SNOTLY: Judgment & Discernment

[Father Joe]

Father, what is the Catholic teaching on judgment and discernment in
general.

I often feel put off in certain Catholic groups ( RC ) and insecure
and/or have a general feeling of non-importance or unworthiness.

I like to hear stories like this where after 27 years the
"authorities" had to admit ... "yea we were wrong. sorry."

What about Mary Magdalene? She was guilty but went unpunished... was
that just judgment?

[Father Joe]

This message has been moved here from my Blog...

When a person dies there is a particular judgment: heaven, hell or
purgatory.

The final judgment is at the consummation of all things: heaven and
hell.

While in the flesh we need to discern the general orientation of our
lives, either in obedience toward God or in rebellion against him.
Some theologians speak about this as one's fundamental option;
however, one is not a complete slave to this orientation. Faith can
sour in good people and bad people sometimes have startling
conversions, even from the death bed. As Christians we live in the
hope of our ultimate salvation, but we must have a faith in Jesus that
is realized with obedience and charity. Salvation is a gift and it is
made possible by sanctifying grace. Contrite hearts and the sacrament
of penance can restore this grace if it is lost by mortal (serious,
death-dealing) sin. Veneal sins will not damn us although they can
set the stage for greater sins and delay our entry into heaven because
of the need for purification. If not completed in this life, this
purification or purgation takes place in the life to come where all
that does not belong to God is burned away. We are made perfect for
the wedding banquet of heaven. It should be noted that even if sins
are forgiven in Confession, we may still need to pass through
purgatory because of temporal punishment.

God loves you and he knows you better than you know yourself. You are
important to him. Jesus embraced his cross and offered his life for
you, by name. He wants you to know, to love and to follow him. Do
not worry about worthiness. We are all unworthy. If you walk with
the Lord, you can live in the sure and certain hope of your salvation
and fellowship with the saints. Do not be afraid. Trust God, keep
faith, and do the best you can.

Unlike earthly courts, the divine tribunal makes no mistakes. Of
course, human and divine judgment is quite different. We so often
seek revenge or retribution. Human justice is often biased and
inconsistent. God's judgment is reliable and sure, but it is measured
out with infinite mercy and love. Yes, he can forgive all things. As
long as there is the breath of life, even the most hardened and wicked
sinner can escape perdition. As the Church fathers taught us, like
the good thief on Calvary, they can steal heaven and win the greatest
prize of all. Those who have been faithful and good throughout their
lives should not resent such souls, but rather with the heart and mind
of God, rejoice... rejoice... rejoice!