April 17
Daily Gleanings of the Saintly LifeWednesday after Second Sunday in Lent
Be chaste. Titus 2:5.
CHASTITY is that duty which was mystically intended by God in the law of circumcision. It is the circumcision of the heart, the cutting off "all superfluity of naughtiness," and a suppression of all irregular desires in the matter of sensual or carnal pleasure. Chastity is that grace which forbids and restrains all these; keeping the body and soul pure in that state in which it is placed by God. By bearing in mind the baptismal truth that our very bodies are made members of Christ, we are bound on that account to keep pure from all sins which defile the body. We must watch the thoughts of our hearts, and the moment an improper thought arises, we must put it away from us, and offer up a silent prayer to God, and repeat to ourselves some verse of Scripture, such as "Thou God seest me," or, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." We should make an act of faith in our baptism by saying to ourselves, I am baptized into the death of Christ, that I should walk in newness of life; I am a member of Christ, and must not defile His Body; I am dedicated to God, and as a temple dedicated to Him I must cleanse myself from all filthiness of flesh and spirit.
Open thine eyes, my soul, and see Once more the Light returns to thee: Look and choose the way Thou mean'st to travel o'er to-day.
Think on the dangers thou mayst meet, And always watch thy sliding feet; Think where thou once hast fallen before, And mark the place and fall no more.
Think on the helps thy God bestows,