“Zeal for Your house will consume Me.” (Jn 2:17)
Consider: Evil men use modern psychological techniques to condition a man’s mind, darken his intellect, erode his freedom, and manipulate him into compulsively committing hidden evil acts.
In a disturbingly similar way, the Evil One uses habitual exposure to pornography to condition a man’s mind, darken his intellect, erode his freedom, and enslave him to the relentless pursuit of more pornography.
Realize: The pornified man becomes conditioned by degrading images that continually replay, his imagination grows restless, and lustful impulses increasingly govern his behavior. Prayer becomes difficult, silence becomes unbearable, and weighed down by shame and fear he hides from God like Adam in the Garden (Gen 3:8). He avoids Scripture because truth condemns the sexual sins he refuses to confront (Heb 4:12). As this disorder deepens, the pornified man rejects Confession, and avoids the Eucharist or receives it unworthily, bringing judgment rather than healing (1 Cor 11:27–29; CCC 1385, 1415). The man conditioned by pornography becomes apathetic, dissipated, and helpless.
Resolution: Today, I practice Heroic Sexual Self-discipline by striving to live a heroic Catholic life and experience the joy of Chastity.
Almighty Father, I recall Jesus’ zeal in cleansing the Temple (Jn 2:13–22), and I am compelled to imitate Your Son by zealously cleansing the filth of pornography from the temple of my soul (1 Cor 6:19–20). I long to spend eternity with You in Heaven and realize I must strive to enter through the Narrow Gate (Mt 7:13–14). I realize that I must pick up the cross and follow Jesus (Lk 9:23), denying unchaste sexual urges, and persevere to the end to be saved (Mt 24:13). Help me to live a heroic Catholic life by drawing near to You in prayer and Adoration, listening to Your loving and wise words in Scripture, frequently receiving the Sacraments of Penance and the Eucharist, being supernaturalized with the Gifts and Fruits of the Holy Spirit, and carrying out many Works of Mercy (CCC 2447). I trust that You will give me freedom, peace, and joy, and help me to do great things for You (Jn 14:12; CCC 898). I am astounded by Your love and Your help in leading me to live a heroic Catholic life.
Examine: How can pornography lead me to neglect my Catholic faith?
Pray: Almighty Father, help me build the Virtue of Religion (a part of Justice), so I am driven to zealously pursue a heroic Catholic life and perform many beautiful Works of Mercy for others. Amen.