GOSPEL MATTERS: ‘Save us from final damnation’
Dr Christine Wood, Director, Office of Evangelisation & Catechesis
In the First Eucharistic Prayer, the Church prays: “Command that we be delivered from eternal damnation and counted among the flock of those you have chosen.”
Many today would find these words rather harsh. Yet, we continue to pray them at our most solemn liturgies, like Easter and Christmas, because they speak of ultimate realities.
The possibility of hell is a reality for all of us. Jesus warned often that we must repent of our sins, return to faith in God and practice charity towards our neighbours lest we be cast away from God’s presence in the final judgment.
These are merciful warnings, not words of condemnation.
Despite the world telling us that we can do anything we please without consequences, the fact is that our actions sometimes lead us away from God, away from our ultimate happiness, and towards everlasting suffering.
Sin has consequences. Many people experience this in their daily lives: lying undermines relationships; theft destroys the fabric of society; pornography enslaves the viewer, while degrading the viewed; and gossip ruins the reputation both of the gossiper and the victim of gossip. This is not God’s plan for humanity.
God wills all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. He continually works for the salvation of everyone. However, he will not save us without our cooperation.
God created us free, so he will not force us to enter heaven against our will. We must choose it. This means loving God above everything else.
If we do not, then we will be miserable because we cannot satisfy our own desire for infinite goodness and everlasting love.
So, what must we do? Return to the Lord with all our hearts. Repair the damage of our bad actions. Honour God by loving him as he deserves.
Speak the truth, stop gossiping, restore any property we’ve stolen, respect other people, particularly sexually. We must love one another in the right way. Live lives worthy of being children of God.
The Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus on Friday 16 June is a wonderful time to rededicate our lives to God in Jesus Christ.
His Sacred Heart is the symbol of his divine love – his mercy towards the sinner. It was opened for us on the Cross when he died out of love for us.
We should never doubt God’s love for us. Look to the Cross of Christ, to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and remember that he longs to draw near us, to transform us by his love, and to incorporate us into the flock he has chosen.