Only What's Done for Christ Will Last

In the readings that lead up to the end of the church year we find graphic and awe inspiring descriptions of the end of the world. They tell of a time of great tribulation and cosmic unrest. They powerfully remind us that the world as we know it is passing away and that there will be a time of reckoning and judgment. The persons to be judged are the dead, small and great; young and old, low and high, poor and rich. No one will be considered so insignificant as to be lacking in talents to account for; and no one will be so great, as to opt out of giving an account of them. These images are sobering and daunting because they bring us face-to-face with our own mortality, something that we keep trying to ignore. They remind us that our time is limited and that we will be held accountable for how we used the time allotted us. However, while facing the stark reality of judgment, we also need to recall this comment attributed to St. John of the Cross, “In the evening of life, we will be judged by love alone.”

"In the evening of life, we will be judged by love alone."

God, Who is Love, will test the purity of our love. He will look into our hearts, as into a mirror trying to find a reflection of Himself. When we find ourselves face-to-face with God, He will not ask us how wealthy we are, or how educated we are, or how prominent we are. When we stand before the throne of judgment, God will ask us how much we loved others and how much we poured ourselves out in the service of the poor. God will ask us how much we sought to understand and comprehend the hearts of our brothers and sister so as to encourage them to become the best selves they could be. As we stand before the Flame of Divine Love we will be judged by love, and the measure of our love will decide the measure of our happiness. In the presence of the consuming fire of Divine Love, we will either be transformed by love or consumed by it. Standing before the Throne of the Lamb, we shall know as we are known.

At present, we are poor reflections of Divine Love. We are short-sighted and our vision is fuzzy. Recall how Saint Paul put it. “For now we see indistinctly as in a mirror, but then face to face. Now my knowledge is partial, but then it will be complete even as I am known completely” (1 Cor. 13:12). In the light of Truth, we shall be set free from all that binds us and we shall grow from glory to glory for all eternity. A heart that will not grow in love will be torn asunder by it. Those who grow in love will be perfected by it. Our great concern must be that when the Lord comes, He will find us open to Love and receptive of its cleansing Flame. I will close with this beautiful poem written by C.T. Studd.

Only one life ‘twill soon be past, only what’s done for Christ will last

“Two little lines I heard one day, Traveling along life’s busy way; Bringing conviction to my heart, And from my mind would not depart; Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one, Soon will its fleeting hours be done; Then, in ‘that day’ my Lord to meet, And stand before His Judgment seat; Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, the still small voice, Gently pleads for a better choice Bidding me selfish aims to leave, And to God’s holy will to cleave; Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, a few brief years, Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears; Each with its days I must fulfill, living for self or in His will; Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

When this bright world would tempt me sore, When Satan would a victory score; When self would seek to have its way, Then help me Lord with joy to say; Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Give me Father, a purpose deep, In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep; Faithful and true what e’er the strife, Pleasing Thee in my daily life; Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Oh let my love with fervor burn, And from the world now let me turn; Living for Thee, and Thee alone, Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne; Only one life, “twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one, Now let me say, “Thy will be done”; And when at last I’ll hear the call, I know I’ll say “’twas worth it all”; Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last. ”

--Father Jerome Machar, OSCO