Let's talk about... GOD

Sex - or the lack of it - seems to figure prominently in each of today’s readings: the Gospel (Mt. 25:1-13) is a parable full of virgins and in the first reading (1 Thes. 4:1-8) St. Paul warns against immorality, lustful passion, and exploitation with regard to marriage.

The fundamental point of both readings, however, is not sex, but God.

The Gospel is not really about virgins, but about being prepared in this life for the life to come. Likewise, St. Paul warns about particular forms of immorality, but his primary focus is on holiness and pleasing God.

The sins of the flesh (even if only adultery in the heart) are generally grave matter and deeply problematic on many levels and not just spiritual.

But while we must strive to avoid these sins
(and those things and situations that lead to them)
our focus dare not be
only on avoiding evil
but rather on holiness
and pleasing God.

Miserere mei, Deus,
secundum misericordiam tuam;
et secundum multitudinem miserationum tuarum
dele iniquitatem meam.
Amplius lava me ab iniquitate mea
et a peccato meo munda me.
Ps 51:3-4