Saints and Sinners; Their respective judgments

Saints and Sinners; Their respective Judgements

Any time a person lives an extraordinary life, proclaiming the Greatness of God, seeking nothing but goodness for others, and attempting to become holy in their living in a perdition minded world; these could be on their way to sainthood, some already reaching a level of sanctity on earth.  It isn’t out of the question that many find this manner in life within their very existence of facing the unknown that itself will call out the deepest grace of God who is called to give themselves over to a predestined holiness.  Holiness, of course does not come automatically but it can include a spiritual progress toward an ever more intimate union with Christ.  (see CCC 2014). 

“The way of perfection passes by way of the Cross.  There is no holiness without renunciation of sin and a spiritual battle.  Spiritual progress entails the ascesis and mortification that gradually lead to living in the peace and joy of the Beatitudes.”  (CCC 2105).    

So it never is just a commendation for how many or how often one participates in religious ceremonies, it is the essence of what these attributes contribute within the mind and soul of the participant.  That essence is the depth of one reaching out to the Cross and becoming one in parallel with the Crucified Christ.  Therein, we find the meaning of St. Maximilian Kolbe, St. Stephen of Rome, and multitudes of martyrs who willingly gave over their bodies simulating the Crucified Jesus for a purpose of love for others to follow.  

This does not imply that sainthood comes only through martyrdom by death.  Living a life without the need of sinful attractions to which any of us are susceptible to follow is the surest manner of living a saintly life in this sinful world.  In fact, sometimes avoiding the attractions of sin that will capture our immortal soul and plummet it into hell, is the perfect example of a martyr in this evil world of Satan and his fallen angels.  “Behind the disobedient choice of our first parents lurks a seductive voice opposed to God, which makes them (The fallen angels) fall into death out of envy.  Scripture and the Church’s Tradition see in this being a fallen angel, called Satan or the devil.  The Church teaches that Satan was at first a good angel, made by God:  “The devil and other demons were indeed created naturally good by God, but they became evil by their own doing.”  (CCC 391).

Our dichotomy described here represents the final outcome between Saints and Sinners, both who had the same opportunity when created to live according to the Love of God’s Commandments, or because of Pride, which God did not adhere to, that would become the very attraction, through free will, and send sinners who refuse to repent, to hell throughout eternity.  

Judgment,in the court of heaven, will be administered by Christ and each soul shall stand accused or exonerated from the evils in life.  It is a moment when one cannot have an attorney, or witnesses to stand for any soul.  If you have done your best or the least to save your soul, Christ already knows your plight or welcoming gesture; “Come, you who are blessed by my Father, Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world……..”  (MT 25: 34 ff).   Judgment for both classes of people:  Where will I be placed?  Sinner or repentant sinner?  

Ralph B. Hathaway