Purification of the heart demands prayer, the practice of chastity, purity of intention and of vision. (CCC 2532).
How do we in our daily lives acquire a pure heart? We must seek the answers exercising our ability to pray, study scripture, meditate on the scripture and it's message God is trying to reveal to us individually and collectively, study of our faith and the teachings of the Church, it's traditions and knowing God and ourselves through all of these resources. And most of all TRUSTING GOD no matter if we can understand the WHY?
Living a pure life is a challenge and a Cross difficult to carry, yet one we must all strive to conquer in our lives. If we strive each day to flower the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit we will undoubtedly reap the fruits of the Holy Spirit in our lives hear on earth, in our relationships and inevitably in our life with God for all eternity.
Although practicing a life of Chastity in our lives whether single or married is difficult St. Josemaria Escriva tells us that "When you decide firmly to lead a clean life, Chastity will not be a burden on you: It will be a crown of triumph."
According to Jason Evert's statement on his and wife, Crystalina's website at http://chastity.com/node/442
"Some think that "chastity" simply means "not having sex." But that's
mere abstinence: what you can't do and can't have. Chastity is more than
that, it is about what you can do and have—right now: a lifestyle that
brings freedom, respect, peace, and romance without regret."
According to http://catholic.net/index.php?option=dedestaca&id=6832 in the article "Chastity: What are you saying YES to? Chastity is defined as "a virtue that directs all our sexual
desires, emotions, and attractions toward the dignity of the person and the real meaning of
love."
"That means that all of our sexual
desires, emotions, and attractions to others are supposed to be at the service of the dignity of the
other person and the real meaning of love—not at the service of what we want! Chastity is a deep
respect and admiration for the person AND for the gifts of our sexuality and sex. As Blessed Pope John Paul II
puts it, chastity is the readiness to affirm and love the person in every situation. You know what
you are saying no to by living chastity, but what are you saying YES to?".
When we choose to live a life of Chastity we are saying yes to authentic real love, to the person, the “it is very good” kind of sex, your
future and if married your spouse, a great
future and yes to God.
So, what can we practically do each day to attain a pure heart? How can we practice chastity in our lives? Some of the things we can do each day begins with prayer, loving now, being ourselves, practicing self-discipline, controlling our thoughts and imagination, thinking about how we advertise ourselves, being alert, knowing ourselves, having reminders and being with others according to "Chastity: What are we saying YES to?" at www.catholic.net.
I quote and list here the explanation of each of these practical approaches to acquiring the purity of heart that the gift of the Holy Spirit of understanding will give to us and what will help us attain a pure heart.
"Practical Things You Can Do to Start Living Chastity NOW
1.
PRAY!!
Mother Teresa said “Purity is the fruit of
prayer.” Chastity cannot be lived by one’s own strength, but requires the help of Christ and the
graces He gives through the Sacraments. Pick a saint—St. Joseph, St. Anne, St. Maria Goretti, St.
Philomena, and Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati are some suggestions—and ask them to pray for you
specifically in the area of purity. Pray for strength to always do what’s right, for your future
vocation and spouse, and for all people to know the joy that comes from living a chaste life for the
Lord.
2. Start loving
now.
Chastity isn’t about waiting to love; it’s about
authentically loving NOW. Find ways to renounce your will and sacrifice for the good of others. Act
in such a way that all you do reflects your own dignity and helps others to realize their true worth
as well. Learn to give of yourself and receive the gift of others.
3. Be
yourself.
Never change who you are or water down your
beliefs and moral convictions in hopes that others will like you more. You will be respected for
your authenticity, and people will know where you stand by the example of your life. Find friends
who will encourage you in living a chaste life rather than pressuring you to conform to the world’s
standards.
4. Practice
self-discipline.
Challenge yourself
in the little things: not hitting the snooze button, skipping dessert, avoiding gossip, etc. By
renouncing yourself in the little things, you are training yourself to renounce yourself in the big
things. Then, when temptation comes your way, you’ll be ready. Be faithful to your commitments; set
goals and stick with them.
5. Control your thoughts and
imagination.
Once you go to a place mentally, it is
easier to go there in reality. Some of what we hear and watch in the media sabotages our longings
for real love by training us to use people. If you have romance novels, pornography, explicit songs,
or anything else that tempts you, trash them. It might be hard, but you will experience the freedom
that comes from rejecting sin and addiction, and Satan will no longer have these tools to use
against you.
6. Think about how you advertise
yourself.
The things you do and say, your friends, the
way you dress, etc., all tell the world something about you. Dress in a way that accents your beauty
rather than just your body. Modesty is about respecting yourself and helping your brothers and
sisters in Christ to live chastity as well. Archbishop Fulton Sheen said, “No one ever becomes truly
beautiful until he stops trying to make himself beautiful, and begins making himself good. Mary was
not ‘full of grace’ because she was beautiful; she was beautiful because she was full of
grace.”
7. Be alert!
Don’t drink
alcohol or do drugs. Be aware of your surroundings (watch your drink!), and keep full possession of
the capacity to think clearly, which is so compromised by drugs and
alcohol.
8. Know Yourself.
It’s
not just about saying NO when you’re in a bad situation, but about avoiding these situations to
begin with. If certain situations, things, or people are a source of temptation to you, have the
wisdom and strength to stay away. If you are ever in a situation where you may be tempted beyond
your strength, 1) speak up, 2) stand up, and 3) walk out.
9. Have a
reminder.
Wear a chastity ring/necklace or say a certain
special prayer daily. Do something that reminds you of your commitment to true
love.
10. Group
date.
Go out with a guy/girl in a group of people. It
will be more fun, and you will get to see how this person interacts with your friends. Be up-front
and honest so he or she knows that chastity is essential in your relationship. If your date doesn’t
respect your choice to live chastely, what else won’t they
respect?"
Although this article targets specifically the unmarried, this also applies to married couples as well. We are all called to live a life of Chastity and to attain a purity of heart and understanding of God's will for our lives.
Are you up for the challenge to seek, understand and live the spirit of understanding? What are you willing to do to attain a pure heart? Are you hungry to know God, love God and serve God? Will you pick up your bible and catechism today in order to know God better? Will you speak to and ask God for the spirit to understand His word, His love and will for your life? Will you take the time to examine your conscience and get to know who you are? Will you surrender your will to the will of God today? I hope that you take the time, because life is short and uncertain as to when He will call us from this life. Will you be ready?
When we meet again we will unpack the Gift of Knowledge, which allows us to judge correctly concerning the truths of faith in accord with their proper causes. It makes us see the emptiness of created things and the necessity of placing our complete trust in God. As this gift shows us the gravity of sin, it corresponds with the beatitude of those who weep for their sins .
May you be blessed and may God reveal is love and mercy to you on your quest to know him more, love him more and serve him more.
Peace Be With Your Spirits,
Stephie
No comments:
Post a Comment