At Judgment:
"The soul sees what God intended it to be. And the soul sees what obstacles it erected - its selfishness, its cowardice, its shallow satisfactions, its perversions of God's graces and His gifts. All this came between God and the soul in life."
Susan Tassone
For Reflection:
What will I see at the moment of my particular judgment? Will I see that I have created obstacles between my soul and God? What might they be? I pray for the grace to dismantle these obstacles in this life so I will not take them with me to eternal life.
(See tomorrow's Grace Line for some helpful hints on how to do this.)
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"The soul's true life and repose are to abide in God."
St. Albert the Great
For Reflection:
Ultimately, our hearts were made for God so that we might spend all eternity with Him in heaven. How do I evaluate myself in light of this truth? Is Heaven my true "north star?" What about my actions say so? What about my actions say not? Am I willing to make necessary adjustments beginning today?
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"Stop judging, that you may not be judged. For as you judge, so will you be judged, and the measure with which you measure will be measured out to you."
Matthew 7:2- 3
For Reflection:
In the particular judgment, I will be judged in the same way I pass judgment on others? What do I think is the difference between "judging" in the scriptural sense and making healthy conclusions based on the behavior and example of others?
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"I assure you, on judgment day people will be held accountable for every unguarded word they speak."
Matthew 12:36
For Reflection:
Ouch! How many unguarded or idle words have I spoken in my life? How many did I speak yesterday? How many have I spoken already today? Lord, put a sentinel at my mouth and a guard around my lips that I may hold my tongue when it ought to be held. Amen.
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"If on the last day we would receive a merciful judgment, we must begin here below to be merciful to others."
Bishop Fulton Sheen
For Reflection:
Do I show mercy to others? In what ways? Is there someone who needs to experience my mercy or forgiveness at this moment in my life? Who? How willing am I to extend it now? Will I? Why or why not?
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"God wants that everyone be saved; no one is predestined to go to hell; Jesus died for everyone; and everyone is given sufficient grace for salvation."
Gabriele Amorth
For Reflection:
How reassuring are these words! God desires my salvation, has sent His Son so it can be acquired, and is giving me the graces I need to attain it! What grace for salvation is He offering me today?
(Hint: What prompting of the Holy Spirit am I experiencing - the need for confession, a way to help a friend or loved one, an act of charity or almsgiving, etc.)
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"At the evening of life, we shall be judged on our love."
St. John of the Cross
For Reflection:
How much do I love God? What about my life reflects the reality of my love? Where does selfishness hold me bound? Lack of forgiveness? Personal sin?
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"At the particular judgment the soul will be judged about every single thing - its thoughts, words, deeds, and omissions."
Cardinal Gasparri
For Reflection:
How would my thoughts, words, deeds, and omissions stack up today? Would they show a love of God and neighbor? Why or why not? In light of all this, what interior dispositions need to be converted?
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"It is appointed for men to die once and then the judgment."
Hebrews 9:27
For Reflection:
Our culture is awash with many false ideas about death. One is the concept of reincarnation. How does this scripture passage refute this idea? This verse also talks about "the judgment." What do I think this means? On what will I be judged? How would that go if it were to happen today?
(See tomorrow's Grace Line for some indication.)
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"If so many people believe in heaven and hell while also believing that this life will determine which destination will be theirs, why don't we see more evidence of that belief?
Regis J. Flaherty
For Reflection:
What do I believe about heaven and hell? Does my life show evidence of that belief?Â
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