christian – Self-help For Your Success

What happens to the “bad and the ugly” in the afterlife?

Gerry McCann — Wed, 20 Mar 2019 19:52:15 +0000

Where does the road end for the “bad and the ugly”?

Bad and Ugly?

Much like the classic 1966 Spaghetti Western movie, starring Clint Eastwood, “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly,” we automatically judge people.

We separate them into “us and them,” the “good guys” and the “bad guys.” Why would we judge people like that? Well, we look at the evidence, and it seems the obvious conclusion.

Every day we read of cold-blooded murder, violence, people causing hurt, pain, death and destruction.

Very often such people get away with it. They don’t get caught and punished. It’s at moments like that we cry to God. “Why?”

It seems the good guys often suffer, while the bad guys often seem to prosper.

“Life’s not fair,” we complain.

“They won’t get away with it for ever,” says the religious person. “God will eventually make sure they pay for it. If not in this life, then in the afterlife.”

So, what exactly will happen in the afterlife?

Many mainstream religions teach eternal punishment, “Hell-Fire”. In the Bible, Jesus teaches “good guys” and “bad guys,”the “sheep” and “goats.”

The “sheep” go to Heaven, the “goats” go to the eternal Flames. God’s “Final answer.”

Some theological thinking

I must confess, as a lifelong Catholic Christian, retired priest, monk and theologian, I believed all that.

Now I simply can’t believe that God’s like that. At all!

Why not?

Jesus gave us the “Our Father.” God’s not an almighty tyrant, He’s our infinitely loving Father. The Bible tells us that God always brings home “the lost sheep.” God never abandons the “prodigal son.”

Many theologians now understand that “Hell-Fire” is a metaphor for the often extremely painful cleansing process we undergo after death. Such cleansing is not a “punishment;” rather it’s what we ourselves will want when we finally, and fully, recognise the bad things we’ve done here on earth

If God really is our father, there’s no way He could send His own children to Hell-Fire, understood in the literal, traditional sense.

Would any loving human father, with even an ounce of love in his heart, send his own child to an eternity of relentless suffering? Even to say it sounds crazy.

Can any father stop loving his own child? Think about it.

A father’s awesome love

The child does wrong. The father’s automatic response would surely be “I don’t care what he’s done, he’s my child, and I still love him.”

So, does that mean the father’s indifferent to his child’s evil? Not at all. No doubt he would want to make up for the evil done, in every way possible.

But, and this is the point, that doesn’t mean he would want unending suffering for his own child.

Surely an infinitely wise God must have a way of sorting things out; a way that doesn’t demand infinite suffering as a punishment!

Even in traditional, hard-line Catholic terms, we have a way out of this dilemma. Even in fallible human law, we say that the punishment should fit the crime. Surely the sinner could stay in Purgatory, long enough to be cleansed, and ready for Heaven?

Is not an infinitely loving Father God also wise enough to find a way to bring us all to love, reconciliation, justice and peace?

Some suggestions for our love

Where does all this leave us, in this world full of suffering and pain?

First, don’t add to the pain. Do good, as much as you can. Just love, give, serve, and accept everyone as brothers and sisters.

Let’s leave any judgement to God, our Loving Father, confident that He alone can make all things right in the end. The lost sheep goes home, the prodigal son eventually gets to the banquet.

Peace and love to you and yours.

Gerry McCann

@themerry_monk

If you found this post helpful, then please feel free to share it.

Quote of the Week 42: From dreams to reality, words to action

Gerry McCann — Fri, 05 Oct 2018 13:25:23 +0000

All success, all human achievement, all human progress depend on one very simple process: from words to action. This principle is enshrined in countless sayings. For example:

“Actions speak louder than words”

“Words are cheap, action is what counts”

“Promises, promises, broken promises politics”

“Walk your talk.”

We’ve all heard of these well-known sayings. The message is the same: just do what you say you’ll do. Let’s take a few well-known examples.

Very often we see the Nations of the world agreeing Peace agreements: inspiring words. Unfortunately the peace often collapses, as the agreed actions simply don’t happen.

We witness the same contradiction in many committee meetings. There is much talk, and endless discussions, but few decisions.

