By Fr. Glenn Jones:

Now that we’re in the latter part of November, our minds will soon be drifting to thoughts of Thanksgiving holidays and, for we Catholics and other Christians, we know that Advent and Christmas are just around the corner. Before the Church liturgical year begins anew at Advent, which usually coincides with the first weekend of December, we first end the year with its grand finale: a celebration in anticipation of the second coming of Jesus.

We Christians believe that, when Jesus does come again, or when we go to God at our deaths, judgment awaits. “Judgment” has a negative connotation of courts, prosecutors, prisons, etc., but perhaps it would be more accurate to describe it as an “evaluation” of one’s life—what have we done that is good, and what have we done that failed the good. In other words, what we have done to further love of God and neighbor, and that which detracted from it. By that evaluation we are rewarded accordingly; Jesus was quite clear about this: “ … the hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come forth, those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of judgment.” (John 5:28-29)

Now, the thought of this accountability brings trepidation to many—perhaps to all to some extent: “What have I done well, and in what have I fallen short?” One might recall the anguish of Otto Schindler at the end of the movie Schindler’s List, even though he saved the lives of over a thousand Jews from the Holocaust, lamenting: “I could have got more … I wasted so much money. I didn’t do enough.” No doubt we all will regret times we could have done well, and yet did not. Fortunately, “… we have not a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sinning.” (Hebrews 4:15)

But we can avoid such anxiety; it is always our own choice to do well, or not. Each day provides ample opportunity to do good; we just have to seize upon such opportunities when they occur. Most of our daily opportunities are minor, but nothing goes unnoticed; as we read: “…some have [even] entertained angels unaware” (Hebrews 13:2), and “[Even] Whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.” (Luke 12:3)

Something to beware, however, is presumption—weighing one’s life and actions by one’s own subjective standard rather than by the standard given us very clearly. We know it’s easy to get away with little breaches of the law in society—we speed a little (or a lot), “squeeze the lemon” at that yellow traffic light, etc., so we think that our “evaluation” will take no account of little breaches of the expectation. But that’s quite the gamble, especially when the evaluation is pass/fail … go/no go. So the faithful Christian prays: “Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me! Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression.” (Psalm 19:13). After all, as the parable goes, many pebbles make a mountain.

Something strongly emphasized in military boot camp is a sense of urgency—moving quickly with purpose. To move lethargically or ineffectively inevitably leads to some close “personal attention” by one—or more—drill instructors. Unpleasant … but quite effective.

The sense of urgency is something that Jesus, the apostles and the saints constantly stress, for as Jesus reminds us:  “…of that day or hour [of our judgment], no one knows…only the Father”…because, as He says in many places in the Gospels, “…you know neither the day nor the hour.” For whether we are in twin towers in New York City or simply driving a car on a highway, preparation and constancy is vital.  Thus the urgency of fidelity.

We tend to “put off”… to procrastinate … in our seeking greater devotion to God and adherence to His will and the Good. But at some point every one of God’s chosen has had to be resolved: “I will seek to always do good … to be faithful to God!” For, as St. Paul tells us: “…whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.  For he who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption; but he who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.” (Galatians 6:7-9)

What happens when we walk the path of God and goodness rather than live in slavery to our sensual nature? The former adulterer brings joy and relief to his family. The former substance abuser brings hope and joy to family and friends, as they no longer have to endure his thefts and lies to buy drugs or booze; he becomes a better and reliable person. The abuser is no longer feared, but loved. The irascible controls his anger and gains (perhaps RE-gains) friends and family. There is simply nothing NOT good which comes from adhering more closely to God in all things. Most especially, eternal life.

Salvation is the unscheduled train that comes only once, so we must always be in the station. The road to Heaven is underlain with faith and hope in Jesus Christ and the Good … paved not with good intentions, but with devotion, obedience and good works. Yes, it is a hard road contrary to the ways of the world …  wearying in always having to swim upstream against the cultural current. But we look to the destination  rather than to the road, knowing that our eternal rest, joy and love reside at the end of our journey.

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“And I will put this third into the fire, and refine them as one refines silver, and test them as gold is tested. They will call upon my name, and I will answer them. I will say, ‘They are my people’; and they will say, ‘The Lord is my God.’” (Zechariah 13:9) 

Editor’s note: Rev. Glenn Jones is the Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe and former pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Los Alamos.