I have read that an estimated 110 billion people have lived on earth since the first humans appeared.
The population that are alive with today on earth is about 8 billion people. Perhaps around 7% of all the people who have ever been born on earth since the beginning, are living today. All the others died physically, as we all will.
Where are those who are perhaps 100 billion dead who lived before us? Where are they? Where did they go?
Your personal response is very important for one of you. You already have an opinion. Your response is what you are going to believe and teach your children and share with your partner. Your response will guide how you see the world, and how you present yourself daily. Your answer is extremely important to how you live in this life, and the future life. Will you live in this world as if you have a future life? Or will you simply live this life as if THIS is all there is? That is a choice we all make. It affects everything.
In the Gospel today, we hear the words of John the Baptist proclaiming the coming of the Messiah.
Therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit
will be cut down and thrown into the fire.
I am baptizing you with water, for repentance,
but the one who is coming after me is mightier than I.
I am not worthy to carry his sandals.
He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
His winnowing fan is in his hand.
He will clear his threshing floor
and gather his wheat into his barn,
but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”
John came preaching Repentance.
John the Baptist appeared, preaching in the desert of Judea
and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!”
John’s Baptism is not Christian baptism, but an outward symbol of personal repentance. But he speaks of the Messiah’s Baptism.
He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
John the Baptist speaks of the End of Time and the Final Judgement by the Messiah.
He will clear his threshing floor
and gather his wheat into his barn,
but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”
There will be a Final Judgment for all of us. Forever. There will be a Heaven. Jesus will come and judge,
and gather his wheat into his barn…
And there is a Hell, an eternal fire.
but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”
Unquenchable.
So, some of us will go to live with Jesus, gathered into his “barn” his dwelling with him. But some of us will go to Hell, to burn forever with unquenchable fire. These are the words of the Gospel.
As Isaiah said,
On that day, the root of Jesse,
set up as a signal for the nations,
the Gentiles shall seek out,
for his dwelling shall be glorious.
So, there are an estimated 110 billion of us whom God has created and given life. He didn’t create us to burn in Hell, but to live eternally with Him. He created us to love; to love Him. He created us with Free Will. We choose our destiny by the way we live our lives.
Which of us will live with Him eternally? Perhaps not all, but those of us who choose Him. It’s His choice. Jesus is the Judge. But ultimately, we have a role in that choice. John the Baptist presents us with that choice.
“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!”
Advent is a time of repentance. If you have not gone to Confession recently, then I strongly urge you to go to Confession. You should not go to Christmas if you have not lived Advent. The Church teaches us to go to Confession at least once per year, but more frequently is encouraged. I go to Confession once a month or once every two months. There is an incredible amount of Grace in the Sacrament of Confession for those who repent.
The Church also teaches us to pray more in Advent and give Alms. Be mindful of the poor.
There are three things we can do to be prepared to join Jesus in the Kingdom of God. First, don’t miss Mass. (Third commandment of the Ten Commandments). Second, receive Holy Communion every chance you get. (Jesus said, “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life in him. That is a promise, if you believe and repent.) And, Third; When you fall off the bicycle, and we all fall off the bicycle, … repent and go to Confession. God made you FREE. Repentance is a choice, not an emotion. Repent.