4th Sunday in Ordinary Time: Why St. Paul Says He Wishes Everyone was Celibate

Today's 2nd reading, taken from the 7th chapter of St. Paul's 1st Letter to the Corinthians, helps us to reflect on the gift of marriage and the gift of celibacy. Paul begins the chapter by affirming the gift of marriage, and he admits that both are a "charism" -- a free gift given by God to an individual in order to bless them and (through them) the Church. But he also adds, "I wish everyone would be as I am," (meaning: celibate). We unwrap this confusing comment using the text from the second reading to help us.