Purgatory: Mercy After Death

Facing Difficult Catholic Teachings

One of the benefits of being a convert to the Catholic Faith is that I had to face all the teachings of the Church and wrestle through them as I discerned converting. I wonder if cradle Catholics, because of poor catechesis, can unintentionally remain ignorant of some truths of the Catholicism, something I am very mindful of now as I raise my four young children in the Faith. The first hurdles for me were the Real Presence in the Eucharist and Mary. Once I came to see those as truth, everything else started to click. Purgatory, however, was still gnawing away at my doubt. I chose to trust God and keep going in my conversion.

What I Have Learned About Purgatory

I will attempt here to share what I have learned about Purgatory, which has helped me see it as an extension of God’s mercy after our life ends rather than a mere scare tactic to make Catholics behave better.

As a Protestant, my understanding was that once we believe that Jesus died for our sins, we are forgiven and therefore made perfect, and we will go to heaven when we die. Something I did not really understand was at what point this perfection would take place and what exactly that would look like. One thing is certain: after I have been forgiven for a sin that I have committed, I am definitely not perfect. There is still healing that needs to take place.

The book of Hebrews says that our God is a consuming fire. I do not know exactly what this means, but I imagine if I stood in His presence as I am right now, I would probably get burned up! There is still much work to do in refining and purifying.

Purgatory is not our fate; it is a fallback plan. If we participate in God’s plan, including embracing all the sufferings and trials He allows in our lives, He will provide what we need to be perfected in holiness. “May the God of peace himself sanctify you wholly, and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.” (1 Thess 5:23-24)

Life’s Trials and Sanctification

The question is: do we want to participate in it?

The trials of life purify us. Sufferings, sorrows, disappointments, even the small irritations, all can work for our good. They help us depend on God and not on ourselves. They help us detach from disordered desires and desire God above all, who is our only true source of satisfaction. Life has built-in penance.

Embrace the challenges of life and trust in the process of sanctification. God’s greatest desire is not for us to have a happy, easy life. It is for us to be perfected in holiness so that we may dwell eternally in His presence. We can use the truth of Purgatory as a motive to embrace and persevere through the trials of life. And remember: pray for those in Purgatory now, and hope that if we too end up there, someone will also be praying for us.

Amen.

Thank you for joining me in this reflection. I want to encourage you to pray a Rosary for the souls in Purgatory this month.

Peace in Christ,
Jesse Cameron