HELL
Let us consider ourselves as a child that grew up in a distant land far away from our Home. We have lived and hope that one day we will return home and meet our father. How sorrowful will it be to see the beauty of our true land, the majesty of our father but unable to enter into the land.
This is similar to what the reprobates will pass through. That God whom they have desired and hoped for, will not only be far away from them but will send them to a place where they will suffer for all eternity.
In addition to suffering for all eternity, you are to be put in a place where the devil rules. Recall how much Job was tortured by the devil when God permitted his trial; the torture in hell will be severe and eternal.
Consider how much pain we feel when we have Scalds and burns; how we are uncomfortable for hours or even days, then imagine how unbearable the fires of hell will be.
When God first came into the earth, there was nothing in us to excite his mercy, in His second coming, our sins will be an additional reason for him to exercise his Justice. He gave us all the tools we need to defeat the devil and abide by his commandments. He died for us that we may be saved and sin no more. How then do we expect to receive mercy from Him whom we crucified over and over through our sins?.
When the soul is separated from the body, the soul which is naturally attracted to His maker will desire nothing else but union with God. This means that apart from the physical pain, the soul will also suffer from the pains of loss. That is the pain of losing the only Good, God.
Saint Bernard said. Man, remember all the time, these three considerations; the vileness of our origin, the dishonor of our present state, and our end as food for worms. Why give so much attention to the world at the expense of your soul?.
Let us not be discouraged by the fact that we have sinned many times. God is merciful and is ready to welcome us back to His flock. We just need to call on him with a sincere heart. There is always joy in Heaven when a sinner converts. He that is still alive has time to amend his life, death takes away this privilege.
In the end, God has promised that he will be with us, but the lord who created us without us, cannot save us without us. We need to do our part first, by striving for perfection, then His grace will be available for us, to help us during hard times and make us persevere till the end. MEDITATING ON HELL SHOULD INSPIRE IN US THE FEAR OF
HELL, AND PUSH US TO VIRTUES.