the strictest judgment day
"Be on guard, therefore. The Son of Man will come when you least expect Him." —Luke 12:40
Jesus is coming back to judge the living and the dead. We will be judged on the basis of our faith in the Lord (see Eph 2:8) and our lives of love for Him, our neighbors (Mt 22:39), the poor (Mt 25:40), and our enemies (Mt 5:44). We will be judged based on our knowledge of the Lord's wishes (Lk 12:47-48). Also, we will be judged based on how much the Lord has given to us (Lk 12:48).
We as Catholic Christians maintain that we have been given the fullness of God's revelation and grace. Consequently, we will be held to the strictest account on Judgment Day. We Catholics have the best opportunities for salvation and sanctification and therefore the greatest responsibilities. Catholics living their faith should look forward to Judgment Day with joy. Lukewarm Catholics should so dread Judgment Day that they repent immediately.
"The Judge stands at the gate" (Jas 5:9). Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus!
Prayer: Father, give me "confidence on the day of judgment" (1 Jn 4:17).
Promise: "Thanks be to God, though once you were slaves of sin, you sincerely obeyed that rule of teaching which was imparted to you; freed from your sin, you became slaves of justice." —Rm 6:17-18
Praise: Living a life of love for Christ, St. Anthony had almost two-hundred books or pamphlets published throughout the years of his apostolate.
Reference: (For a related teaching, order our tape on Judgment Day on audio AV 75-3 or video V-75.)
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Robert A. Stricker, May 8, 2001
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, May 18, 2001