OVERCOMING SENSUALITY

Divine Appeal Reflection  - 113

Today, consider in Divine Appeal 113: "What a pain to Me! Souls are buried in sensuality! I wish that above all souls may understand My Divine Mercy."

This message addresses a persistent challenge that all people face, one that has gotten worse in the modern age. In this context, sensuality is defined as the overindulgence in bodily pleasures, frequently at the price of moral integrity and spiritual development. The remedy for this spiritual ailment is to comprehend and accept Jesus' Divine Mercy on a deeper level. There are many sensory-appealing temptations in the modern environment. More quickly and widely than before, people may now obtain a wide range of sensual gratification due to the widespread use of media and technology. This might range from overtly sexual content in entertainment and advertising to implicitly glorifying comfort and material affluence. These factors cause people to place more importance on transient pleasures than on the enduring virtues of love, faith, and morality.

Unrestrained sensuality has the power to harden the heart and dull the conscience. In addition to fostering a culture of self-indulgence, it can weaken one's ability to show empathy, selflessness, and true love. The act itself is not the only thing that poses a risk; there is also the underlying mentality that puts one's own self-interest ahead of the moral and spiritual health of others and oneself. Jesus' sorrow over souls "buried in sensuality" serves as a powerful reminder of the spiritual costs associated with leading a life driven primarily by one's sexual cravings. This condition has the potential to separate a person's soul from God, making them less open to His grace and more susceptible to worldly deceptions. Jesus' suffering conveys not only heavenly grief but also a call to consciousness—an appeal to acknowledge the ways in which sensuality can enslave the soul and alienate it from God's love.

In order to resist the seduction of sensuality, it is essential to cultivate a spiritual life grounded in the knowledge of one's dignity as a child of God and the transformative power of Divine Mercy. This entails consistently partaking in the sacraments, particularly the Eucharist and Confession, which serve as wellsprings of grace and fortitude. It also entails cultivating virtues like chastity, humility, and temperance, leading a disciplined prayer life, and requesting the saints' and the Blessed Virgin Mary's intercession. Through the lens of Christ, it helps souls perceive themselves and other souls, realizing that everyone has fundamental value that transcends appearances. In sharp contrast to the self-centeredness of a sensuous existence, it promotes a life of love, service, and self-giving.

However, Our Lord's message is not one of despair. He ardently desires that all souls come to know and embrace His Divine Mercy. Divine Mercy is the infinite love and forgiveness that the Lord extends to every soul, no matter the gravity of their sins or the depth of their separation from Him. This Mercy does not seek to condemn but to heal, not to punish but to restore. It is most abundantly available to those who approach God with a contrite heart, profound humility, and a sincere resolve to amend their lives.

May the limitless compassion and mercy of our sweet Jesus pull us from the diversions and allure of sensuality towards His sacred heart. May Sr. Anna Ali lead us to a greater comprehension of the divine mercy that Jesus extends to every soul through her witness and dedication. May we make it a daily goal to abandon the seduction of transient pleasures and pursue the enduring happiness that results from a life centered on prayer, faith, and the sacraments. By doing this, we can allow divine mercy's transformative power to enter our hearts and lift us up into a deeper, more genuine relationship with God, in addition to healing.