Apr 7 Mon
Can I change the World with pure (not impure) thoughts?
Sometimes our thoughts are holy and fruitful. Other times they are shameful and destructive. We can change the world by accomplishing our good thoughts: one thought, word, and deed at a time.
St. Francis of Assisi threw himself into a thorn bush to resist the temptation of impure thoughts.
Today a massive Internet pornography industry thrives. Acts of violence in movies often immediately follow impure scenes. Social scientists observe that impure imagery prepares some viewers to fulfill impure thoughts with acts of violence.
More than one modern ideological agenda is rooted in impure thoughts. An impure thought is not a harmless “victimless” sin. Impure thoughts disfigure human relationships and entire societies, just as Jesus said: “Everyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” Jesus uses the dismemberment metaphor to stress an impure thought's gravity. “If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and throw it away; it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell...” (Mt. 5:28-30)
St. Paul reinforces the teachings of Jesus (cf. Phil. 3:17-21). The enemies of the Cross are devoid of self-control: “Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame.” He quickly promises our transfiguration in Jesus: “But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it, we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will change our lowly body to be like his glorious body.”
The account of the Transfiguration gives Peter, James, and John a foretaste of heavenly glory and strengthens them for the turmoil of the Passion. But the Transfiguration isn’t only for them. The three Apostles accompanying Jesus represent the Church. Moses and Elijah—representing the Law and the Prophets—are in communion with Jesus. The entire history of Israel, and the world, is transfigured in Jesus.
The Mass re-presents the Transfiguration. The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass fulfills, elevates, and transfigures the worship of the synagogue and the sacrifice of the Temple. The New and Everlasting Covenant fulfills and replaces the Old Covenant. Every imperfection is purified. All that is worldly and disfigured is transfigured in Jesus.
The thoughts and words of the Mass will help us to reject impure thoughts, as these gradually become our thoughts and words. Jesus teaches us His way during the Liturgy of the Word. We are at the foot of the Cross with Jesus during the Consecration. Through Holy Communion, Jesus transfigures us with His resurrected glorified body. Our encounter is individual and communal. The Mass unites us with the history of mankind transfigured in His love.
Our transfiguration begins with our thoughts and continues with our words and deeds. Prayerful thoughts of our transfiguration in Jesus—with words and deeds rooted in our worship—take flesh within our hearts, families, communities, and nations.
Our thoughts—transfigured by the grace of Jesus at Mass and the Sacraments—will change the world. “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Mt 5:16)
Excerpts from Fr. Jerry Pokorsky