Veni Sancte Spiritus...Come Holy Spirit

   

“You are the light of the world.  A city seated on a mountain cannot be hid.  Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel, but upon a candlestick, that it may shine to all that are in the house.  So let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16, Douay Rheims)

Following the highly publicized, shameful events arising from the 709 Walk in Malaysia, it was reported in the international media that Malaysia now intends to establish formal diplomatic ties with the Holy See; Vatican; meeting Pope Benedict XVI on July 18.

Unfortunately, the local archbishop is somehow controversially made part of the entourage of the ruling Government...under whose leadership, the world has come to witnessed shocking scenes of water cannons, tear gas, arrests, lockdowns, brutality, denials and lies.

Very simply, it would be easy to discount this as a non issue and claim that these events are not related, these are separate unrelated issues and that as Catholic Christians, we should just keep on praying, and praying, and praying...hoping, and hoping...

For over two thousand years, the Church has put in tremendous efforts to relate the Gospel, the Good News of Jesus Christ, to human life...to bring the Word of God back to the people...to transform individual human hearts, liberating them from the evil seduction of the secular world.

In preservation of basic human dignity, the Church sees that all people are sacred...made in the image of God.  As pilgrims all over the world, we are all bound together in a common humanity.

Jesus himself identified with the poor, the oppressed and the marginalized...offering them the hope of the Kingdom of God...eternal life.  Conversely, Jesus demanded love of enemies and renunciation of violence.  Jesus stood for human freedom...the freedom of love and goodness...freedom from the slavery of sin...a freedom experienced by the people when God is sovereign...the relation to God’s will is right.

Jesus was not a revolutionary social reformer, nor fanatical about the political powers that be...the corrupted Romans!  Jesus never intended to spill the blood of his enemies...instead He simply allowed himself to be crucified by the Romans...spilling his own Holy and Precious Blood for the love of mankind.

Although the Church believes that religion belongs at the center of everything, Father Thomas Bokenkotter adds that, “...it is not enough just to mouth pretty words about justice and peace in the pulpit.  The message must be put into action.”

As pilgrims on the journey back home, we are called to be doers of the Word and not just hearers only...we are called to be genuine and authentic witnesses to Jesus Christ in all that we do along our short journey through life.

Father Thomas continues to add that, “The Church commits itself to the work of social change and the struggle against all forms of oppression.  ...What is at stake is nothing less than the redemption of the human race.”

Along these lines, we recall the famous words of Blessed John Paul II,“(a) world of justice and peace cannot be created by words alone and it cannot be imposed by outside forces: it must be desired and must come about through the contribution of all.  It is essential for every human being to have a sense of participating, of being a part of the decisions and endeavors that shape the destiny of the world.”

These extract from the beautiful document, Justicia in Mundo (Justice in the World), at the Synod of Bishops (1971), further echoes very clearly...

“Unless the Christian message of love and justice shows its effectiveness through action in the cause of justice in the world, it will only with difficulty gain credibility with the people of our times. (#35)

The Church, indeed, is not alone responsible for justice in the world; however, she has a proper and specific responsibility which is identified with her mission of giving witness before the world of the need for love and justice contained in the Gospel message, a witness to be carried out in Church institutions themselves and in the lives of Christians. (#36)

Our mission demands that we should courageously denounce injustice, with charity, prudence and firmness, in sincere dialogue with all parties concerned.  We know that our denunciations can secure assent to the extent that they are an expression of our lives and are manifested in continuous action. (#57)”

Looking at what is happening around the world today...injustices continue to disfigure our land and age...the people continue their constant silent struggle...towards a life that is founded on real spiritual and moral values, justice, integrity and freedom.  The Church simply cannot be seen as remaining silent and distant.

Pilgrims must be able to connect biblical teachings and most importantly, experience these teachings to their own journey; be it in their everyday lives or at work.  The moment this vision becomes blurred, our simple journey becomes much more challenging, distracting and complicated...not to mention, our faith being put to the test vis-à-vis basic human rights.

Blessed Pope John XXIII in his encyclical, Pacem in Terris, Peace on Earth (1963), calls these rights “inalienable” and “inviolable” rights.  The source of these rights – they are natural rights which flow from the very nature of humankind.  The ultimate foundation of human rights is God.

