Pages

Thursday, December 04, 2003

Sorry for the redundancy, but I'm going to repost my last "comment" as it seems a propos to what Clint has just written.

It seems to me that the scriptural witness, the creeds and the tradition of the fathers are pretty unambiguous that the parousia will consist of a) general resurrection, b) a specific judgment and finally a subsequent c) bestowal of eternal life -- "enter into the joy of your master" -or- condemnation into the "outer darkness" (Mt 25 14-30). But look at it this way -- who would you rather have judge you, a friend or an enemy? The risen Christ is the embodiment of the Father and Son's mutual love, the outpouring of which is the Spirit. His judgment will not be according to the worldly mode of judgment. What is the divine mode of judgment? An impenetrable mystery that we experience even now in the Spirit's calling us to repent, for the Kingdom is near. It is a judgment that is interpenetrated with love. For God's judgment is his mercy. On the last day, those who have ultimately denied this merciful judgment will be ultimately judged. That's what I think the meaning of Mark 3:29/Luke12:10 is. Ignoring the Spirit's call to repent and cleave to Christ is to blaspheme against the Holy Spirit. As the Catholic Catechism says, "There are no limits to the mercy of God, but anyone who deliberately refuses to accept his mercy by repenting, rejects the forgiveness of his sins and the salvation offered by the Holy Spirit." (CCC 1864)

No comments:

Post a Comment