Last evening in our weekly meeting with folks who want to be received into the Catholic Church (OCIA), the session was on the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Earlier in the course of meetings we had discussed human nature, original sin, grace, the redemptive nature of the Paschal Mystery and more, all leading up to our meeting topic. As part of the session the topic of concupiscence came up.

Concupiscence, as explained in the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC), refers to the inclination or tendency of human beings toward sin as a result of original sin – even after the sanctifying grace of the Sacrament of Baptism. It is characterized by a disordered desire for earthly goods and pleasures, which can lead individuals away from God’s will. It is a puzzling thing. Even St. Paul struggles with concupiscence: “What I do, I do not understand. For I do not do what I want, but I do what I hate.” (Romans 7:15)

The CCC explains that concupiscence is a consequence of the fall of Adam and Eve, which introduced sin into the human condition. While humans are created good, the effects of original sin have left a mark on human nature, leading to this inclination toward sin (para. 2515). It is described as strong desire or a disordered affection. In itself it is not sinful, but when it meets with external temptation, two gifts from God are important to resist: reason and grace.

I think St. Paul may be describing this nexus of temptation, concupiscence and grace when he writes: “Three times I begged the Lord about this, that it might leave me, but he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Cor 12:8-9) In those moments Paul reminds us to rely on the promises of what God has already done for us in the life, death and resurrection of Christ. In part to avoid sin in the moment, but also to gain experience and confidence in God’s grace and so grow in virtue.

This morning as part of the Liturgy of the Hours, there is a reading from a sermon of the 9th century Bishop of Naples, John the Serene (Giovanni d’Acquarola). The focus of his sermon is to love the Lord and always walk in his light. In it he writes: “Though the blindness of concupiscence assails us, again we say: The Lord is my light. For he is our strength; he gives himself to us and we give ourselves to him.” It is John the Serene’s way of telling us in those moment, look to the Light of Christ.

Last evening one of the Catechumens commented that one of the great challenges of the journey of faith is to practice keeping the Lord present in your day, in what you do and say, letting that be what guides you. It was a graced insight carrying the wisdom of St. Paul and John the Serene. May we all be mindful of the gift of God’s grace and allow it to enlighten our day.