Furthermore, the mystery of human solidarity and interdependence is such that whenever one human being is made to suffer, the rest of humanity simply suffers too and is weakened and threatened at the same time.

The assassinated Most Reverend Oscar Anulfo Romero, Archbishop of San Salvador, reminds us that...

“The Church would betray its own love for God and its fidelity to the Gospel if it stopped being…a defender of the rights of the poor…a humaniser of every legitimate struggle to achieve a more just society...that prepares the way for the true reign of God in history.”

Amidst the distracting noises and cries of the world, let us also quiet our hearts and not forget the sublime words of St Teresa of Avila...

“Christ has no body but yours.  No hands, no feet on earth but yours.  Yours are the eyes through which he looks with compassion on this world.  Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good.  Yours are the hands with which he blesses all the world.”

Are we listening to what the Holy Spirit is whispering to us today, as disciples of Jesus Christ?

As faithful pilgrims, we can only pray that the awesome power of the Holy Spirit will touch the hearts of the leaders so that truth, faith, freedom and justice will courageously prevail on July 18 at Castel Gondolfo.  Veni Sancte Spiritus!

 

Our Humanity…Fighting Against Self-Destruction…

Today, the Fourth Sunday of Easter, is Good Shepherd Sunday.  Jesus, as the Good Shepherd, at Golgotha, freely laid down His life for His sheep…so that we can have access to eternal life.  Only by this voice of Jesus, we must recognize and follow.

In this Easter season, we remember how the blood and death of Christ demonstrates the preciousness of humanity to God.  Jesus' death gives meaning to the lives of all peoples.


As part of the sheepfold of Christ, we now have access to salvation; we are free from fear.  We are called to be ‘shepherds’ to others, especially little children, imitating and radiating the Light of Christ to others.

Back in March 25, 1995, Blessed John Paul II released the encyclical Evangelium Vitae – The Gospel of Life.  This document deals with the most fundamental of all principles of humanity – the value and sacredness of our human life.  As shepherds and part of the one human race, we are called to protect life…a call that is the heart of the message brought about by Jesus Christ to humanity (EV Para. 1).

For centuries, this life, as we know it, is already threatened by the external forces that threaten the sanctity of the human life - human violence, war, terrorism, human trafficking, poverty, hunger, sexual abuse, crimes, corrupt governments, injustice, barbaric political leaders, selective mainstream media reporting, broken marriages, child abuse, worst of all, abortion…each new day, each new development, each new emerging ‘technology advancement’…quickly brings with it new threats to the sacred human life.  Humanity is in such a sad, sad state...the consequence of our own free will...

Correct me if I am wrong, but it is shocking to note that countries like the United States and United Kingdom restrict abortion after the point of fetal viability (whatever that is suppose to mean) and Canada, having removed abortion from the Criminal Code, Australia still having varying degrees of abortion, whereas China and Singapore would allow abortion on request.

In Taiwan, a recent report indicated that 3,000 female babies were aborted from the population due to illegal sex-selective abortion.  Many other Asian countries continue to face similar evil due to traditional cultural norms which value males more than females.  This is the sad fact of humanity around the world today.  Do you know your country’s stand on this crime against the innocent unborn?

Yesterday, a reader (Smiley) was kind enough to remind me of the greatest crime against humanity…the conscious attack of the defenseless….the crime of ABORTION!

Abortion, very simply, is the conscious and intentional termination of a pregnancy.  It originates from the Latin word aboriri, meaning “to perish”.

Today, many so-called ‘developed’ and ‘civilized’ countries around the world continue to ‘allow’ or ‘promote’ this insane killing of the precious defenseless unborn child.


According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, “…at the very time of conception, or fecundation, the embryo begins to live a distinct individual life…the soul of every new human being begins to exist when the cell which generation has provided is ready to receive it as its principle of life.  In the normal course of nature the living embryo carries on its work of, self-evolution within the maternal womb, deriving its nourishment from the placenta through the vital cord, till, on reaching maturity, it is by the contraction of the uterus issued to lead its separate life.  Abortion is a fatal termination of this process.”

The Roman Catholic Church has always condemned abortion as a grave form of evil.  The Bible forbids abortion just as it forbids murder.


