Holy Purity
1. Have you ever experienced the sheer delight of climbing the
mountains on a summer's day and coming across one of those little alpine
lakes, a tiny mirror reflecting the still blueness of the sky? Or have
you ever watched an infant smiling in its angelic slumber and been held
spellbound by this vision of innocence? Finally, on some calm, clear
night, surely you have studied the
star-spangled sky and have been so overwhelmed by the beauty of the
scene that you could have cried out with the Psalmist: “The heavens
declare the glory of God, and the firmament proclaims His handiwork.”
(Ps. 18:1) These are only faint images of the beauty and virginal purity
of Mary. Her soul was the purest and most beautiful of the entire human
and angelic creation, because nobody else was ever raised to the
dignity of the Motherhood of God. She was conceived free from all taint
of original sin and enriched with every grace. In her chaste womb she
conceived the Infant Jesus. Later she held Him close to her heart; she
lived for Him and eventually died for love of Him.
Purity is a
virtue which is attractive to everybody, even to those who are evil
themselves or to those who have lost their own chastity. We love and
desire this virtue, but are we prepared to make any sacrifice in order
to preserve it in the manner demanded by our particular state in life?
“The kingdom of heaven has been enduring violent assault,” Jesus said,
“and the violent have been seizing it by force.” (Mt. 11:12) This is
especially true in regard to the acquisition of the virtue of purity. It
is not enough to desire it; we must be willing to make sacrifices in
order to acquire it.
2. Since Mary excelled so much in this
virtue and had so great a love for it, she will obtain for us from God
the grace necessary for us to preserve it, as long as we pray humbly to
her, especially in time of temptation. Let us remember that at Baptism
we became members of the Mystical Body of Christ and temples of the Holy
Spirit. (Cf. 1 Cor. 6:15-20) We are obliged to avoid defiling this
temple and making the Mystical Body of Christ a dwelling-place for the
devil. It is not true to say that this is an impossible fight. We know
from our own experience that we can win. We have often battled with or
fled from occasions of sin. We have prayed and made sacrifices in order
to win, and with the help of God and the protection of the Blessed
Virgin we have won. After our victory we have felt elated and have
experienced that peace which only God's grace can bestow. If we have
succeeded so many times, why cannot we do the same always? There is no
need to be afraid. If we do all that we can, God's grace will do the
rest. “I can do all things in him who strengthens me,” (Phil. 4:13) says
St. Paul. “God is faithful,” he writes elsewhere, “and will not permit
you to be tempted beyond your strength, but with the temptation will
also give you a way out that you may be able to bear it.” (1 Cor. 10:13)
If we remain pure, we shall see God. We shall see Him in the work of
His creation in this world and we shall see and enjoy Him forever in
Heaven. “Blessed are the clean of heart, for they shall see God.”(Mt.
5:8)
3. Most pure Virgin, immaculate Mother of God, you see how
many dangers and snares surround my soul. You see how weak I am and how
much I need your help. Assist me, I beseech you, when I am tempted.
Grant that I may die in the state of grace rather than fall into sin.
Amen.
Showing posts with label purity. Show all posts
Showing posts with label purity. Show all posts
Sunday, 25 May 2014
Wednesday, 7 May 2014
The Virgin Purity of Mary - Cardinal Bacci
The Virgin Purity of Mary
1. It is a dogma of faith that Mary was always a virgin in body and in soul. According to the teaching of the holy Fathers, Mary would have renounced her dignity as Mother of God rather than lose her virginity. When the Archangel Gabriel appeared with the news of the great privilege which she was about to receive, Mary was afraid and asked meekly how she could become the Mother of God since she had promised to remain always a virgin. The Angel assured her that it was through the power of the Holy Spirit that the eternal Word of God would take human flesh in her and become her son. Only then did she bow her head and reply: "Be it done to me according to thy word." Mary's perpetual virginity is complemented by her purity and absolute immunity from sin. When we consider sin of any kind, says St. Augustine, Mary must always be the one exception to it. (Cf. De natura et gratia, c. 36) She was preserved free from original sin and possessed the fullness of grace. The devil never had any power over her spotless soul. Not even the slightest tarnish marred her virginal splendour. Free from the concupiscence which has disturbed our human nature, she was like a snow-white lily sparkling in the sunlight. Her mortal life was a continuous ascent towards the highest peak of holiness. It would be wrong to believe that the extraordinary privileges which God had granted her from her conception remained fixed and static like an acquired inheritance. On the contrary, her daily correspondence with God's gifts was as remarkable as her dignity. The most chaste Virgin Mary is a model for our imitation. We cannot obtain her privileges, but we should try and imitate her heroic and constant co-operation with the gifts of God.
