Love is the only impetus that is sufficiently overwhelming to force us to leave the comfortable shelter of our well-armed individuality, shed the impregnable shell of self-sufficiency, and crawl out nakedly into the danger zone beyond, the melting pot where individuality is purified into personhood. (Hederman & Eros 2000, p. 66)
Celibates must live and love in the world. They must allow relationships to shape their understanding of God, and in so doing, they will be able to step outside theii own limitations. The temptation of celibates is toward a love that is universal anc vague. Celibates must love particular people, some with deep friendship, learning to integrate these loves into their identity.