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Be exceedingly quick in turning aside from the slightest thing
leading to impurity, for it is an evil which approaches
stealthily, and in which the very smallest beginnings are apt to
grow rapidly. It is always easier to fly from such evils than to
cure them.Human bodies are like glasses, which cannot come into
collision without risk of breaking; or to fruits, which, however
fresh and ripe, are damaged by pressure. Never permit any one to
take any manner of foolish liberty with you, since, although there
may be no evil intention, the perfectness of purity is injured
thereby.
Purity has its source in the heart, but it is in the body that
its material results take shape, and therefore it may be forfeited
both by the exterior senses and by the thoughts and desires of the
heart. All lack of modesty in seeing, hearing, speaking, smelling,
or touching, is impurity, especially when the heart takes pleasure
therein.
S. Paul says without any hesitation that impurity and
uncleanness, or foolish and unseemly talking, are not to be "so
much as named" (1) among Christians. The bee not only shuns all
carrion, but abhors and flies far from the faintest smell
proceeding therefrom. The Bride of the Canticles is represented
with "hands dropping with myrrh." (2) a preservative against all
corruption; her "lips are like a thread of scarlet," the type of
modest words; (3) her eyes are "dove's eyes," (4) clear and soft;
her "nose is as the tower of Lebanon which looketh towards
Damascus" (5) an incorruptible wood; her ears are hung with
earrings of pure gold; (6) and even so the devout soul should be
pure, honest and transparent in hand, lip, eye, ear, and the whole
body.
Remember that there are things which blemish perfect purity,
without being in themselves downright acts of impurity. Anything
which tends to lessen its intense sensitiveness, or to cast the
slightest shadow over it, is of this nature; and all evil thoughts
or foolish acts of levity or heedlessness are as steps towards the
most direct breaches of the law of chastity.
Avoid the society of persons who are wanting in purity,
especially if they are bold, as indeed impure people always are.
If a foul animal licks the sweet almond tree its fruit becomes
bitter; and so a corrupt pestilential man can scarcely hold
communication with others, whether men or women, without damaging
their perfect purity--their very glance is venomous, and their
breath blighting like the basilisk.
On the other hand, seek out good and pure men, read and ponder
holy things; for the Word of God is pure, and it will make those
pure who study it: wherefore David likens it to gold and precious
stones (7).
Always abide close to Jesus Christ Crucified, both spiritually
in meditation and actually in Holy Communion; for as all those who
sleep upon the plant called Agnus castus become pure and chaste,
so, if you rest your heart upon Our Dear Lord, the Very Lamb, Pure
and Immaculate, you will find that soon both heart and soul will
be purified of all spot or stain.
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