Sermon – They Put the Good into Baskets and Throw Out the Bad (Matthew 13:47-53) – 30 July 2026

In today's Bible, Jesus speaks of the "Last Judgment ." The Last Judgment is a dogma of faith, and every Sunday when we read the "Declaration of Faith," we pray: "He ascended to the glory of heaven, and from there he will return to judge the living and the dead. "

Saint Thomas Aquinas offers some insights into the Last Judgment: Why must the judge be a human being? On what matters will we be judged? How should we prepare for the Last Judgment?

Why should Jesus appear in human form rather than in a glorious form? Because seeing Jesus' divinity creates heaven. Some people will not deserve to see Him in His glorious form. Therefore, He will appear as a human. (Let us remember that Jesus is the true God and the true human; however, He will only show His humanity.)

On what grounds will we be judged? On all our actions, thoughts, words, and omissions. Everything, down to the slightest thought, will be judged. Goodness will be rewarded, and wickedness will be punished.

We should fear this Judge because of His wisdom: He knows everything and sees everything. We should fear Him because of His power, for He is all-powerful. We should fear Him because of His unwavering justice: Now is the time for change, now is our time; then will come the time of God's justice.

How should we prepare for God's judgment?

First: by doing good. The Apostle says in Romans 13:3: “Do you not want to fear the authority? Do what is good, and you will receive its approval.”

Second: the confession of sins to a priest and penance; that is, carrying out the penance prescribed by the priest and offering other sacrifices in reparation for my own sins.

Third: giving alms as an act of purification: helping the poor and supporting the Church through donations.

Fourth: showing our love for God and our neighbor through our actions.

Let us ask the Virgin Mary for grace so that we may practice these four remedies: doing good, confessing our sins and making amends, giving charity, and showing our love for God and our neighbor through our actions.