Judgment: Standing Alone - Clinging to The Cross



From "The Passion of The Christ"

 What does it mean to be judged after our death?
What can we hide behind?  Nothing.  Except the Cross of Christ.
In this chapter, Thomas naturally follows his meditation on death by warning us that "Now is the acceptable time for salvation." After death it is too late.  

We strut about thinking we can handle anything that comes along, but Thomas reminds us that when we encounter someone with a forceful personality, who is also angry, we wilt.  And when we compare this meager shadow to standing in front of the Lord, all Thomas can say is that we should work on our sins now so that there is little to nothing to be judged by Him.

Thomas then starts comparing the righteous with the unrighteous, giving examples of a prayerful believer and cautioning against excessive self love.  After this example of piety, Thomas gives us a preview of our punishment by explaining that whatever our favorite sins may be, so shall our punishment be meted out.

CHAPTER 24, Book 1:  Of the Last Judgment and the Punishment for Sins

In all things, remember the end, and how you will stand before a strict judge, from whom nothing is hidden, who is not bribed neither with gifts, nor will He accept excuses, but will judge with righteous judgment. O most miserable and foolish sinner, who are sometimes afraid to face an angry man, what will you answer to God, who knows all your misdeeds? Why do you not provide for yourself against the day of judgment, when no man shall be able to be excused or defended by means of another, but each one shall bear the burden alone? Now does your labor bring forth fruit, now is your weeping acceptable, your groaning heard, your sorrow well pleasing to God, and cleansing to your soul (2 Cor 6:2).
 

Punshment for Drug Abuse:
More Drugs
More Addiction

2. Even here on earth the patient find great opportunities for purifying the soul. When suffering injuries, grieve more for the other's malice than for your own wrong; pray intensely for those that despitefully use you, and forgive those from your heart, especially when you are not slow to ask pardon from those you’ve offended: when you are quicker to pity than to anger; when you frequently deny yourself and strive altogether to subdue your flesh to the spirit. It is better to purify the soul from sin now, than to cling to sins from which we must be purged in the hereafter. We truly deceive ourselves by the excessive self-love: our fleshly lives.

3. What will that fire shall devour, except for your sins?  The more you spare yourself and follow the flesh, the more severe shall your punishment be, and the more fuel are you heaping up for the burning.  For where you have sinned, there shall be the more heavily punishment.  There shall the slothful be pricked forward with burning goads, and the gluttons be tormented with intolerable hunger and thirst.  There shall the luxurious and the lovers of pleasure be plunged into burning pitch and stinking brimstone, and the envious shall howl like mad dogs for very grief.

Next time we will explore more of this chapter, with Thomas' litany of comparisons between the just and the unjust.

Until then, thanks for praying along with me.
Be imitators of Christ!
tim