SPIRITUALITY
101
SPIRITUAL REFLECTION- 91
Deacon Jim Breazile o.c.d.s.
In 1908, Saint Bruno was studying in Paris when a great scholar, a professor of the University, Raymon Diocre died. A large crowd attended the funeral in which the professor was dressed in his doctoral robes. The funeral service began and during the prayers of blessing, the corpse suddenly sat up in the coffin and said in a loud voice, "I have been accused by God's just judgment!" A great panic occurred in the Church and the service was interrupted. After order was restored, the ceremony was repeated, once again, when the priest began the blessing, the corpse sat up and said in a louder voice, "I have been accused by God's just judgment." This was repeated a third time and then the corpse lay motionless throughout the rite. Bruno watched this spectacle and knew that throughout the professor was a corpse. The event moved him so that he left the university and retired to a hermitage near Grenoble. Shortly after he was joined by some companions and the Carthusian Order was founded.
We should not be shocked by the fact that we will be judged by our Lord. Scripture is filled with judgements of God, but particularly the New Testament make it clear that our life will be judged. Baptism does not save us, it simply gives us the tools necessary for salvation. As baptized Christians, we are members of the mystical Body of Christ. In order to meet the responsibilities of our Baptism, it is necessary that all that we do in life bring glory and honor to Him.
DEVOTION - Growth in love- 3rd stage
DEVOTIONALS- MEDITATION-SACRAMENTALS-THE
ROSARY-17
THE CREED-16
"From thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead" is the last phrase of the Apostles Creed concerning Jesus and His mission to mankind. We know that he came into the world as a human being, so that he could serve three purposes of his mission, redeemer, advocate and judge. By His passion and death on Calvary he completed the work of redemption, by His intercession at the right hand of the Father, He continues His mission as advocate (Hebrews 7:25). By His coming again, he will fulfill the role of judge. This coming, repeatedly referred to in the Gospels, was foretold by the angels who appeared at the ascension, saying, "Men of Galilee, why are you standing there, looking up at the sky? This Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven will return in the same way as you have seen him going into heaven" (Acts 1:11).
When He returns, The Son of Man will appear in heaven, and all the tribes of the earth will mourn and they will see the Son of Man coming upon the clouds of heaven with power and great glory," (Matt 24:30). The reason for His coming in this manner is to present the general and final judgment. This is distinguished from the "particular judgment that everyone must undergo immediately after death. This "final" judgment is an eschatological event that declares the end of time as we know it. The particular judgment is referred to by the author of the letter to the Hebrews (9:27) "Just as it appointed that human beings die once, and after this the judgement".
The Church is clear in its teaching that immediately at the moment when the soul leaves the body at death, it will appear for judgment. The general judgment on the other hand includes all, both "the living and the dead." At the end of time. The particular judgment is personal, while the general judgment is conducted publicly by the heavenly court.
The usual question is, "If there is a particular judgment, why must there be a general judgment? How can it be different from the particular judgment?" Undoubtedly, the general judgment at the end of the world as we know it will be a solemn ratification of the first, rendered at the hour of death. Nevertheless, it is necessary and proper for several reasons. (1) Justice demands a general judgment. During life, there are many good people who re dishonored and despised, while many wicked are honored and respected. It is just that the proper innocence, as well as the hypocrisy be exposed before all creation. (2) Because so many wicked people prosper and seemingly live happy lives, while many holy souls suffer and live in misery, some are tempted to accuse God of injustice. All should clearly understand that God rewards goodness and punishes evil and that He is a just judge. (3) Lastly, because humanity and divinity formed one Christ, so the body and the soul combined form one human person. During life the body is the instrument through which the soul operates. In the particular judgment only the soul is judged. After the final judgment the body and soul reunited will enjoy eternal reward or suffer eternal punishment.
THE NEW CATHOLIC CATECHISM
ARTICLE No. 1010
"The meaning of Christian death" Because of Christ, Christian death has a positive meaning: "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." (Phil. 1:21) "The saying is sure: if we have died with him, we will also live with him." (2 Tim 2:11) What is essentially new about Christian death is this: through Baptism, the Christian has already "died with Christ" sacramentally, in order to live a new life; and if we die in Christ's grace, physical death completes this "dying with Christ" and so completes our incorporation into him in his redeeming act: It is better for me to die in Christ Jesus than to reign over the ends of the earth. Him it is I seek- who died for us. Him it is I desire - who rose for us. I am on the point of giving birth….Let me receive pure light; when I shall have arrived there, then shall I be a man. (St. Ignatius of Antioch)
DEATH'S DEMISE
Deacon Jim Breazile o.c.d.s.
Dark shadow of life
Cause of sorrow rife
Has been full defeated
When love was treated
Through Calvary cross
And became Satan's loss
Through Baptismal font
Temporal death is daunt
Holy waters supernal
Gave us new life eternal
Hope grows amaranthine
As earthly life is made serene
Baptism's transpire
Achieves inmost desire
For union with light
And a life free of fright
A share in Christ's dying
Is our foremost inspiring
Ó2001
DR. JAMES E. BREAZILE, deacon
JOHN PAUL EVANGELIST OCDS
