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Tuesday, August 29, 2006

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Beheading of
St. John the Baptizer


Jeremiah 1:17-19
Psalm 71
Mark 6:17-29

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sexual purity

"It is not right for you to live with your brother's wife." —Mark 6:18

John called a sin a sin, a lie a lie, and adultery adultery. In a permissive, promiscuous society, where prime time TV is prime porn, it is not fashionable to speak of purity and sexual sin. Nowadays, if people are not aborting their children or spreading sexually transmitted diseases in "one-night stands," we almost consider them "virtuous," compared to others. Even the strictest have usually compromised their moral standards. If Grandma saw what is going on now, even in Christian circles, she wouldn't believe it.

Let's make a stand for sexual purity. "Stand up and tell them all I command you" (Jer 1:17). As with John the Baptist, the secular culture will arrest and even attempt to kill us, but it will not conquer us. " 'They will fight against you, but not prevail over you, for I am with you to deliver you,' says the Lord" (Jer 1:19). The Lord says: "It is I this day Who have made you a fortified city, a pillar of iron, a wall of brass, against the whole land" (Jer 1:18).

There will be a day when no Christians watch filth and turn their bodies, God's temples, into garbage cans. There will be a day when all brides and grooms will be virgins up to their wedding night. There will be a day when women can live without fear of rape. There will be a day when sexually transmitted diseases will be eradicated because of purity. Join the purity revolution today.

Prayer:  Jesus, may I be pure as You are pure (1 Jn 3:3).

Promise:  "They will fight against you, but not prevail over you, for I am with you to deliver you, says the Lord." —Jer 1:19

Praise:  St. John told the truth and the Truth set him free from fear of failure and fear of death (see Jn 8:32).

Reference:  (For a related teaching, order our tape on Sexual Purity in Marriage on audio AV 67-1 or video V-67.)

Rescript:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, February 26, 2006

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