Hearing these stories are so beautiful. What a gift. But I still struggle with that moment of death for someone who has rejected God. I just cannot fathom why or how someone could be so steadfast in that rejection. I think to myself, "they are seeing God, they know that this is God, they know for a fact He truly exists. They would then have to understand the consequence of their choice. Why would they not say" I was wrong or I didn't realize you truly existed?" You would think they could comprehend Hell. I just can't wrap my head around the rejection.
Mario, I am such a scared rat. Very few people know of this encounter, because I am afraid to reveal it. I suppose it is because I am such a weak individual and I don't want to be thought of as an idiot or different! Thats because I want to be comfortable due to my selfish pride. I really don't know why God allowed it or if it can be of help to others, so best not to speak of such things really? Also there is the added problem that by revealing it, some people may get the wrong impression that I am holy I'll now leave it in Our Lords hands. I'm hoping it may be of help to even just one person.
Josephite, I don't know about your situation, but being married for 34 years to a beautiful wife who knows I'm not holy cancels out all the misconceptions of others! Safe in the Refuge of the Immaculate Heart!
Padre Pio God loves us so much. He formed us at his image. God loves us beyond understanding. And it is my belief that when we have passed from the consciousness of the world, when we appear to be dead, God, before He judges us, will give us a chance to see and understand what sin really is. And if we understand it properly, how could we fail to repent?"
Yes my wonderful husband Michael who puts up with my many foibles, reminds me daily of my need for spiritual growth! Isn't it great that God supplies each person with the grounding that is needed! The grace of humility is priceless and everywhere God offers this wonderful grace to us! Jesus meek and humble of Heart make my heart like unto Thine! Amen
Garabandal I have the same feelings about this too, but it is my understanding through private revelation that many do go to Hell. I guess this is where I have a hard time. Souls knowing God exist even after encountering him, still choose Hell. Baffles the mind. I pray for these souls, the ones that are to encounter death soon and are not willing to repent, that they are given the grace needed to overcome their steadfastness(for lack of a better word) to choose Hell and repent at the last moment.
Josephite, After contemplating your story, I have to tell you, it has made me see people's behavior in a new light. When we see an adult committing a grave offense, it is easy to become hardened towards them. But when you see an innocent child committing a grave offense, it is easier to have compassion and a willingness to forgive. Perhaps this is how God views us, as innocent children that have fallen into bad choices. Every good parent tries to help their children even in the worst scenario. We see our adult children still as our babies that we want to protect and care for even at their worst. I can't even begin to imagine how God feels as a "parent" to us all. Its overwhelming , his mercy and compassion. .
Josephite, After contemplating your story, I have to tell you, it has made me see people's behavior in a new light. When we see an adult committing a grave offense, it is easy to become hardened towards them. But when you see an innocent child committing a grave offense, it is easier to have compassion and a willingness to forgive. Perhaps this is how God views us, as innocent children that have fallen into bad choices. Every good parent tries to help their children even in the worst scenario. We see our adult children still as our babies that we want to protect and care for even at their worst. I can't even begin to imagine how God feels as a "parent" to us all. Its overwhelming , his mercy and compassion. .
Lucifer was the first to understand God's will, but rebelled against it. The reason, Pride. He was the first to want to be like God and Adam and Eve were the first humans to want to be like God. Serving God's will was not enough for the fallen angles and it is not enough for the fallen humans. They want to be like God. Often one hears the the words of Genesis that "we are made in God's image and likeness". What does this really mean? Father Richard Hogan, in his book "The Wonder of Human Sexuality" took from Pope John Paul's writings what it means is simply, "we have a mind to think with and a will to choose with" and this the essential aspect of what it means to be made in his image and likeness. Some people simply choose not to think "in the will" of God, but in their own will. In their mind they prefer to be a God and truth is subjective to what they want it to be. Thus we have the quandary we are in today with situation ethics, proportionalism and the fundamental option with the highest levels of the church clergy.
I believe that most do, those who do not, it is a free choice......yes hard to understand. peace mark
How many, is many? One soul loved by God in an infinite manner is too many. God's mercy and love for us and the depth of our freedom is still not something we can truly comprehend......we must simply pray and trust. It is not about math, but about the loss of a beloved child. peace Mark
apropos of nothing in this thread, my surgery today was a success, thanks for the prayers, going to rest now! Thank you Lord, and thanks for my many friends on MOG who lifted me up in prayer.
That being said, how do we help and teach our children to see the magnificence of our God in his mercy and love and yet know enough to to respect and at the same time fear his justice. I use the word fear not in a sense of being a afraid, but in the sense of loss without him. I often think of children 100 years ago and their knowledge of God and being part of their everyday life. There are so many children today who can't even begin to fathom what God is about, nor do they care to, which I believe eventually leads them down the road to perdition because they have learned to live without him. That was the road that their parents followed and set the example. Its very sad. I look at these children and still see children that are innocent, yet falling so quickly.
Yes I read somewhere that Christendom is no longer a factor Years ago, Judeo-Christian values made up the fabric of society So you are correct, soldier All that garbage we have in society occurs when we ignore the Ten Commandments
Fatima, Yes I see what you mean. When I've tried to wrap my mind around why would a person reject God, when faced with the final choice at death. I think it has to do with the gifts of God. All things belong to God, everything that we may claim for ourselves, be that our body, our intelligence, our good works, our feelings, everything is Gods. At death all things naturally go back to God! However I believe, the gift of our free will is something God allows us to offer back to Him! If at death the person offers their will back to God, that is monumental! because that means they are accepting that they are nothing and also seeing that they have hurt God and the Divine order! and repentance ensues. But if the person has lived contrary to Gods Will and has an inordinate love of their own will, refusing to give their will back to God! than they have made the choice of Hell. These are just my thoughts I hope they are understandable.
Quite so, Josephite Makes sense to me Exactly like Lucifer who rebelled "Who is like unto God" Is what St Michael said "I will not serve" said Lucifer
Josephite and HH, thank you. Your memories reminded me of the death of my brother-in-law of lung cancer at the age of forty years old. My sister was distraught and prayed that God took him into heaven. They were protestants and did not believe in Purgatory. One Sunday my sister went to Mass with us and I introduced her to a friend who had just returned from Betania. He was cured of a permanent disability and ended up leaving his leg braces at the altar. This gentleman began to receive the gift of visions and healings. When he met my sister she impulsively asked him where her husband was. He replied that her husband was happy but confused. This bothered my sister. My friend explained that Duff (her husband) felt unworthy to be in the presence of God and went to a place of purification. Purgatory is a difficult thing to process when you are often taught that all Christians are saved and enter into eternal happiness at the moment of death. My sister and her son ended up moving in with me for a few months and we had many wonderful discussions. She and her son are Catholics now and accept all of its teachings on what happens after death.