2. Purity is the most beautiful of the virtues. It is a virtue which is admired by God and by men, even by the most corrupt. It is often said that it makes us like the angels, but in fact, looking at it in a particular way, it makes us superior to the angels. Since they have no bodies, the angels cannot sin against purity, while we have to fight many battles and overcome many temptations in order to preserve our chastity. Jesus had a very special love for this virtue. He chose to be born of a virgin and showed a particular affection for St. John, who was a dedicated celibate. On one occasion He placed His hands on the head of a little child and said: “Unless you turn and become like little children, you will not enter into the kingdom of heaven.” (Mt. 18:3)
Unfortunately, the virtue of purity is as fragile as it is beautiful. It can be lost in a single moment of weakness. We must love this virtue as Mary loved it. We must be prepared to make any sacrifice, even the most heroic, rather than lose it. Worldly charm and beauty attract us and the devil works hard to control our imagination and our affections. On account of the disturbance of original sin, the flesh is like a terrible weight retarding our spiritual advancement. Sometimes it seems as if it is irresistibly drawing us towards the abyss of impurity. But we need not be dragged down if we are prepared to fly from the occasions of sin and to pray to God and to our heavenly Mother for her intercession. We must always act at once, for there is no time to dally. It is fatal to remain inactive and allow temptation to make its way into our soul. This kind of battle, said St. Francis de Sales, is won only by soldiers who flee. We must fly from the occasion of sin, no matter what sacrifice this entails. Jesus has warned us that it is better to enter Heaven without a hand or a foot than to be cast into hell. We know the remedies—instant flight, heroic sacrifice, and constant prayer. We can leave the rest to the grace of God and to the maternal protection of Mary.
3. O Mary, my heavenly Mother, I am so weak, yet the danger in which I find myself is so great. Turn your eyes of mercy upon me and come to my assistance. Most of all, do not allow the demon of impurity to seduce my soul. Grant that I may never yield to the temptations of the flesh. Protect for me the flower of my chastity until I can deliver it unsullied into the hands of Jesus in Heaven. Amen.
1. It is a dogma of faith that Mary was always a virgin in body and in soul. According to the teaching of the holy Fathers, Mary would have renounced her dignity as Mother of God rather than lose her virginity. When the Archangel Gabriel appeared with the news of the great privilege which she was about to receive, Mary was afraid and asked meekly how she could become the Mother of God since she had promised to remain always a virgin. The Angel assured her that it was through the power of the Holy Spirit that the eternal Word of God would take human flesh in her and become her son. Only then did she bow her head and reply: "Be it done to me according to thy word." Mary's perpetual virginity is complemented by her purity and absolute immunity from sin. When we consider sin of any kind, says St. Augustine, Mary must always be the one exception to it. (Cf. De natura et gratia, c. 36) She was preserved free from original sin and possessed the fullness of grace. The devil never had any power over her spotless soul. Not even the slightest tarnish marred her virginal splendour. Free from the concupiscence which has disturbed our human nature, she was like a snow-white lily sparkling in the sunlight. Her mortal life was a continuous ascent towards the highest peak of holiness. It would be wrong to believe that the extraordinary privileges which God had granted her from her conception remained fixed and static like an acquired inheritance. On the contrary, her daily correspondence with God's gifts was as remarkable as her dignity. The most chaste Virgin Mary is a model for our imitation. We cannot obtain her privileges, but we should try and imitate her heroic and constant co-operation with the gifts of God.
2. Purity is the most beautiful of the virtues. It is a virtue which is admired by God and by men, even by the most corrupt. It is often said that it makes us like the angels, but in fact, looking at it in a particular way, it makes us superior to the angels. Since they have no bodies, the angels cannot sin against purity, while we have to fight many battles and overcome many temptations in order to preserve our chastity. Jesus had a very special love for this virtue. He chose to be born of a virgin and showed a particular affection for St. John, who was a dedicated celibate. On one occasion He placed His hands on the head of a little child and said: “Unless you turn and become like little children, you will not enter into the kingdom of heaven.” (Mt. 18:3)
Unfortunately, the virtue of purity is as fragile as it is beautiful. It can be lost in a single moment of weakness. We must love this virtue as Mary loved it. We must be prepared to make any sacrifice, even the most heroic, rather than lose it. Worldly charm and beauty attract us and the devil works hard to control our imagination and our affections. On account of the disturbance of original sin, the flesh is like a terrible weight retarding our spiritual advancement. Sometimes it seems as if it is irresistibly drawing us towards the abyss of impurity. But we need not be dragged down if we are prepared to fly from the occasions of sin and to pray to God and to our heavenly Mother for her intercession. We must always act at once, for there is no time to dally. It is fatal to remain inactive and allow temptation to make its way into our soul. This kind of battle, said St. Francis de Sales, is won only by soldiers who flee. We must fly from the occasion of sin, no matter what sacrifice this entails. Jesus has warned us that it is better to enter Heaven without a hand or a foot than to be cast into hell. We know the remedies—instant flight, heroic sacrifice, and constant prayer. We can leave the rest to the grace of God and to the maternal protection of Mary.
