How the Mere Thought of Hell Will Keep Us Spiritually Grounded at Work

Last week we established a connection between the Four Last Things - Death, Judgment, Heaven, Hell - and staying spiritually grounded at work. We then considered the impact of Death and Judgment and the value of meditating on these now, while we're still alive and kicking. While many of us may not be able to meditate during the work day, we can do so when we're not at work. On the other hand, we saw how it's possible to carve out a few minutes, even during the work day, and meditate on one of the Four Last Things. It only takes a few minutes. A few is better than nothing.

Our efforts, both last week and today, take a direct approach to spiritually grounding our work. We recognize that work may not permit segregated time for prayers and other activities exclusive to our spiritual life. But the sweat of our brow at work, coupled with the intention of doing all for the greater glory of God can serve as a mighty form of prayer in and of itself. On the other hand, we saw how more direct methods, when feasible, will amplify our effort to remain spiritually grounded.

So with that preface, this week we'll circle back to Father Joseph Schryvers, our spiritual guide  and move on from Death and Judgment to Hell and Heaven. 

As opposed to Death and Judgment, which come to us all, Hell and Heaven present us with a choice. And that choice will be made here and now. We won't show up for our Particular Judgment and "find out" which of Heaven or Hell will be in store for us. We'll know. Indeed, we'll likely have a good idea before we close our eyes for the last time, especially if we live a long life. Of course, things are never set in stone. The reprobate always has a chance to repent. But it's apparently not so common for that to happen. (Then again, only God knows for sure.)

Okay, let's start with Hell. (We'll get to Heaven next time.)

“For unrepentant sinners the sentence will open the awful gates of immediate and eternal Hell. Hell! The privation of the Sovereign Good, the utter absence of all good, of all that for which the soul has an insatiable hunger and thirst, and the accumulated presence of all imaginable evils! Hell! Eternal, undying hatred, obstinacy in evil in spite of devouring remorse, envy, rage, and despair! Hell! The agony of fire without alleviation; torture multiplied and intensified, according to the number and the gravity of the sins. Hell! The society of the vilest characters, the most cruel, the most despicable and the most abominable, the company of devils and of all the lost, with their unhallowed chorus of maledictions, cries of rage, and blasphemies! Hell! Eternal immobility: immobility in space – as the damned soul falls into Hell, so shall it remain forever; immobility of time – the first moment of Hell shall never pass; immobility in hatred, despair, and malice! And the greater number of men are advancing towards this abyss, and as they advance, they laugh, they amuse themselves and they blaspheme and heap insults on their God. A few more steps and the pit yawns before them! Am I sure that I shall not be of their number one day? O Jesus and Mary! I attach myself to You; do not forsake me!"

I don't know about you, but this vivid picture of Hell really grabbed my attention. At the very least, we might suspect it could move someone on the down-slope to step back and reconsider. But those of us who do our best to not simply avoid the Pit can benefit as well. Unless we've developed a muscular approach to actively putting our shoulder to the plow of spiritual works, we can always use a reminder of just how critical our efforts will be. This passage provides that reminder - and then some. 

Do any of us want be anywhere near the place described by Father Schryvers? We can't afford to pass up any opportunity to be sure we're keeping Hell at arms length. And we can't afford to pass up the opportunity to keep our spiritual life active at all times, even during our busiest times at work. That's especially the case given that our daily work takes up such a huge percentage of our time.

With that, we can see how any time spent meditating on Hell will help keep us spiritually grounded at work, which helps clear a path for us to work our way to Heaven.

We'll keep this post short. But I hope this brief visit to the nether regions was enough of a boost. Frankly, the word "Hell" can be rather unnerving. Father's graphic description was quite enough for me for one day.

Next time, we look to Heaven. Ah, relief!