SPIRITUAL  GUIDANCE

Carnal affection is always motivated by human attraction, which is the appeal of one person towards another person for sensual pleasure.  Such attraction follows the instincts found in animals, that is, those of sight, smell and touch. Briefly, it acts to please the flesh and blood.

Carnal affection can be distinguished from spiritual affection.  The former diminishes the remembrance of God and the zeal for virtue, and it disturbs the peace of heart.  On the contrary, spiritual affection increases the remembrance of God and the zeal for virtue.  It brings serenity and peace to one's heart.

Examine the signs of God's love.  When God loves a soul, he preserves her by his grace from falling into mortal sin.  He puts her in a situation where she can perform good deeds, helps her to have the right intention in everything and allows her to suffer.  The more He loves her, the more he makes her suffer with resignation.

You should never wish for death, unless you do so in order not to sin any more, or to be able to unite yourself to God and enjoy him forever. Those who wish to die so as to rid themselves of the cross which God sends them commit a sin.  These persons, certainly, do not want to do God's will.

When commiting a mortal sin, one would be saying to God, "I am not afraid of the fire of hell. I despise your word and trample on it.  If it were at all possible I would destroy you.  I hate you, and I do not care about you and about your benefits.  I want to do what I please."

From the Writings of St.George Preca, the Maltese Saint