Virginity is to marriage as angel is to human; Angels: Day 274

Last updated on: April 23, 2017 at 3:30 am by Pete Socks

Virginity is to marriage as angel is to human; Angels: Day 274 2017-04-15T17:15:42-05:00 Pete Socks

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

God forbid we should say anything against marriage, says St. John of Damascus. After all, Christ himself honored marriage as a guest at the wedding in Cana. But virginity is a higher state—an imitation of the angels.

Virginity is the rule of life among the angels, the property of all incor- poreal nature. We say this without speaking ill of marriage—God forbid! For we know that the Lord blessed marriage by His presence ( John 2:1), and we know him who said, “Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled” (Heb. 13:4).

But we know that virginity is better than marriage, however good. For among the virtues, just as among the vices, there are higher and lower grades. We know that all mortals after the first parents of the race are the offspring of marriage. (The first parents were the work of virginity and not of marriage.) But celibacy is, as we said, an imitation of the angels. For that reason, virginity is as much more honorable than marriage, as the angel is higher than a human being.

But why do I say angel? Christ Himself is the glory of virginity, who was not only begotten of the Father without beginning or emission or connection, but also became man in our image, being made flesh for our sakes of the Virgin without connection, and manifesting in himself the true and perfect virginity.

Therefore, although he did not command us to virginity by law (for as He said, not everyone can receive this saying (Matt. 19:11)), yet in actual fact he taught us that and gave us strength for it. For it is surely clear to everyone that virginity now is flourishing among us.

–St. John of Damascus, Exposition of the Christian Faith, 4.24

IN GOD’S PRESENCE, CONSIDER . . .

In my prayer, am I praying to the guardian angels of the priests and religious who serve me?

CLOSING PRAYER

Father, send your holy angels to protect all those who have consecrated their lives to your service.

Remember to subscribe to my feed so you will not miss a day! This recurring feature at The Catholic Blogger is possible through the cooperation of author Mike Aquilina and publisher Saint Benedict Press. To get your own copy of this book, click below.

A Year with the Angels

Mike Aquilina

Saint Benedict Press

Saint John of Damascus

Previous Post

April 22, 2017

Choosing an angel's life; Angels: Day 273

Next Post

April 24, 2017 Off the Shelf 020 with guest Timothy O'Malley

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category A Year with Mary A Year with the Angels A Year with the Church Fathers Book News Children's Review Featured CD Giveaway Guest Post Interview Linked Review Media review Movie Review New Releases Off the Shelf Review speakers Teen Review The Clergy Speaks The Laity Speaks The Open Book Podcast Uncategorized

Select a Month October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz