God’s Not Mean So Hell’s Not Possible

I had a conversation recently with a good and intelligent person who began by saying he didn’t believe in hell or the devil. The upshot of it was this: that God is good and forgiving and would never condemn anyone to unending suffering. He just wouldn’t do that. That would be mean and God can’t be mean. What he expressed, on one hand, was actually a beautiful statement of faith in God’s goodness. God certainly does not want any of His children to go to hell. That would never be His choice. But for those who wind up in hell, His choice is not really their highest priority, is it? Their problem is it’s their choice that comes first and always. If indeed their whole life has been spent putting their will above His (and in all likelihood anyone else’s) why in that moment, when they stand before Him in judgment, would they change that? For those who cannot abide anyone thwarting their will, heaven would actually be more of a hell for them than hell would be. Even God’s justice is a manifestation of His mercy.

God’s love and heaven don’t make sense without also believing in the reality and possibility of hell. It’s about freedom to choose Him and to choose love or not. When you contemplate heaven (and I hope you do from time to time) do you imagine having everything your way? If so, you may want to rethink things. It won’t be about you but about God and His glory. And, if you can get on board with that even a little here, then God can fan the flame of that desire into a fire unto eternal life.
Most of us have a more vague idea of heaven…of being reunited with loved ones, with being at peace, and being happy in a place of beauty and awe. But do we ever stop to think about how we will act and react to others there? Will there be a difference from how we may act and react here? Please God, I hope so.
There’s a saying that sin is its own punishment. Very true. The Church teaches us right from wrong for our good and our protection. Holy Mother Church, like any good mother, wants to help her children avoid falling into snares that will hurt or destroy them. If a parent warns a child against using heroin, it’s not because they’re trying to spoil their fun, but because they know there’s a good chance they will die from such an addiction…and hurt others as well in the process.
Believing in hell, far from negating God’s goodness, illustrates it. If, in order to live in peace eternally, only one Will can hold sway, aligning ourselves with that Will is the obvious option. Introducing even one strong will to stand against that would open the floodgates of hell – making heaven impossible. Just look at our society these days as more and more people disconnect from God and His Church and live according to their free will, demanding that their needs and desires be met at all costs. We all know people like that…those who demand happiness on their own terms and make everyone around them miserable. We see it all the time, those that will stop at nothing, destroying anyone who gets in the way of their ambitions. Should we believe that at the moment of death that magically changes, that we lose our personalities and our free will and become robots in heaven, toeing the line, and making no waves? Wouldn’t that mean we cease to be who we are? Wouldn’t that mean eternal death?

As more and more people separate themselves from God and turn the moral order upside down, we are seeing an ever-degenerating picture on Earth and a foreshadowing of what will be as that behavior becomes magnified over eternity. We are literally seeing a hell on Earth. Just look at what’s going on with ISIS in the Middle East. Now, of course, anyone can turn from this behavior (and some do) but many do not. At death these choices become permanent. A good and just God will not only not force goodness on those so vehemently opposed to it, but He certainly wouldn’t subject their depraved wills on others for all eternity. That simply makes no sense.

Either God takes away our free will (that which makes us human) and lets everyone into heaven, regardless of their behavior and desire to be there, hence we cease to actually be who we are, or respecting our free will He allows us to choose hell and protects those who do choose goodness from more of the misery this Earth has provided.
Ironic, isn’t it? Believing in hell makes heaven possible and not believing in hell makes heaven impossible. Which way would you have it?

 June 30, 2016 by Allison Ricciardi  

July 2nd, July 2nd, July 2nd

Perhaps as long as 25 years ago I took a trip with my husband to San Francisco. He was there on business so I spent my days alone. First thing I look for is the closest daily Mass. There was a time when every hotel had a board with a list of all the religious services and times for the convenience of patrons. Most readers are too young to even know this. The church behind the Moscone Center was very much pre-Vatican II, An experience I had not had in many years and never had I been in a Church were the statues were worn out in the feet from being kissed and rubbed. The Mass was fast and we received Communion at the altar rail on our knees. I do not know the dates of our trip probably early fall.

