The Four Last Things

 

Dear Parishioners,

This Sunday we welcome back to our parish Bishop Dennis J. Sullivan to administer the Sacrament of Confirmation to our Confirmandi. Although he is technically "retired," Bishop Sullivan continues to help Bishop Joseph A. Williams administering the Sacrament of Confirmation and to assist where he is able. Whenever the bishop visits the local parish, it is a special honor for us!

The Scripture readings for this Sunday focus on some end times events. As the liturgical year comes to a close next week with the Solemnity of Christ the King, I think it is a good opportunity to remind everyone of the Catholic Church's teaching on the four last things.

First, Death comes to us all. There is no escaping it. What is experienced at that time is the soul leaving the earthly body. We do not become angels (pure spirits) because we will eventually be given a glorified body (like Jesus) in the Resurrection of the Just. For a time, however, we are disembodied spirits.

Next comes our particular Judgment. St. Paul reminds us, " . . . We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive recompense, according to what he did in the body, whether good or evil." (2 Cor. 5:10) There will be an accountability for all of our actions before Christ, and we must live in such a way that we are prepared for this day. This judgment is different from the final judgment of the world where there an eternal separation of good from evil. (See the Catechism of the Catholic Church, # 1038-1041)

While it is not technically listed as one of the four last things, the Catholic Church's teaching on Purgatory is very important. Any unrepented venial sin or any attachment to sins that are not mortal or deadly, must be purged from us before we could ever see the "face" of God. Sin and God are not compatible. That is why we pray for the dead and have Masses offered for them. We can (and should) help the dead in their journey towards God. Church teaching holds that they can no longer help themselves once they die, so please do not deprive your deceased loved ones the prayers and Masses they many need to get to Heaven. Too often people assume that they are already in Heaven which only God can determine.

Finally, there is either Heaven (an eternity of happiness with God) or Hell (an eternal separation from God). There are plenty of references to both places in the Scriptures, and we should take the time to familiarize ourselves with the many times and ways Jesus speaks of them. Whether it is Jesus saying The Kingdom of God is like . . . or His warnings about the fires of Gehenna, Jesus definitely wants our attention focused on eternity and not solely on this world.

There is an adage in Latin worth keeping in mind with regards to eternity: Tempus fugit, momento mori (Time files, remember death). As we listen to the Scripture readings this Sunday and next, may we be reminded that the things of this world will come to an end, and our focus should always be on getting to Heaven. Ultimately, nothing else really matters.

If we lose Heaven, we really lose it all. Think about that.

Fr. Ed Namiotka

Pastor