3. O Mary, my heavenly Mother, I am so weak, yet the danger in which I find myself is so great. Turn your eyes of mercy upon me and come to my assistance. Most of all, do not allow the demon of impurity to seduce my soul. Grant that I may never yield to the temptations of the flesh. Protect for me the flower of my chastity until I can deliver it unsullied into the hands of Jesus in Heaven. Amen.
Thursday, 30 January 2014
How to Guard Holy Purity - Cardinal Bacci
How to Guard Holy Purity
1. Purity of heart is a quality which attracts everybody, even those who are evil themselves. It makes a man seem like an angel in human form, for it shines from his countenance. Unfortunately, the virtue of purity is as difficult as it is beautiful. It is fatal for anyone to cast himself into the mire. The first sin of impurity is a disaster, because it is often the first link in a tragic chain which makes him the slave of his lower impulses and of the tyrannical enemy of souls, the devil.
We must resist the earliest suggestions of the flesh by every means in our power, both natural and supernatural.
St. Thomas Aquinas tells us that none of the passions dethrones reason so much as sensuality. (Summa, II-II, q. 53, a. 6) St. Augustine warns us also in his Confessions that lust has its cause in a perverse will and if anybody surrenders to it he acquires the evil habit. If this habit is not resisted, the sin becomes a frightening necessity. Resist from the beginning if you wish to avoid ruin and the slavery of the devil, who cunningly uses this passion to capture souls. If a man is overcome by violent temptation and falls into sin, however, he should not lose courage. God is infinitely good and merciful. He knows our weakness. When anyone falls, let him rise immediately. Let him return to God by repenting and making a good confession. Let him resolve to make any sacrifice rather than fall again.
2. Because it is so difficult to preserve the angelic purity of the soul, it is absolutely essential to make good use of the measures favoured for this purpose by the masters of the spiritual life. The first of these is prayer; the spirit of prayer will keep us close to God. If our mind and heart are united to God in the performance of every action, we will never allow ourselves to be separated from Him by impurity. This spirit of prayer must be based on humility and the consciousness of our continual need of God, and must be kept alive by love for Him.
The second measure is to avoid the occasions of sin. "Sensuality is best conquered by flight,"(Summa, I-II, q. 35) St. Thomas advises us. "He who loves danger will perish in it." (Ecclus. 3:25) Battles like this, said St. Francis de Sales, are won by the soldiers who retreat. As soon as an impure thought or image intrudes itself, drive it away as if a serpent were attacking you. It is fatal to allow the thought or image to gain ground, for at this stage victory becomes extremely difficult.
Thirdly, it often helps to occupy the mind and imagination immediately with things in which we are interested. The greatest danger of all in these moments of temptation is idleness.
3. Let us examine our conscience now and we shall perceive that every time we have fallen in any way it was always because we did not put into practice the remedies suggested. So let us not lose courage but renew our determination to employ at the first sign of danger the necessary means of defending our purity. It will be a hard struggle at times. But the grace of God will never let us down as long as we do our best to co-operate with it. Each one of us should remember that God “is faithful and will not permit you to be tempted beyond your strength, but with the temptation will also give you a way out that you may be able to bear it.” (I Cor. 10:13) Our first reward will be the exhilaration of having fought hard and won.
1. Purity of heart is a quality which attracts everybody, even those who are evil themselves. It makes a man seem like an angel in human form, for it shines from his countenance. Unfortunately, the virtue of purity is as difficult as it is beautiful. It is fatal for anyone to cast himself into the mire. The first sin of impurity is a disaster, because it is often the first link in a tragic chain which makes him the slave of his lower impulses and of the tyrannical enemy of souls, the devil.
We must resist the earliest suggestions of the flesh by every means in our power, both natural and supernatural.
