The Pastor’s Column
March 14, 2010
The Seven Capital Sins: Lust
Understanding the seven capital sins, which are also called the seven deadly sins, or as Bishop Fulton J. Sheen once stated, “the seven pallbearers of the soul,” will help us see how sin conspires and works in our life to bring us to misery, death and possibly hell. This deeper spiritual understanding can lead to healthy change, repentance, renewed love for God and neighbor, and actually good health. The Capital Sins are Pride, Covetousness (avarice), Lust, Anger, Envy, Gluttony and Sloth.
Below are some of the quotes that I used in last weekend’s sermon on lust, also know as avarice.
We are inclined to lust for power, material goods and sex. Covetousness most often deals with the first two, power and material goods. Lust, known as sexual impurity of mind or action, is opposed to chastity. It is illicit and excessive sexual gratification outside the covenant of marriage, done either alone, with another not our spouse, or with someone of the same sex.
The Lord, the creator, has given to the human race a beautiful gift of sexual life and love for people in the married life. One of the most beautiful presentations by John Paul II in his work, The Theology of the Body, presents to us God’s perfect plan regarding love and sex for true happiness of humanity. However, being faithful to the Lord in our sexual lives takes great faith in His help, discipline and self-control. We are strongly and negatively influenced by our hedonistic culture, media, and peer society.
When we surrender to our passions, our reason and self-control are compromised. The results of lust are destructive: pornography (magazines, websites), rape, date rape, abuse of children, adultery, infidelity and divorce are a few of the results.
The Evil One is very much behind the influence to undermine our chastity. The Lord has given us the beautiful gift that opens to deep personal conjugal union-love, conception, childbirth and family joy. However, the Evil One hates humanity and God. Satan works to influence and convince us that sin in this area is for our benefit and fulfillment. He, of course, is “the liar.” He uses the same corrupt strategy with us that he used in the story of Adam and Eve’s fall from grace.
The scriptures state the following:
1 Corinthians 6:9: Do you not know that the unjust will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators nor idolaters nor adulterers nor boy prostitutes nor sodomites nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor robbers will inherit the kingdom of God. That is what some of you used to be; but now you have had yourselves washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.
Romans 1: 24ff: God handed them over to impurity through the lusts of their hearts for the mutual degradation of their bodies. They exchanged the truth of God for a lie and revered and worshiped the creature rather than the creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
Therefore, God handed them over to degrading passions. Their females exchanged natural relations for unnatural, and the males likewise gave up natural relations with females and burned with lust for one another. Males did shameful things with males and thus received in their own persons the due penalty for their perversity. And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God handed them over to their undiscerning mind to do what is improper. They are filled with every form of wickedness. Although they know the just decree of God that all who practice such things deserve death, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.
To fight the good fight and win in the area of purity we should avoid those who do not value true chaste married life. It is wise to avoid entertainment, movies, web sites, conversations, evil humor, etc. that open the door to temptation and sin of mind and body. Honor our Lady, Mary. Pray often. Keep our minds open to the Lord and his way. Make a good confession and clear up our whole life.
When the Lord comes again may he rejoice in our chaste lives. The Good News is that through Christ, God has a better life for us now and in heaven. We can trust him!
Lenten Confessions are on Tuesday night from 7 PM to 9 PM and every Saturday from 3 PM to 4 PM.
Msgr. McGrath
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