Is sainthood easier for certain people? Or are we judged on different standards?

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Gelatto

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I don’t mean to come across as ignorant or dismissive of Catholicism (I haven’t practiced in years but I’m regaining some interest.) Feel free to correct my questioning, and don’t feel pressured to give me a complete or extensive answer.

I understand that God calls everyone to sainthood, which, in Catholicism, one basically does by dying in a perfect state of grace or going through purgatory. I’m also familiar with mortal sins, which are quite specific and essentially condemn you to hell. And it seems pretty black and white–don’t do this, don’t that, you’re good to go.
  1. What happens to people who commit mortal sins without being aware? Basically, every mortal sin short of murder seems to be considered a normal lifestyle practice in today’s secular society. Does that mean all those who unknowingly commit them are still due for punishment? And if so, are they punished to the same degree as someone who is aware that they are mortal sins?
  2. Is it possible that some people “have it easier” making it to Heaven? For example, is “Person A” (who grew up in a stable, practicing Catholic family in an idyllic age before mass media and the sexual revolution) more “predisposed” for sainthood than “Person B” (who is currently growing up faithless, maybe even in a “rough neighborhood,” so to speak)? If so, can this be considered fair? Does it also mean that “Person B” gets judged less harshly than “Person A”?
I’ve also heard Catholics/Christians say that we each have our own cross to carry, which for some people might be “heavier” because they are “stronger” enough to carry it. I’ve also heard that people who are “holier” are more prone to temptations and attacks from demons.
  1. First of all, are these notions correct? Is the magnitude of our cross always proportional to our ability? Similarly, are we tempted or attacked by demons in proportion to our ability? On the flip side, is it possible for some people to have a disproportionately heavier cross, or a disproportionate amount of temptations and demonic attacks?
  2. Ultimately, if we all happen to be judged by the sins we commit with respect to what we know about them, wouldn’t it be a spiritual, and even psychological, disadvantage to be Catholic? For example, being brought up Catholic, I’m perfectly aware that I’m condemning myself to hell whenever I sin mortally, and on top of that, I suffer from deprivation if I restrain myself, and I suffer from guilt if I do not. On the other hand, my non-Catholic friends get to sin and enjoy their lives normally–am I supposed to believe that they are like unborn babies headed to some limbo, or like uncontacted Amazonians judged according to their own relative sense of right and wrong? Honestly, I’m fine with making an effort to be a practicing Catholic, but I don’t see much value in trying to evangelize others or asserting the Church’s beliefs in society.
Sorry if my questions seem complicated… I’m hungry for clarification myself. Thank you for any answers you can provide.
 
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goodcatholic said:
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Gelatto:
I’ve also heard that people who are “holier” are more prone to temptations and attacks from demons.
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In that case, I am holier than I thought. 🙂
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I would think the same about myself, except that I’ve been a “bad” Catholic most of my conscious life. I was referring to historical saints who supposedly endured all sorts of unimaginable fiascos. Like the Cure d’Ars or whatnot.
 
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Gelatto said:
Is it possible that some people “have it easier” making it to Heaven?
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You’ve got a lot of questions. I’ll just try to answer this one.
I think there are some personality traits which help one towards sainthood. Courage, determination, single-mindedness, loyalty, passion, and so on. These talents are God given and then on top of this, God can transform that person as the Holy Spirit takes over their lives.
Look at St. Paul and St. Augustine. Talented guys before their conversion but then used those talents in a positive way to help evangelise God’s word.
But there are other types of saints too.
 
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Gelatto said:
I would think the same about myself, except that I’ve been a “bad” Catholic most of my conscious life.
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Join the club. it’s called the naughty sinners club. Except now we are sick and tired of sinning and need some help to get back on track.
 
Gelatto said:
Is it possible that some people “have it easier” making it to Heaven? For example, is “Person A” (who grew up in a stable, practicing Catholic family in an idyllic age before mass media and the sexual revolution) more “predisposed” for sainthood than “Person B” (who is currently growing up faithless, maybe even in a “rough neighborhood,” so to speak)? If so, can this be considered fair? Does it also mean that “Person B” gets judged less harshly than “Person A”?
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To those whom much is given much is expected, or something like that.

In short I agree that person B would not be judged so harshly.

To begin with person A has no excuse for lack of knowledge if they fornicate or use contraception. Person B may reasonably be invincibly ignorant.

Person A has access to the sacraments, in theory making it easier. However, they would be expected to make a good confession after committing a mortal sin and repenting of it, assuming that it’s possible. I think that B would only be required to repent.

Assuming they lived the same kind of life outside of religious observances on the part of A, if either needed purgatory it would be A. If both I would expect B’s time to be less.

Related, assuming B was never baptized they may experience the baptism of desire. Water baptism washes away original sin and temporal punishment for all sins committed up until then. If baptism of desire is the same then B goes straight to heaven upon death.
 
