Betty: It’s hard to see blatant facts like those that are coming out now and not put our head in the sand or even become judgmental of the persons involved, but the Scripture that warns us about that. “Judge not and ye shall not be judged!” is very serious. We are encouraged to judge the act, but not the person. It is not our job to judge anyone as worthy of Hell, but it is our call to pray for them if we are tempted to think that they might be heading that way. In fact, the more they annoy us, the more we’re called to pray for them.

It was no coincidence that Jesus had a repentant thief by him on the cross. Wasn’t He offering His life for those of us like that thief? What is He saying to us as we look at our daily news?

It is scary to think of, but wherever there is lack of love and forgiveness, even for our those that have hurt us the most, we will sit in Purgatory until we can let go and unite with the depths of God’s forgiving love.

I know in our present culture we feel surrounded by a focus on getting even and holding resentment and hatred, but I don’t think, as Christians, we want to go there. God is a just God, but He’s also merciful and forgiving. And if we want to be where He is, we have to get on the side of the fence where He is. With this new revelation about X and his friends, it just means we have a greater call to get busy and pray for them I am afraid…maybe, that is why the Scripture counsels us to pray always.