Today’s Gospel reading in traditional Catholic churches is about sin and judgement and — by implication — hell.

Hell isn’t a frequent theme in the Gospels, but it’s one that we can’t ignore.

Our Lord talked most about how God wants to save us into his Kingdom.

Once in a while he reminds us what the alternative is.

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Saint Luke’s Gospel, chapter 19:

As Jesus drew near, seeing the city of Jerusalem, he shed tears over it, saying: “If you had only understood in this day the things that make for peace; but now they are hidden from your eyes. For the days shall come upon you when your enemies shall encircle you, and hem you in on every side, and beat you flat to the ground, together with the children within your walls, and they shall not leave one stone upon another: because you did not recognise the time of your visitation.”

Then, entering into the temple, he began to drive out those who were buying and selling there, saying to them: “It is written: My house is the house of prayer. But you have made it a den of thieves.” And he taught every day in the temple. The chief priests and the scribes and the rulers of the people, meanwhile, were seeking to put him to death.

* * *

In world history, that prediction came true when, in the year 70AD, Jerusalem was reduced to rubble by the armies of Rome.

Having once definitively rejected and killed God’s visitation in Jesus Christ, the city’s fate was sealed.

It was just a matter of time . . . .

Beyond history, sin has even more serious consequences — enough to make the loving God weep.

* * *

The Christian doctrine of God’s judgment and hell worries many people.

Rightly so, in the sense that we should be concerned about ensuring that we do not end up there.

It would, however, be more of a worry if there was no hell.

If everybody wound up in heaven, no matter how little love they had shown to God or other people, then their existence would have been a sham.

If your way of living made no difference to your eternal fate, you would be a robot.