Remember the Last Things
The saints often encourage us to remember the Last Things especially during Lent: death, judgment, heaven and hell. God knows the day, hour and place of your death. There is nothing more certain than the fact that this earthly pilgrimage will end one day for each of us. And then we shall stand before the judgment seat of God. Jesus says: “There is nothing covered that will not be revealed.” We shall be judged before angels, the whole universe and all mankind. What to do so as not to hear one day the words of Jesus spoken to the foolish virgins: “Amen, I say to you, I do not know you!” What to do to hear the words instead: “Come, you blessed, inherit the kingdom!” What to do? To live by faith, to believe in Jesus and His word, and not to believe the liar and deceiver who leads us away from Jesus and from His programme given to us.
Heaven or hell – eternity! What are those few years or months compared to eternity! The saints encourage us: “Now is the time of labour, pains and struggle. Then will be the time of reward and rest.” The Apostle Paul calls: “Finally there is laid up for me the crown of glory, and not only for me but also for all who follow the Lord Jesus.” What great sacrifices people make for the sake of perishing glory! The glory of the world is like the flower of grass, vanity and vexation of spirit. And God has prepared for us eternal glory far surpassing all glory of the world. The crown of glory is prepared for you in heaven. God has reserved a place with your name there. “I go to prepare a place for you, that where I am, there you may be also.”
Just a little self-denial, a little self-humiliation… Just a short while to fight in this time against lies and tempting images and thoughts and then – eternal glory! But we have to fight and not give up halfway. Jesus gives us His word, He gives us Himself! He wants us to love Him wholly and to lose our all for His sake, i.e. the riches of our soul – our desires, wishes, plans! The most effective form of inner purification is a community. Members of a community are a tower of strength to one another. The Scripture says: “Woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up.” (Ecc 4:10) Give thanks to God for your community where you can be purified – transformed.
