Thursday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time
“For greater things you were born.” (Ven. Mother Luisita)
THURSDAY, August 19th Mt. 22: 1-14 “Many are invited, but few are chosen.”
- The ones chosen will be those who persevere in pursuing holiness of life. One way to pursue holiness is to help others get to heaven! Fr. Ed shows us how we can do that.
PART 1: Diary of St. Faustina # 153
One day, I saw two roads. One was broad, covered with sand and flowers, full of joy, music and all sorts of pleasures. People walked along it, dancing and enjoying themselves. They reached the end without realizing it. And at the end of the road there was a horrible precipice; that is, the abyss of hell. The souls fell blindly into it; as they walked, so they fell. And their number was so great that it was impossible to count them.
And I saw the other road, or rather, a path, for it was narrow and strewn with thorns and rocks; and the people who walked along it had tears in their eyes, and all kinds of suffering befell them. Some fell down upon the rocks, but stood up immediately and went on. At the end of the road there was a magnificent garden filled with all sorts of happiness, and all these souls entered there. At the very first instant they forgot all their sufferings.
PART 2: BECOME A SOLID BRIDGE TO HEAVEN by Fr. Ed Broom, OMV
Help souls to attain a holy and happy death! In the process, we will save our own soul.
Saint Thomas Aquinas offers us this succinct definition for charity (which by the way means supernatural love); charity is to will the good of the other. What then would be the absolute greatest good for the other?
In the eyes of God, with regard to the human person, the greatest good that a human person can attain is the salvation of their immortal soul. Jesus expressed this truth with brilliant clarity in these unequivocal words: “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? (Mt 16:26)
There are only two ways, two paths, two eternal destinies, and no more! Jesus says that the way that leads to destruction is wide and there are many who choose it. Jesus continues saying that the road that leads to eternal life is narrow and few choose such a path—for this is the Way of the Cross. It is the Good Friday that leads to the glory of the Resurrection. In a word, either we choose the narrow way of the cross and follow Jesus unreservedly and so attain heaven; or we choose the broad path of ease, comfort, luxury, pleasure and sin and we lose our soul in the eternal flames of hell, and this is forever.
The huge mass of humanity lives for the world, for its glamour, pleasure, power and fame. Their eyes are fixed only on what this world has to offer. Very few indeed have their eyes lifted on high to the reality of Heaven, or give much care or concern for their eternal destiny. The biggest tragedy in the world is to throw away one’s eternal salvation. How true the words of Jesus: “What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul?” (Mk. 8:36)
This being the present state of affairs, let us prayerfully meditate upon the eternal Truths, on the reality of death, judgment, heaven, hell and also of capital importance, eternity—meaning forever and ever and ever. But let us strive to do all we possibly can to become a solid bridge by which many can cross from this life to Heaven to be with the Lord Jesus and His Mother, the angels and the saints for all eternity. Indeed, what are practical steps we can take to help those who are on the highway to hell to reach heaven?
1. PRAYER.
Saint Alphonsus Maria Liguori stated point blank the indispensable necessity of prayer for our eternal salvation in these words that are cited in the Catechism of the Catholic Church: “He who prays much will be saved; he who does not pray will be damned.” A powerful Biblical example that illustrates this truth are the two men who were hanging on crosses between Jesus on the cross on Calvary that First Good Friday—the two thieves. One was lost; the other saved. The Good thief was saved precisely because he prayed at the end of his life. Prayer is talking to Jesus. The Good thief talked to Jesus and begged for mercy. Jesus responded immediately with these consoling and comforting words: “Amen, amen I say to you: today you will be with me in Paradise.” (Lk. 23: 43) His few but fervent prayers saved the good thief, and as Ven. Archbishop Fulton Sheen quipped: “And he died a thief because he stole heaven.”
