THE        FOUR        LAST         THINGS

Knowledge of the last four things must be examined by all Catholics, to enhance the spiritual well being of their lives.  The church, for some obscure reason appears to avoid these topics.  So by the lack of information it devalues their existence.  One possible reason for this is that the laity, by dwelling to long on them bring about fear and anxiety.  It is important that we are well informed about them.  I agree we should not linger to long on them.  So what are the four last things.  Death, Judgement, Heaven, Hell.  Upsetting, yes, but we must not be afraid of events that are certain to come about.  We know very little about death, except, for Catholics it is the gateway to eternal life.  On arrival we will have to give an account, to God, of how we lived our lives here on earth, and be judged on their merits.  The outcome of that judgement is known only to God.  All verdicts will be revealed on judgement day.  True fact is, the belief in future punishment will not pass away without it causing a grave injustice to our Creator.  By ignoring it we weaken our faith in God.  The doctrine of atonement also suffers when future punishment is tampered with, as it was Christ who took the place of man to atone for our sins.  How will this doctrine stand if final punishment is denied.  Everyone who escapes eternal death does so by the virtue of the atonement.  So great a price was paid for that undertaking supposes an unimaginable debt.  If the need be denied will not the sacrifice be unthinkable.  A word of caution, it is not wise to get to precise in our thinking, it is enough to know that before God our fate, a destiny that cannot be fully imagined or understood in this life.  The judgement of God is carried out in perfect justice, perfect knowledge, and perfect mercy and all verdicts are final.  This knowledge should bring hope to all peoples of the world as we ponder the evils of this world today.  To know that, no matter what, true justice will prevail.  Sadly it seems as if humanity is on a collision course with its Creator.  By its evil and depraved mentality, the world is suffering wars, famines, drug abuse, and sexual abuse worldwide and an anti Christ philosophy that enters every home via the media, T.V, INTERNET, etc.  However the many faithful who persevere in the love and the service of God must take heart from what is written in this blog.  God’s mercy will see us home.  Every human being since the dawn of time till the end of time will have to give an account of how they lived their lives here on earth, even down to the very hairs on their head, answerable to God for their actions.  What of the others who refuse to listen?  Well they are taking a big risk by ignoring Gods love and His mercy.  They must give serious thought to change their lives while they still can.  God’s love and mercy is open to every soul up to the moment of death.  In all honesty, it is too serious to gamble on waiting till the very end for anyone to change.  In fact its eternal suicide.  The church and the faithful must focus their prayers and their actions towards the salvation of lost souls.  Without final judgement all lives are in complete.  We have forgotten how to look ahead.  How can we claim our lives have dignity if we are held accountable for nothing.  In a way to deny judgement is subtly to deny God.  Our aim must be to regain our firm trust in Jesus, His mercy, His love, and live the way He taught us.  The reward for this commitment is eternal life in HEAVEN.              

 

                     WE           MUST          FIGHT            BACK    

In time our bodies will waste away, but our souls that are the source of life are being renewed daily.  As the soul is ageless it cannot grow old.  It is the growth of knowledge that is being renewed on a daily basis.  That knowledge depends on what we expose ourselves to.  If we walk with God, we must condition our minds not to dwell on the things we see but on things unseen.  The things we see are temporary, things unseen are eternal.  Some of us lucky enough to have reached old age are well aware of this.  Whole streets, schools, rivers and glens etc have disappeared.  Old neighbours who we knew so well, have either died or left the parish. Nothing in this life is permanent.  Turning from God can lead to stubbornness and eventually blot out the rays of hope that come from God.  The outcome of this action can lead to, Justice being rejected, the rights of Christians being outlawed, the fear of God is abandoned and immorality is given a free hand.  It is taking a jump from a balcony into a dung heap or worse, from paradise to hell.  Sincerity has gone it has vanished from our mouths.  Apart from God, will turn our souls into a mind set of misery and despair.  Most of us unknowingly pass this way of life on to our children.  A way of life that can lead to eternal loss.  Not a very pretty picture i know, but none the less truthful.  On a brighter note, every soul is precious to God and his desire to save every soul exists to this day.  We must never forget the wondrous deeds our God did for us and our salvation.  We must rekindle in our minds The Passion of Christ.  To keep on ignoring God for things of this life is fatal.  Keep in your hearts always, the infinite love our God has for us and try to repay Him in kind.  As you truly love your children, you must tell them of Gods great love and mercy for them.  We live in evil times so it is important we begin to change the way we live and think, Turn to God, for guidance and strength.  If we place our family’s souls in His hands we do not have to worry, they are safe, and we just have to work at it .During lent talk to them to them about their suffering Savour.  Speak of his glorious resurrection.  At Christmas time, tell them the reasons for Christ birth All  this can make a profound impression on the minds of your children in years to come.  God is the creator and centre of the universe, in which the life of the humblest citizen has a purpose, meaning and value and can make a specific contribution towards His Divine plan.  Unfortunately through the state of their worldly minds, many will not believe this, ridicule the notion of it. Because they have never experienced it they consider it a mere matter of words.  The primary aim of the lord our God, the salvation  of souls still remains today.  To assist with this aim He established His church on earth.  The church initiated in the apostles and continued in their successors for the direct object of, preserving, protecting and declaring the means of guardianship and responsibility of the Divine Author.  In His divine wisdom, God was aware that His church was in the hands of human beings and they would be sorely tested by the evils of this world.  The church has faltered many times, the crusades, the Borgia period, the inquisition, the abuse of the young, and the evils of the cover up.  It is still the church of God and it is all we have.  Though many have deserted its ranks, many still remain faithful to its teachings.  The Pope, many cardinals, and many priests still remain faithful to persevere and administer Christ’s gifts to the people.  The clergy and laity must unite to face these problems  and seek with honest resolve the intervention and guidance of the Holy Spirit.  The church must refrain from tossing tit-bits to the people just to keep them happy.  If the church is to grow strong again, the laity must be given a greater and a more significant role in the church to

