Everything you always needed to know about Hell

Courtesy of Saint Thomas Aquinas, as explained by Msgr. Charles Pope

The teachings of the Lord on Hell are difficult, especially in today’s climate. The most difficult questions that arise relate to its eternal nature and how to square its existence with a God who is loving and rich in mercy.

1. Does God love the souls in Hell? Yes.

How could they continue to exist if He did not love them, sustain them, and continue to provide for them? God loves because He is love. Although we may fail to be able to experience or accept His love, God loves every being He has made, human or angelic.

The souls in Hell may have refused to empty their arms to receive His embrace, but God has not withdrawn His love for them. He permits those who have rejected Him to live apart from him. God honors their freedom to say no, even respecting it when it becomes permanent, as it has for fallen angels and the souls in Hell.

God is not tormenting the damned. The fire and other miseries are largely expressions of the sad condition of those who have rejected the one thing for which they were made: to be caught up into the love and perfection of God and the joy of all the saints.

2. Is there any good at all in Hell? Yes. Are all the damned punished equally? No.

More….

The Judgment of God in History

In the era of the corona virus, everyone is talking about all sorts of things, but there are certain topics that remain forbidden, above all in the Catholic world. The primary forbidden topic is that of judgment and divine retribution in history. The fact of this censure is a good reason for us to consider the argument.

This talk by historian Robert De Mattei
should be required reading for every Catholic.
Click Here

…De Mattei argued that God sends mankind chastisements in the form of “war, plague, and famine” because of sin and to call mankind back to God. He described the infinite justice of God, and what this means, not only for individuals, but for nations. Every person faces his particular judgement at the moment of death, but there will also be a second judgement at the end of time. This will be the universal judgement at which every human action, idea, and society that has ever been “will be perfectly and clearly judged.”

Editor’s note: Catholics have real-time recourse to divine forgiveness in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, but Nations do not. Hence, individual Catholics might escape divine retribution for their sins, but Nations most likely, will not. 

Thanks to Dorothy Cummings McLean at LifeSiteNews.com

 

A must read: Father Leonardo makes an impassioned plea.

….Look brothers. God wants nothing more to do with this “Church”.  He is vomiting it from His mouth, this “beautiful church of the Council,” as someone called it. The beautiful church of the Council. God wants nothing more to do with it.

And is destroying it covering it with ridicule. A church that no longer preaches the truth, does not put God in first place. A church that gives communion to remarried divorcees, which admits homosexuality and all the vices.

What will God do with such a church?

With a church which tells you, “You can do whatever you want.”

What will God do with such a church?

It is as if a cop tell the thief, “You can steal is not a crime.” To the drug dealer: “You can do it is not a crime.” To the mafioso: “You can do anything you want is not a crime.”

But a cop like that: what’s the use of him if a cop doesn’t pull out his gun to defend the innocent and fight the wicked. What’s the use of this cop?

But think brothers, really think. Will everything go back to the way it was?

No, no, we are in the midst of the end times. We are in the midst of an great sign.

God is destroying this beautiful church of the council to rebuild the true church the church of tradition, the church of Latin, the church of true spirituality, the church of holy doctrine, the church of the true magisterium and not all the nonsense that we have to listen to every morning.

The Church of Padre Pio, and of all the Saints.

Padre Pio! Padre Pio!  If Padre Pio returned to life, what would he say?

He would immediately die of heat attack again. But first he would have the time to say the two words, that he repeats in his life in the moments of his holy wrath. He was want to use these words. He would say two words. Get out of here! You butchers of the body of Christ! Get out of here! This would Padre Pio say.

So, brothers we must start again, As the spider does day after day with aristocratic detachment and perseverance. We must we must convert to tradition, to Latin, to the true spirituality to the holy doctrine, to the true magisterium, to the Saints.

This is direction of our conversion, pushing ourselves towards the divine things, throwing upwards the anchor of our salvation and of our hope and the tenacious threads of faith, and of a love that does not surrender.

Upwards towards heavenly things! not towards the earth.

See the full text and video

Today’s Question: Do you have a favorite prayer?

Question: Do you have a favorite prayer?

Answer: I have a number of “favorite” prayers, but here’s one of the simplest, which has proved to extraordinarily powerful and effective for me, especially in times of crisis:

“Lord, I could use a little help, right now!”

Miracles have sometimes, shortly followed.

This simple but powerful prayer is ALWAYS TRUE
and it also demonstrates TRUE FAITH,
since I wouldn’t have invoked divine assistance,
if I didn’t FULLY BELIEVE that I would RECEIVE IT.