2. MEDITATE UPON THE SHORTNESS OF LIFE.
To the many who have drifted into no man’s land—The Waste land by T.S. Eliot, that is to say into disbelief, doubt and skepticism, remind them how short and uncertain life is. The Psalmist reminds us of this truth: “Our life is like the flower of the field that raises its head in the morning but withers and dies as the sun goes down.” (Ps. 103:15-16) Saint Augustine comments on the ephemeral and transitory character of human life with these penetrating words: “Our life in comparison with eternity is a mere blink of the eye.” Saint James adds: “Our life is like a puff of smoke that appears and then is gone.” (Jas. 4:14)
3. UNCERTAINTY OF LIFE.
Not only is human life a blink of an eye, a puff of smoke in comparison to eternity, but also, all human life is precarious, uncertain and subject to change, and that means death. On almost a daily basis we are exposed to untimely deaths: internationally, nationally, locally, and even on a personal or family level. No one of us can excuse ourselves from being taken aback or even shocked by some person who was cut down in the prime of their life in some tragic accident. In these times, COVID has also made us very aware of the fragility of life. Not to be apocalyptic, but death could be knocking on our door in any week, day, hour, or minute. Jesus warns us of the uncertain and precarious nature of the human plight in the cogent, concise, and catastrophic Parable of the Rich fool. This man thought he had it made in the shade for a long life of ease, comfort, and pleasure. Jesus brought his utopian dreams to a screeching halt proclaiming to him that he would die that very night. And where will all his possessions go then?
4. BRING THE WANDERING SHEEP, THE PRODIGAL SONS TO CONFESSION.
Given the shortness and uncertainty of life, beyond a shadow of doubt, one of the greatest acts of charity that you can accomplish is to convince a wandering sheep, or Prodigal Son or Daughter (Lk. 15:11-32), to come back to God by means of a good Sacramental Confession. Give this wayward person, whose soul has infinite value, an examination of conscience pamphlet. Tell them where and when the confessions are. Accompany them to the Church and to the Confessional. Tell them what to do when they confess. Then you go to confession first and come out with a radiant smile, to encourage them. Saint James promises that if we bring back a wandering soul, we save our soul and expiate a multitude of sins. (James 5:20)
5. RECEPTION OF THE LAST SACRAMENTS BEFORE THE LORD CALLS US.
One of the greatest graces that we can receive would be to receive the Last Sacraments before we pass from this life to the next. There is a continuous Rite that a priest administers to the dying. The proper order is the following: Confession, the Anointing of the Sick, then the Eucharist, and if it were to be the last Communion, it is called Viaticum— meaning food for the Wayfarers on their way to the Lord. This would be the ideal order if the sick person had the physical strength, as well as the mental lucidity. Confession forgives sins; the Anointing of the Sick unites the suffering person to the Lord’s Passion on the cross and gives hope; the Eucharist, the Bread of Life, nourishes and gives strength for the last battle against the enemies of the soul.
6. APOSTOLIC PARDON.
Very few are aware of the many treasures the Church offers to those who are willing to receive them. The Apostolic Pardon is taken from the treasuries of the Church which spring forth from the Passion, death and Resurrection of Jesus (The Paschal Mystery) and is administered by the priest, usually after the three last Sacraments discussed above. The words said by the priest are the following: “Through the holy mysteries of our redemption, may almighty God release you from all punishments in this life and in the life to come. May he open to you the gates of paradise and welcome you to everlasting joy.” Or “By the authority which the Apostolic See has given me, I grant you a full pardon and remission of all your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” With these words, said by the priest over the dying person, that person is granted full remission of all punishment due for their sins. In concrete terms, upon receiving the Apostolic Pardon, the dying person can have full and total access to Heaven upon their death. What an incredible gift and how few Catholics are aware of this gift!
7. PLENARY INDULGENCES.
Somewhat related to the Apostolic Pardon is that of the reception of what is called the Plenary Indulgence. If the conditions are met, the person that receives the Plenary Indulgence has all of their sins forgiven, as well as the temporal punishment due for those sins. If they were to die after properly receiving the Plenary Indulgence, they too could go to heaven immediately after their death. This being said the following are the conditions required to receive a Plenary Indulgence:
1. SACRAMENTAL CONFESSION. First, the Sacramental Confession done with the priest must be accomplished. Well prepared, expressed, and with true and firm purpose of Amendment, within 2 weeks before or after the indulgenced act.
2. SACRAMENTAL COMMUNION. Then, participation in Holy Mass with a fervent reception of Holy Communion —the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus Christ.
3. ACTION REQUIRED FOR THE PLENARY INDULGENCE. There are several possible actions, but we will offer three to choose from: 1) The Family Rosary or praying the Rosary in front of the Blessed Sacrament; or 2) Making the Way of the Cross; or 3) Meditate upon the Bible, the Word of God, for at least 30 minutes.
4. PRAY FOR THE INTENTIONS OF THE PONTIFF. Next, praying for the intentions of the Holy Father, the Pope – an Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be.
