Hell or heaven begins in the soul even in this world, warns the Patriarch of Romaniatranslated

"Hell or heaven begins from this world in our soul," warned the Blessed Father Patriarch Daniel on Sunday, explaining the teachings that derive from the parable of the Savior Jesus Christ about the Merciless Rich Man and the poor Lazarus.

"Today's Gospel teaches us that how we live the mystery of merciful love freely here on earth depends on our eternal happiness or unhappiness beyond the grave," His Beatitude emphasized.

The Patriarch of Romania also pointed out that "the merciless rich man was condemned not so much for his bad deeds, but for the good he could have done, but did not do, and because he confused freedom with laziness and insensitivity or spiritual indifference towards the poor. God sees and values ​​not only the deeds of man, but also the state of his soul."

"Although poor from a material point of view, Lazar enriched his soul with many virtues, namely humility, patience, trust in God, non-judgment of one's neighbor," added Father Patriarch Daniel.

"Today's Gospel reveals to us a fundamental truth, namely that before God it is not only the multitude of good deeds that counts, but primarily...