Hey there,
Here at Genuflect we talk a lot about how to get to Heaven. What we can and should do.
That’s our end goal, right? To become a saint. To see the face of God and to live out eternity in communion with Him.
We talk some about Purgatory too. And the process of purification before we can enter Heaven.
But the flip side of going to Heaven … is not going to hell.
Some people downplay hell. I suppose they’re afraid they will be tuned out if they tell people sin will give them a one-way ticket to satan’s house. It’s nicer to tell people that God is forgiving and merciful so we’ll all end up with Him in Heaven.
That’s not what our Catholic faith teaches. So we should talk about hell.
But first, here’s a little story:
One day while walking down the street a highly successful person was tragically hit by a bus and she died. Her soul arrived up in heaven where she was met at the Gates of Heaven by St. Peter himself.
“Welcome to Heaven,” said St. Peter. “Before you get settled in though, it seems we have a problem. You see, strangely enough, we’ve never once had someone like you make it this far and we’re not really sure what to do with you.”
“No problem, just let me in” said the woman. “Well, I’d like to, but I have higher orders. What we’re going to do is let you have a day in Hell and a day in Heaven and then you can choose whichever one you want to spend an eternity in.”
“Actually, I think I’ve made up my mind, I prefer to stay in Heaven,” said the woman. “Sorry, we have rules.” And with that St. Peter put the executive in an elevator and it went down, down, down, to hell.
The doors opened and she found herself stepping out onto the putting green of a beautiful golf course. In the distance was a clubhouse and standing in front of her were all her friends – fellow executives that she had worked with and they were all dressed in evening gowns and cheering for her. They ran up and kissed her on both cheeks and they talked about old times. They played an excellent round of golf and at night went to the clubhouse where she enjoyed an excellent steak and lobster dinner.
She met the Devil who was actually a really nice guy (kinda cute, he always is) and she had a great time telling jokes and dancing. She was having such a good time that before she knew it, it was time to leave. Everybody shook her hand and waved goodbye as she got on the elevator. The elevator went up, up, up, and opened back up at the Gates of Heaven and she found St. Peter waiting for her.
“Now it’s time to spend a day in Heaven,” he said. So she spent the next 24 hours lounging around on clouds and playing the harp and singing. She had a great time and before she knew it her 24 hours were up and St. Peter came and got her. “So, you’ve spent a day in hell and you’ve spent a day in Heaven. Now you must choose your eternity,” he said.
The woman paused for a second and then replied, “Well, I never thought I’d say this, I mean, Heaven has been really great and all, but I think I had a better time in hell.” So St. Peter escorted her to the elevator and again she went down, down, down, back to hell. When the doors of the elevator opened she found herself standing in a desolate wasteland covered in garbage and filth. She saw her friends were dressed in rags and were picking up the garbage and putting it in sacks. The Devil came up to her and put his arm around her.
“I don’t understand,” stammered the woman, “yesterday I was here and there was a golf course and a clubhouse and we ate lobster and we danced and had a great time. Now all there is a wasteland of garbage and all my friends look miserable.”
The Devil looked at her and smiled. “Yesterday we were recruiting you, today … you’re staff.
The moral of this story is, the devil is always recruiting.
This week Genuflect reflects on the pains of hell; what we know about hell from Scripture, the Catechism, and visions from several Saints; “popular” sins today that will land us in hell; why Jesus descended into hell; and the power of the fear of hell.
So in addition to our efforts to get to Heaven, let’s also keep an eye out for the devil’s recruitment tactics.
Keep Believing-
Katy Barrilleaux
Founding Editor, Genuflect
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What Hell is
Some question how hell exists if God is all forgiving. Tim Staples makes the case for hell, based on Scripture and the Catechism of the Catholic Church. And if you’ve ever wondered if there are flames, if it’s for eternity, and if it’s a place, he answers these burning questions and more (see what I did there).
What is Hell? | Catholic Answers
Aquinas’ 4 Sections of Hell
According to Saint Thomas Aquinas, there are four sections to hell. Gehenna is the one we all know about where the damned suffer, and Purgatory is where some are purified before admittance to Heaven. But there are two more that you may not have ever heard of.
The Four Sections of Hell (St Thomas Aquinas) | Dr. Taylor Marshall
Why Hell Lasts Forever
Some Catholics may question if hell is real and lasts for eternity. Why wouldn’t our merciful God forgive those condemned to hell? Maurice Williams explains how he came to understand his misunderstanding of hell and just why it is in fact real and everlasting.
Why Hell Really Lasts Forever | Catholic Stand
4 Saints Vision of Hell
Though not as convincing as the Catechism of the Catholic Church, there are Saints who have shared with us their visions of hell. These private revelations of St. Frances of Rome, St. Faustina, Sister Josefa Menendez, and St. John Bosco provide an even more vivid reality of hell.
5 Thoughts on “The Reality of Hell” | Catholic Stand
These Sins Will Land You in Hell
Our culture has become accepting of some sins. And though they may be fashionable, God still considers them damnable. Here’s a reminder we could all use … 7 sins that are still serious.
7 Old-Fashioned Sins That Can Still Send You to Hell | ChurchPOP
Catholics Headed For Hell?
Contraception, abortion, pornography … these are just a few of the sins that have become “acceptable” today. So one might wonder if most Catholics in America are going to hell. Jimmy Akin explains the three conditions required for a mortal sin … and why the situation may not be as bleak as you think.
Are Most Catholics in America Going to Hell? | National Catholic Register
Why Did Christ Descend Into Hell?
In the Apostles Creed, we say, “… was crucified, died and was buried; He descended into hell; on the third day He rose again from the dead; …” Why would Jesus, who was without sin, go to hell? According to Philip Kosloski the Catechism of the Catholic Church makes it clear what that “hell” is and how we’ve altered the meaning of it in the English language.
Did Jesus Actually go to Hell to Save Souls? | Aleteia
Fear of Hell
It’s true the Lord works in mysterious ways. And sometimes, He uses fear. That’s what happened to Jeanette Macias, who came home to the church after reading Saints’ descriptions of hell.
How The Fear of Hell Made me Want to be Holy | Blessed is She
Suicide And Hell
The church’s teaching on suicide and hell has changed over the years as our understanding of mental illness has grown. Mike Hayes explains why we shouldn’t assume that someone who committed suicide is in hell. Pray for their souls!
Do People Who Commit Suicide go to Hell? | Busted Halo
Hellish Art
If you prefer visuals, take a look at this slideshow featuring 7 pieces of art depicting hell. You’ll see etchings, paintings, an illustration, a sculpture, and a mosaic with some dating back to the 17th Century.
Going Through Hell: Representations of Hell in Art | Aleteia
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