When a question is asked as to what is the basic teaching of Christianity, we gladly say that it is the Beatitudes. We have heard those values being preached over and over again. But at times I ask myself, “Am I trying to attain something that is essentially impossible in nature?”

The answer seems to be, at least as far as the modern society’s perception of this is concerned, ‘yes.’ Is toiling for something impractical not a sheer waste of time as well as of energy?   In today’s world, people are reluctant to speak about radical Christian values such as honesty, humility, purity etc. We live in a world that is more and more inclined towards being receptive of anything that can offer pleasure. As a natural outcome of this tendency people in general especially the younger generation fail to comprehend the potential hidden within them to have a profound experience of God. Without an experience of this sort the observance and the fulfillment of the demands of radical Christianity remain unfeasible.

 St Paul reminds us in 1 Cor: 6: 19, 20 that we are the temple of the Holy Spirit. He also warns us that God will destroy those who destroy his temple. This great apostle who exercised his ministry mightily was fully aware of the significance of keeping oneself pure. As a result, he was firm in his warning, “Shun youthful passions” (2 Tim:2:22)

Some writers are of the opinion that the secret of St John’s far reaching insight into the mysteries of God and his Love is the preservation of his purity that he did in an excellent manner. Bl John Paul II, on a pastoral visit to Sandomierz, Poland in 1999 spoke of the meaning of Purity of Heart. He said, “Having a pure heart means being a new person restored to life in communion with God and with all creation by the redemptive love of Christ brought back to that communion which is our original destiny (emphasis added).In these words he emphasizes that being pure is not just an option. We are created to be in communion with God, to live and to move in him. Hence purity of heart is not a choice but the realization and the acceptance of our destiny.

Holy Purity, being a gift of God, is not given to one who does not endeavor to get hold of it. Our constant effort in obtaining this gift both prepares us as well as is the gift. We need to be convinced that it is within our reach if we persevere.

It is a sure victory that follows a fierce battle. St Augustine, having fallen into despair due to the sins against purity had thought that attainment of Holy Purity was impossible. Later in life he learnt that it was possible if one learnt how to pray and fight. St Paul reminds us that we face no temptations beyond our strength (1cor:10:13) St Cyril of Alexandria once said, “He grants us the ability to endure. But it lies with us how we make use of this power given to us, whether vigorously or feebly. There is no doubt that in every temptation we have the power of enduring provided that we make proper use of the power thus granted”.  Let us be convinced of the truth that God will not ask us something that is impossible.

If we aspire to keep ourselves pure we need to be above all sincere with self as well as with God. Sincerity with self demands a careful and objective reflection on all our thoughts words and actions. Often the feelings of shame and guilt prevent us from humbly accepting the areas where we fail. St Josemaria Escriva, founder of Opus Dei, compares such feelings with the dumb devil (Mk: 9:16) and says that it is the most difficult one to leave and should be avoided absolutely. If we conquer this victory is sure. This acknowledgement should facilitate a radical change in our lives. That would mean the acceptance of the areas where we need change should enable us to take a decision to change. Whatever experiences we might have had in the past a decision taken here and now would initiate this change.

A paralytic whom Jesus met (Jn: 5:1ff) was told to get up, take up his mat and walk. Getting up from his mat was impossibility for him up to then. He could never be away from his mat or in other words he was controlled by it. Jesus did not just tell him to get up and go. Just giving up our sins alone would not suffice. Jesus tells us to take control of all that has been controlling us up to now. Such a decision demands courage.  The Paralytic got up took up his mat and began to walk. He decided so he received.

A firm decision, aided by God, will enable us to begin our journey but this will not take us far unless we make consistent efforts to keep ourselves in the track.

We can resolutely decide to give up all that are impure; thoughts, words and actions. However, focusing on removing impurity, in a way, is defective. The nature of man is such that he can’t remain empty.As a container, filled to the brim with something cannot take in anymore a soul filled with God cannot fill itself with anything else. In Mt: 12: 43-45, we see that the evil spirit returns to the man because ‘he finds it swept, put in order but empty’. Ps 119:9 says ‘How can the young remain pure, by keeping your word’. Yes, unless we fill ourselves with God and His word our efforts in achieving Holy Purity will meet with failure.

Our souls should always be kept filled. Regarding this St Josemaria Escriva says, ‘Heart has been created to love. Do not doubt it. Let us therefore bring our Lord Jesus Christ into the love that awe feels. Otherwise, the empty heart takes revenge and fills itself with the most despicable vileness’. Most of the problems in purity can be overcome if our hearts are filled in its deepest need of intimacy and self giving.

A soul focused on God and his word undergoes a transformation. One needs to learn how to focus on God. In Ps: 16:8 we read, ‘I keep the Lord always before me’. A closer look into this verse reveals three points. ‘I keep the Lord’ (emphasis added). I need to make a serious personal effort if I aspire to live in a daily experience of God. The Lord does not force his way in. ‘Keep the Lord always before me’ (emphasis added). My union with God should not be limited to the time allotted for prayer. I need to be frequently thinking of God, praising and thanking him even as we carry out our daily tasks. In short, I need to have a constant communion with the Lord. ‘Lord always beforeme’ (emphasis added). Keeping the Lord before me would mean that the Lord and his will take priority in my life. Hence, if I keep the Lord always before me impure passions and pleasure will have no control over my life.

If we desire to live in constant union with the Lord, we need to learn how to manage the occasions of sin especially the first spark of temptation.

“To defend purity St. Francis of Assisi rolled in the snow, St. Benedict threw himself into a thorn bush, St. Bernard plunged himself into an icy pond. You, what have you done? Now we know that such measures are not necessary to keep ourselves in the state of grace. We all know by experience that we can be chaste, by living vigilantly, frequenting sacraments and stumping out the first sparks of passion before the fire can spread”. (St. Josemaria). Saints, knowing well how to stump out the first sparks of temptations against the virtue of Holy Purity, continually conquered them. We need to fill our minds constantly with pure and holy thoughts. This also calls for saying a resolute ‘No’ to every spark of impure thought or desire that come into our minds. The more we give passions what they want, more insistently thy will ask next time. When we say no and be firm they are forced to readjust. St. John Bosco once said, “Morality is what really matters. Put up with anything: liveliness, imprudence, thoughtlessness but never tolerate offence of God especially the sins contrary to the virtue of purity”.

Mortifications are a must if we desire to take control of our passions. This demands restraining our natural tendency for pleasure.

The purpose is not to inflict pain upon oneself but to give first place to God and to reject all that obstruct this. At times we many have to give up even lawful pleasures if we notice that such pleasures can slow down my growth in virtue. St Paul says, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good”. (Rm: 12:21). Doing a few good deeds will not be enough. We need an abundance of them in order to overcome the evil tendencies rooted within us. “We must drown the evil in an abundance of Good actions” (St. Josemaria Escriva)

 In the Biographical Memoirs of St. John Bosco we read, “More than anything else purity was the secret of Don Bosco’s greatness. God endowed him with extra ordinary gifts and made him an instrument of wonderful works because he always kept himself pure and chaste”(BM Vol.V, Ch:16).  An ardent desire to be pure in thoughts words and actions should be nurtured in our hearts if we desire to experience God. It is a decision that we need to make placing our trust in the Lord who wants us to be holy as He is. We can be pure if we want to be.