Ask Father Hardon
Catholic Faith
Vol. 3 - #3, May / Jun 1997
by Fr. John A. Hardon, S.J.
Q. When we are judged by Our Lord after our death, must we account for every thought, word, or action of our lives? —M.Y., Ontario
A. Yes, we shall account for every thought, word, and action of our
lives. However, the word “judgement” can be misleading. God’s judgement
covers both the good and the bad deeds of our lives. We shall be rewarded
for our good deeds. Moreover, we shall also be rewarded for our repentance
of the sinful deeds we had committed. Three possibilities exist. Assuming
that we are in the state of God’s grace, we shall either immediately enter
heaven, or spend some time in purgatory to expiate the temporal punishment
that may still be due for our sins. Please God, we shall not suffer what
St. John calls “the second death” of eternal separation from our Lord.
Q. Is it right to say that, “Belief in a caring God is more important than the church we belong to or squabbles about doctrine?” —D.P.K., North Carolina
A. It is a mistake to separate “belief in a caring God” from “the church we belong to or
squabbles about doctrine.” Belief in a caring God depends on the church we belong to and
the doctrine we believe. The Catholic Church is the universal Sacrament of Salvation. No
one is saved except through the graces which God confers through the Catholic Church. To
speak of squabbling about doctrine, is the language of those who do not realize that we are to
serve God first of all with our minds. We must believe what God has revealed. We must
accept with our minds everything which He has told us is true. The first condition for
salvation is faith which is the humble submission of our intellects to God's revealed truth. In
the closing chapter of St. Mark's gospel, Christ commanded His apostles to, “Go into the
whole world and preach the Gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized shall
be saved, but he who does not believe shall be condemned” (Mk 16:15-16). On these
submission to God's revealed truth is a condition for salvation.
Q. Though the Church no longer requires women to wear a head covering in church, would it not be a commendable act for women to do so as St. Paul advises? —L.B., Tennessee
A. In answer to the question, it is highly commendable for women
to have their heads covered in church. I asked a devout Catholic woman why
she has her head covered in church. Every word of the following statement
is quoted verbatim from her answer. She said: “The first reason I cover my
head in church is to show reverence for the second person of the Blessed Trinity
who became man so that He could humble Himself to accept death, even death
on a cross, out of love for me, a sinful person. The second reason I cover
my head in His true presence is to make reparation to Him for the many sisters
who have made vows to be His bride and now are walking around like proud Eves
instead of humble Marys. They no longer wear their sign of humble submission
to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. The third reason is to remind myself
and others that Jesus Christ is truly present Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity
here in the tabernacle, and that we should act with the greatest reverence
toward the God who became man for us to suffer and die in our place, that
we may one day enter into eternal happiness with the Father, the Son, and
the Holy Spirit.”
Catholic Faith
Vol. 3 - #3, May / Jun 1997
Copyright © 1997 by Inter Mirifica
No reproductions shall be made without prior written permission
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