-
On Focus
-
 THE MOTTO
- By Sansu Garin
-
-
-
-
IN PURSUIT OF
PLEASURE.
To the Epicureans, this is probably their life’s motto. I came across
these followers of the Greek philosopher Epicurius during a Bible study
on the Acts of the Apostles. In Chapter 17 of the Acts, Paul, while in
Athens, encountered this group of philosophers. One of the main beliefs
of the Epicureans is that the chief good consisted in the gratification
of the senses. (Now, I think I understand why one food critic goes by
the name Epicurnius. Or was it Epicurius?) Denying the immortality of
the soul, the f
 ull
satisfaction of the appetites and desires of the mortal body, therefore,
becomes paramount. Pursuing pleasure becomes the order of their lives.
Thus, believing quite contrary to the Truth Paul was proclaiming about
God, they scoffed him and rejected the Gospel.
-
-
Unlike the
Epicureans, we, Christians, are called to practice temperance. One way
of practicing temperance is living the virtue of chastity. I know,
chastity, even as a word, strikes us as something stern, rather “serious
business.” Indeed, it is. The word chastity immediately invokes in
the mind its physical context. As in chastity belt fastened on women
during the Middle Ages, to deter them from having sexual liaisons while
their men are away. (This equates to conjugal chastity for married
couples.) Or the quality expected to be preserved by the unmarried,
young or old. Or the vow kept by the religious. By definition, chastity
is the virtue that excludes or moderates the indulgence in sexual
pleasures.
-
-
However, more than
preserving physical purity, the ultimate object of chastity is to
promote or preserve spiritual integrity. Mere abstinence from carnal
pursuits amounts to nothing when it is not aligned with our faith. Let
us always remember: our bodies are the temples of the Holy Spirit.
As such, we must therefore strive to keep ourselves pure and holy. Let
not our base desires rule our life. Rather, direct our thoughts, words
and actions to what is good and pleasing to God. In emptying ourselves
through denial of our indulgences, we are allowing the Spirit of God to
fill us instead. In essence, we are removing distractions that keep us
from truly focusing on God.
-
- In 2
Corinthians 11:3, Saint Paul said, “...for I have promised you in
marriage to Christ, the only spouse, to present you to Him as a pure
virgin. And this is my fear: the serpent that seduced Eve with cunning
could also corrupt your minds and divert you from the Christian
sincerity.” With this, Saint Paul is reminding us of our duty to
remain unsullied for God and at the same time warning us that it’s not
going to be easy. Satan will do anything and everything to keep us from
this pursuit. There need not be external factors. Within ourselves
alone, the evil one can wield his influence, if we yield. In James
1:14-15, it says, "Each of us is lured and enticed by our own evil
desire. Once this desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when
sin is accomplished, it brings forth death."
-
- To be impure,
to commit sin, is to compromise our spiritual integrity. It makes us
less and less of what God wants us to be. Having been duly warned by
Saint Paul, we should always be on guard against the wiles of the evil
one. Easier said than done, I know, but that’s what makes the Christian
life challenging and at the same time fulfilling. It may be full of
struggles, instead of pleasures. And yet, the Christian life, fully
lived, brings perfection, instead of damnation.
-
-
To be pure. To be
holy. To be true. These a Christian must do IN PURSUIT OF PERFECTION.
-
- All Glory to
God!
-
-
- TELL US LIKE IT IS!
- Has something
wonderful and unique happened in your life lately? Did God answer your
prayer in a very unexpected way? Did you, like Isaiah, meet God’s
whisper?
- Have you felt His
powerful hand working in your life recently?
- Everyday, people are
experiencing God’s mighty Word in their lives and it is a pity that very
few know about it. Do you have a story to tell? Some Good News to
share?
- E-mail us (genesis@catholic.org) or fax us
(021-6627384), and tell us about it. That’s right! You don’t have to be
a great writer to do this. We can help you write it – just tell us like
it is!
- Don’t forget to write
the subject: “Let Me Tell You A
Story”
For comments, suggestions or
ideas:
E-mail us: genesis@catholic.org
Write us: Jl. Bacang No. 20 Kebayoran Baru,
Jakarta Selatan, Indonesia
Call us: (6221) 720-3824
Fax us: (6221) 662-7384
Genesis Catholic
Community - All Rights Reserved 2003
No part of this website may be copied,
reproduced or modified without the permission from the
webmaster.
|
This site has been awarded
IN THIS ISSUE:
HIS Servant
by Bro. Pete Lapid
Our Faith
By Fr. KJ Veeger, MSC
Surabaya Corner
By Ramon Martillano
Place of Refuge
By Philip Yuson
The G Kidspace*
By Louise Escuban
Here's the Latest
By Pinky Torres
Viewpoint
Straight from the heart
By Carolle Bautista
God Answers Prayers
In Focus
by Sansu Garin
Compiled by Armand Sol
Your letters
Saint for the Month
- Meet the
Staff
-
-
- Catholic
Links
-
-
- PROFILE OF THE
- GENESIS CATHOLIC
COMMUNITY
|