Just to illustrate the extreme cruelty of this brutal act…we must become aware of this simple fetal development timeline…


Day 1 - conception takes place.


7 days - tiny human implants in mother’s uterus.


18 days - heart begins to beat.


21 days - pumps own blood through separate closed circulatory system with own blood type.


28 days - eye, ear and respiratory system begin to form.


42 days - brain waves recorded, skeleton complete, reflexes present.


7 weeks - photo of thumb sucking.


8 weeks - all body systems present.


9 weeks - squints, swallows, moves tongue, makes fist.


11 weeks - spontaneous breathing movements, has fingernails, all body systems working.


16 weeks - genital organs clearly differentiated, grasps with hands, swims, kicks, turns, somersaults, (still not felt by the mother.)


18 weeks - vocal cords work – can cry.


20 weeks - has hair on head, weighs one pound, 12 inches long...

The cry of Evangelium Vitae echoes ever so loudly today to remind us that we have been entrusted to defend and promote, love and revere life.  There is simply no moment of human life - from the unborn to those nearing death - that should not be protected.

As Christians, we are called to love God and one another - God's law commands us to follow his commandments including the prohibition on killing.

No reasons, however serious and tragic, “can ever justify the deliberate killing of an innocent human being.” (EV Para. 59)

As chosen pilgrim “people of life”, we are continuously called to preach the good news of Jesus Christ and the Gospel of Life to the whole of human society.


In this Easter season, Evangelium Vitae seeks to rescue the human race from self-destruction by calling us to our true identity and greatness:

“God has granted to man a dignity which is near to divine. In every child which is born and In every person who lives or dies we see the image of God's glory ... an icon of Jesus Christ” (EV Para. 84).

We continue to pray fervently that the Good Shepherd will bring about a great awakening to the senses and hearts of humanity...and for God's abundant blessings upon the many courageous pilgrims of all ages, who actively continue to ‘March for Life’, standing up in protest against this evil crime of ABORTION.

Please connect to this link, amongst many others, (http://nationalmarch4life.blogspot.com/)  to witness and be in solidarity with other pilgrims at the 2011 Pro-Life Rally in Ottawa, Canada.

Divine Mercy Sunday…A Refuge for Sinners…

The spirituality of Pope John Paul II was deeply influenced by the devotion to the Divine Mercy.  Even as the Archbishop of Krakow, Poland, he promoted the beatification of Sister Faustina Kowalska and on the occasion of her canonization in April 2000, he announced that the Second Sunday of Easter would be the Feast of Divine Mercy.

Fourteen times in the Diary of St. Faustina (Divine Mercy in My Soul), Our Lord was quoted as requesting a “Feast of Mercy”.  This was why Pope John Paul II proclaimed, “I give thanks to divine Providence that I have been enabled to contribute personally to the fulfillment of Christ's will, through the institution of the Feast of Divine Mercy”.  Our dear Lord insisted that it be celebrated on a specific day - the Sunday after Easter!

This same Second Sunday of Easter, we will also have great joy in celebrating the solemn beatification of Pope John Paul II - on the very day in which he himself wanted the whole Church to fix her gaze and prayers on this Divine Mercy; this same Mercy also available to us through all the Holy Sacraments of the Roman Catholic Church.

Jesus Christ left all the details for the whole world, in a diary that He commanded Saint Faustina to write, back in the 1930’s.  She was chosen to document everything that Jesus wanted mankind to know about His mercy before He returns to judge the world.

In order to receive this great promise of complete forgiveness of all sins, one has to go to Confession and then receive Holy Communion on this Feast of Divine Mercy, which is now known as Divine Mercy Sunday throughout the whole Church.


Jesus said, “Whoever approaches the Fountain of Life on this day will be granted complete forgiveness of sins and punishment.” (Diary, 300)


The promise for a complete forgiveness of all sins and punishment on Divine Mercy Sunday was made by Jesus, extended even to the most terrible of sinner imaginable.  God in His great mercy is giving mankind a last chance for salvation.

This Easter season, we remember that on the evening of His resurrection, Jesus appeared to His Apostles and the first thing that He did was to give them the power to forgive sins (John 20:19-31).  This same power has been transmitted and handed down through the various generations of the Church in the form of the Sacrament of Confession.


