Rare Justification

In my grand tradition of focusing on tiny lines that seem like not the most important ones in a given Bible passage, this is one of the stories where I see a rare validation for places where my beliefs diverge from accepted catholic doctrine.

Namely, my disbelief in Hell and eternal punishment.

Because notice, even as Jesus is being harsh about the importance of the law and saying a lot of things that seems to directly conflict with the way the theology teachers across the world talk about it, He says that those who break the law and lead others astray will be the least in the kingdom of heaven.

And to that I say: but they'll still be there.

God isn't planning to abandon any of His children because of the laws He gave us to make our lives better and more spiritual.  He isn't planning on cutting ties.  They aren't ultimatums.  They aren't a list of ways to lose His love.

They are important, as Jesus was making the point to say, but they aren't disqualification from God's love and eternal life with Him.  After all, we have eternity for God, His angels, and all the rest of us to help heal the wounds sinners cause and the wounds that cause people to sin.

I never want to diminish the importance of trying while you're in life, but I deeply appreciate the moments when I get a clue that we are all going to heaven someday.  I really can't bear the alternative thought.