Not only is purity considered something ”old fashion” by many today but it is often ridiculed. After all, don’t we live in an “enlightened” society, a society that glorifies “recreational” sex. What’s this stuff about purity, abstinence, modesty, respect for one’s sexuality and the sexuality of others. Sex is a multi billion dollar business; masturbation is “healthy release” and having an “affair” is exploring life.
In today’s first reading at Mass, St. Paul the Apostle, tells us in Corinthians 1:12-18:
“Someone will say, ‘I am allowed to do anything.’ Yes; but not everything is good for you. I could say that I am allowed to do anything, but I am not going to let anything make me its slave. … Avoid immorality. Any other sin a man commits does not affect his body; but the man who is guilty of sexual immorality sins against his own body. Don’t you know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and who was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourselves but to God; He bought you for a price. So use your bodies for God’s glory.”
Today is the feast of St. Maria Goretti, 1890 – 1902. Her story is as contemporary as can be. She was born into a poor Italian family. On a hot July 6 summer afternoon, Maria was sitting at the top of the stairs of her house mending a shirt. She was not quite 12 years old but physically mature. Alessandro, an 18 year old neighbor, ran up the stairs, seized her and pulled her into a bedroom intending to have sex with her. She resisted saying: “No, God does not wish it. It is a sin.” Enraged, Alessandro took out a dagger and started striking at her blindly. She was taken to a hospital where she died. Before her death; however, she forgave her murderer. Alessandro was given thirty years in prison. One night he dreamed about Maria gathering flowers and offering them to him. This started him on his journey of conversion and repentance. In 1950, Pope Pius XII canonized Maria Goretti. In the vast crowd that gathered in St. Peter’s for the ceremony were Maria’s mother and siblings – and a converted Alessandro!
Purity – which is ultimately respect for one’s body and the bodies of others – is not “old fashion.” It is a virtue that all of us are called to. It is certainly counter-cultural. St. Paul reminds us that we are temples of the Holy Spirit. Our bodies are not just simply ours to do with as we want. We are to use them for the greater honor and glory of God.
Right on Brother!
When We were young,the virtue of Purity was held up in High esteem and it was a proud teenager both Male and female, that bosted “I am a virgin” Now days that is not the acceped thing, being a virgin seems to say that you cannot get someone to play the” SEX GAME” with you… Oh what a shame, Being a virgin is one of the greatest gifts you can give to your Husband/wife at the consumation of your marriage vows…. . . Marrige Vows,…… do not seem to be necessary anymore either,My heart cries for this generation who is so blinded. Imagine how Jesus must see this! It is a sad thing that Satin seems to have won the virginity battle. I say seems to because I truly believe with the Grace that God will give us our eyes will open and we will overcome this battle also. Being a temple of the Holy Spirit will again be something to be proud of and Shout about!
God’s Blessings upon you!
Mmg
Amen!
Try to politely explain that the dress is lovely but a shawl or scarf is a necessity —- especially since part of the day includes church ……………… (I was in the middle of that movie just last night and I am now not going to be getting the Mother in Law of the year award anytime soon!!!)
My comment to a friend a couple of months ago was “does anybody sell a complete dress anymore”.
They live together and when they come home and separate accomodations are made on different floors, I am the dinosaur! Gail, yes when “we were young”, we would consider if a kiss was more than a second that it was a “mortal sin”, and now it appears that to many nothing is a sin anymore and that us in the “older generation” are as you say brother “old fashioned”. I can’t wait until both are married so that is one battle won and the next visit one will be husband and wife and I will gladly relinquish the “master bedroom” to the happily M A R R I E D couple……..
I didn’t get to church today and always loved St Maria Goretti and just now decided to ask her to intercede for my youngest. My favorite expression which I have said since they were five is: “I don’t care what everyone else is doing, I am not their mother or they wouldn’t be and you’re not going to!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” I am the mother and now slowly moving into friend and “a good friend is honest in guiding, just like a good (although not always popular) mom”……
End of my sermon from the mouth — you got my BP boiling on this one……… would love to be in a discussion group with you on this one though and the next time we meet (BEWARE), because there is something that I would debate regarding teenagers . . but enough for now!
Have a good weekend!
OOPS…. I quote “Gail” but it was Madeline Gauthier (SORRY)….