The Purity of Body and Soul

By Scott Ferrier, MJ • Phoenix, AZ

We are continuing the series we began with “What the Laity Can Learn from the Desert Fathers.” The concept of “purity of heart,” along with humility, is often considered the foundation of the monastic life and spirituality. By studying this subject, we can learn the principles which will prepare us to live a life of true Christian asceticism — ‘to live in the world, but not of the world.’

For the members of Miles Jesu and all the laity, “purity of heart” is not simply a matter of ‘watchfulness’ — the discernment of spirits, the rejection of evil thoughts, examination of conscience and prayer; these are essential, of course, and belong to the first order of things. But it is also necessary that we understand and cultivate the right relationship and balance in the life of both body and soul, restoring it through Confession when required. This is why chastity and virginity are held in such high esteem by the Holy Church. In the body of literature on Christian virginity, purity of heart reflects the inner virtues and purity of the flesh regards control of the body and the senses.

Many of the Fathers devoted entire treatises to virginity. In them we find frequent references to the twofold purity of body, soul, spirit, or heart. Bodily purity, or chastity, includes the control of the bodily senses. A clean heart, a pure heart, requires a continuous custody of the eyes, in public and private, cultivating a modesty whether alone or in the company of others — male or female. At the same time, it should essentially include the keen awareness of the heart as the ‘seat of the thoughts.’ For it is in my thoughts and the intentions of the will that my actions proceed, including sinful deeds.

In nearly all the literature on Christian virginity is the insistence that true chastity or virginity requires the elimination of the other spiritual vices besides temptations of the flesh – such as pride, arrogance, vainglory, gluttony, envy or anger – and the avoidance of the other impurities of the world. We know that a pridefulness in keeping bodily purity, without this balance, can lead to a fall. The deeds of the flesh are connected to the heart! 

St. Gregory of Nyssa, in his fourth century treatise on virginity, advises us to flee all forms of impurity. All vices, at bottom, corrupt and we should call them by their true name: they ‘constitute a catalogue of adulterers’ and are always contrary to sound doctrine. We must make a greater effort to ‘adorn the soul with righteousness,’ through the listening to the word of God and meditation and recollection on the holy Scriptures.