You might be surprised by the title of this article, “The Importance of Hell.” Is Hell important? It is important for us to know that Hell exist and that people can actually end up there. Now, while our Catholic Church recognizes all those who are canonized as saints to be in Heaven, our Church does not prescribe that anyone is in Hell, we leave that to God, but clearly it is a real possibility.
This shouldn’t surprise you. What might surprise you is that my inspiration to write about Hell comes from The Old Evangelization: How to Spread the Faith Like Jesus Did by Eric Sammons (El Cajon, CA: Catholic Answers Press. 2017). (I’ve already written two articles from this book, “Discipleship Necessitates Evangelization.” and “More From “The Old Evangelization.”) What does Hell have to do with evangelization?
Sammons writes that polls show that about 70% of Americans believe that Hell exists but only a much smaller percentage believe that anyone actually ends up there (98). Now, it should be our desire that no one ends up in Hell. It is clearly God’s desire for no one to end up in Hell. That’s why our Father sent Jesus to die for us on the Cross. Sammons continues by writing that even those who believe that people do end up in Hell, they think discussion of Hell has no place in our evangelization efforts. They say people doesn’t respond to “hellfire and brimstone” and “we should follow God not because we fear punishment, but because we love him” (98).
Yes, it is true that people today don’t respond to the threats of Hell as they should. However, we should also note that “they don’t respond to promises of heaven for everyone. Otherwise our parishes would be full today” (Sammons, 99).
Why is it necessary for us to talk about Hell? Sammons writes, “Yet proclaiming the existence of hell – and the possibility that we could go there for eternity – is essential to preaching the “good news.” Why? Because if there is nothing bad to avoid, then there in need to seriously the good news” (99). Many people today seem to think that if you know Jesus, He will forgive your sins. Jesus does want to forgive us but we shouldn’t take that for granted. It does not mean we are free to sin without fear of punishment. Jesus will always forgive us when we come to him with a contrite heart. I’m just worried that people don’t really have a contrite heart when they take God’s forgiveness for granted.
Sammons shows that Jesus wants us to know that Hell is a real possibility by pointed to three gospel passages where Jesus speaks of judgment and fire. The first passage is Matthew 25:31-46 where Jesus tells us that we will be judged based on whether or not we have offered corporal works of mercy for others. In John 15:6, Jesus speaks of those who don’t follow him being thrown into the fire. The third passage, which also speaks of fire, is Luke 3:16-17) (Sammons, 100-101).
Hell should not be the first thing we bring up when evangelizing others (Sammons, 101) but we need to see our efforts to share the faith as a “pitched battle for souls” (Sammons 101-102).
In chapter 7, Sammons discusses those who are in invalid marriages. We must help people understand what marriage is and when a marriage is not recognized by the church but we must do so with love rather than judgment. It is the salvation of souls that we seek. The same is true of other sinful behavior. Sammons speaks of a friend of his who is homosexual. Sammons has made it clear to this friend that he does not approve of his lifestyle (115). He speaks the truth. He offers compassion. Both are essential. Without “truth”, without “compassion,” there can be no real evangelization.
Our goal in evangelization is to make disciples (Sammons, 123). Offering truth is essential. Sammons writes, “After all, why would someone make the sacrifice of getting up early on Sunday and spending an hour sitting in a pew to hear a message they could hear 24/7 from the mainstream media?” (123). Sadly, I think there are some who don’t want to hear a message that challenges their sins. They want someone to tell them they are doing good and they don’t have to do anything different. Fortunately, there are people who come to church because they are looking for something more than what the world offers. They understand that both they and the world need to change. I know I am not perfect. How about you?
When it comes to making disciples, Sammons point to the same passage I speak of when discussing our mission, Matthew 28:19-20 (Sammons, 123-124). To make disciples is to invite people to “make a radical commitment that will change their lives dramatically” (124). To do so, we must speak authentically from our own lives. Sammons offers the example of a couple whose ministry to guide people to natural family planning. They do not sugarcoat it. They admit it was not easy to start but then speak of the grace it has brought them (125-127).
We must remember for ourselves and share with others that “what Catholicism teaches is far deeper, far more meaningful, and for more joyful that what the world does” (Sammons, 127).
This concludes my reflection on Sammons’ book, The Old Evangelization: How to Spread the Faith Like Jesus Did by Eric Sammons (El Cajon, CA: Catholic Answers Press. 2017). If you are serious about sharing the faith, I encourage you to read the whole book for yourself.
Peace,
Fr. Jeff