Praise God, I’m NOT superstitious and have absolutely no regard for knocking on wood, “lucky” rabbit’s feet, natural forces, demons, or idols.

Such a prayer also leaves one’s ultimate fate solely in God’s most capable hands; which is where it always is and always should be; no matter what.

Try it. It works!

Today’s Question: Do you think Kobe Bryant is in Hell?

Question: Do you think Kobe Bryant is in Hell? According to pastor Tim, Kobe Bryant is in Hell because “there’s no indication that he knew the Lord”.

Answer: Pastor Tim is wrong and he has no absolutely right to judge the disposition of anyone’s eternal soul.

For the record, Kobe had repented of his old ways and was a fervent, practicing Catholic.

God is known to cut practicing Catholics a whole lot of “slack” – especially at or near the time of their death – no matter how sudden or unexpected the event.

Let’s just leave it at that!

Asked and answered today on Yahoo! Answers. Edited for content and clarity.

Today’s Question: God loves everyone, but within a time frame and within limits… Do you agree?

Today’s Question: God loves everyone, but within a time frame and within limits… Do you agree?

Answer: No. God’s love is truly infinite and inestimable. Only our perception of that divine love is limited; and that’s primarily due to our fallen human nature, which has been mortally wounded, by sin.

Asked and answered today on Yahoo! Answers. Edited for clarity and content.

From the Fall of Man until Jesus Christ, Satan kept the whole world in bondage, by the power of death.

The devil scourging the Church 

Hebrews 2:14-15  Therefore because the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he (Jesus) also himself in like manner hath been partaker of the same: that, through death, he might destroy him who had the empire of death, that is to say, the devil: And might deliver them, who through the fear of death were all their lifetime subject to servitude.

It would seem as though
the Power of Death
(which Jesus called “The Gates of Hell”)
has very powerfully, returned.

The only solution: Matthew 16:18  And I say to thee: That thou art Peter; and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Yet, the whole world cowers in the face of a virus. Cardinals and Governors publicly insult God and denigrate our faith. We see idolatrous worship in the high places and rampant heresies from the Pope. The doors of the Universal (Catholic) Church are locked and the Sacraments have been made unavailable; all of this on top of decades of priestly abuse and deadly scandals; not to mention the grievous sins of all the laity.

It’s as if our very access to the Tree of Life has been deliberately, cut off.

Part of Saint Faustina’s message of Divine Mercy is that there would come a day when God would find it expedient to turn back from mercy, to wrath.

Let’s all hope and pray we’re not yet that far along!

(Obviously Facetious) Question of the day: Why do Christian men just adore looking at a near naked God nailed to a cross?

(Obviously Facetious) Question of the day: Why do Christian men just adore looking at a near naked God nailed to a cross?

Answer: We adore the man, not the image, because the man, Jesus,
is our Lord, God and Holy Redeemer, who laid down his life for us,
so that we might defeat the power of death and hell, through him.

Asked and answered today, on Yahoo! Answers.

Today’s question: Is the suppression of the Catholic Mass and Sacraments a prelude to Antichrist?

The Antichrist, animated and empowered by Satan, claiming to be God

Today’s question: Is the suppression of the Catholic Mass and Sacraments a prelude to Antichrist?

Answer: The current situation is unprecedented.

Those at fault are the cowardly and corrupt Pope and Bishops, along with a good number of complicit, sycophant priests, as well.

This is precisely what needed to happen, in order to bankrupt the Church and force the parasitic liars, scoundrels, perverts and thieves who have been infesting the Body of Christ, to finally leave, so as to find “greener pastures” elsewhere.

It’s a lot like an exorcism, where demons are cast out, but only after they find it too painful to remain. It’s for this reason that I’m happy to endure this time of spiritual drought and famine.

Watch and pray. God is in charge. He knows precisely what he’s doing … and why. In the mean time, keep the faith. It’s yours, by divine right, as a result of your holy baptism. And nobody can take it from you.

About the Antichrist (PDF)

Asked answered today on Yahoo! Answers. Edited for content and clarity.

Calling Saint Pio…

With the seeming impossibility (short of a miracle) of getting a priest to come out, for Anointing of the Sick and Last Sacraments, I’ve put in a standing request (should I be suddenly called from this world) for the priestly ministry and intercession of Saint Padre Pio, who is “a priest forever, according to the order of Melchisedech” (Hebrews 5:8) and is known for managing to get around pretty well, during even the toughest of times.

