Homilies

February 19, 2008
Tuesday of the Second Week of Lent
Is 1:10, 16-20; Mt 23:1-12
Fr. Marcellus Earl, OCSO 

All of us in this church are going to die sooner or later, my dear brothers and sisters in Christ. There is only one way we can escape this common lot of the human race and that is to be alive when Christ comes at the end of time. Obviously we can't put much hope in such a prospect. So, we are going to die.

Now picture yourself after death stripped of your body, and in a long line of souls moving slowly towards the judgment seat where Jesus is seated on the bench surrounded by his angels. As you move closer and closer to the place of judgment you can hear some of the dialog between the judge and the souls being judged.

The judge is speaking to a soul: Why did you not wash yourself clean, so that your sins would have become white as snow though they are like scarlet?

A soul: I became disillusioned with religion because a priest treated me badly in confession and so I stopped practicing my faith.

The judge: Did you have a Bible in your home?

The soul: Yes, but after that experience I scarcely read it again.

The judge: That is a great pity, for if you had read it, you might have come across my words in the Gospel of my servant Matthew, which would have given you some second thoughts about your course of action.

The soul: What words?

The judge: The scribes and Pharisees have succeeded Moses as teachers; therefore, do everything and observe everything they tell you, but do not follow their example.

The soul: Master, I see now that I am very guilty for abandoning my religion, but please, show mercy. I do remember that you are merciful and full of compassion. Do not  deal with me as my sins deserve.

The judge: You have appealed to my mercy. Very well, I will see what can be done for you. St. Peter, open the book of life and tell me what you find concerning this soul.

St. Peter: This person redressed the wronged, heard the orphan's plea and defended the widow. Besides that this soul offered praise as a sacrifice.

The judge: Soul, your sins were crimson red, but you showed charity which covers a multitude of sins. Hence your sins are now white as wool. Nevertheless you have a good bit of temporal punishment which must be purged. So, you must go to purgatory until you have paid the last penny, or until the mercy of the members of the Church you abandoned and their suffrages have paid your debt.

The soul: gladly do I accept your merciful judgment, Lord, and I'm eager to begin my purification.After that the angels escorted the soul off to purgatory. 

Now, it's your turn to stand before the judge.