Short Life, Eternal Consequences – May 22 – Homily – Fr Matthias

 

Fr Matthias gives the homily at Bloomington, IN, on May 22, 2024, on how our brief life on earth determines our eternal fate, and focusing on eternity inspires us to live well and achieve holiness through devotion to our Blessed Lady.

Our life is like a puff of smoke that appears briefly and then disappears, emphasizing its brevity. Despite its short duration, our time on earth holds immense significance as our entire eternity depends on how we use it. Reflecting on eternity is essential; it inspires us to live meaningfully and well. One writer likens this to the mid-19th century gold rush, where people maintained roads to California because they led to valuable destinations. Similarly, focusing on eternity helps us keep our earthly lives in order. Achieving holiness on earth is crucial, as the degree of holiness we attain determines our eternal state. Therefore, it's vital to have a strong devotion to our Blessed Lady, as Saint Maximilian Kolbe asserts, it is the surest and most beautiful path to God and the highest holiness.

Further reading:
James 4:14 - You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/james/4?14
2 Corinthians 4:18 - We focus on the unseen eternal, not the seen temporary - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/2corinthians/4?18
Matthew 7:13-14 - Narrow is the road that leads to life - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/7?13
CCC 1021 - Death ends human life as the time open to accepting or rejecting Christ - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/1021.htm
CCC 1024 - Heaven is the ultimate end and fulfillment of the deepest human longings - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/1024.htm
CCC 2013 - All are called to Christian holiness - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/2013.htm
CCC 1030 - The purification process after death - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/1030.htm
CCC 1033 - Hell as self-exclusion from communion with God - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/1033.htm

Ave Maria!

Mass: Wednesday 7th Week of Ordinary Time - Wkdy
Readings:  - http://usccb.org/bible/readings/052224.cfm
1st: jam 4:13-17
Resp: psa 49:2-3, 6-11
Gsp: mar 9:38-40

More on the Readings: https://airmaria.com/r?m=1603

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