Jesus …tells us to build it on a rock. For only then will the house not fall….Building on a rock means building on Christ and with Christ … on a foundation that we call crucified love….Building on Christ means basing all our desires, longings, dreams, plans, and aspirations on His will. It means telling yourself, your family, friends, the whole world, and above all Christ Himself: ‘Lord, I do not wish to do anything in my life that goes against You, for You know what is best for me. Only You have the words of eternal life’ (cf. Jn 6:68).

“What does building on a rock mean? It means building wisely….For it is foolish to build on sand when you can build on a rock that will enable the house to withstand every storm. It is foolish to build a house on foundations that cannot guarantee the stability of a house in difficult times. Who knows, perhaps it is easier to base one’s life on the quicksand of one’s own vision of the world. Maybe it is easier to build without and even against the word of Jesus. But the person who builds this way is not prudent, for he tells himself and others that no storm will break out in his life and that no waves will beat upon his house. To be wise is to know that the stability of a house depends on the choice of foundations. Do not be afraid to be wise, that is, do not be afraid to build on a rock!” Such is Benedict XVI appeal to all of us.

Every day there are more and more people who want to build the house of their life on Christ. They resolutely reject Satan’s propaganda for building on sand. They wish to learn from Christ how to love with a pure heart and to achieve perfect happiness; that is why they join the Movement of Pure Hearts.

 Jesus invites everyone to join MPH. No one is excluded. He invites all of us to undertake the adventure of a lifetime. At stake is the crown of maturity in love; the prize – the gift of a pure heart. Of course Satan and his minions are doing their damnedest to discourage you and convince you of the futility of fighting for the gift of a pure heart. In joining MPH you pledge to pick yourself up every time you fall into sin by going to Confession and renewing your prayer of consecration. If you fall yet again, do not become discouraged. Redouble your efforts. Persevere in your daily quest for a pure heart. The day will come when you will finally triumph – thanks to Christ who gives you His strength through prayer and the Sacraments of Penance and the Eucharist.

MPH is also a “clinic for pure hearts.” It is here that Jesus heals us of every spiritual ailment, wound, addiction or dependency. There are no incurable cases. All we have to do is trust in Jesus and pledge ourselves to the daily effort of walking in faith. To live in faith every day we need to exercise self-discipline. We need to make concrete demands of yourself, commit ourselves to daily prayer, solid study, work, and rest. Above all, our daily schedule needs to include time for prayer. It is vital that we set aside regular times for saying the rosary, the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, scripture reading, Holy Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, and other forms of prayer. The point is to have set times for talking with God at least once in the morning, during the day, and in the evening. By the same token, we need to make time for study, work, and rest, and keep to this timetable with all resolve we can command.

To make a daily plan is one thing; to put it into action is another. Our greatest obstacle here is our own sloth and self-will. No doubt Satan further undermines our will to carry out our plan. But it is precisely in these ordinary, everyday moments when we must make concrete decisions that the decisive battle for our future, our character, and purity of heart is played out. We proceed to action by an act of the will. It is precisely when we least “feel like it” that we need to will to act. There is no other way of breaking through our sloth and disinclination. It is not what I feel like doing that I do but what I have earlier decided is genuinely good for me. Here, then, is a concrete way of mastering the unruly ego and striking out in faith with Christ. We need to remember that time is an invaluable gift. We cannot afford to waste it through idle T.V viewing, surfing the net, or other useless activities. We also need to learn the art of rest. Most people require eight hours of sleep. We should strive to rise early, at a regular time, and go to bed at a suitably early hour. Recreation and regular physical exercise are also very important: gymnastics, sports (preferably outside) and contact with natural beauty.

Above all, we must put effort into everything we do. Feelings and state of mind do not determine the value of our prayer, work, or study. Regardless of how we feel at the present moment we make a free decision to carry out the duties planned for the given day: i.e. we always pray, study, work, train, rest, etc. to the best of our ability. It is precisely this attitude that has the greatest value in God’s eyes. Only in this way can we grow in love and become the persons that God wishes us to be.

If you are interested in becoming a member of MPH, first go to Confession, then, after receiving Holy Communion, say the following prayer of consecration:

The Prayer of Pure Hearts

 

Lord Jesus, I am thankful that You love me with a love that rights the greatest wrongs and heals the most hurtful wounds. I offer You my memory, my mind, my soul, my body, my sexuality. I promise not to engage in sexual acts until I am united with my spouse in the Sacrament of Marriage. From this day on, I will not read, buy, or watch pornographic materials. I solemnly promise to meet You every day in prayer, scriptural meditation, frequent reception of Holy Communion and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. I also pledge to avail myself regularly of the Sacrament of Penance, not to give in to discouragement, and to pick myself up immediately after every sin. Dear Jesus, teach me to work systematically on myself, to control my sexual desires and emotions. Give me the courage to go “against the current” in my daily walk through life. Help me avoid everything that weakens and enslaves the will: nicotine, alcohol, and drugs. Teach me to place love at the center my life. Mary, my Mother, guide me in faith, to the very source of Love, to Jesus, that I may trust and believe in Him alone. After the example of Servant of God, John Paul II, I desire to entrust myself entirely to you: Totus Tuus, Mary! Blessed Karolina, procure for me the gift of a pure heart. Amen!

 

We encourage you to inform us in writing of this great event. Send us your address, date of birth, and also the date that you joined the MPH community. We, in turn, will send you a special blessing and enroll you in our Book of Pure Hearts, which will serve as living monument in honor of John Paul II.

 

Write down and send us your testimonies. It is Christ’s wish that you help others in this way to embark on a life of faith and join the fight for a pure heart. Let us remember each other in our daily prayers.