Heaven or Hell! "A Paradox to be taught; A Paradox to be Learned!"

Heaven or Hell!  “A Paradox to be taught; A Paradox to be learned”

Whenever we place two distinct opposites against each other we produce a paradoxical situation that must, in the interest of understanding what each will produce if left to their own growth, learn to list the practical points of each one.  Without that premise of dissecting the positive and negative attributes, if there are any, we reach the pinnacle of mind-setting decisions for the future of humanity.  

This particular entity can create a mind-blowing search in the deepest manner of study, seeking the results of theology, sociology, and justification for following God’s commandments. 

Let's look at both future expectations regarding the adherence of living up to the requirements needed for heaven, or the rejection of the same and entering hell.

Heaven and all of its attractions announced by stories from movies or some who have seen it as listed in scripture.  The movie titled “Heaven is for Real” is about a young lad who dies on the emergency hospital table and sees his unborn sister who dies before birth, his grandfather, and then Jesus himself.   One of the fascinating segments of the story was when his father was watching the news there was a part where a young girl from California was painting a picture of Jesus as she saw him in her mind.  The young boy just happened to come in where his father was watching TV and when he saw the portrait she was painting, he said, there, that’s Jeus he saw in heaven.   

Paul speaks in Corinth saying; “I know someone in Christ  who, fourteen years ago (whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows) was caught up to the third heaven.  And I know that this pes]rson (whether in the body or out of the body I do not know God knows) was caught up into Paradise and heard things, which no one may utter.  About this person I will  boast, but about myself I will not boast, except about my weaknesses.”  (2 Cor 12: 2 - 5).

These two instances are just ro put authenticity to the existence of heaven from human aspirations.  

The CCC states:  The Apostles’ Creed professes that God is “Creator of heaven and earth.”  The Nicene Creed makes it explicit that this profession includes “all that is, seen and unseen.”  CCC 325.

The only thing that will keep us out of heaven is mortal sin.  “Sin is present in human history; any attempt to ignore it or to give this dark reality other names would be futile.  To try to understand what sin is, one must first recognize the profound relation of man to God, for only in this relationship is the evil of sin unmasked in its true identity as humanity’s rejection of God and opposition to him, even as it continues to weigh heavy on human life and history.” (CCC 386).  

“Only the light of divine Revelation clarifies the reality of sin and particularly of the sin committed at mankind’s origins.  Without the knowledge Revelation gives of God we cannot recognize sin clearly and are tempted to explain it as merely a developmental  flaw, a psychological weakness, a mistake, or the necessary consequence of an inadequate social structure, etc.  Only in the knowledge of God's Plan can we grasp that sin is an abuse of the freedom that God gives to created persons so that they are capable of loving him and loving one another.”  (CCC 387). 

“Mortal sin is a radical possibility of human freedom, as is love itself.  It results in the loss of charity and the privation of sanctifying grace, that is, of the state of grace.  If it is not redeemed by repentance and God’s forgiveness, it causes exclusion from Christ’s kingdom and the eternal death of hell, for our freedom has the power to make choices for ever, with no turning back.  However, although we can judge that an act is in itself a grave offense, we must entrust judgment of persons to the justice and mercy of God.”  (CCC 1861).

There we have an honest and just explanation of Heaven and also a warning towards hell.  What is missing are the many attributes that are given by unlearned teachers of the eternal definition to these so-called sins that seem to send people to hell.  

First, let's remember that those who go to hell place themselves there by their own choice.  “God predestines no one to go to hell, (Council of Trent  (1547).for this, is a willful turning away from God (a mortal sin) is necessary, and persistence in it until the end.  In the Eucharistic liturgy and in the daily prayers of her faithful, the Church implores the mercy of God, who does not want any to perish, but all to come to repentance.”  (CCC 1037).

There is an absolute difference between mortal and venial sin.  “Venial sin weakens charity; it manifests a disordered affection for created goods; it impedes the soul’s progress in the exercise of the virtues and the practice of the moral good;  it merits temporal punishment.  Deliberate and unrepented venial sin disposes us little by little to commit mortal sin.  However, venial sin does not set us in direct opposition to the will of God.  With God’s grace it is humanly reparable.  Venial sin does not deprive the sinner of sanctifying grace, friendship with God, charity, and consequently eternal happiness.”  (CCC 1863).

From the past Catholics were forbidden to eat meat on Fridays.  This was interpreted as a mortal sin in some arenas.  However, later sin from that violation was removed and many felt relieved.  There may be some who will complain about how the Church calls one thing sin then changes their stance.  Remember penance is a world-wide effort or attempt to help the persons in the pew a simple way of following that thought.  These little nuances were put there to assist people when they may be uncertain or unable to make choices themselves. 

As Easter rolls around, let’s all try to avoid sin from the least to the greatest that will darken our souls from the grace of God.

Ralph B.Hathaway