One morning I was in a deep sleep and woke up to a vision of the Crucifix much like the one in the picture, I heard the words, " July 2nd." I quickly fell asleep and again woke to the same vision, and once again a third time, " July 2nd." The Crucifix had a green hue around it. Of course I was puzzled as to what it meant but quite accustomed to the  "Mysteries of God." I got up and dressed for the day. I became aware of a visitor, a spiritual person sitting by my side. I knew it was Jesus and was very unsure of why He was with me. Not knowing what to do I simply asked if He wanted to take a trip to the ocean with me and sure enough I got on the trolley with my Companion at my side. We also went on a planned tour for the wives of employees to the Victorian Mansions. Went back to the room had dinner with my husband and went to bed. 

When I returned home  I went immediately to the basement and open the drawer of an old bureau.  In it was a daily devotional book from the pre-Vatican II era. I opened the book to were someone had left the back binding as it had fallen off. The page was July 2nd and it was the Feast of the Visitation. The book had been given to me by a woman who had left the Catholic Church after Vatican ll. She went to a tent meeting with some evangelist and converted to Baptist.

I  told the prayer group what had happened. One friend immediately said that July 2nd or the number 72 was a perfect number and that 72 was the churches perfect number. All of this happened many years ago. I have never understood what it all meant. Green is the color of healing. I see myself as a person who has loved Jesus and the church for so many years and as an evangelist. So when I put the dates of the Birthday of John the Baptist and the date of July 2nd together to find it a perfect 9 day novena I knew I was coming to the understanding of my mission. As Jesus and his Mother have asked me to bring women together who espouse Purity, to restore the sisterhood of women I realize He has been laying the ground work for years. I am very pleased that the Pope has made elevated the Memorial of St. Mary Magdalene to a Feast Day. I will plan a Novena for this as well. 

For years I have sat with women in their kitchens over tea and talked about the need to return to the Catholic Church. We talked about our sins and confusion on issues surrounding the culture we are living in. I have watched as the Mass has become a much more attractive celebration of love and devotion to the message and sacrifice of Jesus. I believe that now is the time to do everything possible to follow the message of Love and Mercy and to turn this ship around. To bring the pure message of Jesus and His Church to the world.

May the Holy Mother of God and her cousin, St. Elizabeth, be an ever present inspiration to all women. May we help each other to attain purity.

~Margaret of Souls for Jesus

St. Pio Novena Day 9

Day 9

Intention [please include your own also.]
We pray for ourselves and women around the globe to experience and encourage others in the gift of Purity.

Padré Pio of Pietrelcina, humble father, you truly loved our Holy Mother Church. Ask God, the Lord of the Harvest, to send laborers into His vineyard. May He fill the world with many holy priests who are filled with the strength and inspiration that comes only from God. Intercede for us with the Blessed Virgin Mary, our Mother, that she may lead to unity all our brothers and sisters who call upon Jesus, the Christ, as Lord and Savior. May they find their unity in the one great family of God in Christ on earth, so that the Church may be a beacon of light and sure hope of salvation in the storm-tossed sea of life.

Always remain united to the Holy Catholic Church because only She can save you. Only She possesses Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament of the Altar, Who is the true Prince of Peace. Outside the Church there is no salvation. The Church alone gives Baptism; the Forgiveness of sins; and the Body, Blood Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ that offer you eternal life; and all the other Sacraments that assist us in living a holy life.

