“If we had no care for the dead, we would not be in the habit of praying for them.” –St. Augustine
Image Courtesy: St. Paul Street Evangelization
The Destiny of the Righteous
The souls of the righteous are in the hands of God and no torment will ever touch them. In the
eyes of the foolish they seemed to have died and their departure was thought to be a disaster
and their going from us to be their destruction but they are at peace. For though in the sight of
others they were punished their hope is full of immortality. Having been disciplined a little,
they will receive great good because God tested them and found them worthy of Himself. Like
gold in the furnace He tried them and like a sacrificial burnt offering He accepted them. In the
time of their visitation they will shine forth and will run like sparks through the stubble. They
will govern nations and rule over peoples and the Lord will reign over them forever. Those who
trust in Him will understand truth and the faithful will abide with Him in love because grace
and mercy are upon the Holy ones and He watches over His elect.
The Destiny of the Ungodly
The ungodly will be punished as their reasoning deserves, those who disregarded the righteous
and rebelled against the Lord. For those who despise wisdom and instruction are miserable.
Their hope is vain, their labors are unprofitable and their works are useless. Their wives are
foolish and their children evil, their offspring are accursed.
On Childlessness
For blessed is the barren woman who is undefiled, who has not entered into a sinful union; She
will have fruit when God examines souls. Blessed also is the eunuch whose hands have done no
lawless deed and who has not devised wicked things against the Lord; For special favor will be
shown him for his faithfulness and a place of grat delight in the Temple of the Lord. For the
fruit of good labors is renowned and the root of understanding does not fail but children of
adulterers will not come to maturity and the offspring of an unlawful union will perish. Even if
they live long they will be held of no account and finally their old age will be without honor. If
they die young, they will have no hope and no consolation on the day of judgment. For the end
of an unrighteous generation is grievous. –Wisdom 3:1-19
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