4 April, 2022
There is a certain teaching in the Russian Orthodox Church about the day of Judgement.
While all the people are making their way to the gates of heaven. Jesus is standing at the gate, welcoming them, and sorting them.
All the ‘good people’ were gathered outside the gate, waiting to march on through in triumph. They looked around and saw many of their friends, members of sodalities, societies and charities, to which they had belonged. They were delighted to have arrived here together, and were a little impatient for the great entrance procession.
Jesus seemed distracted. When asked why, he said that he was watching out for Judas and his friends.
Suddenly, there was a huge cheer in the distance. When those closest to the gates asked what the shout was about, they were told that Jesus had forgiven’ the sinners’! This infuriated them. How could Jesus do such a thing for such a collection of ‘scumbag sinners?’ They themselves had worked so hard to arrive at this moment, and now all these others are going in as well. Suddenly, there was the loud blast of the Judgement Horn, the gates were losing and they were still outside of the gate!
Apparently, no one had told them that Jesus had died for everyone who did not judge others.
André Paul