Preparing for Eternity

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My dear brothers and sisters in Christ. It is time we all reflect on our lives and the decisions we have made throughout our journey to ensure we are truly walking down that narrow path that leads to the gates of Heaven. Being a good person is not a requirement for eternal salvation and certainly does not guarantee entrance into Heaven. There are five requirements that we all need to meet to open our hearts to God’s graces for eternal salvation.

     1. Repentance. Repentance is defined as a voluntary sorrow for having offended God, combined with a firm resolve to amend one’s conduct and take necessary means to avoid sin. Normally, repentance includes the Sacrament of Reconciliation (confession). Through this sacrament, the sinners are absolved of their sins committed after baptism and are reconciled with God.

     2. Baptism. Baptism is the means by which one receives the Holy Spirit. At the time of the baptism, the Holy Spirit marks us with the seal of the Lord for the day of redemption (CCC 1274). At this time all sins are forgiven, original sin and all personal sins.  If one continues to sin after baptism, one is at risk of losing their salvation, unless they return to a state of grace by confessing and repenting of all their sins. 

     3. Faith. Faith is defined as a theological virtue by which we believe in God and accept all that He has revealed to us.

     4. Keep the Commandments. God’s grace enables us to keep faithful to the ten commandments. Keeping the commandments is the fruit of a transformed heart and the work of the Holy Spirit.

     5. Receive the Eucharist. The Eucharist is considered necessary for salvation primarily because Jesus commanded it in John 6:53-54, “Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you." One cannot receive the Eucharist if one has an unrepentant grave sin on their soul.

In summation, to enter the Kingdom of Heaven, one must be in a state of grace at death. Therefore, it is imperative for each of us to examine our conscience continually and receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation often to open our hearts to God’s graces.