The Four Last Things: Journey of a Soul
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Are You Ready for Eternity?
Do you ever think about life after death? What will it be like? Will the things you did in this life follow you into eternity? What are the souls of your departed loved ones experiencing right now? Far from being morbid, reflecting on what will happen to our souls at the moment of our death is not only fascinating, it also does us much good. When we contemplate the life that awaits us, it will help us to increase our faith, our hope, our love for God, and our desire to be with Him forever. It is a means by which we can learn more about our Savior and marvel at the greatness of how He has redeemed our fallen world. All of this is encapsulated in the Church’s teaching on The Four Last Things.
What Are The Four Last Things?
Every human soul will experience the same thing at the end of their earthly life: the soul will be separated from the body and immediately face the justice of God. After we give Him an account of our lives, the soul will receive one of two destinies: either blissful union with God forever, or painful separation from Him forever. The Church calls this The Four Last Things: Death, Judgment, Heaven, and Hell.
Many people have mistaken ideas about life after death, and believing what is false can put our souls in danger. In fact, there is no other subject that is more important to learn the truth about. And there is no other authority to which we can turn to tell us the truth about our eternal life than the visible Church founded by God Himself, Jesus Christ.
The Catholic Church teaches us everything we need to know about the meaning of life, what happens to us when we die, and what we will experience in eternity. There’s no subject more fascinating to learn about. Reflecting on these amazing truths will allow us to live in the light of God’s truth about who we are and where we’re heading.
Why Join This Series?
The Four Last Things: Journey of a Soul is a 40-day journey through the Church’s teachings on The Four Last Things. In this series you will learn how God has created the world and the human soul, the journey of the soul as it transitions from this world to the next, and the final destiny that awaits the good and the bad. Through the detailed explanations in this series you will begin to see life as God sees it, and gain a better understanding of the great importance of your every thought, word, and deed.
What will your eternal destiny be? God leaves the choice up to you. There is no better time than now to prepare your soul for eternity by studying the awesome truth that God has revealed to us through His Church.
Series Contributors
Father Timothy Reid
Fr. Timothy Reid, a convert to the Catholic Faith, earned his B.S. in Marketing from Indiana University, but later changed his focus to pursue the study of Philosophy at the Catholic University of America. After attaining an M.A. in Philosophy in 1996, he took a job with the Migration and Refugee Services of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Following his Theology studies at the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception, earning an M.A. in Theology and a Masters of Divinity, Fr. Reid was ordained in 2004. In 2007 he was made Pastor of St. Ann Catholic Church in Charlotte, North Carolina, where he continues to serve today. Fr. Reid is a Third Order Carmelite and serves as the Spiritual Director of the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Secular Carmelite group in Charlotte.
Gretchen Filz, O.P.
Gretchen Filz, O.P., is a Catholic content writer with an M.A. in Christian Apologetics. As a result of her studies in theology and philosophy at an Evangelical seminary, she discovered the truth of Catholicism and entered into full communion with the Catholic Church in 2011. A passionate convert and Lay Dominican, Gretchen lives out her vocation through prayer, study, teaching, writing, and engaging in a variety of apostolates. Her articles have provided catechesis and inspiration for Catholics around the world. She currently works in the Diocese of Charlotte, North Carolina.
80 Reviews
TODAY I praise God for the many simple blessings all along the way, the revelations & opportunities to better understand God’s Way, my faith, and how to improve my lifestyle. Your insights and tips WONDERFUL.
This series has gotten better each day. The descriptions of the afterlife are inspiring me to really think about my behavior and attitude. It’s also very encouraging to realize you can start anew.
I am getting so much from this Lenten Journey and thankful this Facebook group was created to go along with it. There have been so many inspiring stories shared as well as several resources recommended for further study.
I must say I’m absolutely blown away by the readings in the sessions and these posts. So many things I have always questioned and fears I’ve had are being answered. These posts help me to realize that we all struggle in some of the same ways. It is helpful to read how others have handled these things.
I believe in Gods Providence and this series came to many of us who needed and are open to a better understanding of things we heard in the past or were taught but only could absorb a certain understanding at the time. All of us will receive understanding in a different amount and different way. The Holy Spirit enters in and guides that growth, Thanks be to God!
[Today] I had the absolute best confession I probably have ever had…I tried to prepare as best I could, but asked God to help me get all the poison out of my soul. I stopped stressing and felt peace, went in and was truly comforted by our parish priest who was so kind and helpful! My soul feels light and joyful. Never felt this before. I want to keep this up!
That happened to me last weekend. I’m not one who goes to confession very often. I also always stressed about going, but last weekend I felt a strong urge to go. I spent most of the afternoon preparing. When I walked in I actually sat face to face with my priest. That’s not something I ever would have done before, not with a priest who knew me…I’m sure this journey had something to do with my going.
Such an amazing journey for me. I have always felt like I wasn’t a bad person. This weeks readings about purgatory made me realize I needed to go to confession so I went today before vigil mass. For some reason it was totally different. It felt like I was pouring my heart out to Christ and the words just flowed out without my thinking. Before today I would get stressed about going. Today the Holy Spirit took over and My heart was truly broken. It was different than any previous confession…The Four Last Things has had such an impact on me!
This series has been life changing for me. It has opened up for me the receipt of grace and now I long for it. Thank you for this wonderful series.
I am pleased to accidently come across your e-mail some time ago. involved in our parish retreat, I was searching for a gift for our pastor and for the Rector & Rectora of our Retreat. And then you offered Eschatology, the four last things. death, judgement, heaven & hell. My husband, a Deacon in the Allentown Diocese, and I taught the R.C.I.A. program in our Diocese and always included Eschatology to the Catechumens & the Candidates attending the classes. I’m happy to see you reaching out to the media with this structured program to give insight to all who can learn the truth about the four last things. I purchased this e-mail program in order to meditate on it. your Evangelization on this matter pleases me to see the outreach take action for the good of the people. Thank you for all you do!
Through prayer and self examination and a loving family I’ve turned things around. The Four Last Things has made an impact that I wasn’t prepared for. It’s been a while since my last good confession and its been gnawing at me. Yesterday was a long and difficult day and I was happy to get home and have no plans for the evening. When I arrived, my 17 year old daughter asked if I wanted to go to Mass with her. Of course I didn’t want to go, but I said ??Of course I do!!?. I didn’t expect to arrive early enough to find a priest hearing confession. It was like he was there just for me. I was so moved and thankful that the Holy Spirit took me by the hand and led there. I wept through the best confession of my life and my absolution was profoundly felt.
The impact that today’s journey has made in me is remarkable! I try to recite my rosary daily, but until today the words One, Holy, Catholic,and Apostolic were just words. Now, they have in-depth, true and valuable understanding each time they are spoken. The meaning of sacrament, particularly for the vocation of marriage has confirmed my faith in God’s loving grace.