The Three-Fold Flower of Consecrated Life:Chastity, Poverty and Obedience
The novices in our lay Carmelite community will be making their promises in June at our annual retreat. The other members will renew their promises of Chastity, Poverty and Obedience. Today, I would like to concentrate on the promise of chastity.
We will profess/renew the promises in the above stated order. Fr. Michael Griffin, OCD explains:
Now you will see that the first place is given to Chastity, then to Poverty and finally to obedience. This order is really quite ancient in the Church, and it stresses that it is through chastity that the friar or nun gives his whole and undivided love to the Lord, then wants to live like the poor Christ, and finally is willing to carry out the wishes of those the Lord has appointed to lead him. And this, allowing for the differences, is what prevails in the making of promises by the secular Carmelite. I think the order is very suggestive for meditation and reflection on this step in the life of the Lay Carmelite.
From our Rule:
Article 12
The Promise of chastity binds the Secular Carmelites to the observance of this virtue in accordance with their state in life, and does not in any way impede a change of state. The promise expresses a conscious intention to respect the law of God in a way proper to the unmarried, married or widowed state, as the case may be, and to bear a special witness, as befits those called to intimacy with God, to the Beatitude: "Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see God" (Mt. 5,8)
When we hear the word, "Chastity" this usually brings to mind thoughts of the body. But we must look deeper into this virtue. Chastity does not mean only to keep the body pure, but as our rule states, we must try to attain purity of heart, in-fact, to return to our baptismal innocence in which we are pure, innocent children of God ready to be welcomed into the Kingdom.
As Carmelites, of course, we look to Our Lady, she who is the chaste-Virgin, the Ever-Virgin, Mother of God. We look to her to help us keep pure in body and spirit and to imitate her humility and modesty.
Humility is the key to chastity. Why? Because we must "get over" trying to please others and live to please God alone. It takes great humility to not care about what pleases others. I'm not speaking of acts of charity or sharing our joy with others, but of the great lengths we go to and the great effort we make sometimes in our dress and speech to impress and please other people.
From Fr. Tanquerey:
If we love God with our whole soul, if we love Jesus Christ above all things, we shall be less inclined to give our affections to creatures.
This generous love for Jesus we draw from prayer, from the reception of Holy Communion, from silent adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, and we render it habitual and permanent through that intimate union with Our Lord.
To this we add a great devotion to Mary, the Virgin Undefiled. Her name breathes forth purity. The Spiritual Life, pg. 529
Let us look at this virtue within the symbolism of marriage, since it is the spiritual marriage we are all trying to attain. We turn to Jesus Christ and his bride the Church for the perfect model of marriage between God and mankind. Jesus Christ is the model of faithfulness to his bride. Even though we sinners are unfaithful, he remains faithful.
Being chaste means being faithful to the Commandments of God. Let's look at the first commandment as an example: "I am the Lord thy God. Thou shalt have no strange gods before me." God is commanding us to take no other lover but himself. Carmelite spirituality, through the teachings of St. John of the Cross, especially help us to detach ourselves from the love of creatures and created things and to embrace the cross-that holy instrument that binds us to our Beloved.
What are some of the qualities of a chaste person?
First the practical side of a chaste person:
*Respect for self and others
*Carry themselves with a holy dignity that is free of arrogance
*A humble person
*No suggestive talk or clothing
*Does not flirt with opposite sex
*Does not use obscene language
*Does not watch obscene movies
*Does not read obscene books
Spiritual aspects of a chaste person:
*Is single-hearted for God
*Is simple and childlike in their love and trust in God
*Is faithful to their promises
*Flees from suggestive thoughts and temptations
*Does not form inappropriate attachment to spiritual director
Practicing the virtue of chastity, with the help of the Holy Spirit helps us to conquer our flesh and live the life of the Spirit in purity.
Let us pray for our members who will profess chastity, poverty and obedience and for our members who will renew their promises. We only need to turn to our Holy Mother of Mt. Carmel, Virgin most Pure to help us attain the crown of holy Chastity.
Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, OCDS
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