AND       THE       STORY      CONTINUES         

During the last years of his life, a band of followers travelled with Jesus as he made His way around Galilee and Judea, healing and teaching.  From among these disciples He chose twelve as His apostles.  From these leaders He further singled out one.  Jesus changed his name from Simon to Peter, meaning rock.  Declaring, that upon this rock He would build His church

The apostles lived with Jesus for three years, heard His teachings, and witnessed His miracles.  Yet when Jesus was arrested, all but one fled in fear.  Even the ‘’ rock’’ Peter denied Him.  Surprisingly, at first, Jesus resurrection did not appear to change them much.  The remaining eleven dismissed the early reports as ‘’idle tales’’ The apostle Thomas refused to believe until he had put his fingers into the wounds of the risen Christ.

Jesus finally appeared to all of them and instructed them to tell the whole world about Him.  First  though, they were to wait in Jerusalem for what Jesus called ’’the promise of God’’,  Nine days after Jesus’ ascension into heaven, the apostles, Mary the mother of Christ; and over a hundred others soon found out what Jesus meant  It was during the feast of Pentecost, when the power of the Holy Spirit filled them so profoundly that they would never be the same again.  Formerly fearful and faltering, they now became bold, joyful, and courageous.  Dashing into the street, crowded with pilgrims from every part of the known world, the apostles stood up, and with Peter as their spokesman, fearlessly witnessed to the resurrection of Christ.  Thousands heard them preaching, each in their own language and many were baptised that day, into the new community of love, forgiveness, freedom.  The final chapter of Gods plan, for bringing the fragmented human family back together had started, for on that day also, the active involvement of the new church and the laity had begun.  That work continues till this day, through the offices of the catholic (universal) church.  Many may shake their heads in disappointment  and refer  to the state of today’s world.  It is not that Christianity has failed, rather it is we who have failed to be Christian.  The church can be seen as a universal hospital for sinners where all can experience the healing grace of God, and become the people God intended us to be.  Sadly, Christians have been unable to maintain that unity to which we are all called.  The result has been a weakening of Christian witness,  It is true, to the shame of the church, that many who have borne the name Christian have not lived up to its name.  This does not take away from the enduring testimony of the church for over 2,000 years and still give witness to the, life death and resurrection of our Lord and Savour Jesus Christ today.  The grace of God has sustained the church and He has promised to do so until the end of time.  In every age there have been sinners who have entered the church and become saints through the power of Pentecost.  Peter the coward –turned rock, Paul the murderer became a martyr, all the way to Mother Teresa of Calcutta, whose relentless love touched the heart of the twentieth century.  So what about us, Jesus came that we may have life, and have it to the full.  Why settle for anything less.  It is our responsibility to witness together with an undivided voice to the fullness of his truth, or lose all that Christ won for us.                           