Most of us probably have not spent much time thinking about the future.  Why worry?  In all our worldly pride, some might even be complacent enough to think that they are so brilliant and successful in this life; everything is under their control.

But then, what is all these ‘worldly’ successes, compared to eternity?  Very often, the father of lies, Satan, has everyone focused on this life so much so that people are not thinking about what happens in the eternal life.


How often have you reflected on where you are going to spend eternity?  One thing is certain, we will all be there for quite a long, long time.  Today, many are proud and do not believe in the fires of Hell.  Unfortunately, those are the ones that usually will end up there for eternity.


Be wise today, be humble; think about it and believe, as we reflect on the words of Sr. Faustina…


“I, Sister Faustina Kowalska, by the order of God, have visited the Abysses of Hell so that I might tell souls about it and testify to its existence...the devils were full of hatred for me, but they had to obey me at the command of God, What I have written is but a pale shadow of the things I saw.  But I noticed one thing: That most of the souls there are those who disbelieved that there is a hell.” (Diary 741)


“Let the sinner know that he will be tortured throughout all eternity, in those senses which he made use of to sin.  I am writing this at the command of God, so that no soul may find an excuse by saying there is no hell, or that nobody has ever been there, and so no one can say what it is like...how terribly souls suffer there!  Consequently, I pray even more fervently for the conversion of sinners.  I incessantly plead God's mercy upon them.  O My Jesus, I would rather be in agony until the end of the world, amidst the greatest sufferings, than offend you by the least sin.” (Diary 741)

Therefore, wake up...pilgrims of the world…turn back and repent of your sins, this might just be the last hope of salvation!  Learn from the beloved disciple named Thomas, who put his finger in the wounds of Jesus, doubted no more and instead confessed out, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28)

From the death bed of Pope John Paul II, we also remember these last written words that he had prepared to be read on Divine Mercy Sunday; the day after his passing.  They were read, as follows, directly on Divine Mercy Sunday:


“As a gift to humanity, which sometimes seems bewildered and overwhelmed by the power of evil, selfishness, and fear, the Risen Lord offers His love that pardons, reconciles, and reopens hearts to love. It is love that converts hearts and gives peace.


How much the world needs to understand and accept Divine Mercy! Lord, who reveal the Father’s love by Your Death and Resurrection, we believe in You and confidently repeat to You… Jesus, I trust in You, have mercy upon us and upon the whole world. Amen.”
 As the Chaplet of Divine Mercy goes…

“For the sake of His sorrowful Passion have mercy on us and on the whole world.”


“Eternal Father, I offer You the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your dearly beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world.”


“Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, Have Mercy on us and on the whole world.”

The doubting Thomases is each of us must be touched by Jesus, through His Holy Sacraments, on this special Sunday of Divine Mercy.  Let us make it a point to be present for Jesus, to reach out and touch Him today and everyday...
 



The Royal Wedding...A Reflection...

“Fear not to accept Christ in your daily work. Fear not to accept Him in your “world”. Then this world will be really human.”
Pope John Paul II

Pope John Paul II did not shy away from modernity…technology.  Instead, he embraced and challenged the secular culture on its own turf…writing books, staged the World Youth Day Rallies across the world, wrote encyclicals like “Evangelium Vitae”.  Be not Afraid…Totus Tuus (totally yours)…signifying his devotion to Mother Mary and his belief she was with him, guiding him, watching over him, as pope, leading the Church; His Bride.  As the saying goes…‘to Jesus, through Mary’.


In the present age of artificial secular successes, chaos, temptations, discrimination, struggles, sex, corruption, injustice, power and information overload, we too, must take time to soothe the mind, balm the heart and feed the soul.


“In some parts of the world voices are being raised against what is seen as domination of the media by so-called Western culture.  Media products are seen as in some way representing values that the West holds dear and, by implication, they supposedly present Christian values.  The truth of the matter may well be that the foremost value they genuinely represent is commercial profit.” (Pope John Paul II, Communication and Technologies)


As humans, we are all born equal, in the image of God, and we must constantly seek spiritual understanding as to how we relate to ourselves, to others and ultimately, to God - the Source of all life.