Or take the example of religion. Why are there so many people put off religion? If we ask them, we discover that hypocrisy is one of the biggest criticisms. Religious Hypocrisy: saying one thing, but doing another.

“They go to church every Sunday, and think that makes them good Christians. Well, I know many of them, and they don’t live like Christians at all.”

Yet again, fine words spoken to God on Sunday, but not actually carried out in the rest of the week.

Another deeply personal example: Christian priests! I feel ashamed to admit that I’m a retired Catholic priest. The Church I love has been crucified by pedophile priests. The very ones, who should live out their beliefs and words, have wallowed in the mud of sin. But that’s not the half of it!

What is ten times worse: the cover-up by Church authorities. Finally compelled to own up to their abominable actions, they have made all kinds of promises.

Again we are forced to ask: will the Church follow up on their fine words? Many feel there has been very little real action so far. We witness rampant hypocrisy: yet again, fine words, but horrible actions, cover-up, authorities in denial.

Jesus’ harshest criticisms were for hypocrites. He detested hypocrisy, This is what we read in Matthew 23:27-28:

“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous, but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.”

Another text: “Not everyone who says Lord, Lord, will enter Heaven, but he who does the Will of My Father.”

We read in Mark 7:6: Jesus replied, Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written: These people honour me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.

Yes, action is what counts, not just promises, nice words and a heart full of hypocrisy.

As John Maxwell says in today’s quote: “Actions are remembered long after words are forgotten.”

Gerry McCann

@themerry_monk

What’s your own experience? Perhaps you’d care to leave a comment below. Thank you.

Quote of the week 41: Both God and Self-help are needed: Divine teamwork!

Gerry McCann — Fri, 28 Sep 2018 11:48:40 +0000

Can we expect God to do it all? Or, does He need our freely given co-operation?

This question has traditionally divided some Christians. Some see God as doing it all. All you need is Faith. Just believe and ask. “Ask and you shall receive. . .”

Others say that “God helps those who help themselves.” James warns us that “faith without good works is dead.” This week’s quote suggests that God’s guidance happens only with our willing co-operation and collaboration.

So, where does that leave us? Who’s right? Is it Faith alone? Or Faith expressed in Good Works?

Let’s take an example. Your mother has a heart attack, and is seriously ill. “Please God, don’t let her die! Not now! Not yet!” We plead with God, over and over again. The whole family is in tears.

That’s a brilliant response, exactly what we should do as Christians. But, is that all? Just sit and wait for God to get on with it? Perhaps not.

But if not, then where does that leave us? What else is needed? If prayer’s not enough, then what? In our example, we would immediately call the emergency ambulance. I’m sure there’s not a single religious person in the world who wouldn’t also call the ambulance.

What’s that saying? To me, the answer is quite clear: God expects us to co-operate and collaborate with Him. Do everything humanly possible. God’s given us brains, intelligence, creativity; and He fully expects us to use them, lovingly and wisely.

God rejoices in those He has called into the medical profession, those who dedicate their life to serving the sick and dying. Would anyone dare suggest that they are acting against God, denying faith, leaving God out of the picture?

Experience teaches us clearly the ordinary way for healing to happen. We are called by God to apply everything we know that helps to cure people. Of course, miracles do happen. However, they tend to be extraordinary Divine interventions, where God steps in and heals the sick person.

Both are needed. “FAITH” in God, and the “GOOD WORKS” of the medical profession. There’s no need to become stuck in an “either/or” conundrum. We don’t have to choose between two competing remedies. Both are needed.

I once heard it expressed this way: “Believe, as if everything depended on God; and work, as if everything depended on you.”

So, let’s sum it all up:

Yes, of course God will “guide your footsteps”, but don’t just stand there!

Gerry McCann

@themerry_monk

What’s your own healing experience ? Perhaps you’d care to leave a comment below. Thank you.

Quote of the Week 32: How to banish hatred and live happy

Gerry McCann — Fri, 27 Jul 2018 07:50:34 +0000

“I hate you!” Have you ever had someone say that to you? How did it make you feel? I’m sure it stirred up negative feelings: “how dare you, you . . . . “. I’m sure every single one of us would react in the same way. Our immediate, spontaneous, automatic reaction would be hit back at this person.

