LESSON 9: LUST IN THE HEART

 34th General Audience, August 6, 1980
 
Whoever looks at a woman to desire her [lustfully] has already committed adultery in his heart (Mt. 5:20).
 
Because of the hardness of your heart Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so (Mt. 19:8).
 
“hardness of the heart” Greek, sklerokardia; Hebrew, “uncricumcision of heart” -- “paganism or shamelessness and distance from the covenant of God.” Associated with paganism because of this opposition to the Holy Spirit.
 
Old Testament ethos gave rise to a practise contrary to the original plan. The deformation of the law in Genesis is when Moses made the allowance.
 
Sermon on the Mount: proclamation of the new ethos -- Gospel.
 
The image of man of concupiscence that Christ brings out in St. Matthew concerns the innermost being. Out of the heart that we have evil intentions, and these evil intentions make the person unclean (Mt. 15:19-20)
 
After original sin the heart has been effected by 3-fold concupiscence: flesh, eyes, pride of life (1Jn. 2:16-17).

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