We must be on our guard, therefore, against evil
desires, for death lies close by the gate of pleasure. Hence the Scripture
gives this command:" Go not after your concupiscences" (Eccles.
18:30). So therefore, since the eyes of the Lord observe the good and the evil
(Prov. 15:3) and the Lord is always looking down from heaven on the children of
earth "to see if there be anyone who understands and seeks God" (Ps.
13[14]:2), and since our deeds are daily, day and night,
reported to the Lord by the Angels assigned to us, we
must constantly beware, brethren,
as the Prophet says in the Psalm, lest at any time
God see us falling into evil ways and becoming unprofitable (Ps. 13[14]:3); and
lest, having spared us for the present because in His kindness He awaits our
reformation, He say to us in the future, "These things you did, and I held
My peace" (Ps. 49[50]:21).
Concupiscences? It
is easy to take the view Augustine regarding concupiscences.
He would hold it means strong but inappropriate sexual desire. Given his
notorious past of decadence and wanton sexuality, it is easy to understand his
point of view. Catholic teaching about concupiscence is different the narrow
view we get Augustine. Instead of only focusing on sexuality, it also can refer
to attraction or pursuit of any baser activity.
I would take that to
mean anything that detracts from pursuit of relationship with God referring to
addiction to alcohol, gambling, drugs and so on. Addiction arises out of
compulsion to fill holes in our personal programs for recovery with things
other than God. It might apply to things other than addictions from actual
criminal behavior through and including subservience to the 7 deadly sins. I
don't think Benedict would just fix his ire on sexual matters since there are
so many other more obvious temptations along with sex. Reading and reflecting
on the first step of humility from my uncloistered life, I am concerned with
many other things in addition to sex but whom among us can't fall prey to
temptation? Still, it is no where near the problem it was for me years ago when
I was younger and, shall we say, more energetic.
The other thing that
jumps from this line is the constancy of God. We may be here or there at any
given moment but God remains steadfast. He watches, he waits, he hopes and
sends Angels to watch us. Through it all he remains patience. For this I am
grateful. I need his patience because I remain, as we all do, inconstant with
my devotion, application of faith and direction of thought. These things I do
and he holds his peace. Patience. I might do well offer thanks and praise to
him for patience. I certainly burn up enough of my own uselessly.
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