Jesus is right there for us, closer than any human or spirit, but we separate ourselves. How?

As we all know or should, when we sin. Sins are the building blocks of a wall between us and Him.

B ut how about “lesser” sins: transgressions?

Yes, He can still easily penetrate. He can still rise far above anything we do or think or say. Nothing can truly inhibit the Lord.

But God allows us free will—strictly adheres to this—and has His rules about closeness, remaining aloof when we veer off course to any degree.

The extent of that aloofness is naturally determined by the depth of sin.

That means big sins. It means lying, sexual immorality, pornography, plus of all types, certainly hatred, and of course violence, robbery, stealing, adultery, violence: those sorts of obvious ones.

But it also includes “smaller” and often subtle transgressions like insult, arrogance, rancor in all forms, lack of love, greed.

Each time we fail in those ways, it is actually we (not He) who is causing the separation and wall to build between us.

When there is a wall, there is a decrease in faith because Grace no longer arrives in expedient fashion and we lose communication.

While Confession is a great need when this occurs, most important is resolving not to commit the transgression and even minor failing again.

Be careful not to put politics before closeness with God; be careful not to distance yourself.

How worldly am I, Lord? That’s a question to ask at every turn.

Worldliness is a diversion and a distraction.

The closer we draw toward perfection (just toward it, for we will never be perfect on this earth), the more we exert and strive for purity, the brighter is His Light at moment when we need it, and really at every point during a prayerful day.

Call it a clearing of spiritual debris. Call it removing roadblocks. Call it a purge. Purging is something to keep in mind all day; every minute.

We purge here, or we do it in purgatory.