This month we will contemplate the Spirit of Chastity. This fruit of the spirit allows us to flourish because we develop a habit of reverence for ourselves and others. Chastity enables us to moderate our sensuality, using our sexual powers to pursue happiness. We become spiritual, cleansed and pure in heart, living as God intended for us.
My purification comes through examining my conscience, praying, renouncing my own will, and practicing subduing my bodily desires. And this is crucial for contemplating God in heaven, seeing Him on earth and knowing Him by the light of faith. This casting off the spirit of the world is letting go of anything that is not of God and the lust that can emerge as I become greedy and not satisfied with what I have.
Being mindful of how I treat myself and others is foundational to living a good life. Whereas, the spirit of the world consists essentially in the denial of the supreme dominion of God, a denial which is manifested in practice by sin and disobedience leading to a self-centered approach to living. I’m tempted to doubt who I really am, God’s beloved.
You are my Son, whom I love, with you I am well pleased.
Luke 3:21-22
Lord, give me purity of heart, allowing me to flourish so that I may come to see You as You are.
Smitten With Goodness 