Friday, 14 June 2024. Readings: 1 Kings 19:9,11-16, Ps. 27:7-9,13-14, Matthew 5:27-32
“Everyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” (Matthew 5:28)*_
“My child, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Let them not escape from your sight; keep them within your heart, for they are life to him who finds them and healing to all his flesh. Keep your heart with all vigilance, for the springs of life flow from it.” (Proverbs 4:20-23). In other words, the contents of your mind today mirror what your life will be like tomorrow. To create anything, that thing has to first exist in your mind (imagination); our minds have creative power. We can choose what becomes of us simply by choosing our thoughts. St. Paul would say: “Whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” (Philippians 4:8). In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus exposes the danger of giving room to immoral thoughts. What is wrong with looking at someone lustfully?
- Firstly, it is wrong to look lustfully because whatever happens in your mind is equivalent to the act itself. The pleasure you derive from thinking of it is what you get by doing it. Even though no one knows what you are thinking in your mind, and you have no intention of acting on your thoughts, Jesus teaches us that, with such thoughts, you are guilty of adultery; you are not different from one who has done it, and you will face similar consequences.
- Secondly, it is wrong to look at someone lustfully because by so doing, you weaken your power to resist temptation. Lust is not a harmless thought. Do you remember Susanna and the two judges? Daniel tells us that every afternoon after the people had departed, the judges would watch Susanna taking a walk in the garden. Susanna wanted to bathe in the garden one day, but the judges could not hold themselves. Lust had weakened their sense of reasoning. Can you compare these judges to Joseph, who fled when Potiphar’s wife tried to seduce him? The truth is that if Joseph had been lusting after her, he would not have been able to resist. (Read Gen. 39:7-23)
- Thirdly, it is wrong to look at someone lustfully because it takes our mind away from God. Your mind is designed to contemplate God, not earthly things. St. Paul would say, “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” (Colossians 3:1-2). The mind is like a magnet; it attracts whatever it focuses on. Jesus said: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” (Matthew 5:8). In today’s First Reading, Elijah, desiring to hear God speak, went to a cave. There was a strong wind capable of splitting mountains, an earthquake and a fire, but God was not in any of these. God was in a still, small voice. This teaches us that we must quieten our minds (free them from distractions) to hear God.
- The battle against sin begins from the mind. Are you struggling with sexual sins? Start from the root; cut off whatever may be feeding such thoughts. Jesus said: “If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and throw it away.” (Matthew 5:29). This also implies cutting off seemingly harmless practices which predispose us to sin, such as indecent dressing, social media, adult entertainment and so on. You may not see anything wrong with going about naked, but consider the fact that some people may be weak.
- Once again, we come across Jesus’ stance on divorce. For Jesus, divorce is adultery. Hence, as we make efforts to avoid lust (which is equivalent to adultery), we must also make efforts to avoid divorce. In this passage, Jesus warns against the abuse of marriage, which was commonplace during His time and is gradually becoming the norm today. Notwithstanding that there are marriages with serious problems, many go into marriage today without the intention of remaining in marriage; they start dreaming of life after divorce, even before taking their marital vows. Our society tilts towards the “use and dump” mentality. One who has not learnt how to exercise self-control before marriage cannot miraculously become faithful because of a two-hour wedding ceremony. Avoid lust; cherish your spouse. Help one another; do not think an angel is waiting for you out there; become that angel to your spouse now.
Let us pray: Almighty, ever-living God, you spoke to Elijah in a still small voice. Speak to my conscience daily and give me the power over my thoughts to keep my body pure and fitting as your temple. We ask this through Our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. May God’s abundant blessings be upon us all. (Friday of week 10 in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: 1 Kings 19:9,11-16, Ps. 27:7-9,13-14, Matthew 5:27-32).
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu