THE PURE, UNADULTERATED GOSPEL

“It is God’s will that you grow in holiness: that you abstain from immorality, each of you guarding his member in sanctity and honor.” –1 Thessalonians 4:3-4

Mass Readings: September 1
First: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8; Resp: Psalm 97:1-2,5-6,10-12; Gospel: Matthew 25:1-13

Listen to the Mass Readings

Paul insisted the Thessalonians make still greater progress in sexual purity (1 Thes 4:1). They were to live “in sanctity and honor, not in passionate desire as do the Gentiles who know not God” (1 Thes 4:4-5). “For the Lord is an Avenger of all such things” (1 Thes 4:6). “God has not called us to immorality but to holiness” (1 Thes 4:7).

Have Christians adulterated Christ’s standards for sexual purity? Jesus says: “Anyone who looks lustfully at a woman has already committed adultery with her in his thoughts” (Mt 5:28). The Lord commands: “As for lewd conduct or promiscuousness or lust of any sort, let them not even be mentioned among you; your holiness forbids this. Nor should there be any obscene, silly, or suggestive talk; all that is out of place” (Eph 5:3-4).

In a world that talks about “safe sex,” considers sex to be recreation, and thinks watching adultery and fornication on the screen is entertainment, Jesus is a “Sign of contradiction” (Lk 2:34, our transl.). He will avenge sexual sin, which He considers a rejection not of man-made laws but of Him (1 Thes 4:8). Be pure as Jesus is pure (1 Jn 3:3).

PRAYER: Prayer: Father, may our world repent of sexual fantasies, masturbation, birth control, oral sex, “dirty jokes,” immodest dress, watching filth on TV, fornication, adultery, homosexual relations, and abortion.
PROMISE: Promise: “Keep your eyes open, for you know not the day or the hour.” –Mt 25:13
PRAISE: Praise: Tom, who suffered from multiple sclerosis, always smiled in his love for the Lord.