I just got my Catholic feathers ruffled again by my father (surprise, surprise). First, for telling him how proud I was that my oldest two would be making their first Reconciliation next month and how happy I was that a different priest was at Mass today so, I was able to go to Confession AND got to receive Communion. Lord have mercy, you can imagine the tirade THAT set off. *sigh* I actually had called to tell him of the visit me and the kids had with my mom today. To be brief, as some of you may know, she has been of ill health for quite some time and is basically home bound. Her husband cares for her. She stays in constant pain (back, bone deterioration, arthritis, etc~unknown ailments) and lives on pain killers and various other drugs. I strongly suspect she plans on killing herself before too long. It was very unnerving and my son was super sensitive to her obvious pain and limited abilities. He cried quietly the whole way home and sobbed in mine and his dad's arms after we got here. He knows she won't be here much longer. He's so very worried about her. We tried to explain to him that this is not home. That we spend our time here on this Earth trying to do good so that we are good enough TO go home. We explained how much better off those that we know that are suffering (his dad, my mom) will be once they are released from their pain and are able to go home. He was better after we talked to him, thankfully, but I still will watch him and ask for prayers for the little guy.

-- Jackiea (sorry@dontlikespam.com), January 19, 2003

Answers

Response to Judgement

cont'd~

Anyways, I told my dad this. And I told him how worried she was that one that commits suicide will go to Hell. I talked to her at length about this and at one point told her that it was not for me to say who goes to Hell or Heaven. No one can say that in all certainty but God. Well, that provoked the ruffled feathers. He tried telling me how there ARE certain unpardonable sins, like suicide because you can't ask for forgiveness when you're dead and therefore, you go to Hell. Dear Lord, I tried to explain to this man that what he was doing was judging and he totally argued with me on it. I finally gave up on it. He told me how he was raised (SDA) and he can't seem to shake their teaching of when you die, you die and aren't judged until Christ comes again. He doesn't believe that when we die, we instantly go to Heaven or Hell. He said if that was the case, what's the point in the Second Coming. I told him how my old priest said the first judgement was a private one between you and God and the second was a public one before all. He said it only speaks of one judgement in the Bible.

So..............which is it? I could've SWORN there is something in the Bible about two judgements. I plan on looking but right now, I'm dog tired, my nerves are shot and I have to get up and go to work in the morning so, any input on this would be appreciated at this moment. And prayers. Lots and lots of prayers.

Thanks and God bless~

-- Jackiea (sorry@dontlikespam.com), January 19, 2003.

Response to Judgement

Hello Jackiea,

Yes, the Bible does indeed provide information about both the particular judgement of each individual at death, and the eventual general judgement. Although the particular judgement is not described as such, a number of passages indicate that people go immediately upon death to either their eternal reward or their eternal punishment, which could not happen unless they were first judged.

"When the poor man died, he was carried by angels to the bosom of Abraham" (Luke 16:22)

"The rich man also died and was buried; and from the netherworld where he was in torment ..." (Luke 16:22-23)

"Amen I say to you, this day you will be with me in Paradise" (Luke 23:43)

"... this apostolic ministry from which Judas turned away, to go to his own place" (Acts 1:25)

"I long to depart this life and be with Christ" (Phil 1:23)

"We would rather leave the body and go home to the Lord" (2 Cor 5:8)

"It is appointed for men to die once, and after this comes judgement" (Heb 9:27)

And, the day of final or general judgement is likewise described ...

"Many will say to Me on that day, "Lord, Lord, did we not prophecy in your name?" (Matt 7:22)

"I tell you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon than for you, on the day of jusgement"(Matt 11:22)

"I tell you, on the day of judgement people will render an account for every careless word they speak" (Matt 12:36)

"the Son of man will come with his angels in his Father's glory, and then he will repay everyone according to hsi conduct" (Matt 16:27)

"... you are storing up wrath for yourself for the day of wrath and revelation of the just judgement of God, who will repay everyone according to his works" (Rom 2:5-6)

Finally, read the account of the general judgement in Revelation 20:11-15

Peace! Paul

-- Paul (PaulCyp@cox.net), January 20, 2003.

Response to Judgement

Jackiea,

I don't know the answers that you seek, but please know that I am praying for you, and for your whole family, son, mother, father, you, husband, all of you.

God's peace to you, and our Lord and Our Lady bless you and yours,

Carolyn

-- cksunshine (cksunshine@hotmail.com), January 20, 2003.

Response to Judgement

I will be praying for you too Jackiea, and your mom, and family.

May God give you peace and strength.

MaryLu

-- MaryLu (mlc327@juno.com), January 20, 2003.

Response to Judgement

Dear Jackiea,

That’s Philippians 4:13 … write it down … keep it in your mind … buy a tee-shirt for your 8th grader …

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

"I CAN!" Choose your Attitude Now and you will.

You will get through this difficult time, Jackiea because you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you.

I am going to say the St. Michael Prayer for your mom today and ask that God strengthens her and removes the evil thoughts she has about ending her life. May God strengthen her, be with her, and help her to endure.

MaryLu

-- MaryLu (mlc327@juno.com), January 20, 2003.

Response to Judgement

Thank you all so very much. Words can not express my gratitude. I always know where I can turn.

God bless each of you~

-- Jackiea (sorry@dontlikespam.com), January 20, 2003.