Jesus Christ shall come to judge the living and the dead BACKER, Jacob de The Last Judgement c. 1580 Oil on panel, 140 x 105 cm (centre panel), 140 x 52 cm (wings) O.-L. Vrouwekathedraal, Antwerp Jesus Christ shall come to judge the living and the dead 16 ©Fr. Mark Emman H. Sese

Compendium of the Catechism 133. How does the Lord Jesus now reign? 668-674 680 As the Lord of the cosmos and of history, the Head of his Church, the glorified Christ mysteriously remains on earth where his kingdom is already present in seed and in its beginning in the Church. One day he will return in glory but we do not know the time. Because of this we live in watchful anticipation, praying “Come, Lord” (Revelation 22:20).

Introduction When Christ “comes in His glory, escorted by all the angels, all nations will be assembled before Him and He will separate people one from another as the shepherd separates sheep from goats. He will place the sheep on His right hand and the goats on His left;… these will go away to eternal punishment, and the upright to eternal life.” (Mathew 25, 31.32.46). When we recite the Creed, we say: “I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. On the third day He rose again. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead”. In previous lessons we have studied the mysteries of the Incarnation and Redemption; we are now going to look at the second coming of the Lord “to judge the living and the dead”. When Christ “comes in His glory, escorted by all the angels, all nations will be assembled before Him and He will separate people one from another as the shepherd separates sheep from goats. He will place the sheep on His right hand and the goats on His left;… these will go away to eternal punishment, and the upright to eternal life.” (Matthew 25, 31.32.46). CAVALLINI, Pietro The Last Judgement (detail) 1290s Fresco Santa Cecilia in Trastevere, Rome

Main ideas ©Fr. Mark Emman H. Sese

1. Particular judgment and final judgment Besides the particular judgment, which takes places immediately after death, the faith of the Church tells us that the whole of mankind will be judged when Christ comes again. This second judgment will take place in the presence of all men, at the end of time; that is why it is called final or universal judgment. Besides the particular judgment, which takes places immediately after death, the faith of the Church tells us that the whole of mankind will be judged when Christ comes again. This second judgment will take place in the presence of all men, at the end of time; that is why it is called final or universal judgment. FRANCKEN, Frans II The Last Judgement 1606 Oil on copper, 67 x 52 cm Private collection

2. Meaning of the final judgment The final judgment will not change the verdict given in the particular judgment; Divine Wisdom and Justice will be seen because the upright will be rewarded and the wicked condemned. This reward or condemnation will affect their souls as well as their bodies. The final judgment will reveal the definitive consequences of each one’s deeds and omissions –good or bad— during their life on earth. The final judgment will not change the verdict given in the particular judgment, but, through it, Divine Wisdom and Justice will be seen because the upright will be rewarded and the wicked condemned. This reward or condemnation will affect their souls as well as their bodies. Before Christ, who is the Truth, the truth of the relation of each man with God will finally be made clear. The final judgment will reveal the definitive consequences of each one’s deeds and omissions –good or bad— during their life on earth. POURBUS, Pieter Last Judgement 1551 Oil on oak panel, 228,5 x 181 cm Groeninge Museum, Bruges

3. The second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, as He told the Apostles, will come with great power and majesty, surrounded by all His angels, as the supreme judge. Then we will know the final meaning of the whole work of Creation and Redemption. Final judgment will show that Divine justice triumphs over all injustices committed by His creatures, and that God’s love is stronger than death. The final judgment will take place when Christ comes in His glory. Jesus Christ, as He told the Apostles, will come with great power and majesty, surrounded by all His angels, as the supreme judge. Only God the Father knows the day and the hour when it will take place: only He will decide His coming. Then, God the Father will pronounce His definitive word on the whole of history. Then we will know the final meaning of the whole work of Creation and Redemption. We will understand the marvellous ways by which Divine providence has guided everything to its end. Final judgment will show that Divine justice triumphs over all injustices committed by His creatures, and that God’s love is stronger than death. RUBENS, Pieter Pauwel The Last Judgement 1617 Oil on canvas, 606 x 460 cm Alte Pinakothek, Munich

4. The hope of “the new heavens and the new earth” At the end of time the Kingdom of God will come in all its fullness. The upright, glorified in body and soul, will triumph forever with Christ. And the material universe –the whole cosmos— will be transformed. This mysterious transformation of humanity and the world is called by Sacred Scripture “new heavens and new earth”. God will have His dwelling among men. At the end of time the Kingdom of God will come in all its fullness. The upright, glorified in body and soul, will triumph forever with Christ. And the material universe –the whole cosmos— will be transformed. This mysterious transformation of humanity and the world is called by Sacred Scripture “a new heaven and a new earth”. We do not know how it will be, but in this new universe, which St. John calls the New Jerusalem, God will have His dwelling among men. ‘He will wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there will be no more death, and no more mourning or sadness or pain. The world of the past has gone.' (Revelation 21:4) GRECO, El The Opening of the Fifth Seal (The Vision of St John) 1608-14 Oil on canvas, 222,3 x 193 cm Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

5. To prepare ourselves for the definite encounter with God Reflecting on these tremendous truths, the Second Vatican Council affirms: “Since however we know not the day nor the hour, on Our Lord's advice we must be constantly vigilant so that, having finished the course of our earthly life, we may merit to enter into the marriage feast with Him and to be numbered among the blessed and that we may not be ordered to go into eternal fire like the wicked and slothful servant, into the exterior darkness where "there will be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth" (cfr. Lumen Gentium, 48). Reflecting on these tremendous truths, the Second Vatican Council affirms: “Since however we know not the day nor the hour, on Our Lord's advice we must be constantly vigilant so that, having finished the course of our earthly life, we may merit to enter into the marriage feast with Him and to be numbered among the blessed and that we may not be ordered to go into eternal fire like the wicked and slothful servant, into the exterior darkness where "there will be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth" (cfr. Lumen Gentium, 48). ANGELICO, Fra Christ the Judge 1447 Fresco Chapel of San Brizio, Duomo, Orvieto

Resolutions for Christian life ©Fr. Mark Emman H. Sese

Resolutions to move forward Consider that all our actions will eventually be known to all men. Try to do everything with a right intention. Always be prepared to welcome Christ with an upright disposition.