The Pure of Heart
"A devout and powerful king sent two messengers, one after another, to his queen. The first returned and related the queen's reply without saying a word about the queen; he had wisely averted his eyes and did not look upon the queen. The other also returned, and after a rather brief message, he embarked upon a long eulogy to the queen's beauty, 'Indeed, sire,' he concluded, 'I have seen a most beautiful woman; happy is he who can enjoy her!' But the king answered him: 'Unworthy servant, you've been sliding your filthy glances over my queen! It is clear that you'd like to possess what your eyes have violated.' Then he called back the first messenger and said to him, 'How did the queen seem to you?' But the messenger answered, 'I don't really have a very clear picture of her, sire, except that she listened willingly and with patience.' And the king, 'Did she strike you as a beautiful woman?'' 'Sire,' the messenger replied, 'that is for you to notice. I only relate the messages I receive.' The king then concluded, 'You have chaste eyes; you will be pure, even in my apartments. And it is there you will now serve and share in my own comforts. But as for this lecher, get him out of my palace, lest he defile my bridal chamber.' 'Who then,' St. Francis said, 'would not be afraid to stare at a bride of Christ?'" --Mirror of Perfection, 86
We must never forget that God looks at our hearts to see what our intentions and motivations are. Being pure of heart comes from having a pure relationship with the Holy Spirit.
"A devout and powerful king sent two messengers, one after another, to his queen. The first returned and related the queen's reply without saying a word about the queen; he had wisely averted his eyes and did not look upon the queen. The other also returned, and after a rather brief message, he embarked upon a long eulogy to the queen's beauty, 'Indeed, sire,' he concluded, 'I have seen a most beautiful woman; happy is he who can enjoy her!' But the king answered him: 'Unworthy servant, you've been sliding your filthy glances over my queen! It is clear that you'd like to possess what your eyes have violated.' Then he called back the first messenger and said to him, 'How did the queen seem to you?' But the messenger answered, 'I don't really have a very clear picture of her, sire, except that she listened willingly and with patience.' And the king, 'Did she strike you as a beautiful woman?'' 'Sire,' the messenger replied, 'that is for you to notice. I only relate the messages I receive.' The king then concluded, 'You have chaste eyes; you will be pure, even in my apartments. And it is there you will now serve and share in my own comforts. But as for this lecher, get him out of my palace, lest he defile my bridal chamber.' 'Who then,' St. Francis said, 'would not be afraid to stare at a bride of Christ?'" --Mirror of Perfection, 86
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