Matthew 13: 47-53 (Thursday, August 2, 2007)

In today’s gospel, Jesus gives us a glimpse into what will happen at the end of time. The angels will go out and separate the wicked from the righteous. We live in a world in which hell is never talked about – it sounds too mean to be taught to children, we deceive ourselves. Our children grow up without knowing the consequences of living an evil life. God is all loving and all rewarding, young people think. We delude ourselves of two eternal options: heaven or nothing. It is either every one goes to heaven or nothing happens at death. The scriptures is unambiguous that there is going to be a day of reckoning, when God will separate the good from the bad; the righteous from the unrighteous. God will not only reward the righteous for a life well lived, but he will also reward the unrighteous. While the righteous will go to heaven where they shall know no pain or sorrow, the unrighteous would be thrown into an everlasting furnace of fire where they shall burn. This is the truth of the scriptures we must take seriously to heart as we continue to live our daily lives. It is not the wish of God that we go to hell fire, but if we make hell our option by not living a righteous life, God shall certainly grant us that desire.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus Christ, your plan for us is that we may live a life with you in eternity. In this world, Satan lures us with many offers that constantly lead us to a life of unrighteousness. We acknowledge you as the righteous one. Share your righteousness with us today so that we may continue to make righteous decisions that lead us to you rather than foolish decisions that make us stray from your path. Give us the graces we need to live a righteous life, so that at the end, we will be receive into your eternal kingdom where we truly belong.