Today we spend our time considering the virtue of chastity which finds its opposite in lust. Saint Josemaria Escriva puts this virtue into context by stating: “There is need for a crusade of manliness and purity to counteract and undo the savage work of those who think that man is a beast. And that crusade is a matter for you.”
Therefore, to live a life of chastity is to live out purity. One should be formed in chastity when they are a child under the guidance of their parents who teach them the value of modesty and self control. Throughout life one must continue to practice self denial, custody of the eyes, and physical restraint in order that they may always come to excel at chastity. Even within marriage one is called to be chaste thus coming to guard themselves against abusive and selfish sexual activity.
Christ speaks to the importance of chastity by stating, “But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” When one fails to be chaste it is important to not give into despair, but realize that the Lord is merciful and just. Therefore, make frequent use of the Sacrament of Confession in order to invite God’s grace into your life that you may guard against lust.
If one desires to excel at chastity they should come to see it as a respect of the image of God which is present in others. As Saint Josemaria had pointed towards when he mentioned that we need “to counteract and undo the savage work of those who think that man is a beast.” Through one’s lack of chastity we fail to see ourself or another created in the image and likeness of God. We also fail to love another as we ought because we instead desire to turn another into an animal, which can even include one’s own wife, to meet their desires.
When one confesses sins against chastity inside of the confessional I often point them towards the Angelic Warfare Confraternity. Quoting from their mission found on their website: “The Angelic Warfare Confraternity is a supernatural fellowship of men and women bound to one another in love and dedicated to pursuing and promoting chastity together under the powerful patronage of St. Thomas Aquinas’ and the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Confraternity is an official apostolate of the Dominican Order.” You can find more information concerning the Angelic Warfare Confraternity on their website including how to join and the obligations of their members.
Chastity is something which is most important for us to practice and cultivate, but our culture gives us the message of the opposite. To this Saint Josemaria Escriva reminds: “If you only knew what you are worth!... It is Saint Paul who tells you: you have been bought ‘at a great price’. And he adds: ‘That is why you should use your body for the glory of God’.” Truly, chastity is an important virtue for us to excel at. It is true that our culture paints a different image, but we cannot give up hope and mindlessly accept this state. Let us strive for the Kingdom of God and thus pursue the virtue of chastity in our life.
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