Wednesday, August 19, 2020 –
I think one of the hardest things for people to wrap their heads around in the four last things is: JUDGMENT. We modern humans spend a lot of time sniping at each other and making silly little judgments about one another, while simultaneously misquoting and vastly misunderstanding the ONLY two Bible passages anyone seems to know: Matthew 7:1 and Luke 6:37.
BUT, we are not here to talk about THAT judgment! Today’s discussion deals with the judgment that comes from Christ after our death. Actually, there are two judgments we need to talk about today: Particular Judgment and Final Judgment.
Particular Judgment – this is at the end of each person’s earthly life (it’s personal!)
Regarding particular judgment, the Catechism says the following: “Each man receives his eternal retribution in his immortal soul at the very moment of his death, in a particular judgment that refers his life to Christ: either entrance into the blessedness of heaven-through a purification or immediately, — or immediate and everlasting damnation.” (CCC 1022)
And here is what Bishop Morrow says in My Catholic Faith:
77. Particular Judgment
What is the judgment called which will be passed on each one of us immediately after death? –The judgment which will be passed on each one of us immediately after death is called the particular judgment.
1. As soon as each soul leaves the body at death it undergoes the Particular judgment, at which its eternal destiny is decided. “We must all be manifested at the judgment seat of Christ.” [2Cor 5:10] “It is appointed unto men to die once, but after this comes the judgment” (Heb. 9:27). “Every one of us will render an account for himself to God” (Rom. 14:12).
2. Jesus Christ is the Judge at the Particular Judgment. Before Him each soul must stand. The soul will stand in the awesome presence of God the Son, to give an account of its whole life: of every thought, word, act, and omission.
3. A man’s whole life will be spread before him like a great picture. He will remember everything, although he might have forgotten much at the moment of death. How he will wish then that he had done only good! We are not to suppose that the soul will go to heaven before Christ to be judged. God enlightens each soul in such a manner that it fully knows Christ has passed a true judgment on it.
4. The good and the evil that the soul has done will be weighed in the balance of God’s justice. Then the sentence will be passed by Jesus Christ alone, without the intervention of witnesses. This sentence is final and will never be reversed. The soul will learn the sentence, the reasons for it, and its absolute justice.
In case you are scratching your head, here is what the Catechism and Bishop Morrow mean: at the moment of your death, your immortal soul goes before Christ, Who lays your life out for you and judges you accordingly into:
- Heaven – Yay! You made it and will spend all eternity in the Divine Presence of God.
- Purgatory – OOO…so close, but you need a bit more time being purified, but don’t worry…you WILL make it into heaven.
- Hell – Sadly, you died in a state of mortal sin and rejected God’s Grace. Your everlasting punishment is to be separated from Him…FOREVER.
Final (Last) Judgment – this is at the end of time/world (it’s general!)
The Catechism deals with the final judgment in paragraphs 1038 – 1041 and they are a bit heady. Here are the bullet points:
- Only God the Father knows the hour of the Final Judgment
- The Last Judgment comes when Christ comes in glory
- There is also talk of trumpets and signs and stuff, but you really do not need to worry about missing the signs. Trust me! You will definitely know when the last judgment is happening.
- At the end of the world will be the “resurrection of all the dead” (AKA “general resurrection”) where both the just and unjust are called forth from their tombs. When we say “I believe in the resurrection of the body” in the Creed, THIS is that moment!
- In the presence of Christ, each person’s relationship with God will be known. All that stuff you thought your grandma wouldn’t find out about…sorry. It is ALL going to be known!
- Finally, Christ will pronounce the FINAL word on history. End of story. Do not pass go. There are no do-overs.
The most important point is the “why”:
“We shall know the ultimate meaning of the whole work of creation and of the entire economy of salvation and understand the marvelous ways by which his Providence led everything towards its final end. The Last Judgment will reveal that God’s justice triumphs over all the injustices committed by his creatures and that God’s love is stronger than death.” (CCC 1040)
You may be asking yourself why a final judgment if we each have a particular judgment at our death? Let’s look to Bishop Morrow for that:
If every one is judged immediately after death, why will there be a general judgement? – Although everyone is judged immediately after death, it is fitting that there be a general judgement, in order that the justice, wisdom, and mercy of God may be glorified in the presence of all.
1. The last or General Judgment will be a public repetition of the particular judgment. The Judge and the matters taken up will be identical. Then Jesus will bring to light “the hidden things of darkness.”
2. All men and all angels, good and bad, will be present to hear the judgment of each one. “For there is nothing hidden that will not be made manifest, nor anything concealed that will not be known” (Luke 8:17).
So there you have it. You do not know the hour of your death, so get your soul in shape NOW! Get to Confession ASAP because once you die and are judged by Christ, you do not get a do-over.
Side note: apparently, I learned to spell “judgement” from an old, British dictionary. I only recently learned that we Americans dropped the “e” centuries ago. Sorry, I missed that memo. I will make every effort to spell accordingly, but understand that I am child of the 80s Phonics Phase, so I honestly cannot spell worth a flip!
Heart of Jesus, pierced with a lance, have mercy on us.