Regardless of our position, rank, wealth, royalty or personality, we should always live our lives simply and humbly, knowing where we stand before our Creator, finding comfort and guidance in Him alone…being faithful to His teachings.

Of late, we have been swarmed by the media with the hype and fuss of the so-called “royal” wedding between Prince William of Wales (William Arthur Philip Louis) and Miss Catherine Elizabeth “Kate” Middleton…the protocols, the security, controversial wedding invites, selective guest lists, the ceremony, the jewels, expensive outfits, open carriage, the transformation of a commoner to a woman who will one day be Queen.

We must remember that this was the same media or clan of paparazzi, that sang the same tune at the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Di, the same media that stirred up the so-called tragic affair of the Princess of Wales…played up the divorce of the Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York…“commercial profit” reporting, says Pope John Paul II.  Does all this help us transform and become more human in our journey home to our Father in heaven?


Rather than be seduced and drowned by these commercial media glamour and values, we go back, instead, to the first miracle at Cana marking the commencement of Christ's public vocation as the Redeemer - the beginning of the “Hour”, which was finalized with His Passion and Death at Golgotha…ultimately, the joy of the Resurrection in Easter.


This familiar short narrative, as ‘reported’ by St John, tells us that Mother Mary was the first to notice that the wine had run out and intervened; a metaphor of our own human needs today.


“When the wine ran short, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.”” (John 2:3, NAB)


Traditionally, wine is symbolic of “joy” and having wine run out equates to the challenges all married couples face today - sadness, conflicts, lack of trust, loneliness, unfaithfulness, impatience, financial difficulties, extended families pressure, work stress, inability to have children, infidelity…  What has become of this holy Sacrament of Marriage?


This Gospel reading appropriately reminds us of the value and trust we must place upon the jewel of the Blessed Virgin Mary’s intercession for the joy and unconditional love of all married couples…the everlasting unity, faithfulness, forgiveness, guidance and happiness of all marriages.


“His mother said…, “Do whatever he tells you.”” (John 2:5, NAB)

Jesus’ presence at the wedding at Cana reaffirms to us today of the sacredness, royalty and prime goodness of the Sacrament of Marriage; a reminder to all married couples to remain faithful and become an effective sign of the presence of Christ in the world today.

We are reminded that marriage is a covenant “by which a man and woman establish between themselves a partnership for the whole of life” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, #1601).


Christians get married like anyone else in the unique cultures where they lived.  Christians must see that the loving union of a husband and wife, in covenant with God, mirrors not only family values but also about God's values.

In this Easter season, we pray for all married couples that this sacrament of union continue to be transformed by Jesus, to reveal more fully the faithful Love of God.

The Second Vatican Council reminds us that the marriage covenant exists not only for the good of the partners and their children, but also for the good of the Church and the good of society at large. (Church in the Modern World, #48)

With this, we also pray for the union of Prince William and Miss Catherine Middleton that their love for each other and the fidelity of their commitment, continue to become a sacramental sign and witness of God’s love for the world we live and journey in.

“Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous…not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury, it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth.  It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.  Love never fails.”

(1 Corinthians 13:4-8, NAB)

This Lent...We Remember...Pope John Paul II

This Lent, I remember the emotional funeral of Pope John Paul II.  The Catholic liturgy which was broadcast worldwide represented a celebration of solidarity for the one human race; an event uniting all the religions of the world.  The event was an insight and testimony of the new evangelization so often preached.

“The wind blows where it wills, and you can hear the sound it makes, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes; so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” (John 3:8, NAB)


A humble Book of the Gospels was carried in procession before the casket.  The Book was simply placed open atop John Paul’s cypress simple casket at the beginning of the liturgy.  A quiet gust of wind caught the book, dramatically turning the pages.  Throughout the symbolic liturgy, rich with meaning, the wind kept flipping the pages, sometimes gradually, other times furiously wild…as if ‘someone’ was contemplating and eagerly searching for its content.  At some point in the beautiful Liturgy of the Word, the wind closed the Book of Life, as though the reading was completed.


