Now that we’ve settled into the heat of the Arizona summer, it’s time for the annual joke that even though it may be 110°, it’s still cooler here than in hell… so get to church!

I know, the joke is corny. But I’d be a lousy pastor if I didn’t regularly remind us all (me included!) that Jesus is very clear about the reality of eternal damnation and His offer of eternal life after this earthly one. The Catechism of the Catholic Church says:

“Death puts an end to human life as the time open to either accepting or rejecting the divine grace manifested in Christ. The New Testament speaks of judgment primarily in its aspect of the final encounter with Christ in his second coming, but also repeatedly affirms that each will be rewarded immediately after death in accordance with his works and faith…

Each person 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 (purgatory) or immediately, - or immediate and everlasting damnation. At the evening of life, we shall be judged on our love.” (CCC 1021-22)

Today we hear in the second reading that “we walk by faith, not by sight… we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each may receive recompense, according to what he did in the body, whether good or evil.” (2 Cor 5)

Now, you hear me say all the time that we Catholics don’t judge those who don’t believe in God or practice the faith. Jesus was clear about not judging others (Mt 7:1) and St. James writes: “There is one lawgiver and judge who is able to save or to destroy. Who then are you to judge your neighbor?” (Js 4:12)

We Catholics also take seriously what Jesus says about the afterlife. We certainly want to live forever in heaven and have all our relatives and friends there. The possibility that some will be like the rich man in Luke 16 who are damned and looking across the great chasm to those in heaven rightly calls us to our evangelizing and sanctifying mission. We want everyone to get to heaven! But woe to anyone who thinks that it's automatic.

The Church exists to bring souls to Christ that He might save them. So, we invite, proclaim the Good News with word and deed, testify, answer questions, and invite again. Jesus’ salvation is available to all! That old saying is right, however, that you attract better with honey than vinegar - we stand the best shot at bringing souls to Jesus when they see us Catholics as joyful, being a good and holy example (never as hypocrites), and as kind people.

That’s never easy, and even harder when it’s a gazillion degrees in the shade. But, let’s count on the Lord to give us all this and more. And let’s keep remembering how perfectly cool heaven will be!

BACK TO LIST BACK