Is Judas in Hell?
TLDRFather Mike Schmitz addresses misconceptions about Judas's fate and emphasizes that neither he nor the Church can definitively say if Judas is in heaven or hell. He discusses the seriousness of eternal destiny, the importance of God's grace and mercy, and the necessity of choosing God over selfishness. Using scriptural references, Father Mike explains the conditions for salvation and the reality of hell. He encourages viewers to choose heaven and align their will with God's, highlighting that our choices determine our eternal outcome.
Takeaways
- 😇 **Hell's Theme Song:** Father Mike discusses the concept of hell's theme being 'My will be done' as opposed to heaven's 'Thy will be done,' using C.S. Lewis' quote and Frank Sinatra's song 'I Did It My Way' to illustrate the dangers of self-centeredness over God's will.
- ❌ **Judas in Heaven:** Father Mike emphasizes he never claimed Judas is in heaven or was doing God's will, addressing a misunderstanding of his teachings. He states that scriptural evidence, like Jesus saying 'it would be better for him if he had never been born,' suggests Judas is not in heaven.
- 📜 **No Definitive Statement on Damnation:** The Church has never definitively declared anyone to be in hell, including Judas, due to Jesus' teaching against condemning others. The Church takes seriously Jesus' command not to judge the eternal destination of others.
- 🤔 **Assessing Actions vs. Judging Souls:** While we can evaluate actions as good or bad, only God can judge a person's heart and eternal destiny. Jesus' teachings highlight that the Church can assess fruits of actions but not the final judgment of souls.
- 🙏 **God Wills All to be Saved:** Father Mike reminds us of the Catholic doctrine that God wills all people to be saved, citing the letter to Timothy. God gives everyone sufficient grace to choose Him, although not all do.
- 📉 **Hell's Reality and Choice:** Hell is real and not reserved solely for 'really bad' people. Jesus speaks more about hell than anyone else in the Bible, emphasizing that many are on the road to destruction. Hell can be chosen actively or by failing to choose God.
- 💔 **Theme of Choice:** Jesus outlines conditions for salvation, such as baptism, Eucharist, faith, and doing God's will. Father Mike stresses that salvation requires choosing God's will over personal desires, and failure to do so may lead to choosing hell by default.
- 😬 **Selfishness and Hell:** Father Mike highlights the danger of selfishness, which can lead to an eternity apart from God. Emphasizing the importance of confession and reconciliation, he warns against indifference to God’s will.
- 🎭 **Judas is Not a Hero:** Judas' betrayal of Jesus does not make him a hero despite God's ability to use such decisions for good. Father Mike clarifies that Judas' actions were wrong and not part of God's will, although God can bring good from evil.
- 🌟 **Our Story Isn't Over:** Father Mike encourages us to choose heaven and God's will, emphasizing that our stories are still being written. He hopes Judas repented, but stresses the importance of making choices aligned with God's will, as our eternal fate is still undecided.
Q & A
What is the main theme of the video script by Father Mike Smith?
-The main theme of the video script is the eternal destiny of individuals, particularly focusing on the theological discussion about Judas Iscariot's fate and the concept of heaven and hell.
According to Father Mike Smith, what is the motto of C.S. Lewis that he mentions in the script?
-The motto of C.S. Lewis mentioned in the script is 'My will be done,' which Father Mike Smith contrasts with the theme song of heaven being 'Father, thy will be done.'
What does Father Mike Smith believe about Judas Iscariot's eternal destination?
-Father Mike Smith asserts that he would never say that Judas Iscariot is in heaven, citing scriptures and the teachings of the Church that do not make definitive statements about anyone being in hell, including Judas.
What is the Church's stance on making definitive statements about anyone being in hell, according to the script?
-The Church has never made a definitive statement on anyone, including Judas, being in hell, as it takes seriously Jesus' prohibition against judging or condemning one another.
What does Father Mike Smith say about the possibility of Judas being in heaven?
-Father Mike Smith clearly states that he would never say that Judas is in heaven, as there are scriptures indicating otherwise, and it would contradict Jesus' own words about Judas.
What does Father Mike Smith emphasize about the importance of not being flippant or glib when discussing heaven and hell?
-Father Mike Smith emphasizes that discussing the eternal destiny of individuals, including Judas, is a serious matter that should not be approached lightly or with a dismissive attitude.
What is the Catholic belief regarding God's will for all people, as mentioned in the script?
-The Catholic belief, as stated in the script, is that God wills all people to be saved, which is supported by the letter to Timothy and the Word of the Lord.
