Four Last Things

The Great Thought

DVRodriguez2023-12-08T16:58:46-05:00

For Christ to truly be King, He must reign in men's minds. This means man assents – with perfect submission and firm belief – to the doctrines taught by Christ and His Church. How terrible that many occupying high places in the Church are instead seeking to undermine His teachings. We instead must remain steadfast and faithful to the Great Truth. As an example, consider the Church's teachings on the Four Last Things. Review a 'Short Catechism on Eternity.' Heed the example of St. Anthony Mary Claret. And in all thy works, remember thy last end, and thou shall never sin [...]

The Great ThoughtDVRodriguez2023-12-08T16:58:46-05:00

The World Beyond

DVRodriguez2023-11-26T16:55:07-05:00

The Church's feasts at the end of the liturgical year lead us to contemplate the Four Last Things. The enemies of Christ mind earthly things but those who seek to follow Christ contemplate the world beyond us. Tell yourself often, "I am going to die and I will be judged." This judgment shall be rigorous; are you prepared? Man must perfectly submit his mind to the truths of Christ, which always flow from the truth about who God is. And man must live in accordance with truth. As an example, consider the Church's teaching on Purgatory. It must be true for [...]

The World BeyondDVRodriguez2023-11-26T16:55:07-05:00

The Harrowing of Hell

DVRodriguez2023-06-30T19:31:49-04:00

By way of comparison, Our Lord used his own 'Trojan Horse' strategy to strip hades (death) and satan of their spoils. He took a human nature and flesh from the Virgin's womb so that by dying He could pass through the gates of the netherworld. The 'Gospel' of Nicodemus, an ancient Christian text, piously narrates this tradition. We profess our faith in this truth every Sunday when we pray the Creed, "... He descended into hell."

The Harrowing of HellDVRodriguez2023-06-30T19:31:49-04:00

Everlasting Fire or Life

DVRodriguez2022-12-28T08:50:08-05:00

Prepare for a happy death, which is not the same as a painless death. To die as softly as one drops off asleep and awaking to find an angry Judge and an everlasting fire is not a happy death. St. Lawrence and St. Agnes had happy painful deaths. A happy death is one in the state of grace, for this — and this alone — means eternal salvation. The less debt one owes to God's justice, the happier one's death. Cease not to pray for the souls in Purgatory, that they may be worthy of God.

Everlasting Fire or LifeDVRodriguez2022-12-28T08:50:08-05:00

Remember Christian Soul This Day and Every Day

DVRodriguez2022-12-17T10:03:06-05:00

The three great feasts of Christ King, All Saints, & All Souls help us glorify God by recognizing the truth about God. We acknowledge Christ's Kingdom is an eternal and universal kingdom and reflect upon the Four Last Things (and Purgatory). Every person, not just Catholics, will be judged. The King will ask, 'Why did you not believe the Truth?' Read Matthew 25 in the context of Christ the King who will come to judge. We must be prepared for we know not when He comes.

Remember Christian Soul This Day and Every DayDVRodriguez2022-12-17T10:03:06-05:00

Christmas and the Judgment

DVRodriguez2022-11-30T06:02:25-05:00

The Coming of the Lord is the great Mystery with which the Church year begins (and ends). Why does Jesus come? [1] To save your soul. [2] To judge your soul. We must see it as something very personal – as “Jesus and You.” God is giving you this year to prepare for your death and judgement, that you may avoid hell and gain Heaven. Consider Christmas in the light of salvation and of faith – not in a worldly way. Recommendations for Advent include prayer (e.g. the Christmas Novena), penance, and especially detachment.

Christmas and the JudgmentDVRodriguez2022-11-30T06:02:25-05:00

Reflect upon Death and Hell

DVRodriguez2022-11-22T10:55:37-05:00

In all your works, remember your last end, and you will never sin. Frequently prepare yourself spiritually for death. Advent is a good time for this. Pray Psalm 50 (Miserere) and Psalm 129 (De Profundis). When dangerously sick, you must be well trained to make an immediate and proper preparation for death. It is extremely important for you to reflect upon hell. We shall see Christ Our King and Judge coming on the clouds with power and majesty – Be prepared!

Reflect upon Death and HellDVRodriguez2022-11-22T10:55:37-05:00

Population Control for the Dead

DVRodriguez2021-11-09T08:30:19-05:00

This is an ugly sermon, but the topic needs to be preached. The modern world immersed in a culture of death largely hates the body of man. This is seen in how we treat the remains of the deceased. Cremation is forbidden by traditional Catholic teaching. Yet even this desecration is insufficient. The environmentalist ideology, embraced by some prelates, now promotes the liquifying of human bodies or turning them into compost. The body effectively becomes a sacrificial offering to the diabolic earth goddess pachamama. It is truly Catholic to respect the human body in the womb and in the tomb.

Population Control for the DeadDVRodriguez2021-11-09T08:30:19-05:00

Death Penalty Promotes Culture of Life

DVRodriguez2021-10-31T07:21:06-04:00

October is respect life month. Many priests will rightly preach against abortion and euthanasia. But now some will speak against capital punishment. Their error largely stems from an 'enlightenment' rejection of the supernatural, from misunderstanding the nature of punishment, and even from rejecting the existence of hell. Capital punishment actually promotes the Culture of Life! A just execution is an act of obedience to the 5th Commandment, for its purpose is to foster and promote human life. The Church has always accept the use of the death penalty - in fact, it is biblical. This teaching can never be changed.

Death Penalty Promotes Culture of LifeDVRodriguez2021-10-31T07:21:06-04:00

The Harrowing of Hell

DVRodriguez2021-05-21T14:50:00-04:00

By His Incarnation and Death, Our Lord employed a 'Trojan horse' type strategy. In His human nature, Christ could suffer and die. Contending with Death, Christ descended into, and conquered, the netherworld. His spoils of victory were the holy souls from the Limbo of the Fathers. The traditional doctrine of Christ's 'descent into hell' is summarized by four main points. These dispel the blasphemous error, in vogue today, that Christ suffered fire and despair in hell, similar to the souls lost for all eternity.

The Harrowing of HellDVRodriguez2021-05-21T14:50:00-04:00