April - 07
Q: I want to remain pure so much. I am Catholic and do utilize the Sacrament of Reconciliation frequently to help me. What do you suggest for when the desire and temptation seem to overwhelm and I can't pray it away?  Thanks, Mary

A:  Dear Mary,

It is important, particularly in times of strong temptation that these periods of temptation do not last forever. The devl just wants us to feel that they will and that we are powerless against his force of will. The temptations do not last forever, no matter how intense they may be, and, with God's grace, we can overcome the devl's will with our own.

St. Padre Pio, when quoting St. Thomas Aquinas and St. Augustine, reminds us that the devl has only one door into the soul - that door is the will. Therefore, in times of temptation we want to focus on keeping the door closed to the devl so that he cannot come in. Avoid circumstances and people that might facilitate opening the door to the devl and letting him sneak in.

It is quite appropriate to simply repeat our Lord's Holy Name - "Jesus" over and over and over again, since, as St. Paul says, at the utterance of this name "every knee shall bend, in the heavens, on the earth and under the earth, and every tongue proclaim that Jesus Christ is Lord."

The demons don't like that because it is very painful to them, so invariably they will flee at the name of Jesus. Get in the habit of repeating Jesus name over and over with focus on the realization that God in His mercy is more powerful and, most especially, Loving than any devl.

Call upon His divine grace and strength to help you through times of temptation, letting His light scatter the darkness that threatens you.

Paul Rasavage
for the Serenellians
and www.PornNoMore.com