 

            WE         MUST         TRY          HARDER

One of Christs earliest declarations of His power, and his mission on earth, was the curing of the paralysed man, who had been lowered through the roof and placed in front of Jesus and the crowd.  Jesus reaction to this was to say :your sins are forgiven:  Strange words to say to a very sick man.  But in truth, our greatest needs are spiritual, the healing of the soul and spirit are first, all else is secondary.  This man’s needs in the eyes of Christ, was to have his sins forgiven.  Like him our primary need is to know our sins are forgiven.  In the confessional, via the priest, we hear the words of absolution, Gods words :my son, my daughter: i absolve you from your sins.  Be in no doubt, this is an absolute fact.  We have Gods word on it.  But take care, the only sin God will not forgive, is the person who refuses to go to Him in the belief they are beyond forgiveness.  This refusal can cause a hardening of one’s heart against Gods love and mercy, and God will never impose on our free will.  We are all sinners and in need of God’s mercy. Through frequent prayer and confession we will come to experience the real value of true joy and freedom.  A freedom that will lead us to self awareness and knowledge of who we are, and who God is.  His saving grace is needed by every soul.  The young addict who lives alone and in misery, and equally the young people who abstain from drugs and alcohol are both in need of salvation, the plight of the addict is just more evident.  A spiritual life is in many ways, a battle for control of our minds.  Gods words enter our minds, in order for it to take root and bear fruit, we need to engage with it, so it is not lost.  The only remedy for the human condition is Jesus Christ.  In all honesty, this statement would not sit very well with many young and many not so young in today’s society.  However if we stopped for a moment and gave some thought at the way we live our lives, we may have a change of attitude.  Living in todays world, where our minds are chock- a- block with useless information its almost impossible to make room for Gods word.  If we are to enter heaven we must make room.  Perhaps we should take stock of our Christianity, by our kindness, patience, and love and mercy towards those who have strayed from Gods path.  We must try harder not to judge or condemn people for the mess and the fear they have got themselves into.  The truth is, we all seek comfort, consolation, and friendship in one form or another.  This is part of the human condition.  There is a need in us all to change our lives for the good.  The Christian faith will always challenge us to change, an invitation to reform our lives.  Change is not just for a day or a one of thing, but a continual daily call.  We often think others need to change, but not us.  In fact, very few turn to the scriptures, the living word of God, when we are down, lonely, or depressed.  Why not?  Because we usually turn to drugs, alcohol, gambling, just to mention a few.  As any recovering addict will tell you, Christ will sustain you in your efforts.  Mercifully the scriptures are full of consoling words,  especially Christs words (come to me all you who are heavily burdened I will ease your pain )  Daily contact with God through prayer (mass whenever possible )  and begin reading the bible.  Do this and we and we can all move out of the darkness we are in, begin to enjoy the light of God in our souls.  Peace does not mean the absence of war, hunger, or suffering.  It is a condition which exists in all of us, by Gods grace, due to His infinite love for us.  Being human and as a result of our domestic and family obligations, we are prevented from giving more time to God as we should. By His coming among us, God fully understands this, and that puts a reason on us to try harder.  The reward for your efforts will be a place in heaven for you.              

         

                     A      GRIM     OUTLOOK     FOR      OUR      CHURCH       

Throughout human history, there has been an almost universal recognition that at the end of time we will all render some kind of an account of our lives, to God.  Even when the understanding of the one God is clouded and confused.  Every culture has a strong sense, that they will be judged by their maker.  So as Catholics, do we ever ponder about what we will be judged on.  The most significant act in the history of the human race has been passed down the centuries until this present day, the coming of our Lord and Savour Jesus Christ.  What then was the reason for Christs suffering.  Because He and only He was capable of paying the price of our freedom demanded by the will of the Lord our God.  His passion restored to fallen mankind, what the original human race (ADAM & EVE) had lost by their disobedience, in that they sinned against Gods law.  In rejecting God, they began to love themselves and many other things more than they loved God, Who must be first in every ones hearts.  By their actions they lost, not only for themselves, but for generations to come, the gift of eternal life.  After the fall, human desires became more self seeking and confused.  Christ’s coming reinstated our intimate relationship with God, new offer of eternal life, and the proper meaning of love :sacrifice:.  In short, words are cheap.  Christ also came to destroy the works of Satan.  He (satin) markets sin as liberating, but is the exact opposite (slavery).  We live in a permissive society that embraces sin as a virtue.  Our choice is simple.  There are the ways of God, and there the ways of this world, two different ways for humanity to live.  Unfortunately the message of the world’s media is often portrayed as, that anything goes and sin is no big deal.  Even sections of our church play down the gravity of sin.  This attitude has led many catholics to reject the confessional, to abandon prayer, and eventually disregard God by their non attendance at holy mass.  This approach could draw many souls towards the gates of hell and eternal damnation.  Our sins are often rooted in our greed, lust, pride, envy, etc. Moreover choosing the evils of this world can be very attractive.  Our free will, given to us by God has allowed us the freedom of choice, to follow Gods way, or follow the ways of this world.  We must be in no doubt the fate of all who ignore Gods way and the vast rewards for all who follow His ways.  If we decide to pursue Gods way, we must do so by action and not just words.  With stronger guidance and greater support from the church many souls could be won back for our God.  In the last one hundred years the church has become weak due to the disunity among the clergy who many them selves have become more worldly and less spiritual.  Their failure to inform the people of the way they are living their lives, and the outcome of their actions will bring, to clearly explain the obligations of what it means being baptised a catholic and the importance of what is expected of them.  If people think that sin is trivial, and their commitment to God trifling.  Take a good look at the crucifix.  That’s what  God did for us, and that’s what sin did to GOD.  In most families today spiritual growth is almost nonexistent.  It is as though the catholic faith was living on borrowed time, especially in the west.  This exodus can be slowed down if we seriously turn back to God.  To love God and one another will take a big effort on the part of those who do so.  The clergy and the laity must stand up and speak the truth. To become united as one under God.  Gods primary aim is the salvation of souls and it must be ours also.  This world which has existed so long in the grip of fear, of dying, of suffering, poverty, of evil, it seems almost impossible to get our minds around a kingdom where none of these things exist.  But that is a perfectly human reaction to the world in which we live.  We are pressurised daily by the evils that surrounds us.  I was told, many years ago, faith was believing in something you cannot understand.    The love, beauty, joy, and happiness of heaven is not a myth or a fairytale.  It is a reality.  It is a mystery to be enjoyed, not to be analysed or understood, for there is nothing in this life that comes anywhere near the splendour of seeing God face to face.  That’s what we must strive to achieve, for ourselves and our families. 

