To The Light

I’ve read: (begin) The phrase "like a moth to a flame" refers to the well-known attraction that moths have to bright lights, which could include those harmless lights, such as the light from flashlights, as well as dangerous ones, such as fire. The phrase was first used to emphasize a type of attraction that might cause someone's destruction. It indicates that sometimes things that seem familiar and irresistibly inviting might hurt you.

There is a reference to this phrase in Shakespeare's "The Merchant of Venice", 1596: Thus hath the candle singed the moth. O these deliberate fools! When they do choose. They have the wisdom by their wit to lose.  (end)

When we die, we are supposed to go to the light – the light of Christ who welcomes us to the heavenly Kingdom.  Some of us may fear that the light is from the burning in Hell.  O we fools.  Hell is on earth and from are own choosing or by unfortunate happenstance.  

Too many of us fear the pains of Hell, as if it was real.  I may be in the minority, but Hell is not a place, but is a condition we leave behind when we go to the Father.

Then again, our Catechism reads: I. THE PARTICULAR JUDGMENT 

1021 Death puts an end to human life as the time open to either accepting or rejecting the divine grace manifested in Christ. The New Testament speaks of judgment primarily in its aspect of the final encounter with Christ in his second coming, but also repeatedly affirms that each will be rewarded immediately after death in accordance with his works and faith. The parable of the poor man Lazarus and the words of Christ on the cross to the good thief, as well as other New Testament texts speak of a final destiny of the soul--a destiny which can be different for some and for others.

1022 Each man receives his eternal retribution in his immortal soul at the very moment of his death, in a particular judgment that refers his life to Christ: either entrance into the blessedness of heaven-through a purification or immediately, -- or immediate and everlasting damnation. At the evening of life, we shall be judged on our love.

The bottom line:  Better to be safe than sorry.  LOVE, and go to the light!

Deacon David Pierce