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of sin, the Holy Spirit renews us interiorly through a spiritual transforma-
tion. He enlightens and strengthens us . . . ”
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The Gospel is indeed very
good news.
Our bodies and sexuality are included in Christ’s work of redemption,
which brings about a new creation that is fulfilled in the glory of the final
coming of the Kingdom of God (see Rom 8:18-23). The human body has
such great dignity! In the Incarnation, the divine Son assumed a complete
human nature, body and soul. By his Resurrection, we look forward to the
resurrection of our own bodies. In Baptism, our bodies are made temples of
the Holy Spirit (see 1 Cor 6:19). Certainly, none of us is free from weak-
ness and concupiscence, which remain after Baptism. Each of us is caught
up in the drama of sin and redemption; we are challenged to put selfishness
aside and to strive always toward more perfect love. But the Lord invites
us with all our weaknesses to trust and abide in him: “My grace is sufficient
for you, for power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Cor 12:9).
III. SHEDDING LIGHT ON THE
SIN OF PORNOGRAPHY
“Have mercy on me, God, in accord with your merciful love; /
in your abundant compassion blot out my transgressions.”
(Ps 51:3)
T
he Church’s teaching on the harm and sinfulness of
pornography is grounded in the greater “yes” or affirmation of
the inviolable dignity of the human person revealed fully in
Christ and the gift of human sexuality and marriage in God’s
plan. When the Church follows the Lord in upholding the truth of the
human person, this involves rejecting anything that would harm that
truth. The greater “yes” to the Lord sheds light on the corresponding
“no” to the darkness of sin, including injustice. In our duty as pastors and
shepherds to proclaim Christ, we must state clearly that all pornography is
immoral and harmful and using pornography may lead to other sins, and
possibly, even crimes.
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