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One Bread, One Body - Reflection for November 1, 2010

THE PURE HOPE OF SAINTS

"Everyone who has this hope based on Him keeps himself pure, as He is pure." –1 John 3:3

Why does impurity abound in modern society?

• "Hope is the confident expectation of divine blessing and the beatific vision of God; it is also the fear of offending God's love and incurring punishment" (Catechism, 2090). Accordingly, those lacking in hope will not be afraid to offend God by impure actions and lifestyles. Based on its rampant impurity, modern society must be lacking in hope.
• The only solid hope is hope based on Jesus, which leads people to keep their lives pure (1 Jn 3:3). When people place their hopes in worldly things such as prosperity, relationships, or status, that is an empty hope incapable of producing the fruit of purity and holiness.

The pure of heart shall see God (Mt 5:8, JB) as He truly is (1 Jn 3:2). Do we want to see Jesus as He truly is? Or would we rather see the latest popular movie or TV show, with all its impurity blatantly displayed for all present to see and hear?

Do we even want to be pure? Then we must imitate the saints who have gone before us by directing our thoughts to all that is pure (Phil 4:8). "Purify your hearts" (Jas 4:8). "Keep yourself pure" (1 Tm 5:22). "Call on the Lord in purity of heart" (2 Tm 2:22). Hope in Jesus, and you will not be disappointed (Rm 5:5).

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Acknowledgement

Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:

· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College