REASONS TO LOVE MONDAYS: Reading Fr. Tucker’s homily-blogs.
…But notice that when we say the Creed, we don’t say “I believe in hell, in the fires of everlasting torment, and the punishment of sins.” None of that makes it into the Creed, even though we do believe in that. Rather, we say, “I believe in… the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting.” God’s justice is real, in other words, but it is His mercy that is more impressive.
…Our motivation is meant to be one of love, keeping the commandments not because we’re terrified of God squashing us, but rather because we want to do what is right and obey our loving Father. That’s why we say in the act of contrition that, yes, “we dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell,” but that our sorrow for sin springs “most of all because they offend Thee, my God, Who art all good and deserving of all my love.”
(more)