Pope John Paul II began his pontificate with the words, “Be not afraid”.  Let us too, in these final days of Lent heed that call to Scriptures.  Let us hear the Word of God, live them, love them, embrace them and share them.  Let our journey through life be a testimony of the Word, so that we too, can breathe our last word on this earth as did Pope John Paul II, “Amen”.  Let the Word of God resurrect in our lives...

“It is my fervent hope that believers will find this Lent a favorable time for bearing witness to the Gospel of charity in every place, since the vocation to charity is the heart of all true evangelization.”

Pope John Paul II

Lenten Reflection...Hell Exists!

Today, I received news that a loved one of a colleague has passed away.  He has been unwell for a long while so, in a way, God, in His great mercy, granted him and his family time to prepare, to repent, to heal and turn back to God in this Holy Season of Lent.



I recollect, many years ago, I lost a very, very good friend – a fellow altar boy, a school mate, a family friend, a spiritual companion…  It was the contagious effect of his charismatic spiritual life that the seed of faith was planted in me, during my teenage years.

Because of him, I came to experience and see the that God is ‘alive’, ‘faithful’, works in ‘mysterious’ ways but always knows what is best for each one of us.


Quite appropriately, my friend carried the great name, Peter (my ‘Rock’), a brilliant Monash University civil engineer, a doctorate research author most fascinated with the study of soil and rock mass stability in Australia - geotechnical stability analyses, he calls it.  Peter developed the Generalized Wedge Method (GWM) for analyzing the stability of slopes.


Dr. Peter Giam Siew Kin was simply a cheerful guy and I would always recall his younger days when he would work part time, after school hours, pushing carts of fruits up the slopes of the wet market just to earn some pocket money, aside from rendering home tuition to high school students.

I will always remember him for his honesty, sincerity simplicity and humility, whose rich and active faith in Catholicism, far outweighs his material poverty.  The Lord called him back in a most tragic helicopter crash whilst pursuing his soil research, not long after he got married…

I could never understand why…perhaps, the Lord loved him more…perhaps he was already prepared to enter the Heavens... perhaps, the will of God, Our Father, is something which mankind simply cannot comprehend.

St Peter, the Rock, the first Supreme Pontiff was crucified on Vatican Hill upside down because he declared himself unworthy to die in the same manner as the Lord.


In reality, it does not matter whether I am able to understand the ‘whys’ but perhaps what is more important, for me, is knowing that the Lord, our Source of Life, sent a good friend, Peter into my journey through life (and many others, I am sure) and touched it in a way that allows me (us) to be able to encounter a bit more of God…and for me (us) to spread that touch, that little spark, many, many times over...to others in this journey through life.


People today do not like to talk about ‘death’ and often get even more offended when ‘Hell’ is ever mentioned.  Life is already good, so why talk about Hell?  These days, many people laugh at, question, poke fun, and openly deny the reality of Hell.

“I do not believe in Hell”, “I have accepted Jesus as my Savior, hence no matter what I do, I simply will never ever go to Hell”, “No one has ever returned from beyond the grave to testify that there is a Hell”, “Life is so blessed, so how can there be a place like Hell?”, “Life is to be enjoyed, to be lived fully, why worry about Hell –when, even we will all be dead by then, anyway” and many, many more…lame excuses.

As a result of this secular mindset, many of us today live their lives as if Hell can never exist for them, death always seems so far away, so distant – we carry on in our mad pursuit of materialism, wealth accumulation, power, ranks...we abuse our positions of authority by putting others down, we play God, we live as if life on earth is eternal, as if there is no consequences to whatever we do or not do.

Even in this holy season of Lent, the so-called sacrifices we make may simply be “artificial”, no more than just “scratching the surface” of our souls; only for show.  These 'acts' are performed more to “display” externally to gain public acceptance, rather than to “heal” and 'renew' our own interior soul.  Human beings are such good pretenders.

This Lent, we must realize that deep down, only we ourselves know the “genuineness’ or ‘sincerity’ of such acts, be it fasting, almsgiving, serving or praying; hopefully, we do not become like the Pharisees – trying to cheat ourselves…trying to cheat God.

At the end of the day, Lent is simply about us turning our lives back towards God and becoming His disciple.  Repent!

