It is 1st September 2017. The readings are from 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8; and the Gospel from Matthew 25:1-13. It is the first Friday dedicated to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. The first reading is calling us to lead a life of holiness and that is the will of God for us all. Any exploitation or the abuse of one’s body or the others is contrary to the plan of God. Being holy means to be alert and focused on Christ at all times. Our attractions and opportunities to sins are immeasurable. We are not better off than that of the community of that time. The temptations to engage in sexual and immoral acts are prevalent. Sexual sins leave a deep marks and wounds in the human soul; it hurts the individuals, the families, the churches, the businesses and the society at large. The spiritual and physical consequences are lasting and taking a longer time to heal. Sexual desires and activities must be controlled with the help of the Holy Spirit. God wants us to use these experiences to be limited to the marriage and for the purpose of procreation within the expressions of love between a husband and a wife. The will of God is our sanctification. It is living a life opposite of the vices of the world and attempting to be spotless every moment of our lives. When we have chosen to live in sin, we too have made a conscious and specific decision to reject God. Our personal and moral life is very much under attack when we do not value ourselves and respect it as God wants it. Living immorally suggest that we do not respect our own very selves and of the others. We cannot be holy overnight. It is a persistent and strenuous attempt on a daily basis to continue the process with the power of the Holy Spirit. God wants us to be holy and to keep our body holy and honorable not surrendering to selfish lustful acts as that of those who do not believe in a God of love. “We have been called by God to be holy, not be immoral; in other words, anyone who objects is not objecting to a human authority, but to God.” (1 Thess.4:8). The responsorial Psalm acclaims, “Rejoice, you just, in the Lord.” (Ps.96:12). The Gospel invites us to stay away at all times without selfishness and giving way to our foolish decisions. Let us not run dry of the power of the Holy Spirit as we are waiting to meet Christ. May our good works, and deeds remain shining even in the darkness. May God bless you to be holy and alert at all times. Have a good day.