If God made his creation for love and to love, how can he also condemn them? This question has arisen many times over the centuries. Didn’t Jesus forgive the woman caught in adultery with the words: “Who condemns you?”  “No one,” she said. Jesus answered, “Then neither do I.”   What do we do with hell and its description of those: “Wailing and gnashing of teeth?”

Obviously, no one has ever returned to brief us one way or another. Pope St. John Paul II answers this question: “Is hell a place?”  He explains: “Heaven and Hell are not physical places. They are states of being in which we either dwell in a loving relationship with Christ or not.”

To ensure that his children knew exactly the right means to enter this relationship, God sent Jesus to show us what it might look like. Jesus states clearly that the best foundation is to love his father with our whole mind, heart, and soul, and all others the same.

Through his message and life, Jesus pointed the way. He told us to serve others and not to be served. He urged staying faithful on the path whether in rough times or good times. And to always believe that he is always accompanying us, especially when it looks like he is not. We must believe that Jesus is working doggedly for our best interests.

In the Joy of the Gospel, Pope Francis advises us to not focus on our own interests and concerns. When we do, God’s voice is muted. Pope Francis exclaims, “It is in those instances that we cannot hear the quiet joy of God’s voice, and that our desire to do good also fades. These actions stop us from living a dignified fulfilled life, placing us on a dangerous, downward slippery slope.”

Then what about the phrase: “Jesus descended into hell? Is it true he went there? Yes, it is. After dying on the cross Jesus descended into hell. Pope Benedict XVI offers this explanation: “Christ went to hell and when he did hell changed!”  Hell is hell, no longer! Jesus’ appearance brought love to dwell there. Hell, and love cannot co-exist ever!

Jesus’ visit closed hell as a punishment place. What remains is our choice to build our relationship with Christ while we live our days. This relationship is not merely about belonging to the right group or following the correct rituals or rules. It is seeking first the kingdom and nurturing the right attitude while we can. This is our choice to seek heaven as best we can.

If we do not, we may have deep regrets at the end of our lives. In other words, we suddenly realize what we lost and the “wailing and gnashing of teeth” begins. We do not truly know who is in heaven, but we can only guess it is those who tried to love God and neighbor in the best way possible.

While we still breathe and have our being, we prepare. If we do not choose to build the kingdom, we may find many good Muslims, Buddhists, and Jews living in love now, as well as those Christians there who served neighbors and the poor.

In his letters St. James reminds us that faith needs good works. If good works are missing, faith is dead. When it comes to end times, the Lord is not so much interested in where you came from, but only where you are setting your sights.

To fall in love with God is the greatest romance; to seek him the greatest adventure; to seek him the greatest adventure; to find him, the greatest achievement. -St. Augustine