Fr. Michael Williams

It seems everyone has an interest in the end of the world. Hollywood has just produced it’s latest film on the subject which is called 2012. Apparently December 2012 is the year for the end of the world based on some ancient Mayan prophecy!

As we approach the end of the Church’s year, Holy Mother Church encourages us to think about the last things. Principally the scriptures today call us to think about the mysterious time, when Christ ‘will come again to judge the living and the dead’.

Before that final judgement takes place there Jesus says there will be ‘the time of distress’. The Catechism reminds us that ‘Before Christ’s Second Coming the Church must pass through a final trial that will shake the faith of many believers’ (CCC675). In every age the Church of God goes through a trial. Our faith, our hope and our love are tested. The O.T. book of Judith speaks of this: ‘Remember that our fathers were put to the test to prove their love of God…Abraham…Isaac…Jacob…and Moses…they remained steadfast in the face of tribulations of every kind’. In this world, damaged by sin, there will be ‘this time of distress’, but like the Saints we are called to remain steadfast amid tribulation.

After ‘the time of distress’ -whether it be personal or cosmic- we go and stand before God. The letter to the Hebrews says, ‘we die once, and after that comes judgement’ (there is no such thing as reincarnation). Hebrews goes on to tell us that ‘all sins have been forgiven’ through Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. Nevertheless, we have to accept the forgiveness that Christ offers us. Pope John Paul II once said that the unforgivable sin is not to accept God’s mercy, not to repent. A second century author has said, ‘While we are in this world, we must take every opportunity of repentance for our sins…Once we have left the world, it is no longer possible to confess ones sins or be sorry for them’.

Of course those who die in venial sin need purification after death. That little known book of the O.T., Maccabees II, reminds us that the Jewish leader Judas Maccabee had an ‘atonement sacrifice offered for the dead, so that they might be released from their sin’. It is important to pray for the dead and have the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass offered for the dead, so that the dead may be released from their sins through Christ’s blood. But we have to say that those who die in mortal sin are locked into that state of horror for eternity. They will go ‘to shame and everlasting disgrace’ through personal choice. The book of Daniel reminds us those who put their trust in God’s mercy will go ‘to everlasting life’.

Traditionally the Church has called us to ponder on the four last things, which are death, judgement, heaven, hell. The Church as our Mother shows great concern for each one of us. She seeks our salvation. She counsels us to ponder these things, just like our earthly mother may counsel us to avoid dangerous situations and choose good ones. Holy Mother Church calls us to think about our death and standing before God, because it is inevitable, even for an atheist! When we ponder this we will try to live good lives, trusting in a merciful God and desiring the everlasting peace and joy of heaven.