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| Last Judgment |
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| Q |
I'm somewhat confused by something we say in the Catholic Church when we say "Jesus will come in glory to judge the living and the dead". I understand the living part, but don't we believe that the dead are judged when they die, and they go to heaven or hell (or purgatory) right then and there?
It sounds like when we say judging the dead that everyone who has died since the beginning of time is in a "holding pattern" until Jesus comes to judge them. Could you please shed some light on this? |
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- Lee |
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| A |
I encourage you to consult the Catechism of the Catholic Church and read #668-681, which are about this part of our Profession of Faith. The phrase that puzzles you is about the "public" judgment at the time of the Second Coming. At that time, everyone will learn what has already begun to happen. People are already enjoying heaven; people are being prepared for heaven in purgatory and, God only knows, some people have begun to suffer the pains of hell. But, at the end of time "When Christ will come again" as we proclaim at Mass, we will be amazed and moved to great and everlasting praise by learning of the scope of God's mercy and justice. I, for one, expect to be surprised at how many people I judged harshly turn out to be far better in their hearts than I have often been. |
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- Carol Ann |
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