HEAVEN OR HELL? THE CHOICE IS OURS TO MAKE

Photo Credit: Encyclopedia Britannica

I was browsing the internet looking for something when I accidentally clicked on a website dedicated to Philippine history. In that website were old pictures of Filipinos dating back to late 19th century and early 20th century. As I went on scanning the page and looking at the pictures one by one, a realization hit my mind: ALL THE PEOPLE IN THE PICTURES ARE NOW DEAD! And this is the same inevitable fate that awaits each one of us.

I was just curious where the souls of these people went after they died; are they now enjoying the company of the Almighty God in heaven? or are they being cleansed in purgatory? or worst, are they now suffering the painful punishments in hell? This curiosity led me to discern that our destination after death depends solely on what we choose to do in our lifetime here on earth. If we choose to love God and follow Him and His commandments, then we are assured of heaven. Otherwise, hell is awaiting us. As it is written: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of My Father in heaven (cf. Matthew 7:21)."  And "this is the will of God, your holiness (cf. 1 Thes. 4:3)."

Holiness is a choice and choosing to be Holy is a clear declaration that we would like to be with the Lord in heaven. Choosing otherwise is a clear declaration that we would like to be separated from God forever. And this "definitive self-exclusion from communion (separation) with God and the blessed is called HELL. (CCC 1033)" And God does not want His people to suffer the pains of hell; it is our own selfish choice that will take us to eternal damnation. This is clearly stated in the Catechism of the Catholic Church 1037 which states, "God predestines no one to go to hell; for this, a willful turning away from God (a mortal sin) is necessary, and persistence in it until the end."
 

Brother and Sisters, let us not hardened our hearts. Let us return to God and choose to be Holy while the opportunity to do so is still there. Remember, God is Holy and would only want Holy people in His Kingdom. Holiness starts at conversion. And  conversion starts by admitting our sins, so let us immense ourselves in the Ocean of God's Mercy through the Sacrament of Reconciliation or Confession, where the Lord, through His Priests, absolves us from the sins that separate us from God.

Sooner or later, the call of death will come. And our final destination after death, be it heaven or hell, is FOR ETERNITY. So Choose wisely! Choose to be Holy!