Thought for the Day – 22 April – During this Season of Alleluias and Joy, we will consider Fr von Cochem’s Reflections upon our Heavenly Homeland.
Excerpts from THE FOUR LAST THINGS —- DEATH, JUDGMENT, HELL and HEAVEN
FR MARTIN VON COCHEM (1625-1712) OSFC .
Nihil Obstat: Thomas L Kinkead, Censor Liborium
Imprimatur: Michael Augustine — Archbishop of New York (New York 5 Oct 1899)
PART IV
ON HEAVEN
IV:2 On the Number of the Saved
Now because Christ knew that these words of His would be misinterpreted and understood in a false sense by both believers and unbelievers, on another occasion He accentuated and emphasised what He had already said concerning the small number of the Elect.
For when one of the disciples asked Him: “Lord, are they few who shall be saved?”
He answered and said: “Strive to enter by the narrow gate; for I say unto you, many shall seek to enter and shall not be able” (Luke xiii. 24).
Listen to the Words of the Divine Teacher. He bids us strive, take trouble, make use of all our powers, in order to enter unto the narrow gate.
And what is still more calculated to appal, He adds that many shall seek to enter and shall not be able!
If those who desire and endeavour to enter the Kingdom of Heaven, fail to do so, what will become of those who lead a careless, perhaps an Godless life and manifest no zeal, no interest in what concerns their eternal salvation?
We have already heard Christ declare 3 times, the number of the Elect is small; that in proportion to the great mass of mankind only a few will be saved.
And because He was aware that we should not take this weighty truth to heart, as we ought,, He reiterates it in yet more explicit language.
After He had told a rich man who came to Him, to leave all his possessions and follow Him and the man had gone away sorrowful, He said, addressing His disciples: “How hardly shall they who have riches enter into the Kingdom of God!?
And the disciples were astonished at His words.
But Jesus again answering saith: Children, how hard it is for them who trust in riches to enter into the Kingdom of God. It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into the Kingdom of God. Then the disciples wondered the more, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved?
And Jesus looking on them saith: With men it is impossible but not with God; for all things are possible unto God” (Mark x. 23-27).
Truly these words, coming from the lips of our Divine Master, are enough to inspire us with profound alarm; they are almost enough to cause us to despair.
For they expressly tell us that the work of our salvation is a work of immense difficulty, an almost miraculous achievement and it is well-nigh impossible for poor humanity to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.
It is in reality, as much of a miracle for a man to escape everlasting perdition and to attain eternal felicity, as it would be for one man, single-handed, to vanquish and put to flight, a whole army.
For all the powers of Hell are leagued, together with the wicked world, against us; all the powers of Hell put their forces in array in order to conquer and enslave everyone of us mortals.
And with the awful powers of darkness, the evil, crafty world makes common cause and the concupiscences of the flesh, do the same, for the purpose of completing our ruin!
AnaStpaul 