This morning I was on the bus.
And I looked up at one of the ads, and it read: "Wildfires...Are You Prepared? Reduce your risk by preparing now--Focus on Fire Safety".
I thought to myself, What if that ad was about Judgement Day? It would probably read something like this: "Judgement Day...Are You Prepared? Reduce your risk of eternal damnation--Focus on your salvation".
Or in keeping with the original ad, but a slight tweeking, what are the "wildfires" in today's society and culture? I know those are very general and broad terms, so rather, what are the wildfires in YOUR society and culture, or in your own personal life? The wildfires that are spreading, infecting things, burning down life, the good around you? What do you need to evacuate from?
Here is where I would readily shout, "SCHOOL!", but somehow, I don't think that would go over well.
But really, as Christian/Catholics, Judgement is not something that is to be feared, per se, despite my tongue-in-cheek parody ad. It's what we are waiting for. We are waiting for Christ to return. Afterall, that's why we spread the Gospel. But there is too much focus on fear. I don't think God wants us to love and follow Him because we are terrified of going to hell. Otherwise, we don't really mean it. Then it becomes "Ok, I'll follow your rules, but only because I'm scared of damnation, not because I love you and want to spend eternity with you". I obey my parents because I love them, not because I am scared of punishment.
But are we really prepared for Judgement Day? Do we even take time to think about what it really means? Now I say that it shouldn't all be about fear, and I mean that, but I also don't want to distract from the reality of hell and evil, too. Our God is a very loving and merciful God, but there ARE souls in hell. Does God send them there out of anger? No, I very much doubt that. I don't think God sends people to hell, people send themselves there. It sounds ridiculous, but some people really are so stubborn and thick that even when they die and realise hell and heaven are real, they still choose hell. Why, I don't know. I've never died and experienced these things, so I don't know what exactly goes on. But I do know that there are souls in hell, based on the Church approved Marian apparitions (Lourdes, Fatima, Kibeho, Guadeloupe, etc). Sometimes, in this age of "everything goes" and accepting almost everything, people don't want to think of punishment anymore, or the possibly of sin, doing something wrong and ending up in hell for it. And why should they? It's convenient, isn't it? I can live however I want with no worry of consequences, "As long as I am a good person and live a good life". Here's what is wrong with that statement: What you think is "living a good life and being a good person" may not be how God thinks you should be living your life. It's almost as if people can no longer fathom bad behaviour.
We live in a very dangerous time where everything is acceptable. Even murder is acceptable (abortion), and people trying to protect babies are deemed as closed minded monsters trying to corrupt the world. How does that even make sense? Someone cannot possibly believe that EVERYTHING is acceptable. That is impossible. And yet, I see many people on my own campus who are so scared of stepping on someone's toes, that they "accept" everyone. Newsflash: You can be against something in a non-agressive way". Just because you disapprove of someone's behaviour, does not mean you are not loving them. I have a lot of friends who do things and live certain ways that I don't approve of, that I even think COULD lead to their damnation someday. COULD. I'm not saying it will, but it COULD, because the things they are doing are bad for their soul, and not of God. But I still act lovingly toward them. I don't shout at them or make them feel like bad people. I am, however, honest about how I feel about certain issues, and why I think the way I do. Do I condemn them? Of course not, I'm not God. But I do recognise spiritually unhealthy behaviour.
Anyway. That's an awfully big thought stemming from a simple bus ad on fire safety. Keep safe from the fires of Hell. Be loving and understanding toward your neighbour, but it doesn't mean fundamental conservatism, or fundamental relativism.
Basically, just open your Bible, open your heart, and follow the example of Christ.
