Every Sunday, Bishop Edward Malesic writes a Scripture reflection for the faithful. Follow the bishop on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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Thank God for Purgatory! Many reject this doctrine of our Catholic Church, but it is a necessary state of transition for most of us from this life to the life of Heaven.
From the Catechism of the Catholic Church we read, “All who die in God’s grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven. The Church gives the name Purgatory to this final purification of the elect…” (1030-1031).
Let me explain a bit more why Purgatory is such a great gift to us. If the saints in Heaven are perfect, then if I die today, I will not be admitted to walk through the Pearly Gates. You see, I am an imperfect sinner. When I die, most likely, I may not yet be ready for Heaven. I will need a bit of cleaning up, a bit of purification — Purgatory.
So, again, thank God for Purgatory. Purgatory is where God will cause me to become perfect after my death. Purgatory is where any of my sins (those things that keep me from being pure and clean) will be removed by God’s love. Purgatory is where I will get ready to be perfect in Heaven. It is like getting cleaned up after a hard day of physical labor before going to a great banquet. Maybe Purgatory can be compared to a cleansing shower before going to a celebration.
Yesterday, we celebrated the lives of the saints — those who have made it all the way, crossed the finish line of salvation, and are waiting for us to be with them someday in. Heaven.
Today, All Souls’ Day, we remember and assist those who are on the final leg of the journey to Heaven. We accompany them with our prayers and sacrificial offerings. This is why we have Masses offered on behalf of the dead. Like Judas Maccabeus in 2 Maccabees 12:43-36 we make supplications to God on the behalf of those who have gone before us marked with the sign of faith, but imperfect in their lives. We ask God to bring them to their final home where they will join with all the saints in glory.
So, we pray for these departed souls of the Church. We ask God’s mercy and favor upon them. We ask God to purify them. And we hope that when we die, prayers and Masses will be offered to God on our behalf.
Thank God for Purgatory. Because of Purgatory, I — an imperfect sinner — have a chance of being a saint someday — and you do too! This is a gift from God for which we should give thanks.
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon them.
May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed,
through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Amen.
Have a blessed week everyone.