November, in the Catholic tradition, is the month of the faithful departed. Over this month, prayers are offered with intensity for those that have gone before us. The Church does this because our dead need us. This is a fundamental truth that often is laid aside in today’s age. We are quick to claim that Heaven has another Angel. No, that is not true. Our love ones do not become an Angel. That is a modern age fantasy that often is said to comfort those left behind. Rather, when we die, we stand before the judgement seat of the Lord. Who would want to stand there alone?
Often, today, we leave our loved ones alone as they stand before the Lord. We’ll how can we help them? Even if the person has died; a few minutes ago, a few days ago, a few decades ago, or more, we can help them. We can stand with them. How? Listen to this first Gospel and Homily, originally said at a retreat at The Shrine of Our Lady of the Island. Then listen to the conferences outlined below.
This set of audio will dive into areas that all Catholics need to understand; and it will impact, not only your Spiritual Prayer Life, but, if taken to heart, will also influence everything you do.
Conferences: Catholic Teachings on Death, Judgement, Heaven, Hell & … Purgatory
In the tradition of the Church, this topic is referred to as the four last things. We are speaking about a direction, an end in which we are moving toward. Truly to understand ourselves, we need a horizon that looks toward a goal and a destiny. When we speak of the four last things, we should immediately envision a horizon of where we will we be and, where will “my life” lead? As important as this question is, isn’t it amazing how much or how little we spend thinking about this question. When my life ends, what will be waiting there? This topic is important because how I answer this question will influence everything else that I do when I am alive! We don’t want to arrive at this point and be unprepared!
However, despite our plans and goals, many things are out of our control. Examples of this appear daily in the news. This means simply one truth. We must prepare to answer this question (where will my life lead?), and not be caught unprepared!
So to help us, the Church teaches us about the four last things! There is a sequence. First, Death: What happens at the end of Life? Death. As stated in the conference, do not trivialize this topic. One moment alive, then we are not! That would be to trivialize it. When we die, the body abandons the world, and the soul is freed from the burden of material things. Listen to what the Church says about this hidden mystery called Death.
What happens after the point of Death? Judgement. We will all stand before the Judgement seat immediately after Death. What does that mean? What does the Church tell us about Judgment and our standing before the Lord. As a result, Heaven or Hell will be the result of Judgement. Heaven is made for the Holy. But what if one is not Holy? What then?
These topics traditionally are referred to as the four last things. What a terrible thing to be caught unready and unprepared for these last four things. The Church believes this topic is too important not to know and not to understand. It does no good to put off facing these truths. They will eventually happen. The conferences also expand the discussion to include Purgatory; a topic not fully understood by many Catholics. Purgatory is a place for souls that are destined for Heaven, but are not ready. What does that mean? This topic is first touched upon at the end of Conference #1, and further elaborated in Conference #2. Once we understand these topics, we’ll recognize the great beauty of our faith.
So in this month of November, when we celebrate All Souls Day, and pray for our loved ones who have gone before us, let us spend the time to further understand the four last things.
