Memorial of Saint
Aloysius Gonzaga, religious
(II Corinthians 11:18.21-30; Matthew 6:19-23)
Aloysius Gonzaga was an Italian noble who joined the
Society of Jesus at a tender age. As a
novice, he may have heard the warning of keeping “custody of the eyes.” This term means to turn one’s gaze from compromising
sights. Its reference generally regards
sexual allurement. Aloysius would have
heeded such advice. He did not live long
enough to be ordained a priest. However,
his short life was exemplary that in time he was named “patron of Catholic
youth.” Today’s gospel may be taken as
an admonishment to Christians to similarly keep “custody of the eyes.”
Jesus calls the eyes the “lamp of the body.” As such they allow images to settle in one’s
mind. Good eyes will screen healthy images
from compromising ones. Healthy images
like nature in bloom lift the soul to give God glory. Corrupt images like pornography create
illicit desire. Bad eyes do not make these
distinctions. They allow unhealthy
images to wreak havoc in the mind.
It may sound fastidious to remind another of sexual
desire. Yet many people today – mostly men
but, no doubt, women as well – are obsessed by sexual desire. Counselling may be needed, but a friendly
reminder not to fix one’s gaze on another’s sexual organs can resolve the
difficulty. We are sexual beings which
is wonderful. But sexual desire like all
others must be tempered by virtue.
