Friday, 16th JUNE. Inside.

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*Charles F. Glassman*

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Friday, 16th JUNE
Matthew 5:27-32

"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery.' But I say to you that every one who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and throw it away; it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell."

Our Lord loves Holy Purity. He said of the pure of heart that they would see God. The virtue of Holy Purity is a gift we need to ask God for every day. Some people think of chastity as a continuous negation: 'you can't do that', 'you can't look at that', 'you can't think about that', 'you can't… you can't… you can't…' But it is quite the opposite. Holy purity is a joyful affirmation of love. A good husband, out of love for his wife and family, is able to struggle against any temptation. Love gives strength.

Jesus used some 'exaggerated' examples (such as pluck out your eye) to make the point that, to stay pure, sometimes we will have to be 'heroic'. At times, temptation can be particularly strong. 

One day, for instance, St Francis of Assisi found himself attacked by a strong temptation. To get rid of it he took off his habit and rolled in the snow until it was over (it did work!) 

In a similar situation, St Benedict threw himself into a thorn bush and St Bernard plunged into an icy pond. 

If saints had to do that, and you and I want to be saints too, then sometimes we may have to be 'radical' as well.

During the Spanish civil war priests were being killed. St Josemaría had to be hidden, moving from house to house to avoid being arrested. 

On one occasion when he had no house to hide in, a friend offered him the key of an apartment. St Josemaría took the key and asked if there was anyone else in the apartment. He was told that only a young woman was there. Immediately he threw the key into the sewer and said that he preferred to die than to be exposed to temptation by staying in the same house alone with a young woman at a time of civil war, when fear and danger made people vulnerable. We may have to take 'radical measures' as well sometimes to keep our Purity.

My Immaculate Mother, stay with me in time of temptation, for I know well that the enemy is never anywhere near you.

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