I am reminded of the story told by a professor while I attended seminary. He asked the hypothetical question, if we seminarians believed that God would exclude from heaven those who, whatever their faith, in their actions displayed an uncommon generosity of self towards their neighbor the specific hypothetical was “Suppose that some soldiers are all sharing a foxhole against bombs and an enemy throw a grenade into the foxhole imperiling all of their lives. In the foxhole are two devout Catholics, two practicing Orthodox Jews and two Protestants who are active in their faith and regular attendees at services in their Church.
There is also another person who is an avowed atheist. When the grenade enters the foxhole, the first person to sacrifice his life in order to save the others is the atheist, the one who does not yet believe in God. The question put to the aspiring priests was “Does this man’s professed beliefs deny him God’s mercy or do his actions allow us to believe that God will be merciful to him. In other words, where does this man go at death — to heaven or to hell?”
The answer was that the man’s actions would certainly entitle him to God’s mercy. Those of us who believe have the privilege of developing a relationship with God, yet we were warned our actions must portray this relationship.
Of course, as outlined and emphasized in the second reading of the 24th Sunday of Ordinary Time, faith and works go together. We betray what we believe in our actions. In the Gospel for the same Sunday, Jesus asks us each, “Who do YOU say that I am?”
We are further exhorted to remove causes of sin in our lives. This, too, will allow our faith and actions to become one. We are exhorted to seek to serve all regardless of recognition. There is a theme to these last Sunday’s gospels, namely to develop an integrity of heart between what we say we say we believe and what we actually do.
In this Sunday’s readings, we are shown a demonstration of God’s mercy towards all and specifically towards us. He is asked if a person who sins, even though they try to spread God’s word in what they say and do, will be deprived of heaven.
Jesus answers with his characteristic gentleness. But I have observed so often in life, kindness does not equate to weakness, especially with God. He adds that if our actions are not consistent with our faith, or if we deprive others seeking our gain, not only will we not taste heaven but will be thrown into Gehenna, (another way of saying “Hell”).
We are offered a crossroads - choose God, generosity and concern of our neighbors, and salvation OR choose earthly pleasure, selfishness, and eternal damnation. We make this choice by each and every one of our actions in life. Let us remember that God does judge the integrity of our actions and the disposition of our hearts. Let us endeavor to possess and improve an integrity of heart and action before God. Choose God’s ways!
Fr. Mike
