39 St. Aloysius Gonzaga and The Final Judgment

In today’s episode we’ll speak about the Second Coming of the Lord and the Final Judgment, drawing an example from the life of St. Aloysius Gonzaga.

Before Ascending into Heaven, the Lord promised his Apostles (and us through them) two things: First, that He would not leave them alone; and second, that He would return one day with power, in a glorious way. He fulfilled the first promise by remaining with us in the Most Blessed Sacrament of the Altar (where he stays “substantially” present), and by sending the Holy Spirit on the whole Church in Pentecost. He will fulfill the second promise at the end of times, at the end of the world.

At His Second Coming, the dead will rise, and Jesus will judge all humanity (Mt 25: 31-46). The Final Judgment will be a ratification of the particular judgment (which will happen at the end of our life), and it will take place at the sight of the whole world.

After these considerations, I discuss some spiritual attitudes that we should have when thinking about these things. I also look at a great example in the life of St. Aloysius Gonzaga, who lived from 1568 to 1591, and died as a result of a plague. May St. Aloysius Gonzaga be an example for all of us when facing the end of our own personal life!

- You can read the Catechism of the Catholic Church on the Second Coming and the Final Judgment, numbers 668-682.

- Fr. Patrick Wainwright is a priest of Miles Christi, a Catholic Religious Order.

- Miles Christi Religious Order website: https://www.mileschristi.org

- This Podcast’s Website: https://www.forcollegecatholics.org

- To learn about the Spiritual Exercises (silent weekend retreat) preached by the Priests of Miles Christi, visit: https://www.mileschristi.org/spiritual-exercises/

- Recorded at our Family Center in South Lyon, Michigan.

- Intro music from pond5.com