God wants all of us to be saved, even people or groups we do not like

Published: April 2, 2015

By Kelli Nugent
St. Edward Church, Texarkana

A few years back I had just finished my confession and was leaving when I made a snarky remark to the priest: “Well, if Z continues to do what Z is doing, then I won’t have to worry about Z in heaven.” I know, smug, presumptuous and judgmental on my part.

The priest looked at me and gently but firmly said, “Jesus wants all people to be saved.” It was exactly what I needed to hear. It took a little while before I realized that I hadn’t even made it out of the confessional door and there I was — sinning again.

Do we, each of us individually, really believe that Christ wants all people to be saved? Think about that for a moment. Jesus wants the ISIS and Boko Haram terrorists who are kidnapping, beheading and murdering to be with him in heaven for all eternity.

He wants those who have been convicted of heinous crimes and are on death row or in prison to be saved. We believe this in theory. It is a fundamental part of the teaching of our Catholic faith. How well do we put this into practice? Do I really have Christian charity when it comes to Muslim extremists who are intent on killing all infidels, which would include me?

It is quite easy to dehumanize those who are committing truly evil acts. More subtle are the opinions, feelings and prejudices we hold about others, often without consciously realizing we have made such decisions. We can be loath to admit that we have dehumanized someone or some group.

How often do we use coping mechanisms like gossip that belittles and degrades another or simply rail against someone or some group in our private thoughts to help justify our outrage, hurt or indignation? To tell ourselves that we are not like “them”?

Think of someone in your life that you have dehumanized in your thoughts or possibly even by your actions. Would it be the drunk driver who killed your child, spouse or relative? The abusive or alcoholic parent? The former spouse? The politician with whom you vehemently disagree?

Whoever it is in your life that you somehow see as less than human, less than worthy (Remember, none of us are worthy.) — Yes, Christ died for that person.

As it turns out, the Pharisees also made snarky comments. “Why does your master eat with tax collectors and sinners?” they asked the apostles when they saw Jesus eating dinner with Matthew, (also known as Levi) the tax collector and those who were known sinners (those who were considered “less than”). Jesus responded: “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick ... I did not come to call the virtuous, but sinners.” (Paraphrased from Matthew 9:11-13)

As Holy Week comes to its glorious climax and we anticipate celebrating the profound depths of Christ’s mercy on Divine Mercy Sunday, we are intimately reminded of Our Lord’s love through his saving actions, his passion, death and resurrection for the sake of sinners, all sinners throughout all time. And as his followers, we are called to honestly desire, to work toward and to pray for the same in his name.

Yes, Jesus wants “Z” to be saved. His over-flowing and unfathomable love for every individual soul desires that each and every one he created be reunited with him for all eternity in the inexplicable and unending joy of heaven. Even the smug, the presumptuous, the judgmental ... and the contrite.

Kelli Nugent is director of faith formation at St. Edward Church in Texarkana. She has a bachelor’s degree in theology from St. Gregory University in Shawnee, Okla. This article was originally published in Arkansas Catholic April 4, 2015. Copyright Diocese of Little Rock. All rights reserved. This article may be copied or redistributed with acknowledgement and permission of the publisher.