Feb 2015 The Road to Daybreak A Spiritual Journey by Henri J M Nouwen

Continue from Personal and Communal The first step toward chastity rests in knowing that my sexuality is personal and communal. I have to dare to realize that I can harm my neighbours not just by what I do or say, but also by what I think. Confession means sharing my inner mental struggles with a trustworthy human being who can receive that confession in the name of the commnity. This confession can take place in the context of the sacrament of penance, but it does not have to. What is important is that I start becoming accountable to the community for my inner life. This accountability will gradually take away the obessive and compulsive quality of sexual thoughts and fantasies. The more I give up my private life and convert it into a personal life for which I am responsible to the community, the easier it will become to live a chase life - because the community formed and kept together by Jesus will transform my selfish desires into a desire to serve the people of God with every part of my being. Once I have confessed my inner life, the community can let the love of Jesus unmask my false desires, expel the demons, and lead me into the light so that, as a child of light, I can witness to the risen Lord. Thus I can live a truly chaste life.

- To Be Continued - © Copyright Shalom 2015. All rights reserved.