Perhaps one of the most devastating thoughts that must have haunted Christ during His agony in the garden was that of those for whom His passion would bear no fruit.
These are those of us who have refused to enter through the “narrow gate” that leads to life everlasting and instead are among the “many” who have chosen the “wide gate” that leads to “perdition” (Matthew 7:13).
These are those who have hardened their hearts in sin and for whom Jesus’ words, “Go and sin no more” have no meaning whatsoever.
In His teachings the Lord often referred to the eternal punishment that would befall us unless we change our ways and throw ourselves upon His mercy.
The realisation of one’s sinfulness and the incessant need of God’s help are constantly in the mind of those for whom the salvation of one’s soul is para-mount.
Sadly, by the sole and constant reference to Christ’s love and mercy, and the wilful omission of the fact that in our meeting with Him He will be a judge to whom we have to give account of everything, we have become inured to the fact that we can indeed lose our soul – and this for all eternity.
We often mistakenly believe that the breaking of God’s laws will surely lead us to a happy and fulfilled life. It is not so. In our innermost soul, in moments of solitude, away from the crowd, we feel the uneasiness and emptiness that inevitably comes from being cut off from God. We unsuccessfully try to shrug this off as being il mal di vivere which naturally accompanies men and women throughout their life.
Sin, moreover, affects not only those who commit it, but also those around us, and even society as a whole. Thus, arrogance and greed have led to the present economic and financial crisis, causing misery to millions all over the world. An adulterous relationship inflicts pain on the innocent spouse and children concerned. Slander, calumny and malicious gossip, especially in the media, are a constant threat to the serenity and mental well-being of many.
The believer, among many trials and sufferings, is fully conscious that ours is a journey towards eternity and joyfully remembers St Paul’s words to the Corinthians 2-9 “What no eye has seen, no ear heard, nor the heart of man conceived, what God has prepared for those who love Him”.