...our married friends and church families need to embrace us and help us as we walk this special walk.

I am encouraged today by the initial statement.  It helps me to appreciate that my current state in life isn't a punishment or a waiting room of sorts, but rather this is a time in my life that God has a special plan and purpose for.  He has something for me to do...to live out those Beatitudes...to go out into the world and bring my joy to others.   And so my purpose is once again revitalized and I know that I am never too far from the heart of God as I live.