We wouldn’t even think we were doing anything wrong. Thoughts of revenge, getting our own back, would fill our mind. Our mind would shout to us: “He deserves to be told off. He’s being horrible, and needs to be challenged.”

Most of us are brought up in a culture of self-defence. That’s why we spend trillions on weapons of self-defence as a nation. As kids, we taught to “stand up to the bullies.” We’re taught to be strong and decisive when facing unjustified negativity from anyone else. Many States justify carrying weapons of self-defence.

We are told that hatred is evil, and we must stand up to it wherever and whenever we encounter it. But there just maybe a better way: return love for hatred!

Many religions teach this. In our quote this week, we have Buddha’s take on the issue. A Christian need think no further than the words of Jesus, spoken as He hung on the cross, dying in excruciating agony.

He said “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”

Perhaps most of us are at a low level of human growth and development: still novices in the great game of life, death and eternity. Every single religion on the planet, every decent atheist, agree that Love is the greatest of human values.

There is no greater height to which love can soar, than to love and forgive enemies. Perhaps only a tiny percentage have achieved these heights of love. Such a person genuinely loves the enemy, the person who hates them.

They want to help them move onwards and upwards from hatred. They know that only by returning love for hatred can they begin to chip away at their armour of hatred and rejection.

Human history is filled with people of such great love. Most of us struggle along the lowlands of life, unable to reach the dizzy heights of the rugged mountain path of awesome love.

Maybe we can begin this love journey anew. Try every possible strategy we know, to move on: from revenge and hatred, to love and forgiveness.

Where are you on this love journey? Where do you want to be? What’s your take on this issue?

Do you agree with the Buddha that love is “the eternal rule”?

Gerry McCann

@themerry_monk

P.S. How has life challenged you in love/hate? If you like, please let us know by leaving a comment.

Quote of the week 15: Forgiveness is never easy; yet essential for peace

Gerry McCann — Sat, 11 Nov 2017 13:33:41 +0000

Is making peace enough?

We saw, in Quote of the week 7, that one way to deal with someone’s aggression towards you is to be a peacemaker. Let’s see a small family example:

Wife: “Stop shouting. I’ve had enough arguing and having a go at each other. I can’t stand it any more. Let’s stop fighting and just move on.”

Husband: “Yeah, you’re right. Does it really matter who’s right and who’s wrong? Let’s just get on with our life.”

What do you think? Good idea, isn’t it? They’ve focused on a positive outcome that they both want and appreciate. Peace has been restored.

However, that’s maybe as far as it goes. It’s a shallow peace. No-one’s actually admitted to being in the wrong, and neither feels the need for forgiveness. Forgiveness is not even mentioned.

Why forgiveness still helps

So, why might they need the further step of forgiveness? After all, peace is restored. The fight’s over. Why not just leave well alone . . . and “move on?”

One reason might be that such a shallow peace alone is not enough. Why? Because the problem is that the solution is only half-baked. True, it’s better than nothing. But what’s left undone could still fester on, and come up again later.

After all, nothing’s really been resolved. The reason for the fight has been avoided: deliberately left hanging. It’s not gone away!

The whole thing could blow up again, the next time they have a disagreement. They’re tempted to think back to the previous occasion.

They latch on to the fact that the other person never actually admitted being in the wrong. They still blame the other person. They probably still felt deep inside that the pain hasn’t really gone away. The wound was never healed.

Forgiveness: a deeper peace

Forgiveness takes peacemaking to a whole new level. Forgiveness creates a profound inner peace of mind.

Forgiveness heals deep down. It restores a deeper, more authentic peace. It makes friends of enemies. It destroys the “blame game.” Husband and wife smile, kiss and make up, they feel good inside at a much deeper level.

As they say, “To err is human, to forgive is Divine.”

Gerry McCann

@themerry_monk

P.S Feel free to share this Quote with a friend.

Becoming Me: a story of creation

Susan McCann — Tue, 26 Sep 2017 12:51:09 +0000

"Daring? Yes. Presumptuous? No. There is a humility and simplicity--and just enough mischief--in the writing that makes it somehow plausible that the person of God has written this ..., describing the enormous complexity of creation in terms of self-discovery. Profound fun for all ages ..." (Napra Review)

Quote of the week 13: Your Healthy Mindset: Time “to smell the flowers”

Gerry McCann — Fri, 30 Jun 2017 16:50:12 +0000

How beautiful it is to do nothing, and then to rest afterward – Spanish Proverb

I turned 80 recently. My wife and had I spent weeks, trying to decide where to go, and what exciting things to do, in order to celebrate and enjoy yet another memorable milestone in my life.

