October 31, 2006
Yesterday, we had one of those Scripture passages that preachers (myself included) tend to pass over without much comment. Saint Paul writes to the Ephesians, “Make no mistake, no fornicator or sexually impure person will inherit the kingdom of Christ” (5:5). This sounds a little too harsh for our modern ears, saturated with media and advertising that makes premarital sex sound so normal and acceptable.
The reality is that pornography on the internet and other forms of media is destroying the integrity of so many Christians who otherwise are seeking to live for the kingdom of God. It is nothing less than an epidemic. Ask any confessor. Obviously fallen human nature in every age has struggled with sexual temptations, but Christians are especially under attack today from the pervasiveness and invasiveness of immorality in the media, and they are especially vulnerable because of the comfortable sensuality of Western society.
The Word of God, the deep truth of the human person created in the image and likeness of God to live in faithful, life-giving love, has not changed. We cannot compromise in this. What is our strategy then to grow in purity and help others to regain sexual sanity?
Honest prayer and frequent reception of the Sacraments are always the most important defense. Accountability to someone else is also important. For example, ask your spouse or a good friend to check up on your computer use, and only use computer or television media in open areas. Resolve to do something else if you begin to be tempted; pray, call someone, get together with Christian friends, help someone in need. Let your eyes look upon a crucifix or holy picture. Remember that each person you see is someone that you hope to spend eternity with and find out how Christ worked in their life. (As Pope John Paul II said, the problem with pornography is not that it reveals too much, but too little—too little about the human person!) Keep in mind the violence and heavy drug use in the pornography industry—the low self-esteem and abuse that drives someone’s daughter, sister, or perhaps even mother to degrade themselves in that way. Many of these poor souls are likely to be dead already from heavy cocaine use or other drugs.
The Word of God, including this word about purity from Ephesians, is not beyond our reach. The Word Himself entered into fallen humanity to save us and free us from slavery to sin and death. If you or anyone you know has become enslaved by sexual sin, it is not too late to begin again with the Lord’s help to live life to the full in His kingdom.
Fr. Richard Roemer, CFR
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