“Each man receives his eternal retribution in his immortal soul at the very moment of his death, in a particular judgment that refers his life to Christ: either entrance into the blessedness of heaven – through a purification or immediately, – or immediate and everlasting damnation.” (CCC #1022)St. Paul tells the Corinthians that we must all be judged by Christ, “so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad” (2 Corinthians 5:10). At the particular judgment, we will see our lives; we will see ourselves as God sees us, and then we will proceed to our place of reward – Heaven, Purgatory, or Hell – to wait for the universal judgment, which will take place after the resurrection of the body (CCC #1038), but before the Second Coming of Christ. The universal judgment, often called the Last Judgment, takes place when Christ returns in glory (CCC #1040) and reveals “even to its furthest consequences the good each person has done or failed to do during his or her earthly life” (CCC #1039). At this point, all will be resurrected in body. Those in Purgatory will already be purged, and so, following the Final Judgement, they will proceed to Heaven. If some are still alive at this time, they will skip their particular judgment. “After the universal judgment, the righteous will reign for ever with Christ, glorified in body and soul” (CCC #1042). Not only do we believe that we will be glorified, but the whole cosmos, the universe itself, will be transformed (CCC #1042-1047). Even though Purgatory is not one of the Four Last Things (because after the universal judgment, Purgatory will no longer exist), I’d like to say a few things about this state, since the Catechism dedicates a section to it (#1030-32): If we die in God’s grace and friendship but still have the need to be purified (due to temporal punishment*), we will go into a “place” of purification. Those who are in Purgatory are on their way to Heaven. Purgatory is not a place where the decision to go to Heaven or Hell is made. Purgatory is sort of like entering Heaven through the laundry room. We also do not believe that anyone will stay in Purgatory for eternity, for after the Final Judgement, as I wrote above, there will be no need for Purgatory. (*You can read more on this in Deacon-structing Indulgences.) Hell Hell is what we refer to when we speak of “eternal death”. This is where we do not want to go. It is not a physical place but a state. If we die in a state of mortal sin – that is, in a state that is not in God’s grace and friendship – we cannot be united to God if we don’t freely choose to love Him (CCC #1033, 1057). If the consequences of our sins are not temporal but eternal, we will go to a place that is eternally separated from God.
“The chief punishment of hell is eternal separation from God, in whom alone man can possess the life and happiness for which he was created and for which he longs.” (CCC #1035)The Church does not teach that “God banishes people to Hell”, rather that people willfully choose Hell. Which is why some (including myself) can wonder how, when presented with the glory and magnificent mercy and love of God, anyone would choose against it. Still, we have to believe that this is an option. But this is why we also believe that we can't say for certain that anyone is in Hell, nor, in the same way, can we say for certain that no one is in Hell. Heaven This is where we belong and where we want to go. This is Plan A. I don’t think it needs much explanation:
“Those who die in God's grace and friendship and are perfectly purified live forever with Christ. They are like God for ever, for they 'see him as he is,' face to face.” (CCC #1023)You can go straight to Heaven or get there via Purgatory. And as I wrote above, we don’t just believe in Heaven, but we also believe in a “new Heaven” which will come after Christ comes again in glory. The whole of creation will be transformed.
“In this new universe, the heavenly Jerusalem, God will have his dwelling among men. 'He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain any more, for the former things have passed away.'” (CCC #1044)and
“At the end of time, the Kingdom of God will come in its fullness. Then the just will reign with Christ forever, glorified in body and soul, and the material universe itself will be transformed. God will then be 'all in all' (1 Corinthians 15:28), in eternal life.” (CCC #1060)It's not a bad idea to reflect on the Last Things and to remember our death. Thinking of these things is part of thinking and hoping to be with God eternally one day since that is where we belong, and thinking about it will help us get there. Hope to see you there!
Deacon Pedro explores the ins and outs of a modern Conclave, and asks, "Where is the Holy Spirit in all this?"
What is the difference between heresy and simple disagreement? Looking at some of the main heresies throughout history might light the way forward.
Ever wonder what "excommunication" really means? Deacon Pedro navigates the canonical web to tell us all about it.
Some 1000 years ago, Armenian St. Gregory of Narek set out to write what is today considered to be one of Christianity’s spiritual masterpieces.
February 8th was the feast of St. Josephine Bakhita, who was enslaved as a child and brought from Sudan to Italy in the late 19th century.