a) What is life everlasting?
Life everlasting is the life that we shall have after passing away from this world. When we die, we undergo the “Particular Judgment,” in which Jesus will individually reward or punish us only in our soul, since our bodies have not yet resurrected. Those who die without any stain of sin, and have fully satisfied for their sins, are rewarded in heaven. Those who die without mortal sin but are guilty of venial sin or have not fully satisfied for their sins are purified in purgatory, so that they could obtain the necessary holiness to enter heaven and be with God forever without stain. Those who die in the state of mortal sin are punished in hell, where they suffer dreadful torments forever.
At the end of the world, Jesus will come again for the “Last Judgment,” in which: he will judge both the living and the dead, who will resurrect; he will not change the reward or punishment given in the Particular Judgment, but at this time each one will see the others being judged, in public; we will be rewarded or punished in both body and soul; and those in purgatory will at this time go to heaven. This is also known as the “Final Judgment” or the “universal Judgment”.
b) Why should an Altar Server reflect on life everlasting?
After the final judgment, the kingdom of God will reach its perfection. For those who are with God in heaven, there will no longer be sin, suffering nor death, but rather happiness, peace, and love for each other. They will reign forever with Christ, and the entire universe will be transformed and placed at their service.
If we choose to love God while on earth, we shall share his joy in heaven. But if we choose otherwise, he will not force us to be with him in heaven. In this case, it is we ourselves who choose to go to hell, and God simply respects our decision not to be with him. Those in hell are separated from God forever, which is the worst punishment, since only in God can we find happiness.