We cannot fully acquire the virtue of purity unless we have first acquired true humility of heart - St. Chaeromon
St. Chaeromon taught that there are three motivations that keep a person from sin. The first is Fear of the punishment of Gehenna (the state of a slave). The second is Hope for the reward of the kingdom of heaven (the state of a hireling). And the third is Love for the good itself and for God (the state of a son).
So what are we called to do as Catholic Christians by this Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ we are celebrating today? We are called to: (a) acknowledge and honor the real presence of Christ in the Holy Eucharist; (b) to thank God for remaining with us through the gift of His Son in the Eucharist; and, (c) to be grateful to God for feeding and strengthening us with the Body and Blood of His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.
So my sisters and brothers, since God’s presence in our soul in this life is an invitation to increase constantly the intensity of our personal closeness to the Him, let us come closer to Him today as we celebrate the feast of the dedication of St. John Lateran Basilica by being reverent and respectful to Him when we enter a church, recognizing that He is present in the Tabernacle and that His Divine grace in us makes us His living temples.
My dear brothers and sisters, as we celebrate the Solemnity of St. Peter and St. Paul today, let us strive to follow their footsteps and example of faith by truly hearing and answering our call to discipleship; by sacrificing all for Christ and His gospel; by working hard in our spiritual lives to change our weaknesses to strengths; and by being always firm and faithful to God in all we do.
