Homily for Ordinary Time 2 - January 17, 2021

 

Homily for January 17, 2021

Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

Chastity: What It Is, Why We Need It, How to Obtain It

 

            I have a relative who is an avowed atheist, which makes for very interesting conversations when I go home for the holidays. Last year we were talking about the “Me Too” movement, discussing solutions to the harassment that many women had experienced in the workplace and in the world. This relative suggested better training, or more stringent workplace policies that dealt with that issue. I said, “One thing that would be tremendously effective, but that no one talks about, is chastity – if we returned to chastity, we wouldn’t need the MeToo movement.”

            To which he looked at me as if I was a creature from another planet, and responded, “Chastity? Who believes in THAT anymore?”

            And indeed, in our modern world, who does believe in chastity? Nevertheless, it’s an important, if counter-cultural virtue, which St. Paul discusses in today’s second reading. St. Paul tells us that the body is not made for immorality – the actual Greek word used is “porneia”, which is not just immorality in general, but specifically sins of the flesh. So Paul is instructing the Corinthians – and us – that our bodies are sacred Temples of the Holy Spirit. To live like a sacred temple, we must practice the virtue of chastity.

So let’s dive into it – what is chastity, why do we need it, and how do we obtain it?

            First, what is chastity? Simply put, chastity is respecting God’s plan for human life and love. And God’s plan is simple: His great gift of sexuality is to be used only within a marriage between a man and a woman, open to life. Any misuse of this great gift desecrates our Temple and is gravely sinful. Why is it a mortal sin to misuse this great gift? Consider the amazing dignity that God has given to human beings, that we can literally become co-creators of a new human life, and that we can share such an intimate form of love for another person. Such an exalted gift, which allows us to love so profoundly and create life, must be treated with utmost respect, and when such a magnificent gift is disrespected, it becomes devastatingly painful and destructive. So chastity, then, is the virtue that safeguards love and life in the way God intended it – within the context of marriage, and open to life.

            Although chastity is difficult, it is necessary. We cannot give of ourselves to another person unless we first possess ourselves – in other words, we cannot be a slave to our passions and lust if we wish to truly love in freedom. So chastity liberates us, frees us from slavery to our flesh, and allows us to authentically love, in freedom. It also safeguards our soul – after all, our Blessed Mother said at Fatima that “more souls to go Hell for sins of impurity than for any other sin.” Chastity makes us like the angels – innocent, pure – while impurity corrupts us like devils!

            So how do we gain such an important but difficult virtue? Five things to remember.

            First, prayer. The only thing stronger than lust is love. When we love God more than our sin, we will be free of our sin. I knew a man who struggled with sins of the flesh, and he asked God, “Lord, when will I be free of this addiction?” He felt God respond, “When you have prayed one Rosary for each time you have committed that sin, you will be free.” He found that to be true – as he progressed in his love for God, the attraction of sin started to fall away. So we first start by developing a rich prayer life – which helps us avoid every sin.

            Second, the Sacrament of Confession. If someone struggles with chastity, do not be afraid to make use of Confession! Some people think, “Oh, I don’t want to go and confess the same sins week after week.” But we’ll never get clean if we don’t take a shower, and we will never experience the freedom Christ has won for us unless we come to the shower of grace. Remember: Confession is a place of victory, not of shame. God does not look at the sin so much as He is rejoicing over the repentance. Claim that victory through Confession, which can be a great way to grow in chastity.

            Third, avoiding temptation. St. Padre Pio said, “The devil is like a rabid dog on a chain. Beyond the length of the chain, he cannot seize anyone. And you: keep at a distance.” The best way to avoid any sin is to avoid the people, places, and things that lead us into sin – and this is never more true than with chastity. Sometimes the best way to develop and preserve a virtue is to avoid any temptations that might weaken it. This might mean to put a filter on your smartphone, or reevaluate what movies you watch, or spend less time with certain friends (including boyfriends and girlfriends!).

            Fourth, do not be afraid of sacrifice. When St. Benedict was tempted against chastity, he threw himself into a thornbush; when St. Bernard was tempted, he plunged into an icy pond. I don’t necessarily recommend these extreme measures, but do not be afraid of sacrifices, because every virtue requires sacrifice – chastity more so than most.

            Finally, persevere. No war is won without many battles; no virtue is won without a patient struggle. Some of the greatest saints fought this battle – after all, St. Augustine famously prayed, “Lord, give me chastity…but not yet!” Discouragement is always from the devil. So do not give up, but continue to seek purity of mind, body, and soul.

            I close with a quote from Pope John Paul II, who sums up the matter beautifully. “Chastity is a difficult, long term matter; one must wait patiently for it to bear fruit. But at the same time, chastity is the sure way to happiness [because] only the chaste man and the chaste woman are capable of true love.”