HOW CAN A MAN KEEP HIS HEART PURE?
The words above pose a question about the meaning of the next Beatitude. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”. In Mark 7:21-23, our Lord cautions us concerning the “evil things that come from within and defile a man. ” He candidly illustrates that ” … out of the heart of men proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornication, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride and foolishness.” Clearly then, the heart can harbor a multitude of sinful actions. If we are ever to “see God” and live eternally in His Heavenly Kingdom, it is essential for us to have a “pure heart.” A pure heart is developed rather than acquired. We do so by devoting ourselves to serving and worshipping God. We must also live in temperance, guarding against sins of excess that take our thoughts away from spiritual matters and direct them to worldly concerns. . When our soul is not dominated by sinful passions, its only desire is doing the work and the w
