"A Christmas Carol"

Of course, we all know very well the famous story by Charles Dickins wherein he portrays the transformation of Ebenezer Scrooge from a self-centered recluse to a generous hero for the downtrodden and especially Tiny Tim.

Reading this expose’ on how any Christmas story should evolve may open hearts and emotions in a way that will make us think a little about what our journey to heaven must be like.  But, I will make this a reflection on our final destination in heaven beginning with the ultimate transition to the Beatific Vision with God and reversing the steps that brought us there.  The tears we shed with the Christmas Carol story, or It’s A Wonderful Life with James Stewart, reminds each of us that deep down in all of us are tender spots that can be opened when we see human love as it really ought to be.

“My soul breathed a sigh of relief (metaphorically speaking) when that last place called Purgatory had finally become a thing of the past where one thing or more that I was unaware of had not been paid as in a debt.  Time was not a factor.  However, the state of being aware of God and his desire to have me with him as a perfect child without blemish was always present to me.  I realized many Masses and rosaries by others who cared helped in my expiation from those incidents that were left unpaid.”

“The catechism classes and the homilies from Fr. Gabriel made an impression on my decisions to do more for the parish and reach out to the needy, following Matthew’s Gospel on the Final Judgement.  As I reflected on some of the past sins that I was absolved from the memories of holding on to any renumeration I should have completed appeared and I knew the reason for a stop-over for a while until the expiation was completed.”

“Lent through Easter last year was an eye-opener for me.  The walk on the Via Delarosa that had me crying as I knew Jesus took that journey with every sin I ever committed on his back. The nails penetrating my heart with each blow of the hammer, and my sins wiped away as I stood beneath his cross with the drops of Precious Blood washing away my guilt as he said “Father Forgive Him”!

“I remember the first encounter of Jesus was in the school where I went for religious education and a picture of the Sacred Heart of Jesus seemed to call me and from that day on I wanted to know him.  I found him during Lent and the walk to Calvary, standing below and absorbing His Precious Blood, washing me clean.  Then, after my death in Purgatory I welcomed the opportunity to suffer just a little so as to be with him forever.”

“And now, I am here!  With my Mother Mary, the Holy Spirit, Jesus, and Our Heavenly Father; The most Holy Trinity, and ecstatically in the Glory of God forever.  The self-centered man who thought all was fine, waking up to stand with the poor who now wear white robes.  And I am now a Christmas Carol, changed forever.”

Ralph B. Hathaway, Christmas 2019