Monday, March 10, 2014

The General Judgment.


The Catholic Church teaches that there are two types of judgments - a Particular Judgment and a General Judgment.  A particular judgment occurs after we die.  We will be judged according to the deeds we have done 

The general judgment, on the other hand, occurs on Christ's second coming.  Personally, I think the general judgment is a lot worse than the particular judgment.  The purpose of the general judgment is not to redetermine one's standing with God but to reveal the full ramifications of all our good and bad deeds in relation to other people.  It is on the general judgment that one will see what effect the way a person lived had on others and thus truly understand the ultimate significance of our moral acts.  According to the Catholic Encyclopedia:

Those who depart this life sometimes leave behind them children who imitate the conduct of their parents, descendants, followers; and others who adhere to and advocate the example, the language, the conduct of those on whom they depend, and whose example they follow:  and as the good or bad influence or example, affecting as it does the conduct of many, is to terminate only with this world; justice demands that, in order to form a proper estimate of the good or bad actions of all, a general judgment should take place. 

So, why do I feel that the general judgment is worse than the particular judgment?  Because it's at the general judgment when EVERYONE (not just you) will get to see all your sins, and you will also see everyone's sins. 

The Catholic Encyclopedia further states: 

The procedure of the judgment is described in Matthew 25:31-46, and in the Apocalypse 20:12.  Commentators see in those passages allegorical descriptions intended to convey in a vivid manner the fact that in the last judgment the conduct and deserts of each individual will be made plain not only to his own conscience but to the knowledge of the assembled world. 

The Catholic Church teaches about the general judgment, and the Neocatechumenal Way prepares us for it as we undergo our scrutinies.  Those who oppose the Way also criticize our scrutinies without even realizing what they are criticizing.    

So, yes, God will make plain to everyone what our sins are.  All the assembled world will know of our sins and it's affect on others on the general judgment. The general judgment is not meant to embarrass or cause suffering to the saints as some people mistakenly think, but add to their glory.  God does not make any mistakes.    

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