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 resisted her  evil  suggestions. By this,  she  was  the  guilty  cause  of  the innocent Joseph  being  deprived  of  his  liberty,  and  cast  into  prison.

Rash judgment.  Putiphar  sinned  by  condemning  Joseph,  without careful investigation  of  the  accusation  brought  against  him. Such a sin is called  rash  judgment

Means of  preserving  chastity.  The  sin  which  Putiphar’s  wicked wife wished  to  induce  Joseph  to  commit  was  one  against  chastity. This temptation was  a severe  one  to  Joseph,  considering  her  position  and her shameless  importunity. She was  the  mistress  of  the  house,  and  he was  but  a poor  slave. She would  argue  that  the  sin  would  not  be  a very  great  one;  that  no  one  need  know  about  it,  and  so  forth. She, furthermore, would  flatter  him  and  promise  him  riches,  if  he  would consent, and  threaten  to  do  him  great  injury  if  he  refused. Nevertheless, Joseph remained  firm,  and  would  not  yield  to  the  temptation. He loved the virtue  of  purity. He knew  that  impurity  is  the  most  shameful  of all  sins,  and  he  carefully  guarded  himself  against  it. To do  so,  he used  the  following  means: i. He kept  as  much  as  he  could  out  of  this woman’s way. He would  not  have  been  in  her  house  that  day,  had not business  called  him  there;  and  when  she  tried  to  detain  him,  he fled. 2. Before  going  into  the  house,  he  armed  himself  against  the temptation by  praying  to  God  for  strength. 3. Each  time  this  wicked woman tempted  him,  he  thought  of  God  who  sees  everything,  and who has  a special  hatred  of  sins  against  chastity. If you  wish  to preserve  your  innocence,  dear  children,  you  must  do  as  Joseph  did. You must  avoid  the  occasions  of  sin,  bad  companions,  and  all  unclean thoughts. You must  appeal  for  help  to  God  and  His  holy  Mother;  and you must  think  of  God’s  presence,  of  death,  and  hell. You have  far more powerful  means  of  preserving  your  innocence  than  Joseph  had  in Egypt,  for  you  have  the  holy  Sacraments  of  Penance  and  of  the  Altar. If you  receive  these  often  and  worthily,  you  will  be  able  to  resist  all temptations. Joseph remained  chaste,  though  he  did  not  possess  these mighty means  of  grace. Your sin  will  be  far  greater  than  his  would have been,  if  you  lose  your  innocence  in  spite  of  them.

Joseph’s temptation  was  a severe  one,  and yet he  stood  firm. Have you  not  let  yourself  be  led  into  sin  by far  lesser  temptations? Joseph paid  no  heed  to  the  threats  of  this wicked woman,  but  feared  God  more  than  her. He preferred  to suffer  anything,  even  death,  rather  than  offend  God. Repent of  your sins, and  say  often  to  God:  “I  will  die  rather  than  offend  Thee.” Do you  love  purity  as  dearly  as  Joseph  loved  it? Would you preserve  your  innocence  at  any  cost? Your innocence  should be dearer  to  you  than  anything  in  the  world,  for  it  is  the  most priceless treasure  you  possess. Avoid, therefore,  all  occasions  of