Jesus tells the Pharisees that they are full of filth on the inside (Mt 23:27). That’s the condition of our soul in the state of mortal sin. In sin, we are blind to filth. Like the prodigal son, we must come to our senses (Lk 15:17). With the psalmist, we must cry out, “Lord, cleanse my heart” (see Ps 51:12).

The Lord’s zeal is like a janitor with a scrub brush, zealously scrubbing away the filth. We are His temples (1 Cor 6:19), and thus the Lord is zealous to give us a deep cleaning (see Jn 2:14-17). He loves us so dearly that He wants to see us new, shiny, and holy, not filthy and smelly. Like little children, we hate being scrubbed. We resist. We squirm. We flee. We think, “This scrubbing is love?” Yet God is not punishing us; He’s cleansing us.

After a time, we “like” our filth. The devil seemingly “comforts” and “encourages” us to view the filth of sin as good. Meanwhile, God pricks us to reform our lives and be washed clean in the bath of His Word (Eph 5:26) and the Sacraments.

Let God clean under your furniture, move your chairs and tables, and do a “spring cleaning” in your heart, mind, body, and soul. You can help Him by often going to Confession, even monthly. “Let us lay aside every encumbrance of sin which clings to us” (Heb 12:1). Relax and surrender. Let the Lord scrub and cleanse you as He sees fit. Let Him love you. Be a shining temple for Jesus.

Rescript:  "In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Nihil Obstat for the publication One Bread, One Body covering the time period August 1, 2026, through September 30, 2026. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio May, 6, 2026"

The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.