Read 1 Jn 3:4-9, the Holy Spirit in believers keep us from
being comfortable in boiling water, but don’t let satan turn
up the heat gradually, like the frog being boiled alive while
being comfortable w/ the water tempt.(pun intended)!!
 
The only thing that predisposes one to sainthood is that individual’s decisions to be disposed to receive the graces God offers to make them a saint in this life. It’s a possibility for all of us, but we must choose it everyday and work to co-operate with Christ and His Church.
 
From what I understand…
  1. Mortal sin is not merely grave matter. Mortal sin requires knowledge and deliberate consent. So, it is possible these people may have lessened culpability.
  2. We are judged fairly by the omniscient God.
  3. I am not sure, but I do know that God will not ever tempt us beyond our ability.
  4. In a sense. “From those with much, much will be expected.” We who are Catholic have the fullness of the Truth and the most ability to become saints.
    Should you evangelize? Yes, and trust in God. We are called to be better than we are!
 
Thank you for your answer. I didn’t even think that accessing the sacraments would make holiness easier (I suppose that one’s on me for not frequenting them in so long.) I’ve also never heard of this “baptism of desire,” but it does make sense.
 
Gelatto said:
“Person A” (who grew up in a stable, practicing Catholic family in an idyllic age before mass media and the sexual revolution) more “predisposed” for sainthood than “Person B” (who is currently growing up faithless, maybe even in a “rough neighborhood,” so to speak)? If so, can this be considered fair? Does it also mean that “Person B” gets judged less harshly than “Person A”?
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Sorry just want to have another go at this one.
Idyllic age? But there were different problems pre Vatican II. Priests abusing power. Austere priests who preached hell fire and brimstone. Obsessive Catholicism focussing on small things whilst hating your neighbour. Domestic violence. Harsh judgementalism for girls who got pregnant.
But in regard to growing up in ideal functional loving families, I think can produce saints. because they have a glimpse of what God’s love is really like.
 
We have to remember that negligence is a sin. God calls all to love Him. He calls us to faith. Although a person may not be culpable for serious sin due to ignorance, he may indeed be culpable for negligence. If a man’s negligence leads to ignorance of grave matter, his negligence is also grave matter.
 
Thanks for all the answers. I think I understand better the objective aspect of sinning and fairness of God’s mercy.

The points of God-given talents and God-given grace have been brought up, and this still leads me to think that some people have an advantage over others. I assume that talents are not distributed equally, and I assume that not everyone is aware of how to obtain God’s grace, therefore, it still seems that God prefers certain people more than others (by granting them extra talents, and allowing them to coexist with Catholicism and have access to the Sacraments.) Is this correct, then? How should we think of it?

I know that the Catholic faith can be a positive thing for many people out there, but as far as salvation goes, I’m still not convinced that evangelizing is a good thing to do (and it sounds like yet another commandment that must be obeyed.) If God will have “extra” mercy on non-Catholics, why isn’t it better to let them be blissfully ignorant?
 
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  1. You cannot commit a mortal sin without being aware of it.
  2. Person A and Person B would be “judged” so to say by different standards is my current understanding as well
  3. Yes, God never gives us more than we can handle, it is in proportion
  4. But that’s not the point. That’s not the point of any of this. The only reason we have Hell is that people can reject God’s love. The reason why we want everyone to be Catholic is so everybody can be closer to Jesus, and that means farther away from sin. Being Catholic you can literally meet God every Sunday, you can spend time with Him in prayer and adoration, you can do so many amazing things. This isn’t all about sin and who gets the highest “rank” in Heaven or what not. It’s about love. Somebody who is Catholic (assuming they’re a “good” Catholic so to say, excuse the word) is probably closer to doing whatever God’s plan for their life is, they feel the immeasurable love of God and they follow His commands which has two results
    a) happier person
    b) better world (this is the only mandatory one, a) is optional in this world to some extent).
Basically God is just. We can think about scenario x and y and z in which things can get a bit blurry to us but knowing that He’s just you just got to trust and say “I don’t really know the answer but God’s gonna make the fair call”
 
Gelatto said:
  1. Is it possible that some people “have it easier” making it to Heaven?
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I believe all of us have equal chance. If one is baptized, one would have the advantage, as the Bible says, “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved.” Mk 16:16

Perhaps as an encourgaement, we can look at the apostles. Probably none of them were ‘saints material’ but definitely could be destined saints, if that makes any sense.

Look at Peter or Mathew or Thomas or Simon the zealot. Not much of a character, were they? Impulsive foolish Peter, doubting Thomas, money launderer Mathew or probably murderer Simon. Ever wonder why these unlikely people were chosen by Jesus?

Perhaps it is to show people like you and I that we too can be saints. Yay. The only thing fo us is to follow the Master and repent. Personality and privileges do not count.

God bless.
 
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