5. FIRM PURPOSE TO GIVE UP SIN. Last but not least, to receive the Plenary Indulgence, the person must be in the state of grace and make a most firm purpose to give up all sin—both mortal and venial—as well as the near occasions of sin. That being said, if despite our best efforts, we fall into venial sin do to human weakness, this does not negate the Plenary Indulgence!
If these five conditions are carried out, then we can obtain a Plenary Indulgence, meaning our soul becomes cleansed of all sins, as well as all punishment for these sins. If the Lord were to call us from this life to eternal life at this very moment, we could have immediate access to Heaven! How many free gifts Jesus offers through His Church, but how few people take advantage of them!!!
One more consideration, we can apply the Plenary Indulgence to ourselves, but not to any other living person. However, we can apply our Plenary Indulgence to a suffering soul in purgatory for their immediate release! By earning a Plenary Indulgence daily, how many souls could we release from purgatory to heaven in our life time – souls who would gratefully intercede for us here on earth! We call this the Communion of Saints! The Church Triumphant, the saints in heaven; the Church Suffering, the souls in Purgatory; and the Church Militant, those of us fighting the good fight here on earth.
8. PERFECT ACT OF CONTRITION.
Another very important practice that must be preached and taught far and wide is the practice of striving to make a Perfect Act of Contrition as soon as we are aware of having fallen into mortal sin. This practice most especially should be practiced before retiring every night. For if we die in the state of mortal sin, we go to hell! Sacramental Confession is not always possible due to the shortage and lack of priests. However, we can make a Perfect Act of Contrition at any time and any place, if moved by the grace of God. By “Perfect Act of Contrition” is meant that our sorrow for mortal sin is not simply Fear of the Lord and fear of eternal punishment—this is Attrition or Imperfect Contrition. To be Perfect Contrition, the sorrow must come from the depths of our heart with a firm purpose to avoid sinning in the future due to true love of God. In other words, we do not want to sin even in the slightest way because God loves us so much and we want to return His love with the love in our own heart. If the Perfect Act of Contrition is done, then we can be restored to the state of grace even before Sacramental Confession. However, upon the quickest and earliest occasion we still must have recourse to Sacramental Confession.
9. CHAPLET OF DIVINE MERCY FOR THE DYING.
When a person is dying, temptations, especially to give in to despair, can be very intense. A most powerful and efficacious means by which to save such a soul is to pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy that Jesus taught to Saint Faustina and strongly recommended. Jesus said these words to Saint Faustina: “My daughter, encourage souls to say the Chaplet which I have given to you. It pleases me to grant everything they ask of me by saying the chaplet. Write that when they say this chaplet in the presence of the dying, I will stand before My Father and the dying person, not as the just Judge, but as the merciful Savior. (Diary # 1541) Earlier our Lord said to Saint Faustina, as recorded in the Diary: “At the hour of their death, I defend as my own glory every soul that will say it for a dying person, the indulgence is the same.” (Diary # 811). Even if we are not physically present to the dying, as long as the Chaplet is prayed, the dying person will still receive the extraordinary grace of salvation—through the Wounds of our merciful Savior! Therefore, let us do all we can to pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy for the dying and to promote this little-known message and wonderful Promise.
10. OUR LADY: THE ROSARY AND ETERNAL SALVATION.
Another powerful weapon that we have at our disposal to help us attain the grace of all graces, and that is to die in the state of grace, is to pray the most Holy Rosary on a daily basis. Saint Padre Pio spoke of the Rosary thus— “Give me my Weapon!” Indeed, if you and your family have formed the habit of praying the most Holy Rosary on a daily basis, then you are preparing yourself for death at least fifty times every day. How? Every time you say the words at the end of the Hail Mary, you pray: “Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.” By these words, we are inviting Mary to be with us at the very moment we die, helping us to beg for forgiveness and God’s infinite mercy through her most powerful intercession.
In conclusion, Saint Alphonsus Liguori teaches us that “the grace of all graces is to die in the state of grace.” If done, our soul is saved for all eternity. Therefore, we warmly encourage you to read this article, try to understand it, and even memorize its content. Then share this with your loved ones, as well as many who have wandered away from the faith. But most important: strive to live this message. If done, heaven will be yours for all eternity. May Our Lady pray for us now and at the hour of our death!
Copyright 2021 Oblates of the Virgin Mary / St. Peter Chanel Church, Hawaiian Gardens, CA
