Temporal Consequences

In a video, a man who sounds socially and politically "non-conservative" is seen driving over a Trump yard-sign. Turns out, the sign had nails in the stake so it punctured his tire (those awful Trump supporters are quite shrewd!). He was furious that people would do something like that to him. His hatred for them was apparently allowable, but not their own security measures for their personal property.

A man was seen on another video mocking and then striking a man with a disability (possibly cerebral palsy). When people found out who he was, they abandoned his business, making it go under. Eventually they tipped the police off about him, and he got a few years in prison. Recently after being released from prison he went out on his motorcycle, and (while apparently going too fast) crashed it into another vehicle and died at the scene.

We think of indulgences, but not always about their primary focus: temporal (i.e. earthly) consequences of sin. There truly are numerous temporal consequences of sins, but not everyone realizes what they are. Sometimes people come to me and tell me about awful things that they are experiencing, and I have to tell them, that is the result of this or that action. I occasionally get those looks of, "are blaming me?" (Not really, I'm just telling you how God's world works.)

Every sin has temporal consequences. Taking addictive drugs leads to addictions. Viewing pornography leads to objectifying people. Bad parenting leads to disobedient children. Reading bad theology leads to mental disorders. The list is endless. Every one of these consequences we have to experience; they are unavoidable. This is not because God hates us, but because He loves us. He gives these consequences for our good in many areas of our lives. This is because He is just and He makes sure that justice comes to everyone (even if it is not always obvious).

Thus, my encouragement is for all of you to seek indulgences. Seek them for yourselves and for others (they can be done for others in need). I would also encourage everyone to look at what they are struggling with and if you see a clear connection between your sins and the temporal consequences then realize this is for your good. So much so, that if you do not experience all the temporal consequences that God wants you to go through in this life, you will deal with them in Purgatory (which is its primary purpose).

No one should spend their days worrying about what you have caused with your sins (that is scrupulosity), nor should you ignore the consequences of your own sins (that is presumption). You should, instead, seek a new perspective on your own sins. You should work harder to avoid those sins, and also be willing to accept those consequences for the ones you have not avoided. Your temporal consequences may not be like the two illustrations I gave above, but God always gives them; because He loves you.