Recently, I was speaking to a group on the virtue of chastity. A highly charged topic, for sure. One woman raised her hand and offered that what she was most afraid of was being alone the rest of her life. She felt she was in a Catch-22 of sorts. She was afraid that if she committed to a chaste life, she would not be able to meet a man. And, if she was not chaste, she would be in mortal sin unable to receive the Eucharist. She felt she needed to choose between a life of loneliness, or a life separated from her faith. I could definitely relate.
What she was holding on to was her fear–her fear of loneliness–and it was paralyzing her. She was failing to trust Christ completely, and thus, was being held back from the abundant life he promised her. She needed to let go. She needed to let go of her fear and trust completely in Christ’s love and mercy. Often times, this is not a natural thing to do. We often end up trying to appease God and satisfy ourselves. We get nowhere. To surrender it all without holding back, we need help in the form of God’s grace to make progress in our lives. This is where the Sacraments are so important, particularly Reconciliation and the Eucharist. They impart an abundance of God’s grace. Avail yourself of them often and receive the continual grace needed to keep moving forward in your life.
For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. – Matthew 16:25
Originally posted 2014-05-29 06:00:40.
I can really relate to that story. I have gotten to the point where I just rather be alone than have to deal with this issue. Thank you for reminding me to place all my trust in God. He is my strength and He is my answer.
Amen! That’s what keeps me going. Treasure in heaven versus treasure on earth. I also sacrifice myself to my kids and others. It feels good to help others. God has also provided me great friends the last 4 years through a Catholic divorce retreat, Cursillo, and my church. Great gospel toda, John 6. God bless.