IT may look that way, but the answer
is definitely, No. It
can never be a lost cause. In fact, things are getting more exciting
in this area. Let’s face this crisis with great optimism.
And the reason for that is precisely the very same reason
why many of us are pushed to think chastity is already a lost cause.
The complex and seemingly impossible challenges, the ugliness of the
situation has made this virtue more important, more relevant, more
desirable.
As to whether chastity can still be achieved and lived in
a stable way, you can be sure that it can. Surprises can happen.
Miracles do happen. While we have to do everything we can, let’s
remember that God is always in the middle of things. If Christ was
able to resurrect a dead man, the recovery of chastity in a person and
in society is nothing compared to that!
Yes, it’s true that we cannot and should not underestimate
the gravity of the problem. Pornography is everywhere and is easily
accessible. Even kids as young as 8 can get it in a click. One can
avail of it with apparent impunity. In fact, one can avail of it also
with apparent great benefits, or so they say.
We have a good number of people, especially the young, who
are already crazed with sex. Cases of sexual addiction are increasing
by leaps and bounds, and not everything in this regard is reported
yet.
Marital infidelity is still like a byword among many
people. Flings, one-night stands, hook-ups are getting common. We now
have the same-sex marriage issue. You can just imagine what goes
inside the mind and heart of many people, and the solitary abuses
people commit right and left in thought, desire, word and deed.
Yet, in spite of all these, there is still hope. We just
have to be realistic, and that should start with a boost to our faith
that with Christ, who already died for our sins, the impossible can be
made possible.
Which means that we have to feel at home with the reality
that in this life we are expected to do the impossible—with God’s
grace. If you think that nothing works unless it is under your control
or power, be convinced that you are wrong. We have to enliven our life
of faith and piety. This is the indispensable minimum.
There is no use complaining, feeling bad, getting
pessimistic and depressed. We have to move, and move forward. But we
have to redefine the terms of engagement. We should not get stuck with
those of the past generations that may have worked well before, but
now no more.
With the many new developments around, the personal,
family, social terrain, etc., has changed drastically. Where topics
like the nature and meaning of human sexuality and the need and
practicability of chastity were a no-no before, now they should be
openly discussed. We have to overcome the initial shyness and shame
that are now quite misplaced if we have to consider how things are
now.
The way and manner of doing this should also be changed.
Let’s avoid lecturing and preaching, because many young people today
feel they are being spat upon when Scripture is quoted or some
scientific or social data are cited.
Things have to be done in a more friendly way. A lot of
patience is needed as well as creativity and a large dose of
naturalness. We have to somehow talk like them, with jokes, anecdotes
and entertaining trivias galore. Let’s be wary with being too
intellectual. The young ones resent that.
Let’s never be shocked to hear the most scandalous things
related to this area. In fact, we should always be reassuring them
that things will just be all right. But we also have to be ready to
give concrete, doable steps to recommend to them. We should not expect
that things radically change overnight.
Let’s be quick to see the brighter side of things, instead
of getting stuck with the negative details. You can be sure that there
will always be some redeeming elements in the apparent oceanic mess
people can get into. And it’s love, affection, understanding and
compassion that will win at the end of the day.
Chastity should be presented as a very positive virtue, a
true manifestation of love and a basic truth about us. It should be
presented as something doable but requiring daily effort and daily
struggles where one can win and lose, but hope is always there. It has
to be understood as a consequence of faith and piety.
can never be a lost cause. In fact, things are getting more exciting
in this area. Let’s face this crisis with great optimism.
And the reason for that is precisely the very same reason
why many of us are pushed to think chastity is already a lost cause.
The complex and seemingly impossible challenges, the ugliness of the
situation has made this virtue more important, more relevant, more
desirable.
As to whether chastity can still be achieved and lived in
a stable way, you can be sure that it can. Surprises can happen.
Miracles do happen. While we have to do everything we can, let’s
remember that God is always in the middle of things. If Christ was
able to resurrect a dead man, the recovery of chastity in a person and
in society is nothing compared to that!
Yes, it’s true that we cannot and should not underestimate
the gravity of the problem. Pornography is everywhere and is easily
accessible. Even kids as young as 8 can get it in a click. One can
avail of it with apparent impunity. In fact, one can avail of it also
with apparent great benefits, or so they say.
We have a good number of people, especially the young, who
are already crazed with sex. Cases of sexual addiction are increasing
by leaps and bounds, and not everything in this regard is reported
yet.
Marital infidelity is still like a byword among many
people. Flings, one-night stands, hook-ups are getting common. We now
have the same-sex marriage issue. You can just imagine what goes
inside the mind and heart of many people, and the solitary abuses
people commit right and left in thought, desire, word and deed.
Yet, in spite of all these, there is still hope. We just
have to be realistic, and that should start with a boost to our faith
that with Christ, who already died for our sins, the impossible can be
made possible.
Which means that we have to feel at home with the reality
that in this life we are expected to do the impossible—with God’s
grace. If you think that nothing works unless it is under your control
or power, be convinced that you are wrong. We have to enliven our life
of faith and piety. This is the indispensable minimum.
There is no use complaining, feeling bad, getting
pessimistic and depressed. We have to move, and move forward. But we
have to redefine the terms of engagement. We should not get stuck with
those of the past generations that may have worked well before, but
now no more.
With the many new developments around, the personal,
family, social terrain, etc., has changed drastically. Where topics
like the nature and meaning of human sexuality and the need and
practicability of chastity were a no-no before, now they should be
openly discussed. We have to overcome the initial shyness and shame
that are now quite misplaced if we have to consider how things are
now.
The way and manner of doing this should also be changed.
Let’s avoid lecturing and preaching, because many young people today
feel they are being spat upon when Scripture is quoted or some
scientific or social data are cited.
Things have to be done in a more friendly way. A lot of
patience is needed as well as creativity and a large dose of
naturalness. We have to somehow talk like them, with jokes, anecdotes
and entertaining trivias galore. Let’s be wary with being too
intellectual. The young ones resent that.
Let’s never be shocked to hear the most scandalous things
related to this area. In fact, we should always be reassuring them
that things will just be all right. But we also have to be ready to
give concrete, doable steps to recommend to them. We should not expect
that things radically change overnight.
Let’s be quick to see the brighter side of things, instead
of getting stuck with the negative details. You can be sure that there
will always be some redeeming elements in the apparent oceanic mess
people can get into. And it’s love, affection, understanding and
compassion that will win at the end of the day.
Chastity should be presented as a very positive virtue, a
true manifestation of love and a basic truth about us. It should be
presented as something doable but requiring daily effort and daily
struggles where one can win and lose, but hope is always there. It has
to be understood as a consequence of faith and piety.
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