Unfortunately or fortunately, Hell is the most terrible truth of our faith, of our lives!  It is as certain as our breathing, our heart beat; as it is, the existence of God.  Hell does not simply cease to exist just because one does not believe in it.  This plain truth has been proclaimed many times over in the Gospels and through the rest of Holy Scriptures; God continues to warn His people about Hell.


“I saw the dead, the great and the lowly, standing before the throne, and scrolls were opened.  Then another scroll was opened, the book of life.  The dead were judged according to their deeds, by what was written in the scrolls.

The sea gave up its dead; then Death and Hades gave up their dead.  All the dead were judged according to their deeds.  Then Death and Hades were thrown into the pool of fire. (This pool of fire is the second death.)  Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the pool of fire.” (Revelations 20:12-15, NAB)


In the parable of poor Lazarus, the rich man was surprised to experience the horrors and the eternity of Hell – it was the consequences of his actions or inactions that he ended up there. Abraham went on to remind the rich man that the people on the earth “have Moses and the prophets” – the scripture, God’s inspired Word, to instruct and warn them, but…


“If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded if someone should rise from the dead.” (Luke 16:31, NAB)


The Saints too, have much to reveal to us about Hell.  Our dear Lord had Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska, a holy nun from Poland, visit Hell in 1936.  Here is simply a small snippet of her awesome account of this horrifying and dreadful place:

“Today, I was led by an angel to the chasms of hell.  It is a place of great torture; how awesomely large and extensive it is!

The kinds of tortures I saw: the first torture that constitutes hell is the loss of God; the second is perpetual remorse of conscience; the third is that one's condition will never change; the fourth is the fire that will penetrate the soul without destroying it – a terrible suffering, since it is a purely spiritual fire, lit by God's anger; the fifth torture is continual darkness and a terrible suffocating smell, and, despite the darkness, the devils and the souls of the damned see each other and all the evil, both of others and their own; the sixth torture is the constant company of Satan; the seventh torture is the horrible despair, hatred of God, vile words, curses and blasphemies.


These are the tortures suffered by all the damned together, but that is not the end of the sufferings. There are special tortures destined for particular souls.  These are the torments of the senses.

Each soul undergoes terrible and indescribable sufferings, related to the manner in which it has sinned.

There are caverns and pits of torture where one form of agony differs from another.

I would have died at the very sight of these tortures if the omnipotence of God had not supported me.  Let the sinner know that he will be tortured throughout all eternity, in those senses which he made use of to sin.


I am writing this at the command of God, so that no soul may find an excuse by saying there is no hell, or that nobody has ever been there, and so no one can say what it is like.

I, Sister Faustina, by the order of God, have visited the abysses of hell so that I might tell souls about it and testify to its existence… The devils were full of hatred for me, but they had to obey me at the command of God.

What I have written is but a pale shadow of the things I saw.  But I noticed one thing: that most of the souls there are those who disbelieved that there is a hell.  When I came to, I could hardly recover from the fright. 

How terribly souls suffer there!  Consequently, I pray even more fervently for the conversion of sinners.  I incessantly plead God's mercy upon them.

O my Jesus, I would rather be in agony until the end of the world, amidst the greatest sufferings, than offend You by the least sin.”

“Indeed the message (St. Faustina) brought is the appropriate and incisive answer that God wanted to offer to the questions and expectations of human beings in our time, marked by terrible tragedies.” - Pope John Paul II -Divine Mercy Sunday Homily,Sunday, 22 April 2001


This Lent, choose never to deny the existence of Hell.

Simply reflect on the following…


“Then they will answer and say, “Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or ill or in prison, and not minister to your needs?”  He will answer them, “Amen, I say to you, what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me.”  And these will go off to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.” (Matthew 25:44-46, NAB)


Therefore, for the remaining weeks of this Holy Season, let us make time to contemplate on this truth, to choose God in our lives, to love others more, to uphold justice, to respect human dignity in all our words and action…while there is still time!

Like Jesus, on the Way of the Cross, we too can claim victory over Hell each day...in everything we say and do.  Choose Jesus...Choose Life!

“God has overlooked the times of ignorance, but now he demands that all people everywhere repent because he has established a day on which he will 'judge the world with justice' through a man he has appointed, and he has provided confirmation for all by raising him from the dead.” (Acts of the Apostles 17:30-31, NAB)