From The Bishop

There seems to be a growing number of people today who believe that when we die we will automatically go to heaven. God wants all of us to be saved; however, it is not automatic. Universalism is the belief that since God wills that all should be saved everyone will automatically go to heaven and no one will go to hell. What this teaching fails to consider is that God also gave us the freedom to reject salvation; we have a free will. Universalism undermines spiritual perfection and personal holiness. If everyone is going to be saved then there is no need to avoid sin, lead a virtuous life or be open to God's grace. If everyone is going to be saved then why work at personal holiness? The Readings of the Third Sunday of Lent help to explain why universalism is wrong and contrary to the teachings of Jesus Christ. In the Second Reading St. Paul tells the Corinthians that during their sojourn in the desert the Israelites suffered because of their many sins. Jesus makes this same connection in the Gospel of St. Luke. He speaks of the Galileans who suffered because of their sins. Jesus says: “but unless you repent, you will all perish just as they did.” In a parable, Jesus goes on to say that our sin makes us spiritually barren; this can lead to our destruction. He states: “See here! For three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree and still I have found none. Cut it down! Why should it be wasting the soil?” We see that our salvation is not guaranteed; we need to work at “bearing fruit”. Jesus provides us with all the pruning and fertilizer that we require; all we need to do is allow God's grace to work in us. One of the greatest ways that this can happen is in the celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Next Saturday, March 5, this sacrament will be available in all parishes throughout the diocese. In this Jubilee Year of Mercy, I invite you to come to confession; acknowledge your sin and open your hearts to the “Divine Gardener”. Make the effort; work at your salvation.