By: José Antonio Ortega
Chastity is not an impossible mission, it is something VERY POSSIBLE, no matter how much pressure others put on you.
It is sure that some friend has asked you at school: Do you want to see pornography? Do you masturbate? Why NOT? Are you GAY? Are you afraid? Do they scold you at home? Aren’t you free? You are too religious!
When I was studying High School, a classmate took some pornography material to school and started showing it around the class, he felt so important, so man, so free, so very much in fashion, so bold.
Some kids really liked it and it was obvious they were used to watching it; some others watched it even when they didn’t want to because others put pressure on them.
One of the guys refused to see it and dared to criticize the boy who had taken this material to school; many kids mocked at him and looked down on him: “your parents don’t let you”, “it is a sin”, “free yourself, and don’t be afraid”.
He told the guy who had taken the pornography: so you think I am not free, let’s see how free you are, can you stop masturbating?
The fight ended that very moment, because he realized he was a slave of the vice and he was not in control of himself.
Wake up, who is the SLAVE, a person who is able to decide what to see and what not to see or a person who cannot control him/herself. If you are sure of yourself do not feel ashamed of your principles and your values.
“REMEMBER, A PERSON WHO CAN CONTROL HIMSELF/HERSELF IS FREE”
That day, my friend could resist, he was in control, but if you are one of those people who say you can’t help doing one thing or the other when their friends put pressure on you, let me remind you St. Paul’s words:
“No trial has come to you but what is human. God is faithful and will not let you be tried beyond your strength; but with the trial he will also provide a way out, so that you may be able to bear it.” (1 Corinthians 10, 13)
And if you are the one who takes the pornography to school, think a little: What do you win by that? Let me tell you that there is a much better way to be happy, you know what? You do not need sex, what you need is love, so what you have to do is:
• Strengthen your will
• Love yourself and find the best for you
• Love your neighbor as yourself
• Get closer to Jesus; don’t be afraid, remember He is waiting for you, open arms, in the Reconciliation Sacrament to remind you that He loves you and wants the best for you.
Now, maybe you wonder why God has let you done things that were not in his plans and why you have fallen into temptation. Well don’t worry, if it has been that way, maybe Jesus wants to tell you today what he told Peter once:
"Simon, Simon, behold Satan has demanded to sift all of you like wheat, but I have prayed that your own faith may not fail; and once you have turned back, you must strengthen your brothers" (Luke 22, 31-32).
So maybe what God wants is that you go and share with others the joy of having found salvation. If so, share it! Go and strengthen your brothers!
