Meditation XXII. Lust

Preparatory Prayer, as before.

FIRST POINT.—The nature of lust.—It is an inordinate desire for the pleasure of the flesh. It is committed in thought when we take deliberate and wilful pleasure in dwelling on some unclean image—this is known as "morose delectation"; or when we are merely slow and negligent in repelling such a thought or avoiding what causes it; but in this latter case the sin is not mortal.

It is committed also by want of control over our senses, especially our sight, or by word, when we speak lasciviously; and then, of course, the sin is aggravated by scandal.

It is committed in act when we do deeds of impurity, either alone or with another, and in the latter case there is again the additional guilt of scandal, which is one among other reasons why this sin is so hateful in God's sight, the impure man being like a rotten sheep, which is certain to infect the rest of the flock. Examine yourself, and say the Our Father.

SECOND POINT.—The punishment of lust.— 1. From the law of nature: Frightful and loathsome diseases, loss of reputation, and even lunacy are the natural results of great excesses. Moreover, irreparable ruin wrought in others and lifelong remorse in consequence.

2. From God in this life: The Flood and the destruction of Sodom are examples of His wrath against this sin; and, as an atonement for it, He suffered His only Son to be scourged at the pillar.

3. From God in the next life: A punishment that has no end. Therefore, "If thy hand or thy foot scandalize thee cut it off. If thy eye scandalize thee pluck it out." Far better this than "to be cast into the hell of unquenchable fire, where their worm dieth not and their fire is not extinguished" (Mark ix. 42).

Hearken then to St. Paul: "Fornication and all uncleanness . . . let it not so much as be named among you, as becometh saints" (Ephes. v. 3). Our Father.

THIRD POINT.—The reward of chastity.—1. The special assistance of the angels, who love those that are like themselves. In our temptations they will be at hand, as they were to the Three Children in the fiery furnace, making "the midst of the furnace like the blowing of a wind bringing dew," so that "the fire touched them not at all, nor troubled them, nor did them any harm" (Dan. iii. 50).

2. The loving protection of God Himself, "who feedeth among the lilies" (Cant. ii. 16), that is, "the clean of heart."

So, when tempted, I will cry out with the patriarch Joseph: "How can I do this wicked thing, and sin against my God?" (Gen. xxxix. 9). Our Father.