On Wednesday evening, Father John Riccardo was on the radio. I was making deliveries at the time, so didn't get to hear the entire program. But I did hear something that really got me thinking. Father John related how, on a regular basis, he meets with a group of young adults (how I envy them!). The last time they met, he asked them if they view Christianity primarily as a list of do's and don'ts or as a positive option for their lives. I've been a Christian my whole life. I know the answer I'm supposed to give: positive option, of course. I'm not sure how I apply it to every area of my life, but as regards to my sexuality, I view my faith primarily as restrictive! I was shocked to realize this, but it's true.
The view I have of my faith in Christ as applied to my sexuality is entirely negative. That is, my faith in Christ means I cannot have a boyfriend. I cannot have sex. I cannot look at pornography. I cannot masturbate. Why do I not see chastity as a positive? I need a whole new perspective on this issue, as well as to see people positively applying it in their lives. It doesn't help that our entire culture throws sex at us all the time. We never see in the media people who live chastely. Indeed, we're told that to do so is abnormal. Lack of example does not provide us with an excuse for bad behavior, but it does make it more difficult to know how to live. Anyone else have any thoughts?
2 comments:
Why do I not see chastity as a positive? I need a whole new perspective on this issue, as well as to see people positively applying it in their lives.
This is so difficult, because, as you say, we don't really see people living chastely.
I wonder whether as a practical step, you might consider watching some "period" pieces, like the BBC's "Pride and Prejudice," or even, "Hornblower." Personally, I was always struck by the chastity of many of the main characters in P&P and the charming, almost innocent chastity of Horatio Hornblower (a midshipman on an English naval ship during the Napoleonic wars).
For me, growth in chastity has definitely been helped by the Sacrament of Matrimony (which I realise doesn't exactly help you).
Perhaps you could just take one specific issue at a time, instead of tackling everything at once.
Or better yet, why not divert yourself and focus on cultivating some other virtue, such as fortitude, or justice (something fairly practical, that you can see actual growth in). Maybe, with time, that virtue might flow into many areas of your life and make chastity easier to grow there. (I have an image of a garden in these thoughts).
Your love of missions is a good focus, for example. Perhaps you could think of how chastity in the people of a nation helps to build that nation and strengthen it.
Just a few thoughts off the top of my head.
Louise, thanks for the comments. Diversion...hmmm. That might work. Of course, I know it will take time. God bless.
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