Ignatius of Antioch, who was taught by the apostle John, called
the Eucharist “the medicine of immortality” (circa 110 A.D.).
This belief has been maintained and expanded upon by the
Church, which holds, according to the Catholic Encyclopedia,
that the Eucharist is not merely a food, “but a medicine as well…
Just as material food banishes minor bodily weaknesses and
preserves man’s physical strength from being impaired, so does
this food of our souls remove our lesser spiritual ailments and
preserve us from spiritual death. As a union based upon love, the
Holy Eucharist cleanses with its purifying flame the smallest
stains which adhere to the soul, and at the same time serves as
an effective prophylactic against grievous sin. According to the
teaching of the Roman Catechism, [this preservation from mortal
sin by the Eucharist] is effected by the allaying of concupiscence,
which is the chief source of deadly sin, particularly of impurity. **
Therefore it is that spiritual writers recommend frequent Communion
as the most effective remedy against impurity, since its powerful
influence is felt even after other means have proved unavailing.**”
- Catholic Encyclopedia (1908), “The Blessed Eucharist as a Sacrament”.
Read that last sentence again:
“Therefore it is that spiritual writers recommend frequent Communion
as
the most effective remedy against impurity, since its powerful
influence is felt even after other means have proved unavailing.”
Now, this was written in 1908, and they’re being discreet, but
what they are talking about is masturbation. They realize the
difficulties of putting this thing away – how so many efforts in that
regard can fail.
And yet they say, even after all those other efforts have proved
unavailing, frequent Communion can be and is the most effective
remedy.
Whence comes this remarkable power in the Eucharist? As
noted by Abbot Vonier, “The stream of sacramental grace is truly
the flow of the Blood of Christ: in one way or another every
sacrament is the fire of Christ’s love when He was dying on the
Cross” (
A Key to the Doctrine of the Eucharist, p. 27).
Thus, the Eucharist puts us into immediate and profound contact,
into
communion, with
the fire of Christ’s love when He was dying
on the Cross.
Vonier goes on to note: “Sacraments are truly an energy that
comes from Christ in person, a radiation from the charity of the
Cross, a stream of grace from the pierced side of Christ” (pp. 28-29).
No wonder the Eucharist is so powerful.
Now, you may have some practical obstacles in your life that
prevent you from attending daily Mass. But can you perhaps
make an effort to get up an hour early, and get to daily Mass for
a month, and see what happens? Perhaps not every day. You
can only do what you can do.
I really believe that frequent, ideally daily, Communion is the best
of all remedies for an addiction to masturbation.
:bible1:
An accountablility partner is an excellent suggestion for anybody who is dealing with any type of habitual sin. Everybody, male or female, has a particular sin that is his or her thorn in the flesh. Having a man or woman who is a good Christian and has overcome that particular sin is a great blessing. I also recommend confessing to the same priest regularly, and asking the priest for his advice and prayer. God does not allow anyone to have a temptation that He does not provide enough grace to overcome. Through help from fellow Christians and through God’s grace in the Sacraments of Penance and Holy Communion, we will be able to overcome even the worst of our temptations. If we resist the devil, he will flee from us. You are in my prayers!