Posted on 08/21/2006 8:31:24 AM PDT by fishtank
Hi.
I have just lost a very close family relative. Almost most of my family is Roman Catholic, although I left the Church a while ago (you would say I'm evangelical, and fairly strongly Calvinist). I have forgotten some of my Catholic theology, I think, and I'd like to know what is considered necessary for a Catholic to at least enter Purgatory upon death. Please, I do not want this to turn into a debate thread. My loss is recent and painful. I am looking for information from anyone who is willing to respond, and I would like to hear from FR Catholics who are pre-Vatican 2 and from those who are post-Vatican 2, as well.
Thanks in advance, and I do thank you for any serious response.
As Jesus said, when He cured the Roman centurion's slave, "Many will come from east and west and sit at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness; there men will weep and gnash their teeth." (Mt. 8:11-12, RSV)
To me, the bottom line is that we don't know whom God has chosen for the Kingdom, because He doesn't want us to know.
I try to keep clear of mortal sin, go to confession when I fail (and even just in case), and stay right with God. That's all I can do, other than Standing On the Promises, as we used to sing occasionally . . .
I sincerely believe that even someone who has been outside of any faith or belief for a long time, but who, in the moments before he or she gives up their soul, fervently asks God to "have mercy on me!" may be given God's mercy. As stated by others in this thread, Purgatory is a time of cleansing to be able to eventually see the Beatific Vision which we could not survive without sanctifying grace (Frank Sheed; Theology and Sanity). A plea of perfect contrition is perhaps all one can hope for and the remainder is to rely on God's infinite mercy.
Each night I pray a full novena for the Souls in Purgatory that was assembled by Susan Tassone. One line states, "For those habitual sinners who owe their salvation to a miracle of grace." That could be any of us... We are all sinners.
Frank
Only later did he learn that, in the article of death, the nurses heard the man reciting, over and over, "My Jesus, have mercy!"
The good Archbishop seemed certain that God's mercy could extend even to such an one. And he ought to know.
"Standing on the Promises" has great harmony lines!
Mark Shultz, a Christian Contemporary singer, has a song out that includes the lines,
"If I stand, let me stand on the promise that you will pull me through,
And if I can't, let me fall on the grace that first brought me to you."
Thanks both for sharing those stories!
I always see in my mind's eye the Publican, fearful to raise his eyes to God, beating his breast in the Temple and saying "Have mercy on me O Lord, a sinner." I think that God is found in such moments and I believe that Archbishop Sheen is correct in his assessment. God does allow for miracles of mercy.
The lines of the song are beautiful, Mrs. Tax. Thanks for that beautiful sentiment!
F
You're welcome!
The remaining lines are:
"And if I sing, let it be for the joy that has born in me these songs,
And if I week, let it be as a man who is longing for his home."
I always tell my children, and my students at church, that God is much more merciful than we are, and isn't that a good thing for ME :-).
"weep," I mean. Long day!
And pointing to any crucifix will demonstrate the extent of His Love...
In the Magnificat today, there is a meditation on the Gospel of Matthew concerning the owner of the vineyard who goes out 5 times to seek laborers for the day. The mediation was by St. Thomas Aquinas. He points out that God GOES OUT five times for us...not once or twice but FIVE. His entire mediation was beautiful. No wonder he is called the "Angelic Doctor."
How merciful is our Lord! He never abandons us, even when we have abandoned Him.
From this evening's Sedro prayers of the Divine Office
Creator and ruler of all in heaven and on earth,
your glory surpasses and transcends all things.
We place our trust in you, as we come to you with contrite hearts and repentant tears.
Assured that you help those who call upon you and save those who take refuge in you,
we beg you to guard your flock day and night, and gather us who are scattered.
Deliver from the evil one and his power, your people who believe in you and pray to you.
Exalt your Church and lead her to those who are strangers,
those who remain far from your mysteries,
and those who do not believe in you.
Let there be no heresies to draw us from you,
and may only true faith be proclaimed in your Church to the end of time.
Thus we shall give glory and thanksgiving to you, and your Father and your living and Holy Spirit,
now and forever.
Amen.
Thank you both - what good thoughts for the end of the day!
Bumping this thread back up.
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