St. Thomas Aquinas tells us that none of the passions dethrones reason so much as sensuality. (Summa, II-II, q. 53, a. 6) St. Augustine warns us also in his Confessions that lust has its cause in a perverse will and if anybody surrenders to it he acquires the evil habit. If this habit is not resisted, the sin becomes a frightening necessity. Resist from the beginning if you wish to avoid ruin and the slavery of the devil, who cunningly uses this passion to capture souls. If a man is overcome by violent temptation and falls into sin, however, he should not lose courage. God is infinitely good and merciful. He knows our weakness. When anyone falls, let him rise immediately. Let him return to God by repenting and making a good confession. Let him resolve to make any sacrifice rather than fall again.
2. Because it is so difficult to preserve the angelic purity of the soul, it is absolutely essential to make good use of the measures favoured for this purpose by the masters of the spiritual life. The first of these is prayer; the spirit of prayer will keep us close to God. If our mind and heart are united to God in the performance of every action, we will never allow ourselves to be separated from Him by impurity. This spirit of prayer must be based on humility and the consciousness of our continual need of God, and must be kept alive by love for Him.
The second measure is to avoid the occasions of sin. "Sensuality is best conquered by flight,"(Summa, I-II, q. 35) St. Thomas advises us. "He who loves danger will perish in it." (Ecclus. 3:25) Battles like this, said St. Francis de Sales, are won by the soldiers who retreat. As soon as an impure thought or image intrudes itself, drive it away as if a serpent were attacking you. It is fatal to allow the thought or image to gain ground, for at this stage victory becomes extremely difficult.
Thirdly, it often helps to occupy the mind and imagination immediately with things in which we are interested. The greatest danger of all in these moments of temptation is idleness.
3. Let us examine our conscience now and we shall perceive that every time we have fallen in any way it was always because we did not put into practice the remedies suggested. So let us not lose courage but renew our determination to employ at the first sign of danger the necessary means of defending our purity. It will be a hard struggle at times. But the grace of God will never let us down as long as we do our best to co-operate with it. Each one of us should remember that God “is faithful and will not permit you to be tempted beyond your strength, but with the temptation will also give you a way out that you may be able to bear it.” (I Cor. 10:13) Our first reward will be the exhilaration of having fought hard and won.
Wednesday, 29 January 2014
Blessed are the Clean of Heart - Cardinal Bacci
Blessed are the Clean of Heart
1. Understood in its entirety as embracing its higher grade, that is, perpetual virginity consecrated to God, purity of heart is a gift which only Christianity can give. (Encyclical, Sacra Virginitas, Pope Pius XII, 1954) If we have been called to receive this wonderful gift, let us humbly thank God. It is a sublime dignity to belong, body and soul, to God.
Sacred Scripture says of men: “What is man that you should be mindful of him, or the son of man that you should care for him? You have made him a little less than the angels, and crowned him with glory and honour. You have given him rule over the works of your hands, putting all things under his feet.” (Ps. 8:5; Heb. 2:7) But under a certain aspect those who are living in virginity can be said to be superior to the angels. Since an angel has no body, he offers God only the homage of his spirit. A virgin, on the other hand, must bear the burden of an earthly body. He must offer continually on the altar of his heart (and often after a heroic battle) not only his soul with its appetites and will, but also all the impulses and lower faculties “which wage war against the soul.” (I Peter 2:11)
This is a double sacrifice, which St. Ambrose calls a continual martyrdom of body and soul. But the reward lies in the joy and peace which flow from this perpetual offering of soul and body to the Immaculate Lamb. This happiness is a compensation for any conflict which must be endured, and is a foretaste of the joys of Heaven.
2. There is a purity of heart and chastity which is an obligation for everybody, even for those who are married or preparing for marriage. Everybody is obliged to avoid any act of impurity in so far as it is opposed to his own particular state, to the natural law and to the divine law. Do not think that this degree of chastity is any easier than the first. Sometimes the obligations it imposes are even more difficult than those of absolute virginity.
There is only one remedy for impurity. It is the practice of virtue to the point of sacrifice. Only a man who is ready with the help of God to make any sacrifice can preserve purity of heart. It is a hard struggle, but only those who win can see God. Our Lord has said: “Blessed are the clean of heart, for they shall see God.” (Mt. 5:8). Only the clean of heart will be able to see and enjoy Him forever in Heaven and by means of His grace will be able to see Him in a less perfect manner on earth. St. Thomas says that mental blindness is the main effect of impurity. (Summa, II-II, q. 53, a. 6) This is because anyone who gives himself up to impurity loses all spiritual enlightenment and easily loses his faith as well. He no longer sees God, and he does not believe any more, because his heart is steeped in the mire of impurity. “The sensual man does not perceive the things that are of the Spirit of God, for it is foolishness to him and he cannot understand...” (I Cor. 2:14) He is like the blind mole which creates its own dark little underground world and cannot see the sky any more.