I’ve always had a great deal of respect for Saint Pio. He actually scares the Hell out of me. But, God willing, that’s precisely what I’m looking for, when it’s my time to go!

Second thought: Spiritual droughts and spiritual famines are probably much worse than physical ones

In an earlier post, I wrote about the problem of pestilence and other terrible things, but I totally missed the much “bigger picture”.

It has since become quite clear to me that due to the closing of the Churches, we are now in a very serious, spiritual famine (due to our inability to receive the Holy Eucharist) and also in a very serious spiritual drought, due to our inability to receive all the other Sacraments or celebrate the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, all of which are God’s preferred and most powerful methods of dispensing his grace – which is a share in God’s divine life – without which, our continued existence is in serious jeopardy.

Worse yet, depending on the will of God and how well we might understand the Sacred Scriptures, variations of this spiritually decrepit situation may (or may not) continue to go on, for several more years. Suggested reading: 1st Kings 17:1-24

This is a much, much bigger problem than the Corona Virus, the shortage of toilet paper, the closing of restaurants, or the reduced hours and other shortages that we might experience, at our favorite stores.

I now know precisely for that which I need to pray. I invite you to join me.

Today’s Question: I work as a nurse… it’s starting to get overwhelming… what can I practically do to help myself?

Today’s Question: I work as a nurse and since this virus over 30% of our staff has quit causing us to pick up their shifts I have been working over 65 hours a week. I work with very elderly people and it’s starting to get overwhelming I pray to God for comfort but what can I practically do to help myself?

Answer: This could be your “big moment” – the very reason for which you were born.

First, lay everything off on God.

Next, proceed to act as if God has accepted the load.

Then, continue with your personal “mission” according to the natural and supernatural gifts and talents that God has already given you.

Don’t forget to thank him.

Asked and answered today, on Yahoo! Answers.

Today’s Question: What is meditation?

Famous Catholic Mystic, Saint Teresa of Avila

Today’s Question: What is meditation?

Answer: It’s a lot like mental masturbation … but, with God alone,
as the ultimate object of pure love and devotion.

Intimate, personal communion with God
is widely reported to be even better than sex.

A good number of Catholic mystics are known to have perfected their meditation (prayer) techniques to such an extent that they subsequently lost all interest in sex, as well as most other worldly things, with God (eventually) becoming all in all, for them; something that should be worth noting, for a number of very good reasons, during these strange times. 

Three famous Catholic Mystics and their collected works

A reminder from Ann Barnhardt on the dangers of pornography

Asked and answered today on Yahoo! Answers. Edited for clarity and content.

Today’s Question: Why are some people possessed by evil spirits when they wear crosses, drink holy water, go to church and have guardian angels?

(Satan afflicting Job)

Today’s Question: Why are some people possessed by evil spirits when they wear crosses, drink holy water, go to church and have guardian angels?

Answer: Some people have a difficult time discerning the will of God, so they continually get themselves into bad spots.

Some suffer from generational curses, or similar curses/attacks, due to engaging in ill-advised activities/lifestyle choices/addictive behaviors.

Others might be temporarily or permanently oppressed by demon spirits, who are more powerful than their assigned, guardian angel.

Some are simply, “victims of circumstance” whose spiritual afflictions are due to mysterious causes, that may never be fully understood or explained.

All the more reason for a “belt and suspenders” approach to personal holiness – a regular, personal program of prayer and study, combined with a lifetime of full, faithful participation in all the work, worship, sacraments and devotions of the Holy Catholic Church.

Recently asked and answered on Yahoo! Answers. Edited for content and clarity.

Today’s Question: Why is Jesus such a controversial figure?

Today’s question: Why is Jesus such a controversial figure?

Answer: Jesus challenges our established concepts of self, calling us to do things that are profoundly and eternally significant; challenging our innate sense of pride, while at the same time, affirming who we are, in the best possible way, out of a sense of selfless, inestimable, divine love and care.

Our typical response to such an overture is to first, reject it, out of hand, as if the offer is too good to be true. But later, after due reflection, we begin to see the error of our ways and rather than being appropriately humiliated and grateful, we choose instead, to lash out at Jesus, blaming him for our mistakes and failures, only to further validate the reality of our prideful, needy, broken self.

“How dare he do such a thing!?! Who does he think I am?”

From there, everything just gets worse and worse, unless and until (hopefully, finally, by the grace of God) we choose to totally surrender, becoming a new creation in Jesus Christ; co-heir with him, to all the awesome promises of God.