How does Father Mike Smith describe the condition for being saved according to Jesus, as per the script?
-Father Mike Smith describes several conditions for being saved as stated by Jesus, including being born again of water and the Spirit (baptism), eating the flesh of the Son of Man and drinking His blood (the Eucharist), professing with the lips and believing in the heart that Jesus Christ is Lord, and doing the will of the Father in heaven.
What does Father Mike Smith say about the role of Judas Iscariot in the story of Jesus, and why is he not considered a hero?
-Father Mike Smith explains that while God used Judas' betrayal of Jesus for a greater purpose, it does not make Judas a hero. Judas' choice was not the right one, and his actions do not justify or sanctify his decision.
What is the message Father Mike Smith conveys about the individual's choice between heaven and hell?
-Father Mike Smith conveys that individuals still have the chance to choose between heaven and hell, emphasizing that not choosing God or His will is essentially choosing the other, and that we should strive to do God's will to choose heaven.
Outlines
🙅 Misunderstanding Judas's Salvation
Father Mike Smith clarifies a misconception about Judas Iscariot's eternal fate, emphasizing that he would never claim Judas to be in heaven. He cites biblical references, including Jesus' words that it would have been better if Judas had not been born and his designation of Judas as the 'son of perdition,' indicating loss. The Church's stance on not making definitive statements about anyone being in hell, including Judas, is highlighted, rooted in Jesus' teachings against judging others' hearts or ultimate destinations. The importance of God's grace, mercy, and the belief that God wills all people to be saved are underscored, alongside the reminder that each person's story, including Judas's, remains a mystery to us.
🔥 The Reality of Hell and Choosing Eternal Destiny
This paragraph delves into the reality of hell, dispelling the notion that only the worst individuals end up there. It stresses that anyone can choose hell by not choosing God's will, as illustrated by Jesus' teachings on the narrow path to life and the wide path to destruction. Father Mike discusses the conditions for salvation as stated in the Bible, such as the necessity of baptism and the Eucharist, and the importance of faith and doing God's will. He also addresses the misconception that Judas is a hero for his role in Jesus's crucifixion, asserting that while God can use evil for good, Judas's choice was not righteous, and his eternal fate remains unknown.
🙏 Choosing Heaven Over Hell
Father Mike Smith concludes the script with an urgent call to choose heaven over hell, emphasizing that our stories are not yet complete and we still have the opportunity to make that choice. He expresses his hope that everyone, including Judas, may find salvation and stresses that while we cannot know who chooses hell, we do know that no one ends up there by accident. The message is one of hope and the possibility of repentance, encouraging viewers to choose God's will and to live in a way that aligns with the hope of heaven.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Judas
💡Heaven
💡Hell
💡C.S. Lewis
💡Frank Sinatra
💡Saint Teresa of Avila
💡Eternal Destiny
💡Church Teaching
Highlights
Father Mike Smith clarifies that he would never claim Judas is in heaven, as it contradicts several scriptures.
Jesus stated it would be better for Judas if he had never been born, implying a negative outcome for Judas.
Saint Teresa of Avila's perspective that even the worst life on earth would be like a bad night in a cheap motel compared to heaven.
The Church has never made a definitive statement on anyone, including Judas, being in hell, respecting Jesus' prohibition on judging others.
Jesus' teaching on not condemning or judging others to avoid being judged oneself.
The importance of distinguishing between assessing actions and judging a person's heart or ultimate destination.
Catholic doctrine emphasizes that God wills all people to be saved, as stated in the Letter to Timothy.
The belief that God gives every person enough grace and opportunities to choose Him.
The acknowledgment of personal struggles and the reminder that God knows each individual's heart.
Hell is real and not just chosen by really bad people, but by anyone who rejects God's will.
Jesus spoke more about hell than any other person in the Bible, emphasizing the narrow path to life.
Conditions for being saved include baptism, the Eucharist, faith, and doing the Father's will.
The warning that not everyone who calls Jesus 'Lord' will be saved, only those who do the Father's will.
C.S. Lewis' analogy of heaven's theme song being 'Thy will be done' and hell's being 'My will be done'.
The incorrect notion that playing 'My Way' by Frank Sinatra at a funeral is antithetical to the gospel.
Judas is not the hero of the story; God used his betrayal for a greater purpose, but it doesn't justify his actions.
The ongoing chance for individuals to choose heaven or hell, emphasizing the importance of God's grace.
Father Mike's prayer for his audience to choose heaven and God's will over the alternative.
Transcripts
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