Discerning Hearts - Catholic Podcasts

Discerning Hearts - Catholic Podcasts


Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales audio mp3 edition - Chapter 14 The Sixth Meditation

January 24, 2013

Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales audio mp3 edition – Chapter 14 The Sixth Meditation



On Judgment.

Preparation.
1. PLACE yourself in the Presence of God.
2. Intreat Him to inspire you.

Considerations.
1. When the time comes which God has appointed for the end of this world, and after many terrible signs and warnings, which will overwhelm men with fear,—the whole earth will be destroyed, and nothing then left.
2. Afterwards, all men, save those already risen, shall rise from the dead, and at the voice of the Archangel appear in the valley of Jehoshaphat. But alas, with what divers aspects! for some will be glorious and shining, others horrible and ghastly.
3. Consider the majesty with which the Sovereign Judge will appear surrounded by all His Saints and Angels; His Cross, the Sign of Grace to the good and of terror to the evil, shining brighter than the sun.
4. This Sovereign Judge will with His awful word, instantly fulfilled, separate the evil and the good, setting the one on His Right Hand, the other on His Left—an eternal separation, for they will never meet again.
5. This separation made, the books of conscience will be opened, and all men will behold the malice of the wicked, and how they have contemned God; as also the penitence of the good, and the results of the grace they received. Nothing will be hid. O my God, what confusion to the one, what rejoicing to the other! Consider the final sentence of the wicked. “Depart from Me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.†Dwell upon these awful words. “Go,†He says—for ever discarding these wretched sinners, banishing them for ever from His Presence. He calls them “cursed:†O my soul, what a curse: a curse involving all other maledictions, all possible evil, an irrevocable curse, including all time and eternity; condemning them to everlasting fire. Think what that eternity of suffering implies.
6. Then consider the sentence of the good. “Come,†the Judge says—O blessed loving word with which God draws us to Himself and receives us in His Bosom. “Blessed of My Fatherâ€â€”O blessing above all blessings! “inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the beginning of the world.†O my God, and that Kingdom will know no end!