Asked and answered today on Yahoo! Answers.

Today’s Question: Can you tell us of an experience in prayer?

Today’s Question: Can you tell us of an experience in prayer?

Answer: While on the way to an important Church meeting, the head gasket on my car engine failed, all the anti-freeze blew out, the engine overheated, the car stalled and I was stranded, about an hour (rush hour travel time) away.

I invoked God’s assistance, explaining that if he wanted me to get to the meeting, I would need a little help. Then, I said a quick, Hail Mary and turned the ignition key.

The car started. Steam was shooting out of the engine and all the trouble lights on the dash were shining brightly.

I pulled out into rush hour traffic, anyway.

The steam shortly quit coming out. Then, the trouble lights also went out.

I successfully made my way to the meeting (on time) and later, all the way back home, where I added a gallon or two of fresh anti-freeze.

I drove the same car for another two years.

I never knew that the Blessed Virgin Mary could fix a bad head gasket! Perhaps an angel was also involved.

I went on to experience a number of other miracles, both big and small, while working on that particular Church project.

True story!

Asked and answered today on Yahoo! Answers.

Today’s Question: How do you know what God’s answer is when you ask him a question?

Question: How do you know what God’s answer is when you ask him a question?

Answer: You wait and watch, while you continue in prayer and thanksgiving, believing that you will receive.

Asked and answered on Yahoo! Answers.

Today’s question: What biblical thoughts or Scriptures bring you great peace?

Today’s question: What biblical thoughts or Scriptures bring you great peace?

Answer: Knowing and loving God is what leads to peace and joy, beyond all understanding, which is eternal salvation, in Jesus Christ. That is the ongoing mission of the holy Church and the Lord’s enduring promise to its’ members.

Philippians 4:4-9 Rejoice in the Lord always: again, I say, rejoice. Let your modesty be known to all men.

The Lord is nigh.

Be nothing solicitous: but in every thing, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your petitions be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasseth all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

For the rest, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever modest, whatsoever just, whatsoever holy, whatsoever lovely, whatsoever of good fame, if there be any virtue, if any praise of discipline: think on these things. The things which you have both learned and received and heard and seen in me, these do ye: and the God of peace shall be with you.

Asked and answered today on Yahoo! Answers. Edited for clarity and content.

Do Catholics believe in salvation by works?

Question: Do Catholics believe in salvation by works?

Answer: It would be a serious mistake for anyone to confuse the concept of divine justification with the concept/purpose of condign merit.

Nobody can “force” God to invite them into Heaven, by any means (works).

Anyone who is invited into Heaven (justified) gets there only by the timely and merciful application of the saving grace that Jesus obtained for us by his life, death and resurrection. That remains a free gift of God – for Catholics and everybody else.

Grace gets us into Heaven, but only if Jesus alone, judges it to be both sufficient and appropriate. That’s how we are justified.

Merit is the way we attempt to quantify/measure the incorruptible treasures that Jesus told us to store up in Heaven, by our good works, accomplished in his name, in hopeful anticipation of that great day.

Today’s Question: Did Jesus tell us to keep the (old) law?

Question: Did Jesus tell us to keep the (old) law?

Answer: Prior to Jesus’ death and resurrection, the Old Law remained fully in force. Afterwards, by the power of Christ, the New Covenant and the Church replaced the entirety of the Old Law, which never had the ability to save a soul.

If the Old Law/Old Covenant had been sufficient, the “New” Covenant would not have been necessary; Nor would Christ’s perfect and atoning sacrifice on the cross, for the sins of the world. 

Jesus also spoke about the folly of attempting to put new “wine” into old wine “skins”. This is precisely the type of thing to which he was referring.

The sole governing authority of the New Covenant is the Holy Catholic Church, which was given the Power of Binding and Loosing, as well as the Keys to the Kingdom of Heaven, by Christ himself.

Only that which the New Covenant Church authoritatively decided to readopt or re-adapt (from OT times) made the transition from old to new. Nothing else.

Conclusion: The Holy Catholic Church remains the sole governing authority under the New Covenant, as well as the primary channel of God’s grace on earth, with Jesus as its’ head and the Holy Spirit as its’ constant Advocate and Spirit of Truth.

Grace – not Law – now, mercifully reigns – in and through Jesus Christ, our Divine Redeemer – in God’s “New” and “Better” order of things.

That’s how Jesus set things up for us. He knew what he was doing. He’s God!

Asked and answered today on Yahoo!Answers. Edited for clarity and content.