DO NOT TELL ME YOU LOVE ME           SHOW ME

GOD   BLESS          

HEARTS       AND          MINDS

There are many who would associate this title to a T V programme of the same name.  But the reality of the title is more startling when studied more deeply.  Church teaching informs us, all souls are created by God, out of His deep love for us, and placed in their earthly bodies (created in Gods likeness) at the moment of conception.  All souls belong to God, and in time will return to Him.  It is through the soul the body receives life, and the life of the soul is eternal.  The final destiny of the soul is best thought of by the way we live out our time spent on earth.  During this period, our spiritual growth can be greatly influenced by the commitment of our hearts and minds towards God.  Since the beginning of time, a war has been raging around us, between good and evil, for the control of our hearts and minds.  With the coming of Christ and later the Holy Spirit, vast numbers of souls were won over to God.  Regretfully, within the last century the tide has shifted towards the powers of evil.  In many parts of the world today, people have given in to the lures of this world, and in doing so have weakened their spiritual growth.  The church firmly maintains that, Christ alone, pays the price for the forgiveness of everyone.  Church teaching also states that everyone is responsible for his or hers own actions. The gospels confirm this.  We have only to think of lazarus and the rich man to see the relationship between action and the judgement one receives from God.  By catering for the body, the more the light in the soul is being extinguished.  Never forget, to reach heaven, and receive the gift of eternal life, we must direct our hearts and minds to be in tune with God.  Remaining faithful to the church and the sacraments we have the means to do so.  Not an easy task to achieve, as we are hemmed in at every turn we take  by the glitter of this world.  To combat this situation, the church needs to show strong leadership to its people.  Taking a more personal role in organising the people to a stronger faith in their God and their church.  Through love, actions, and proclaiming the truth, regardless of the situation many find themselves in.  As i stated at the beginning, the welfare of the soul is everything , all else is secondary.  The body will die and all its needs and wants with it.  The soul exists forever.  We know that, at the end of time our souls will be reunited with our glorified and resurrected bodies, in a wholeness,  far more perfect than we presently have the capacity to imagine.  On reflection we can see the importance of any decisions we make and the influences they have on our hearts and minds.  Our eternal destiny depends heavily on this.  Our attitude towards God has become so disrespectful that it is one of the main causes of our weak faith.  Most priests portray, Christ as a brother, friend, companion. But very rarely as God and creator of all things.  The reason being, the onus it puts on us.  This is clearly reflected in the way God is treated by many Catholics.  Our approach to Mass, communion, baptism, marriage, confession etc shows no serious commitment to anything spiritual.  The actions of many priests and large groups of Catholics worldwide, is soul destroying and disappointing to many Catholics who still remain steadfast to the church and its teachings.  I know there are many who will shake their heads at this in disbelief.  Claiming an old dinosaur is lost in a time capsule, somewhere in the past, afraid to move with the times, afraid of change.  Perhaps they are right.  As everyone is entitled to their thoughts as i am of mine, Hence the creation of my blog site, as i don’t like what i may be changed into.  So with God’s blessings (i pray) the thoughts will keep coming. 

GOD    BLESS