The gift of Celibacy

St. Paul speaks about the benefits of celibacy in 1 Corinthians 6. He says the unmarried man is concerned with the pleasing the Lord. This is the primary benefit of forsaking the natural right to marriage. If celibacy makes you more selfish then it is a failure and a corruption of the purpose of human life. A single or celibate person who lives merely as a bachelor focused on his own needs quickly becomes a burden to others and most of all to himself. I would say that marriage is a safer way to the true gift of self. You have a spouse and children whose needs are obvious and trump your own selfish desires. We are made to give ourselves as a gift. It is only when we do this that we can find our true fulfillment. The person who embraces and accepts the unmarried state can make great advances in their prayer life. Fasting makes us stronger spiritually. So if a person joyfully accepts the state of fasting then he or she has access to spiritual resources that are not normally available. The fruit of this is that you come to see all people as your brother and sister. Looking first to God for your spiritual nourishment you do not have to take anything from your neighbor. This gives you great joy and freedom in your friendships, and it allows the person to show mercy and compassion. These good qualities are not impossible for the married person, but their concern is naturally for the good of the their family.