WORD ALIVE
We have reached the end of the Church calendar and commemorated All Souls Day. Today, we reflect on the end of the world.
Many people have been asking, “Father, is the world about to end?” I replied. “It’s because of the plagues, the earthquakes, famines, global warming, climate change and others. These are now happening in our country and in the world?”
* * *
During Christ’s time, people were gravely perturbed and asked the same question. But Christ tells us not to be frightened “for this is something that must happen but the end is not so soon” (cf. Lk 21, 9).
Jesus douses cold water on all speculations and predictions of the end, stating, “As for that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father” (Mk 13,32).
The end of the world, however, happens when we die and are judged immediately after death. And that’s what we call Particular Judgment.
* * *
Although every one is judged immediately, “there will be the General Judgment which will be a repetition of the Particular Judgment. The Judge and the matters taken up will be identical. The reason is that the justice, wisdom, and mercy of God will be glorified in the presence of all (‘Our Catholic Faith,’ Most Rev. Louis Morrow, STD).
* * *
What matters is now. Are we holding on to our faith or living as a Christian should?
While we are still in this world, we are exhorted no less by our Lord Jesus to do God’s will. Jesus has always stressed the virtue of love for neighbor so much so that in the Last Judgment, He will ask us what good deeds we have done for them. “When I was hungry you gave me food, thirsty and you gave me drink, sick and in prison and you visited me… Enter into the Kingdom of Heaven” (Matt. 25).
* * *
Another requirement for entering the Kingdom of God is following His will and commands as stated in the 10 Commandments: “Honor your father and mother, you shall not kill, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal and others.”
There are people who don’t like obeying, saying, “These commands are a burden and a restriction to our freedom.” On the contrary, obeying these commands is not only God’s will but it is for the good and welfare of our country and the world.
* * *
Let’s live in such a way that in the Last Judgment, we will not have cause to regret when God will judge us.
Let’s reflect the words of the writer John Dunne: “I shall pass this way but once; any good, therefore, that I can do or any kindness I can show, let me do it now. Let me not neglect nor defer it, for I shall not pass this way again.”
* * *
Appeal: A benefactor to our seminarians once said: “My sons have no vocation to the priesthood so I might as well help others become priests.” Very inspiring!
* * *
Seminarians are future priests and missionaries. We cannot have them if we don’t support them.
For inquiries, e-mail me at: [email protected].