I, Stephen Ryan, a mere mortal, can neither run to God nor run away from Him. For how can I draw near to the One Who is infinite and glorious Light unapproachable? And how can I flee from the One Who formed me in my mother’s womb; the One Who knows my every thought, Who holds my existence in the palm of His hand?
You may wonder, “Where is Stephen going with this?” I’ll tell you! A flood of evil is committed under the “cover of night”. It often seems so safe, so doable to the perpetrator, the evildoer, the sinner! “No one will ever see you. They’ll never know”, that insidious, evil voice whispers from within. What a lie from the father of lies, Lucifer. With this mindset, lust is unleashed, adultery engorged, larceny, fraud and murder committed. The list goes on.
You need to know that there is no true hiding place, no secrecy, no anonymity. Scripture affirms this. “To God, darkness is not dark and night is as bright as day. Darkness and light are alike to Him, and His eyes have beheld my unformed substance.” (Psalm 139) My Particular (Personal) Judgement before Jesus Christ, the just Judge Who sees all, hears all, knows all and will remember all, awaits every single human being at the end of our lives. Our death, while an absolute certainty for each one of us, remains a moment unknown to us until our last breath.
Just looking at myself, there will be no lawyer to represent me. No lying or obfuscating the facts of my actions and intentions will be permitted on my part. Just me and the life I lived standing in front of God, the all-knowing Judge. This hearing will be followed by my eternal, unalterable sentence. Either horrible, unimaginable and unending suffering in Hell with all the souls of the damned and those demonic angels tormenting; or the blessed and glorious heavenly Fiesta with all the mariachi angels and saints celebrating in the infinite and divine Presence of God! I know my preference!
No good deed goes unrewarded; no evil action goes unpunished. And in the divine Courts of Justice, “ain’t no one gettin’ away with nothin’”! (Please forgive my colloquial meanderings!) What most do not understand is that God has not sent a single angel or human being to Hell in all of history. No, my friends, we condemn ourselves when faced with the evil we chose to live by rather than the good and humble life i.e God, Whom we rejected.
Heavenly Father, grant light to the eyes of my soul, courage in the depths of my heart, at this very moment and throughout my life, for my eternal salvation. May I live in Reality, in Truth, Who is Jesus Christ, to the end of my life. Viva Cristo Rey! Rest in peace, Charlie! Amen and alleluia!
Originally written on Dec. 12th 1996, Feast of Our Lady in St Petersburg, Russia
(Dedicated to the memory of Charlie Kirk, assassinated on September 10th, a joyful and tireless warrior, gunned down for his love and dedication to Truth Who is Jesus Christ and to our human dignity which is founded and grounded in the One True living and loving God! “Come good and faithful servant!”)