"In our modern world, man sees Jesus's forgiveness and mercy as almost givens, taken for granted. Of course, even the most permissive and “merciful” want whatever they might consider evil to be punished, but never their own evil. It's funny how that works. As has often been stated by various authors, two thieves were crucified with Christ. One was saved, so we should not despair, but one was lost, so we should not presume.
Yes, it is very
possible for us to lose our salvation, to lose our way eternally. Our Lord
is crystal clear on this point in His many parables, as much as He is crystal
clear on the need for forgiveness and mercy. But the goal of God's justice is
not to separate us eternally but to restore us."
(By Father Dismas Sayre,
O.P. published in the July August 2025 issue of Light and Life entitled Is
God just, holy and merciful?)