All Saints Catholic Church in St. Peters, Missouri
I realize that it is not Ash Wednesday. However, as we approach All Saints Day I think it is good to keep the symbolism of the ashes front and center in our minds. When we are marked with the ashes each year we are reminded, "Remember that you are dust and unto dust you shall return." Are we living our day-to-day lives with that realization firmly etched in our minds? Have we turned away from sin? Are we being faithful to the Gospel?
I am amazed at the number of Catholic funerals that I have attended in which the priest who is presiding attempts to give a homily but instead eulogizes the deceased. While I firmly believe in the mercy of God, and I pray for an outpouring of that mercy regularly, I also recognize that we each have free will. There are times when we make choices that are not holy. Those choices have consequences. What happens if we die in a state of mortal (serious) sin?
Some people prefer to believe that hell does not exist. That is contrary to what the Church has always taught. If we make the choice to separate ourselves from God while on earth, why would we be expecting to be united with God forever in heaven? That makes no sense. We must desire God's mercy now. We must repent of our sinful ways. Our choices have consequences.
I would recommend that you read paragraphs 1033 through 1037 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church to see what the Church teaches about hell. I would recommend that you read paragraphs 946 through 972 to learn about The Communion of Saints. If you do not have a copy of the Catechism you can find the pertinent paragraphs here:
www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p123a12.htm#IV (Hell)
www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p123a9p5.htm (Communion of Saints)
God chose us in Christ before the world began to be holy and blameless in His sight. (See Ephesians 1:4) We are each called to be saints. Do we believe that? If not, why not? If so, does our life reflect that awesome calling? Can people see Jesus Christ in us and through us? Do we pray with intensity and fervor? Do we truly desire God's grace to work within us so we can be great saints?
Choices have consequences. Make the choice today to be a great saint!
I am amazed at the number of Catholic funerals that I have attended in which the priest who is presiding attempts to give a homily but instead eulogizes the deceased. While I firmly believe in the mercy of God, and I pray for an outpouring of that mercy regularly, I also recognize that we each have free will. There are times when we make choices that are not holy. Those choices have consequences. What happens if we die in a state of mortal (serious) sin?
Some people prefer to believe that hell does not exist. That is contrary to what the Church has always taught. If we make the choice to separate ourselves from God while on earth, why would we be expecting to be united with God forever in heaven? That makes no sense. We must desire God's mercy now. We must repent of our sinful ways. Our choices have consequences.
I would recommend that you read paragraphs 1033 through 1037 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church to see what the Church teaches about hell. I would recommend that you read paragraphs 946 through 972 to learn about The Communion of Saints. If you do not have a copy of the Catechism you can find the pertinent paragraphs here:
www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p123a12.htm#IV (Hell)
www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p123a9p5.htm (Communion of Saints)
God chose us in Christ before the world began to be holy and blameless in His sight. (See Ephesians 1:4) We are each called to be saints. Do we believe that? If not, why not? If so, does our life reflect that awesome calling? Can people see Jesus Christ in us and through us? Do we pray with intensity and fervor? Do we truly desire God's grace to work within us so we can be great saints?
Choices have consequences. Make the choice today to be a great saint!
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