To Hell and Back

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To Hell and Back

Returning to his home base from combat, covered in sweat, dirt, and blood, the weary soldier dropped to the ground in relief; he had been spared from the carnage of the day’s fighting with the fanatical enemy. When asked about the battle, his only comment was that his leader, the captain, was a significant reason for his survival. He simply stated, “I will follow her to hell and back.” Other soldiers echoed his thoughts by talking about her courage, leadership, and concern for the foot soldiers’ welfare. Yes, they would follow her ‘to hell and back.”

Jesus died and “He descended into Hell, the Third Day He Rose again from the Dead.” The Apostles Creed is clear that Jesus did not proceed directly into His father’s embrace after his Crucifixion, but rather descended into Hell for three days. It is only after the period of three days that Jesus rose from the dead again and ascended to His Father. What was the purpose of his descent into hell? Why he was there and what did he accomplish? There are several reasons for Jesus’ presence in Hell, a few are listed below.

  • Jesus suffered brutal physical punishments as redemption for man’s sins. However, the physical punishments were not sufficient to cover the part that the souls of men played in man’s sinfulness. As a result of Original sin, all of men’s souls also suffered from the loss of the beatific vision, thus Jesus participated in that suffering in order to complete the restitution for all aspects of sin. The difference between those souls who were in hell and Jesus was that Jesus was free to leave, whereas all others were constrained until freed by Him.
  • Since Adam and Eve all souls, including those who lived worthy lives and were free from mortal sin, were suffering in hell. Jesus entered hell to free those who had died without mortal sins on their souls. From Adam and Abraham to the death of Jesus, no souls had been seen the beatific vision. Now that Jesus had redeemed mankind from the effects of Original Sin, Jesus would release those charitable souls to their reward in heaven. For those who trust in God, Jesus led them out of hell to their eternal reward. (However, St. Thomas Aquinas clearly states in his comments on the Apostles Creed that those who died with mortal sins on their souls will never be released from hell. “We ought to conceive fear and cast away presumption. Because although Christ suffered for sinners and descended into hell, yet he did not deliver all, but only those who were free from mortal sin, as we have said; whereas he left those who had died in mortal sin. Consequently, none who goes down thither in a state of mortal sin may hope for pardon but  he will remain in hell as long as the holy Fathers in paradise, namely for all eternity: These shall go into everlasting punishment: but the just into life everlasting.”
  • By descending into Hell, Jesus demonstrates his total dominance of Satan. He has not only conquered Satan on earth but also in Satan’s domain – hell.

Similar to the soldiers who would follow their trustworthy leader to “hell and back”, those who trust and obey God as their leader will follow Him, not to hell, but rather to heaven.

Suggested Reading

St. Thomas Aquinas’ comments on mortal sin and everlasting hell can be accessed on the Internet at http://dhspriory.org/thomas/Creed.htm.  (Article Five in the notes on the Apostles Creed.)

Why Did They do it?

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Why did they do it?

They gave of themselves, their wealth, their time, and their future. Why did they do it? They created and raised five children, made certain of their education from elementary school through college, provided food and clothing, and gave much of their free time to the children. All of this was accomplished during very difficult political and economic times; money was hard to acquire. What motivated the parents to sacrifice so much and, in some cases, to suffer for their children; children who often were difficult to manage and could be rebellious? Love is the only answer! The parents so loved their children that they would sacrifice their own personal well-being for “the kids.”  Yes, love is the only answer.

Jesus Christ, the Son of God, “suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried,” exclaims the Apostles Creed. (Note – the reference to Pontius Pilate provides a historical connection to Christ’s passion and death – a time and place is established.) Why did he, the creator, allow himself to become the created and then undergo such humiliating sufferings? Yes, the only answer is love. God loves each one of us; He sacrificed his only son, having him undergo horrific punishments for us. As great is the love of human parents for their children, God’s love for us is inconceivably greater and its totality is beyond man’s understanding. The theologian Hans Urs Von Balthasar incisively commented, “What it means to bear the burden of the world’s guilt, to experience in oneself the inner perversion of a humankind that refuses any sort of service, any sort of respect, to God, and to do so in view of a God who turns away from these abominations – who can conceive of it?” Christ suffered for us, for love!

What were the reasons for Jesus Christ to suffer and die for us?  The answer is twofold – to provide a remedy for sin and to provide an example for our lives.  Sin is a defilement of the soul, which is removed by Christ’s Passion and death; Christ’s blood washed man of his sins, cleansing him. Christ’s charity and obedience to the Father are greater than the sin and disobedience of man. Thus Christ makes man friends with God once again; the gates of paradise are opened. The suffering and death of Christ is offered as a substitute for the punishment due to mankind for its sins. Christ is the perfect sinless offering – the remedy for sin – which God accepts on our behalf.

But God does not stop conferring gifts on mankind at the passion and death of Christ. He loves us so much that he provides continuing gifts in the sacraments to help us return to Him when we sin again, and again and again. The sacraments are the vehicles that strengthen and assist us to remain sinless and in communion with Him. Mankind has been cleaned, given the tools to strengthen itself, and promised help in keeping its soul clean and prepared for entering God’s kingdom. Will mankind use these many gifts or will it allow itself to succumb to its darker sides?

Thank you God for your love….a love that suffers for us! Man has a God who suffered for all of mankind.

Suggested Reading:

“The Treasury of Catholic Wisdom”, Edited John Hardon, S. J., published by Ignatius Press , Chapter on Thomas Aquinas, section on The Exposition of the Apostles Creed, Article 4. ( This section can also be found on the Internet at http://dhspriory.org/thomas/Creed.htm)

“Credo” by Hans Urs Von Balthasar, Section 4, published by Ignatius Press.