eye-stopper
“Remember, where your treasure is, there your heart is also. The eye is the body’s lamp.” —Matthew 6:21-22
Jesus was talking about earthly treasure, and then He changed the subject to eyes. This implies that what we allow our eyes to look at affects what we treasure. In fact, our eyes have an extreme effect on our values and lifestyle. Jesus said: “If your eyes are good, your body will be filled with light; if your eyes are bad, your body will be in darkness. And if your light is darkness, how deep will the darkness be!” (Mt 6:22-23)
Therefore, we must guard our eyes not only from sexual temptations but also from temptations to a pleasure-seeking, self-centered lifestyle. This should limit our screen time drastically. We may not think screen time is affecting us but the Lord considers that it is. Obviously, advertisers know He’s right. They’re not paying millions of dollars for marketing campaigns that won’t affect us. Eve probably didn’t think looking at the forbidden fruit would affect her, but it resulted in the first sin and the warping of our human nature (Gn 3:6).
The Lord set our eyes into our skull to protect our eyes. He also gave us eyelids, eyelashes, and eyebrows for more protection. Just as He gives our eyes special protection physically, the Lord wants to protect our eyes spiritually. Therefore, we must let Him be Lord of our lives and our eyes.
Prayer: Father, give me the grace to close my eyes lest I look on evil (Is 33:15). May my “eyes look straight ahead and [my] glance be directly forward” (Prv 4:25), fixed on Jesus (Heb 12:2).
Promise: “All the people of the land rejoiced and the city was quiet.” —2 Kgs 11:20
Praise: St. Romuald’s father killed a man in a duel. Romuald fled to a monastery and lived a holy life. His father repented and became a monk, encouraged by the holiness of his son.
Reference:
Rescript: "In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Nihil Obstat for the publication One Bread, One Body covering the time period from June 1, 2026, through July 31, 2026. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio November 12, 2025"
The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.