For God did not call us to impurity but to holiness.
Therefore, whoever disregards this, disregards not a human being but God, who [also] gives his holy Spirit to you. (1 Thessalonians 4:7-8 NABRE)
In Matthew's gospel, Jesus puts it another way. He says, "Therefore, stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour." (Matthew 25:13) And according to Luke, Jesus says, "Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man.” (Luke 21:36)
If we are to give God our highest regard and welcome his holy Spirit into our hearts, we are to answer his call to holiness and avoid the impurities offered by this world. When we reflect on it, there is no doubt that God deserves our highest regard, but we lose track of this most of the time and are unable to connect it to our own choices and actions.
When we make it our intention to increase in holiness, when our actions and words are more carefully and deliberately chosen because they conform us "in all things to the will of God,"* we are on the right path. When we choose this path we are following the words of Jesus and of Saint Paul, and we are giving God our highest regard.
And when we fail? We stand and try again. We trust in Jesus and his Divine Mercy. We confess our sins, and we seek God's joy and peace in the present moment--regardless of circumstances. We carry on because our failings do not mean that God is not with us. Our failures, no matter how big, are smaller than God. He forgives them, reminding us again and again that he loves us!
Today, I will stay vigilant in my effort to be holy and avoid impurity.
Saint Augustine of Hippo, Bishop and Doctor of the Church, sinner turned saint, in part by the prayers of your mother, Saint Monica, pray for us.
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