Rousing Her Radiance: Day 1
Author: Andrew Comiskey
October 11, 2023
‘Real
love is neither static nor uncritical. If there is any possibility at all of
changing another person for the better, then it is only by loving her and by
slowly helping her to change from what she is to what she can be. Should it be
any different with the Church?’- Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI
Jesus
loved me into wholeness. His Church set me free. Free enough to help, not
hinder, my loved ones. Like you, my heart still recalls and can be tempted by
idols I sought in my divided state. But not for long. The unity of body, soul, and
spirit Jesus won for me is my truest self.
Chaste
Jesus won me. His Church surrounded me. Now chastity goads me to wholeness:
more freedom, not less, as the Day approaches.
A loving
Head and Body summoned the man of God’s design. Jesus neither made me nor died
for me so I could squander my life in ‘gay’ pursuits. He made me for Himself. And
He gave all to gain me. His eyes, blazing like the sun, finally broke through
the familiar haze. Becoming free from sensational attachments and free for real
love made the difference.
Chastity
is its own reward. I loved being composed rather than agitated, infused by
grace from those who believed for more than I could. I loved learning to help
others know some facet of God’s love in this one Body. I loved living for
Someone other than myself. Freedom. Integration.
Chastity
wins. God doesn’t ask of us what He doesn’t free us to realize—one ‘yes’, one
denial, one spiritual kiss at a time. Letting go and taking up can become the
rhythm of our freedom. Chastity is our guide and the goal; not just for
evidently divided ones, but for all. God wills it because He is preparing a
people for Himself: humble and clear witnesses of the One who made us and is
redeeming us in this One Body.
Let
us seek uncompromising clarity on this chastity and the Church whose love liberates
its attainment. A compromised Church cannot free captives; a mercifully clean
Church can.
I am
sitting on a plane next to my wife in route to a parish-based conference on
chastity and healing. Even though Annette hates to travel, I love being next to
her. And I love doing what I can to make this bumpy ride more bearable for her.
Chastity
liberates this love for each other. It’s a solid track with electrified limits on
which weak people can reach for more and become strong in love. Jesus makes the
Way; His Church guides and guards the Way.
No
Jesus, no wholeness. No Body, no chastity. As we begin this fast together, let
us rouse ourselves and our communities to become radiant, a Bride ready for Her
Bridegroom.
‘Dear
Jesus, let freedom begin with us. We are your weak members, yet still responsible
to let go and take up. Free us for more. May our love for You, and Yours for
us, be reflected in how we love others.'
‘Father,
we thank You for Jesus who established the Church on a Rock against which hell will
not prevail (Matt 16:18). We pray for every Christian leader to build on Her
firm foundation of sexual clarity and integrity. Father, unmask the deceiver
and divider of Christians and unite us in one Spirit. As weak members of
Christ, we ask for truth to guide our pursuit of sexual wholeness, for grace to
sustain it, and for spiritual power to transform us. May we reflect the chaste
radiance of Jesus (2 Cor. 3:18) as we “shine like stars in the universe,
holding out the word of life” (Phil. 2:15-16) to a lost and hurting world.’
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