Having been a celibate for many years [K. N. is speaking of a nun], she recognizes that only when one knows what it is to be truly in love can celibacy cease to be a personal hang-up, a limitation of one's ability to appreciate other people. Only then does it gain the potential to develop into hospitality, fruitful maturity, the self-giving that listening requires. The woman had just defined holy wickedness for me: it is wishing good for another, even if it entails emotional mayhem. It is wishing good for all, but in a way that takes full advantage of God's sense of humor.
Kathleen Norris, from _Amazing Grace--A Vocabulary of Faith_
Posted by mike at July 9, 2004 12:06 AM