Expectations of the End
The idea of "the end" is not something that is easily pondered or explained because it is many-faceted. It includes our preparations for "the end" and eternity; it includes death (which is never an easy topic to discuss); it includes the transient (Purgatory) and final destinations (Heaven or Hell) after death. Nonetheless, it is a concept that must be dealt with, and it is a subject that has been front-and-center in my spiritual life throughout the past week.
Several circumstances have created and sustained the recent focus: conversations with my wife, philosophical reading, and the current stage of the Church's liturgical cycle (which encompasses Mass readings and the Office of Readings in the Liturgy of the Hours). Every day, God has revealed to me new things about Himself, about me, and about what He expects of me. Thus, the acute presence of such subjects and the revelations from God have created a need for me to write.
When it comes to this subject, several things are certain, and they are not pleasant concepts. First, death is certain; we cannot escape the end of our earthly lives, our human history. Second, each of us will be judged by our Creator at the time of our own death and receive "eternal retribution" for the manner in which we lived our lives. Third, there is a possibility (based on the second certainty) that we will be sent away from God for all eternity, to "immediate and everlasting damnation" (CCC 1022).
The preceding paragraph, although it is real and authentic, does not contain the most important and hopeful expressions on this subject. Indeed, there is Hope as the end of human history and each person's particular judgment approaches! (That is not to say that I know when either of those things will happen.) We have the opportunity to strengthen our case for reception into the "blessedness of heaven" (CCC 1022).
In the present, we have not just one, but countless opportunities to accept the "divine grace manifested in Christ" (CCC 1021) that our loving Father pours out to us! Throughout each day, week, month, or year, God will give us innumerable situations in which we can choose to do His divine will. If we recognize, and act, on those opportunities, we will gain favor in His sight; and, the likelihood that we will be sent away (Mt. 7:23) from Him will be lessened. (Clarification: this is not to say that God will let us into Heaven simply because we did a sufficient amount of "good works." Rather, it is to say that when we recognize His will, we fall more in love with Him and want to continue doing His will evermore.)
I pray that all of us will take the opportunities that are presented to us: today, tomorrow, and for the rest of our human history. I pray that I will be joyful rather than scared at my judgment, and I pray the same for you!
God bless.
Several circumstances have created and sustained the recent focus: conversations with my wife, philosophical reading, and the current stage of the Church's liturgical cycle (which encompasses Mass readings and the Office of Readings in the Liturgy of the Hours). Every day, God has revealed to me new things about Himself, about me, and about what He expects of me. Thus, the acute presence of such subjects and the revelations from God have created a need for me to write.
When it comes to this subject, several things are certain, and they are not pleasant concepts. First, death is certain; we cannot escape the end of our earthly lives, our human history. Second, each of us will be judged by our Creator at the time of our own death and receive "eternal retribution" for the manner in which we lived our lives. Third, there is a possibility (based on the second certainty) that we will be sent away from God for all eternity, to "immediate and everlasting damnation" (CCC 1022).
The preceding paragraph, although it is real and authentic, does not contain the most important and hopeful expressions on this subject. Indeed, there is Hope as the end of human history and each person's particular judgment approaches! (That is not to say that I know when either of those things will happen.) We have the opportunity to strengthen our case for reception into the "blessedness of heaven" (CCC 1022).
In the present, we have not just one, but countless opportunities to accept the "divine grace manifested in Christ" (CCC 1021) that our loving Father pours out to us! Throughout each day, week, month, or year, God will give us innumerable situations in which we can choose to do His divine will. If we recognize, and act, on those opportunities, we will gain favor in His sight; and, the likelihood that we will be sent away (Mt. 7:23) from Him will be lessened. (Clarification: this is not to say that God will let us into Heaven simply because we did a sufficient amount of "good works." Rather, it is to say that when we recognize His will, we fall more in love with Him and want to continue doing His will evermore.)
I pray that all of us will take the opportunities that are presented to us: today, tomorrow, and for the rest of our human history. I pray that I will be joyful rather than scared at my judgment, and I pray the same for you!
God bless.
