If your hand causes you to
sin, cut it off.
It is better for you to enter into life maimed
than with two hands to go into Gehenna,
into the unquenchable fire.
Mark 9:43
This Sunday’s Gospel brings some very sobering preaching from Jesus about eternity. That is, there are two possible destinations: heaven—the “reward”(v. 41)—or hell, or “Gehenna”—"the unquenchable fire” (vv. 43, 45,47).
I’ve encountered a lot of skepticism from non-followers of Jesus (and a few who claim to follow him, too) about the existence of hell or a final damnation. For me, even though it’s a subject I might not like talking about, I approach it as an undeniable truth because Jesus talked about it. And more than once. And I know that Jesus does not lie.
In this section of the Gospel, Jesus clearly indicates that we have a choice in the matter. Our human freedom comes with personal choices that lead to consequences of our choosing. Our sins and our virtues play a role in where our lives are ultimately headed.
Noted author of The Great Divorce, C.S. Lewis, states it plainly: “There are only two kinds of people in the end: those who say to God, ‘Thy will be done,’ and those to whom God says, in the end, “Thy will be done.’ All that are in Hell, choose it. Without that self-choice there could be no Hell.”
Lord Jesus Christ, may I know your mercy and love, such that my head and my heart will always lead me away from temptations to sin against you, and to quickly and sufficiently repent when I do.
Pat Gohn
Editorial Director, Living Faith
Pat Gohn is the editor of Living Faith. A longtime author,
catechist, and retreat leader, she has been an editor with Bayard
since 2016.
