At the end of the Church’s year, the readings focus on the return of Christ as king. And as the new year begins, this focus continues with consideration of the Advent of Christ’s kingdom. How do we prepare to meet Christ face to face?

A consideration of the last things – death, judgment, heaven and hell – is a good way to make ready. It may sound ominous, but in this podcast episode, I try to explain why it is actually a practice filled with hope and joy.

I recorded this in 2008, during a Holy Week OCIA retreat at Serra Retreat House in Malibu, California. On Holy Saturday, when I led a reflection about The Last Things, I decided to provide some context, and some of that context came from C.S. Lewis.

We are halfhearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.

C.S. Lewis, The Weight of Glory