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CLOSING PRAYER

St. Pio of Pietrelcina, spiritual father of countless souls who seek a deeper relationship with God in their lives, I thank God for the gift He has given His Church in you. You are the image for our modern world of His Crucified Son and our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Through your resignation to the Father's Will in your life, often manifested through the decisions of the Church and your religious superiors, teach us humility that we may be among those humble souls to whom the Eternal Father, through His Incarnate Son Jesus, promised to reveal the mysteries of His Kingdom. Through your love and concern for those who suffer in mind and body, teach us to recognize with the eyes of Faith the Face of our Lord Jesus Christ Who makes Himself known in the poor and suffering. Through your resignation and trust in God during the painful struggles you were asked to bear, support and assist us in times of trouble and trial. Through that ministry of the confessional for which you were known and through which many returned to the Father's Love, encourage us to trust unlimitedly in the graces of the Sacrament of Reconciliation and to experience the joy of forgiveness in sincerely returning to the loving embrace of the Father would we succumb to temptation and fall into sin. 

Through the faithfulness with which you bore the sacred marks of the Passion of our Savior on your body during your earthly journey, strengthen us by your example to bear in our hearts and accept in our lives the life-giving mystery of the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Jesus. 

Through that childlike confidence and love you fostered and encouraged for the Mother of all God's children, Mary ever Virgin, teach us filial love and devotion for and confident recourse, in the almighty intercession of Mary, the Mother of the Lord and our Heavenly Mother, that through her intercession we may more easily approach the Savior, though Whom the Father calls us to Himself.

Through the concern and commitment with which you attached yourself spiritually to all those who sought you as spiritual guide, accompany us at every moment on our earthly pilgrimage towards heaven. There we hope one day to contemplate the glory of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, our God Who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen. 

(Adapted and amplified form of the prayer composed by St. Pope John Paul II)

V. May I never boast of anything except the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.

R. Through it the world has been crucified to me and I to the world. 

V. You bore the Wounds of Christ on your body.

R. That we might learn the value of the Cross. 

V. Pray for us St. Pio of Pietrelcina

R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray: Almighty and eternal God, by a singular grace You allowed your priest, St. Pio of Pietrelcina, to participate in the mystery of the Cross of Your Son, and through His ministry, you revealed the marvels of Your Mercy. Grant that through his intercession we may remain wone with Christ in His Passion so as to joyfully attain the glory of the Resurrection. We ask this thorugh our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen.

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Padre Pio’s Sacred Heart Novena Prayer

O my Jesus, You have said: “Truly I say to you, ask and you will receive, seek and you will find, knock and it will be opened to you.” Behold I knock, I seek and ask for the grace of (here name your request). Our Father … Hail Mary … Glory Be … Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in You.

O my Jesus, You have said: “Truly I say to you, if you ask anything of the Father in My Name, He will give it to you.” Behold, in Your Name, I ask the Father for the grace of (here name your request). Our Father … Hail Mary … Glory Be … Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in You.

O my Jesus, You have said: “Truly I say to you, heaven and earth will pass away but My Words will not pass away.” Encouraged by Your infallible Words I now ask for the grace of (here name your request). Our Father … Hail Mary … Glory Be … Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in You.

O Sacred Heart of Jesus, for Whom it is impossible not to have compassion on the afflicted, have pity on us miserable sinners and grant us the grace which we ask of You, through the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, Your tender Mother and ours.

Say the Hail, Holy Queen and add: “St. Joseph, foster father of Jesus, pray for us.”

St. Pio Novena Day 8

Day 8

Intention [please include your own also.]
We pray that as Mary and Elizabeth were brought together by God to support and share their story, we too would come together, with and for, other women to encourage and inform by the truth of our own lives.

Padré Pio of Pietrelcina, pure father, you loved your spiritual children very much. How many of your children were acquired at the price of your blood! Pray that we, who have not known you personally, may also be numbered among your spiritual children. Through your fatherly protection, saintly guidance and spiritual strength you gain for us from God, at the moment of our death may we encounter you waiting for us at the Gates of Paradise.

Padré Pio: "If it were possible, I would like one favor from the Lord: I would want, if He said to me 'God to heaven', I would like to have this grace: Lord, do not allow me to enter heaven until the last of my children, the last of those persons entrusted to my priestly care, have entered before me ... I have made and agreement with the Lord that when my soul is purified by the flames of purgatory an dis worthy to enter heaven, I will stand at the gates of paradise and will not enter until I have seen the last of my sons and daughters enter."