This will be fun and interesting.-;)
Here we go again!
The example of the Maccabees reminds me of collegiality of all souls and the anticipation of the resurrection. We share a common nature and a common life. Each individual is responsible for his sins and must make personal satisfaction. But do we go to God alone? Do we cease to be the children of our parents, bothers or sisters to our siblings, Father and mothers and grandfathers and grandmothers to our own children, aunts and uncles to our nephews and nieces, cousins to our cousins? If we remain united in bllood, then what about the bond between the Baptised? Are these ties so broken by death that we are no longer in comminion with them? But does the brotherhood we share with Jesus defeat death? Does not charity keep us linked together despite all?
Fun maybe, but not interesting...Catholics are taught (not by the bible) by their church that Jesus' death on the cross was not enough for their salvation...
But Catholics have one thing figured right...Catholics and Protestants believe in salvation by two different routes...One group is trying to sneak in to heaven by using the back door...
We are not brothers and sisters in Christ because one group is not 'in' Christ and Christ is not 'in' that same group...
So the big question is, 'Was God's Son Jesus' sacrifice, once for all, enough to save us??? Did Jesus die that we may live??? OR, can we become righteous enough ourselves to merit a spot in God's Kingdom...