In the end I decided on a simple, peaceful and profoundly moving experience. Looking at trees.

Visiting the grounds of an ancient Castle situated a short drive away from our home in Kent, UK. We sat on an old wooden bench for quite a while, gazing up at the panorama of old trees all around us, filling our field of vision. The sun was shining, the birds were chirping gloriously. A tiny robin darted in and out, all around us and sat by my feet, almost like a messenger of peace.

Slowly ambling around, taking in the trees, the flowers, the formal gardens, the fields, the ancient stone walls. Feeding our minds, bodies and spirits with the joy of just doing nothing.

Taking time out to just enjoy life. Feeling gratitude for nature in all her beauty, being grateful for just being alive. We even treated ourselves to a rare ice-cream.

I was reminded of an old poem that has always been a favourite of mine, written in 1911 by W.H.Davies, the Welsh poet.

I often meditate on his opening lines “What is this life if, full of care, we have no time to stand and stare?”

In our mad, frenetic modern world, full of haste, violence and stress, perhaps too few of us stop and meditate on the awesome beauty and wonder of nature all around us. For me personally, especially as a retired Christian Monk, I see heaven, I see God in every blade of grass, each perfect leaf of a tree.

Countless people suffer stressed-out lives. I have also known the sting of stress. Opening our eyes and ears to the beauty of nature all around us, helps us to slow down, take notice of the present moment and gain a little perspective. Trees radiate peace, not manic rush and stress.

Learn from the trees to pause and meditate. Ask yourself the poet’s question “What is this life?”

May I wish you lots of love and peace in your life?

Gerry McCann

@themerry_monk

P.S. I’d love to learn how you find peace; please share your comments with the rest of us.

P.P.S Feel free to share this Quote with a friend.

Christian Meditation 23: Let Go, and Let God

Gerry McCann — Sun, 16 Oct 2016 07:30:41 +0000

Hi there. Welcome to our Christian Meditation.

In this podcast we focus on the power of the Holy Spirit in your life.

Our Bible text for this meditation is Acts 1:8

“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you.”

Peace and blessings to you and your loved-ones.

Rev. Gerry McCann

christian – Self-help For Your Success

What happens to the “bad and the ugly” in the afterlife?

Where does the road end for the “bad and the ugly”?

Bad and Ugly?

So, what exactly will happen in the afterlife?

Some theological thinking

A father’s awesome love

Some suggestions for our love

Quote of the Week 42: From dreams to reality, words to action

Quote of the week 41: Both God and Self-help are needed: Divine teamwork!

Quote of the Week 32: How to banish hatred and live happy

Quote of the week 15: Forgiveness is never easy; yet essential for peace

Is making peace enough?

Why forgiveness still helps

Forgiveness: a deeper peace

Becoming Me: a story of creation

Quote of the week 13: Your Healthy Mindset: Time “to smell the flowers”

Christian Meditation 23: Let Go, and Let God

Christian Meditation 22: God Has Infinite Love for all His Children

Christian Meditation 21: Love is the Meaning of Life

Christian Meditation 20: Our Glorious Future in Heaven for all Eternity

Christian Meditation 19: The Mystery of Pain in our Life

Christian Meditation 18: Lord, That I Might See!

Christian Meditation 17: Sinners Welcome at My Table

Christian Meditation 16: Healing and Forgiveness of Sins

Christian Meditation 15: Holiness, the Perfect Will of God

Christian Meditation 14: The Golden Rule of Love

Christian Meditation 13: Walking With God

Christian Meditation 12: You Must Avoid This At All Costs

Christian Meditation 11: Your True Treasure

Christian Meditation 10: Jesus Shows Us Awesome Love

Christian Meditation 9: Forgiveness, Your Call to Holiness

Christian Meditation 8: A Heart in the Right Place

Christian Meditation 7: A Community of Love and Service

Christian Meditation 6: Mercy Reveals a Compassionate Heart