Our Faith and Home

  1 Corinthians 4:5 “So don’t make judgments about anyone ahead of time—before the Lord returns. For he will bring our darkest secrets to light and will reveal our private motives. Then God will give to each one whatever praise is due.” Writing about judgement is very tricky as I know of the log in my eye (Matthew 7:3). I have come so far in my spiritual life, yet realize that, at any time, sin may come without warning. And if I don’t get to confession, judgement is right around the corner. It is with caution, yet fortitude (and a little wisdom), that I present what Thomas Kempis wrote about judgement and punishment. Most of the words, in this post, will come from Thomas Kempis’ “ Imitation of Christ ”, Chapter 24 in Book1. He doesn’t hesitate by opening up the chapter with the following paragraph: In all things consider the end; how you shall stand before the strict Judge from Whom nothing is hidden and Who will pronounce judgment in all justice, accepting neither bribes nor excuses. 

   Luke 18:18-19 An official asked him this question, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus answered him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone."  2 Thessalonians  1:9 These will pay the penalty of eternal ruin, separated from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his power Hell, Gehenna, Hades, inferno abyss,  eternal suffering ... it's the same thing!  I have read many books on this subject... easily over a dozen. In no way does this make me an authority but gives me insight to the power of the dark and where I don't want to end up. Over 10 years ago I spoke to a group about the coming persecution. We may not be torn apart by wild animals in the coliseum, tortured and hung on city street light posts or slaughtered with machetes, but we are being engaged by darkness and pure evil. So I ask the question, how many brave Catholics are there left to fight it?  Regarding books I've read, this is Kempis' hour so I will o

  2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body. Ecclesiastes 12:14 God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad. (I selected two of the strongest passages I know, intentionally. They weren't selected for you, the reader, but for me the follower of Christ. They are a reminder of what I will face when I day. This is why a I examine my conscience daily, and make an Act of Contrition, at the very least, nightly... all of this in addition to regular (monthly) confessions.) Now that we have considered our individual deaths we turn our focus on each of our judgements. When we are judged by our Lord, He will show us our souls  as He sees them . Frankly, this will be the most frightening time of my humble existence. I may deem my soul to be in pretty good shape, but what about those 'secret things' mentioned in Ecclesias

  2 Peter 3:10 But  the  day of  the  Lord will come as unexpectedly as a  thief .  The n  the  heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and  the  very elements  the mselves will disappear  in  fire, and  the  earth and everyth in g on it will be found to deserve judgment. ( my emphasis )  Taking a break from " Imitations of Christ ", Thomas Kempis also authored a book called, " Meditations on Death - Preparing for Eternity ". He follows along the same lines as St. Thomas Aquinas did in a book written by Kevin Vost, " Aquinas on the Four Last Things ". (One of my 5 Star books.) As you can see in the image above, and if you are not familiar with the Four Last Things, it is a subject broken down into 4 parts: Death, Judgement, Heaven and Hell. I'll begin with Kempis' considerations of one's own death. In Mathew 25:1-13 the parable of the bride grooms speaks of the ramifications of not being prepared. In verse 12-13 the bridegroom says:  But

   St. Jerome: "Ignorance of scripture is ignorance of Christ." It could be argued that I prefer Thomas Kempis "Imitation of Christ" to Holy Scripture. Nothing could be farther from the truth. There is no better way to know and understand God, God's Love and His Son Jesus Christ than reading the Bible. What many seem to forget is the human part of Jesus, who suffered all of the emotions we suffer. He offered each and every one up to His father in Heaven. He was glorified, yet persecuted. He was accepted, yet betrayed. He was understood and misunderstood at the same time. Yet, He set the best example possible as to how we must lead our lives. This was the influence on Thomas Kempis.  Brother Kempis wrote this book in a monastery for his fellow Brothers. Not only did he write, but led by example. We may not live in a monastery as we know it and we are not part of such a brotherhood, but, in the great scheme of things, God's plan. We live in a world where we de

   Catchy image huh? Now that I have other posts published I've decided to ease up a tad and present my humorous side. But, this picture has a purpose and meaning to me. Couple that with a quote by Pope St. John Paul II:  "Stupidity is also a gift from God, but one mustn't misuse it." ( NOTE:   I've received many very good suggestions how to approach Kempis in these posts. But, like the book I wrote, I make this about me ONLY because I don't want anyone to make the same mistakes I've made in the past and pray for conversion of all. Thus, I am very transparent., almost to a fault.) Beloved:  If you are patient when you suffer for doing what is good,  this is a grace before God.  For to this you have been called,  because Christ also suffered for you,  leaving you an example that you should follow in his footsteps. -1 Peter 2 My friends, I have destroyed many relationships over the years. And when one mars a relationship, communication is virtually  nonexist

  Imagine a man, falsely accused of a crime, being dragged through the streets while he is being ridiculed, betrayed and humiliated, stripped of his clothing, tortured and hung on a cross until his death... all the while his mother watches in horror and sadness. I would call it the epitome of humility. When I pray the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary, it really has an effect on me. His passion is remarkable in the sense that we, as a society, fail to appreciate His Love and sacrifice. The esteemed author C.S. Lewis wrote, "Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it is thinking of yourself less." In the case of our Lord, Jesus Christ, He sacrificed everything for us. He thought less of Himself for us. First, a quick review of what  vanity   is.  In the last post  I listed what Kempis explained what vanity is. Things like  seeking and trusting in riches that perish, pride (thinking of oneself better than others),  following the lusts of the body and to desire things for whi