Published in the bulletin of Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Knoxville, TN, on the 17th Sunday of Ordinary time.
My dear Parishioners,
Peace! The twelfth article of the Apostle’s Creed is “I believe in everlasting life.” There are ten (10) In Brief passages in the Catechism of the Catholic Church regarding this article of the Creed. The following is a reflection on article 1059.
Holy Mother Church recognizes twenty-one (21) ecumenical councils which have been celebrated throughout the centuries, from Nicea I (AD 325) through Vatican II (AD 1962–1965). Different councils are recalled for differently. Nicea I and Constantinople I (AD 381) are remembered especially for the Creed they produced and augmented, which we pray on Sundays and other solemnities during Holy Mass. Ephesus (AD 431) highlighted for us the title Theotokos (God Bearer/Mother of God [Mater Dei]) for the Blessed Virgin Mary. This teaches us not only about Our Lady, but also about her Son, who is both, true God and true man. Chalcedon (AD 451) is recalled for it’s Christological clarity, especially how Jesus Christ is true God and true man, with both the divine and human natures united in His divine Person. Trent (AD 1545–1563) is recalled as the answer to Martin Luther (AD 1483–1546), John Calvin (AD 1509–1535) and Henry VIII (AD 1491–1547) and was extensive in it’s dogmatic teachings especially as regards the sacraments.
While considering our faith in life everlasting and the four (4) “Last Things” (death, judgment, Heaven and Hell), the Catechism recalls the solemn teaching of the Second Ecumenical Council of Lyons (AD 1272–1274). Saint Thomas Aquinas died en route to this council. Saint Bonaventure participated in it’s deliberations. Amongst the solemn teachings of Lyons II we read the following:
“The Most Holy Roman Church believes and confesses firmly that on the day of Judgment all men will appear with their proper body before the tribunal of Christ to render account for their proper acts.”
This means that at least for the final/general/last judgment each of us will see the Lord Jesus Christ face to face and have to explain our conduct. The saints who have repented their sins before death and lived lives according to God’s grace will behold God forever in Heaven. Those who sadly die in mortal sin will see Christ Jesus the just judge just this one time before they are sent away sad, damned for all eternity.
The teaching of Lyons II on the Last Judgment is well founded both in Sacred Tradition and Sacred Scripture. We should recall that “We shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ” and that “everyone of us shall render account to God” for the evil we have done and good we have failed to do and the mercy we never sought (cf. Romans 14:10b, 12). We should also recall that the Lord, just judge that He is, “will bring to light the hidden things of darkness and will make manifest the counsels of the heart” then we shall have our praise from God (cf.1 Corinthians 4:5). May we be ready!
God bless you!
Father John Arthur Orr