Just before the start of All Souls’ Month, Msgr. Charles Pope shared a message of warning — and hope — during a talk at St. John the Beloved Church in McLean.
“Hell does not exist because there is a mean, angry God wanting to cast people into hell. Hell exists because we have a God who loves us and deeply respects our freedom and our choices,” said Msgr. Pope, pastor of Holy Comforter – St. Cyprian Church in Washington.
He spoke about common misconceptions and Catholic doctrine on hell in the Oct. 28 talk promoting his new book, “The Hell There Is.”
In the modern world, and even among Christians, a belief that “hell is empty” has gone rampant, he said, calling it “the most widespread heresy.” The origins of the “hell is empty” theory come partially from modernism, as well as “a cultural trend that we have today, and that trend is that we have reduced love to mere kindness,” he said. “Kindness is an aspect of love, amen. But so is rebuke, so is instruction and direction.”
In reality, the path to heaven and the path to hell comes down to a choice: to follow God and his truths, or to reject them in preference of one’s own desires. Msgr. Pope added that many do not desire true heaven, the kingdom of God, “because it involves the way of the cross,” making personal sacrifices to pursue virtue and repenting.
The Bible contains plenty of evidence that hell exists, often right from the mouth of Christ, Msgr. Pope said. Moreover, 21 of Jesus’ 38 parables address heaven and hell, he said: “The Lord talked about judgment and hell all the time.” He said that the parables always present heaven and hell as a choice.
Another common misconception is that, with the exception of a few people, most of humanity is on the path to heaven, Msgr. Pope said: “When Jesus was asked the question, ‘Are those to be saved many or few?’ he said, ‘Few.’ ”
For those who have family members who have either drifted from the faith or are unreceptive to church teaching, Msgr. Pope encouraged listeners to fast and offer prayers on their behalf.
He ended his talk with a message of hope: Choosing the path to heaven means repenting and acknowledging our need for God’s grace. “He is merciful. But repentance is the key that unlocks the floodgates of mercy,” he said.
After a brief Q&A, attendees mingled over a hearty reception, while Msgr. Pope signed copies of his new book. Attendees said they left the talk with a new perspective on church teaching and God’s love.
Mary Ellen Bork, a parishioner of St. John the Beloved, said the talk’s focus on Scripture resonated with her. “I’ve been thinking a lot about ‘the narrow way,’ ” she said, referencing Mt 7:13-14. “I find that a very challenging line from the Gospel.”
As she’s grown older, Bork added that one question comes to mind more often, one that more should consider: “Am I ready for heaven?”
