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Traffickers in Child Pornography may end up in prison. Use of pornography has cost persons their jobs, their marriages and families. It depends on the exploitation of other persons: frequently the desperate or poor, or the innocent young. Attraction to pornography and its gratifications is a false “love” that leads to increasing emotional isolation loneliness and subsequent sexual acting-out with self and others. It robs us of sanctifying grace, separates us from the vision of God and from the goodness of others, and leaves us spiritually empty. Use of pornography is a serious sin against chastity and the dignity of the human person. In this way pornography distorts the proper meaning and purpose of our sexuality and does grave injury to the dignity of its participants (actors, vendors, consumers).
#Renewed minds 2 pure hearts professional
It is a multi-billion dollar industry, eclipsing the amount of money generated by professional sports (cf. Pornography perverts the beauty of intimate love proper to marriage, presenting images of the body and sexual acts for base pleasure – regarding other persons as objects to be used, manipulated, and sold. Use of internet pornography is perhaps the fastest growing addiction in the world. Pornography has become the secret entertainment of many people of all ages, walks of life, and economic backgrounds. Well beyond magazines, it is widespread on the internet, television, movies and videos, and now on cell phones and other handheld devices, many of which are marketed to children and youth. It is being propagated more widely than ever. Pornography is not new, but it has become a kind of plague in our society, reaching epidemic proportions. For some months, representatives of our Catholic Diocese have been working with leaders of other faith traditions to address the serious dangers represented by the steady increase of pornography in our culture. Pornography: Epidemic Attacking Human Dignityĭaily there are challenges to this pure Christian love. As disciples of Jesus Christ, we are called to the happiness that comes from a clean and undivided heart. It is possible because God has first loved us (1 Jn 4:10 ). Is it possible to fulfill such a love? Yes.
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This pure love – as demanding as it may be – is the high destiny to which we are called as children of the Father. Jesus added definitively that we must also love our neighbor as our self (Mk 12: 29 -31). Israel ’s first and most important commandment is to love God with our whole heart, soul, mind and strength (Deut 6: 4-5). We are “single-hearted,” and not divided in our love. To be pure in heart implies that our love is wholly directed toward the good of the other person.
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“Who shall ascend the mountain of the Lord? And who shall stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false” (Psalm 24, 3-4).
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The Old Testament teaches that this purity is required if we are to approach God. A pure heart is “blessed” or “happy.” Seeing God and being with Him forever in heaven is God’s plan for our eternal well-being. It tells us about God, ourselves and our ultimate goal.
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This one line from the Beatitudes offers a most sublime beginning point to our reflection. Even more than the Ten Commandments themselves, they are a charter for the high moral calling Christ sets for His disciples.īlessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. In the Beatitudes Christ offers us a perfect model for true Christian living. Joseph and to all people of good will:īlessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. To the clergy, religious, lay faithful of the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Shop: Roman Catholic "RC" Brand Original Black Logo Collection Premium Tee | Multiple colors and sizes available!
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