Human interest in eternity

3 August 19940 Comments

The lecture revolves around the importance of a person being occupied with his eternity, and that this should be the first concern in his life above all worldly distractions. Eternity is the true goal, and everything else is vanity and will perish. The Church teaches the believer to examine himself daily, care for his salvation, and prepare himself for eternal life.

A spiritual call to care for eternity

His Holiness explains that many people are busy with worldly matters while forgetting their eternal salvation, just as Christ rebuked Martha for being “worried and troubled about many things.”
The true need is one: that a person cares for his existence in the Kingdom of God, and lives in the fellowship of the saints, working for the salvation of his soul.

The Church’s teaching about preparing for eternity

The Church reminds her children daily through the Agpeya prayers to think about the Day of Judgment, self-examination, and seeking mercy.
In the Prayer of Compline we stand before the Just Judge, and in Midnight Prayer we ask for tears like those given to the sinful woman.
These prayers plant in the heart the spirit of repentance and watchfulness.

Examples of the saints who cared for eternity

His Holiness mentions saints like St. Arsanius who said, “Grant me, O Lord, to begin, for until now I have not begun,” despite his great holiness.
King David, despite having many responsibilities, was occupied day and night with God’s commandments.
The devil provides many distractions so that man may forget his salvation, so perseverance is needed.

Purifying the soul as a path to the Kingdom

Whoever cares for his eternity purifies himself from sin, for even one sin may deprive him of salvation.
The Pope compares this to a cup of water spoiled by a single drop of ink, or sweets ruined by one germ.
Therefore the soul must be cleansed from all evil and from every appearance of evil so it may become “the sweet fragrance of Christ.”

The work of the Holy Spirit and readiness as wise virgins

The oil in the parable of the virgins symbolizes the work of the Holy Spirit.
Every believer must fill his vessels with the oil of grace by being a holy temple for the Holy Spirit.
St. Paul reached this spiritual depth and said: “I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.”

A person’s rank in eternity

It is not only important to enter the Kingdom, but to have a glorious rank according to one’s struggle and faithfulness.
In eternity each shines as a star, and each according to his spiritual growth.
Therefore one must not stop at repentance, but grow in holiness and reach the life of perfection.

Daily watchfulness and self-examination

The one who cares for his eternity examines himself honestly: what pleases God? What grieves Him?
St. Arsanius wept daily over his sins, and God blessed him.
Our earthly life is a period of testing, upon which our eternal destiny depends.

Readiness for meeting God

His Holiness warns against being preoccupied with material things, positions, and worldly desires because they all perish.
He gives the example of the rich man who forgot eternity and was lost.
True readiness is that a person can say: “I am ready, O Lord,” like Dr. George Lo who departed while declaring his readiness to meet the Virgin and the Lord.

Spiritual conclusion

Eternity is the most important thing in a person’s life, and the highest goal that should occupy his mind, heart, and time. The way to it is repentance, purification of the soul, living in the presence of God, and constant readiness for the day of meeting. Whoever desires eternal glory must strive, grow, and ask to have Christ living in him, with a heart always ready for the Kingdom.

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