本月「煉靈月」，我們繼續探討「萬民四末」 —— 其中第二項是「審判」；是指每個人都要面對天主的審判，接受永恆生命的定案。「審判」分「私審判」和「公審判」。

審判的要理

我們普遍相信，人的靈魂離開肉身的一刻，要單獨面對基督的審判 —— 「私審判」。當下，基督作為最高權威的審判元首，會對該靈魂作出一個决定性及無可推翻的永恆判斷：如靈魂是純潔的，要被賞天堂永福；不完全純潔的靈魂，要到煉獄接受暫罸的煉淨；有大罪的靈魂，則會被判在地獄中受永罰。

在世界末日，全人類都要面對「公審判」 —— 最後審判。「公審判」是為顯示對天主、基督、善人和惡人的公義。

對天主的公義: 在世上人們公開質疑天主的計劃; 屆時，天主對每一個人曾賦予的蔭庇，祂那涵蓋宇宙上智的安排，將要被完全公開披露和顯揚。

對基督 的公義: 主耶穌個人及祂的肢體(教會的成員) 曾受蔑視和傷害, 祂 屆時將以至尊判官及萬王之王的身份出現。

對善人的公義: 他們像基督一樣忍受了蔑視和傷害, 屆時 也會和基督一起受榮耀。

對惡人的公義: 有些惡人因作惡而自豪, 另一些惡人卻隱密地犯罪; 前者要被貶抑, 後者要受蒙羞。

「公審判」的判詞，無異於「私審判」; 但由於「公審判」是在世界末日，眾生一起復活之後，所以，靈魂連同肉身一齊接受審判，兩者一同承受永福或永罰。

自我省察

準備面對天主審判的最好方法，就是先坦誠地面對自己良心的檢討。在世上，良心的聲音幫助我們判斷善惡好壞。

良心的聲音不是來自個人: 即使我們願意, 也無法埋沒這聲音。這聲音也不是來自父母和老師，他們和我們一樣感受到良心之聲。這聲音是來自天主。故此，每天的省察神修，能幫助我們摯誠地順從天主，妥善準備靈魂，穩步踏入永生。省察可分兩種：總省察和私省察。

「總省察」故名思義，是把當天的思、言、行為，作整體的檢討，分辨對與錯，又細想曾否竭能致力，或敷衍塞責；同時省察犯錯的動機和誘引，祈求天主的寬恕，尋找賠補或改過的良策。

「私省察」是針對自己某些特定的過失或德行的反省。聖依納爵提議我們每天早上，定志改過特定一種陋習或言行規範，或矢志當天虔修一種德行，午時暮辰都作坦然的反省，記下得失的次數，比對昨天的記錄，以清楚確定自己的進度，甚至定下犯錯的補贖，探索持久改進的方法。

讓我們先「自我審判」，以善備接受天主的審判。

In this month of All Souls, we explore the four Last Things. The second Last Thing is Judgment, which is the sentence God pronounces upon each person for eternity. There are two Judgments: Particular Judgment and General Judgment.

Catechetical teachings on judgment

Particular Judgment is pronounced at the moment of death. It is called “particular” because the soul appears alone before Christ. It is commonly believed that Particular Judgment occurs at the place and time of death.

Christ, the Sovereign Judge, pronounces a definitive and irrevocable sentence of life or death on the soul. If the soul is absolutely pure, it goes to heaven; if the soul has something to expiate, it goes to purgatory; if the soul is stained with mortal sin, it goes to hell.

General Judgment will take place at the end time. All people will be judged. The reason for General Judgment is that full and entire justice be done to God, to Christ, and to all people whether just or sinners.

Justice will be done to God, because His Providence is being questioned on Earth. It is proper that it be publicly justified, and His wisdom in ordering the events of the world be manifested. Justice will be done to Christ, because He was despised and condemned in His own person and in the members of His Church. It is fitting that He appears then as Sovereign Judge and King of kings.

Justice will be done to the just, because they, like Christ, have been despised and mistreated; it is fitting that they be glorified. Justice will be done to sinners because some of them have been insolent in their crimes and others have concealed their crimes; it is fitting that the former should be humbled and the latter be covered with shame.

The sentence pronounced at the General Judgment will be the solemn confirmation of that of the Particular Judgment, and will not differ from it. But since the General Judgment will take place after the general resurrection, sentence will be pronounced on the whole person, body and soul. The body will share the everlasting reward or punishment of the soul.

Examination of conscience

The best way to prepare to face God in Judgment is to face our own conscience truthfully. Here on earth, conscience is the voice that helps us to judge what is right and what is wrong.

This voice is not just from our own: we cannot stop it even if we want to. This voice is not just from our parents and teachers: they too like us perceive the same voice. God gives this voice. Examination of conscience is a good daily spiritual exercise to conform our heart to God and to prepare our soul for eternity. Examination of conscience can be divided into: general and particular.

General examination of conscience aims at the correction of all kind of faults. We pass in review the successive hours of the day, noting what faults we have committed in thought, word, deed, and omission. It is very helpful also to examine our motives and reasons of committing faults. We then ask God’s pardon and make purpose of amendment.

Particular examination of conscience aims at the correction of one particular kind of fault or the practice of one particular virtue. St. Ignatius Loyola suggested us to resolve to avoid a certain fault or to practice a particular virtue in the morning. At noon and at night we examine how often we have committed the fault or have practiced the virtue. We can mark down the number of success or failure, compare numbers with the preceding day, impose penance for each failure, and make concrete resolutions for the future.

Let us judge ourselves now, so that we may be ready for the Judgment of God.