It seems like an impossible thing these days, to hold that sex is for marriage and not be laughed out the room.  Sex is such a sacred act in the eyes of the Lord. In our culture with so many things being sex-forward and sex-centered, it is easily to lose sight of the holiness of sex.  When we reflect on the fact that the sexual act produces life, we begin to understand why sex is so sacred.  No human being has the power to create.  God alone creates – and it is through the sexual act that human beings take part in the act of creation with God.  This is what should make us stand back and realize the greatness of the sexual act.  

 

If we watch tv and follow the internet we get led down a completely different idea about sex.  So much about the images we see, and the shows we watch attempt to teach us that sexual freedom and self gratification is what sex is all about.  Love who you want, when you want.  Love yourself, feel good, free sex, no consequences.   Responsible sex in our culture means safe sex (don’t give anyone diseases) and consent.  Gender is irrelevant, pornography is encouraged, and anything goes as long as no one gets hurt

 

After experiencing a painful divorce my Christian therapist recommended that I explore my sexual freedom.  I realize now how backwards that advice was.  She recommended pornography, masturbation, and multiple partners as a way to get to know my sexual self better.  And once you go down that road it’s really difficult to see why it is wrong because most single people out there are doing the same thing.  Try to tell your date from Match.com that you don’t believe in sex before marriage and they’ll swipe left in a hurry. 

 

Our Lady of Fatima stands out in such contradiction to what is the wisdom of the world.   The entire notion of purity stands in direct opposition to what we are exposed to day to day on the Internet, on the radio, in movies, magazines, you name it.  In some ways I feel like we are being bombarded constantly with images that run completely contrary to how we are suppose to view sexuality.  

 

The world will say that purity is prudish.  And here is where we really need to pray for the grace to understand sexuality the way that God sees it and the way we are meant to see our sexual selves.  I think at first Our Lady may seem like someone that is unrelatable and the call to purity appears too much.  Yet Scripture tells us only the Pure of Heart will look upon God.  For now, we will consider a few scripture passages on purity.  Keep in mind that God’s laws about sexuality are not just random rules.  When we come to understand more clearly the purpose of sex and the sacredness of the sexual act within marriage, then we will see the reasons for the need for chastity and purity.   And when we further understand what we are called to in eternity, we will see why purity is essential if we are to see God face to face.  

 

Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body. 1 Corinthians 6:18

Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity , lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.  Colossians 3:5

 

Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.  Hebrews 13:4

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.  Psalms 51:10