3. St. Paul warns us in the following words: “Do you not know that your members are the temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought at a great price. Glorify God and bear him in your body.” (I Cor. 6: 19-20)
We who are temples of the Holy Ghost, redeemed by the Precious Blood of Jesus, must keep unsullied the purity of our hearts, the lily of our innocence. We must do this no matter what sacrifices it may cost us. Those stern words from the Gospel, “if thy right eye is an occasion of sin to thee, pluck it out and cast it from thee,” (Mt. 5:29) refer in a special way to the obstacles we must overcome and the sacrifices we must make to preserve this beautiful virtue. There can be no half-measures. We must be prepared to go to any length, even to accept death if necessary, like St. Maria Goretti. Even as we should be ready to face martyrdom for the faith, so we must be ready to face martyrdom in order to preserve purity of soul.
1. Understood in its entirety as embracing its higher grade, that is, perpetual virginity consecrated to God, purity of heart is a gift which only Christianity can give. (Encyclical, Sacra Virginitas, Pope Pius XII, 1954) If we have been called to receive this wonderful gift, let us humbly thank God. It is a sublime dignity to belong, body and soul, to God.
Sacred Scripture says of men: “What is man that you should be mindful of him, or the son of man that you should care for him? You have made him a little less than the angels, and crowned him with glory and honour. You have given him rule over the works of your hands, putting all things under his feet.” (Ps. 8:5; Heb. 2:7) But under a certain aspect those who are living in virginity can be said to be superior to the angels. Since an angel has no body, he offers God only the homage of his spirit. A virgin, on the other hand, must bear the burden of an earthly body. He must offer continually on the altar of his heart (and often after a heroic battle) not only his soul with its appetites and will, but also all the impulses and lower faculties “which wage war against the soul.” (I Peter 2:11)
This is a double sacrifice, which St. Ambrose calls a continual martyrdom of body and soul. But the reward lies in the joy and peace which flow from this perpetual offering of soul and body to the Immaculate Lamb. This happiness is a compensation for any conflict which must be endured, and is a foretaste of the joys of Heaven.
2. There is a purity of heart and chastity which is an obligation for everybody, even for those who are married or preparing for marriage. Everybody is obliged to avoid any act of impurity in so far as it is opposed to his own particular state, to the natural law and to the divine law. Do not think that this degree of chastity is any easier than the first. Sometimes the obligations it imposes are even more difficult than those of absolute virginity.
There is only one remedy for impurity. It is the practice of virtue to the point of sacrifice. Only a man who is ready with the help of God to make any sacrifice can preserve purity of heart. It is a hard struggle, but only those who win can see God. Our Lord has said: “Blessed are the clean of heart, for they shall see God.” (Mt. 5:8). Only the clean of heart will be able to see and enjoy Him forever in Heaven and by means of His grace will be able to see Him in a less perfect manner on earth. St. Thomas says that mental blindness is the main effect of impurity. (Summa, II-II, q. 53, a. 6) This is because anyone who gives himself up to impurity loses all spiritual enlightenment and easily loses his faith as well. He no longer sees God, and he does not believe any more, because his heart is steeped in the mire of impurity. “The sensual man does not perceive the things that are of the Spirit of God, for it is foolishness to him and he cannot understand...” (I Cor. 2:14) He is like the blind mole which creates its own dark little underground world and cannot see the sky any more.
3. St. Paul warns us in the following words: “Do you not know that your members are the temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought at a great price. Glorify God and bear him in your body.” (I Cor. 6: 19-20)
We who are temples of the Holy Ghost, redeemed by the Precious Blood of Jesus, must keep unsullied the purity of our hearts, the lily of our innocence. We must do this no matter what sacrifices it may cost us. Those stern words from the Gospel, “if thy right eye is an occasion of sin to thee, pluck it out and cast it from thee,” (Mt. 5:29) refer in a special way to the obstacles we must overcome and the sacrifices we must make to preserve this beautiful virtue. There can be no half-measures. We must be prepared to go to any length, even to accept death if necessary, like St. Maria Goretti. Even as we should be ready to face martyrdom for the faith, so we must be ready to face martyrdom in order to preserve purity of soul.
Monday, 27 January 2014
Child Eyes petition
Please sign this petition against the displaying of porn (which is what it effectively is) at children's eye level in supermarkets and the like.
https://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/david-cameron-make-it-illegal-to-display-porn-around-children
Child Eyes
https://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/david-cameron-make-it-illegal-to-display-porn-around-children
Child Eyes
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