99 & 1/2 Won’t Do – A Meditation on Purgatory

Archdiocese of Washington ^ | November 1, 2010 | Msgr. Charles Pope

[RnMomof7]

St. Catherine of Siena was gifted by the Lord to see a heavenly soul in the state of grace and her account of it is related in her Dialogue. It is here summarized In the Sunday School Teacher’s Explanation of the Baltimore Catechism:
The Soul in the State of Grace- Catherine of Siena was permitted by God to see the beauty of a soul in the state of grace. It was so beautiful that she could not look on it; the brightness of that soul dazzled her. Blessed Raymond, her confessor, asked her to describe to him, as far as she was able, the beauty of the soul she had seen. St. Catherine thought of the sweet light of that morning, and of the beautiful colours of the rainbow, but that soul was far more beautiful. She remembered the dazzling beams of the noonday sun, but the light which beamed from that soul was far brighter. She thought of the pure whiteness of the lily and of the fresh snow, but that is only an earthly whiteness. The soul she had seen was bright with the whiteness of Heaven, such as there is not to be found on earth. ” My father,” she answered. “I cannot find anything in this world that can give you the smallest idea of what I have seen. Oh, if you could but see the beauty of a soul in the state of grace, you would sacrifice your life a thousand times for its salvation. I asked the angel who was with me what had made that soul so beautiful, and he answered me, “It is the image and likeness of God in that soul, and the Divine Grace which made it so beautiful.” [1]

This is the same Catherine of Siena that said this

"Even if the Pope were Satan incarnate, we ought not to raise up our heads against him, but calmly lie down to rest on his bosom."

Personally I would not believe a word that proceeded from her mouth

[Judith Anne]

Personally I would not believe a word that proceeded from her mouth

I'm certain that the reformers thank God they are not like those awful Catholic saints. Heh.

[RnMomof7]

So do you agree with her statement on the pope? If he was satan himself would you still follow him?

[Judith Anne]

Got a link for the statement?

[MarkBsnr]

But then the Mass -or- Jesus become enfleshed in the "wafer" introduced into the believers flesh by a fleshly priest in a fleshly ceremony.. for fleshly reasons... is also weird..

This weirdness comes to us directly from the Apostles, who got it from Jesus. Christianity, in other words. May I enquire what faith you hold, if not Christian?

[MarkBsnr]

If Christ paid the price in full, there is no need for purgatory. If He didn’t, he’s not perfect and therefore not the Son of God. Your choice.

I guess that you do not understand the doctrine of purgatory, then. You are wrong, according to the Faith.

[boatbums]

Thank you for your wisdom in denying this article a “Caucus” designation. If the shoe was on the other foot, like you said, you would be hearing about it from that side.

[boatbums]

Belief in “Purgatory” goes right along with the belief in faith and works for salvation. What seems to be lost on the adherents to it is the idea that if we could “pay the penalty” for our sins by suffering, then Christ did not have to die for us. The title of “99 & 1/2 Won’t Do” is exactly true, except what is left out is that Christ’s righteousness imputed to us by grace through faith is 100% GRACE and nothing we add, or can add, counts.

[Melian]

Yes. It is true.

[Melian]

Christ made it very clear action was required to confirm conversion. Many parables He told criticized saying one believes while acting sinfully. More is required than saying you believe; you must live belief.

[Melian]

No. Christ said we have to pay the last penny.

If you believe, you are redeemed and will eventually be with Him in Heaven... after you have been allowed to complete your purification from sin.

[presently no screen name]

There are no works you can do for your own salvation - nothing.

More is required than saying you believe; you must live belief.

That is AFTER salvation - not FOR salvation.

The Bible says that faith without works is dead – but that is AFTER you have received God’s gift of eternal salvation. AFTER you get saved, God has a plan and a purpose for your life, and this is where you will go to work for God into whatever your calling is going to be in Him. But to initially receive the GIFT of eternal salvation from God the Father is simply done by having faith and belief in Jesus Christ and what He personally did for you on the cross.

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the GIFT of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8)

Receive the GIFT thankfully and rejoice. There is no striving to receive it. Then we renew our minds to conform with the mind of Christ by reading/studying/meditating on His Word.

Our Spirit is what is saved - not our body or mind. Our Spirit never dies. Those who are saved (according to what HE says salvation is) - their Spirit lives w/HIM for eternity but those not born again/saved - their spirit goes to their master (satan) dwelling they followed here on earth. What we do is renew our minds/soul (our way of thinking) to His Way. We will never attain it all here because we have inherited a sinful nature. And that doesn't go away here, so we have to harness it in and make it obey The Word. And we will fail and get up and fail again, etc.

Fellowship with Our Heavenly Father is what He wants from us. The more we know Him, the better our walk of faith is. And we get to know Him through reading/meditating on His Word. "I can do all things thru Christ Who strengthens me". He gives us the strength to carry our His tasks. It is all by Faith.

"Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'

They went and did works on their own but never had fellowship with Our Heavenly Father. So they weren't doing His works but their own since they never knew Him. All for naught, they did things their way and not God's Way.

[Melian]

Of course you must believe in Christ and accept Him as Savior. No one disputes that. The gift of redemption is simply ours for the asking. But Christ clearly set up a few more requirements for righteousness in His eyes. His parables illustrate very clearly that saying one believes is not enough to find favor with God. One must live faith with humility, generosity, perseverance, and love. St. Paul makes this clear in his letters also. You have to run the race to the end.

It is up to us to hold onto our salvation our whole lives. Our actions are a demonstration of our free will and our choice to be redeemed- and stay redeemed. In that sense, we must each complete our own redemption.

I am reminded of two parables: the haughty Pharisee and lowly Lazarus (the Pharisee believed but his self-righteous attitude was not pleasing to God) and the parable of the two sons. One son claimed he loved his father and would be obedient to him, but didn’t follow through; while the son who made no promises, but actually did what his father requested, was the one who really was the good son.

These are just two examples, from Christ’s own mouth, in sacred Scripture, that tell us there is a component of salvation that involves the way we actually live out our faith on a daily basis. Our actions and deeds matter when Christ judges us. Christ made that clear.

[RnMomof7]

Yes. It is true.

How do you know that ?

[Melian]

“How do you know that ?”

Because I have faith. Because I take the parables Christ told very seriously. Because many saints have pondered this question and come to the same conclusion. Because of what St. Paul said about his own salvation. Because it makes sense.

[RnMomof7]

“How do you know that ?”
Because I have faith. Because I take the parables Christ told very seriously. Because many saints have pondered this question and come to the same conclusion. Because of what St. Paul said about his own salvation. Because it makes sense.

There is no scripture , no teaching from Jesus or Paul that supports purgatory.. accepting a doctrine like that on faith alone steals glory from Christ and diminishes the cross. It says Jesus could not close the deal, so i will

[presently no screen name]

But Christ clearly set up a few more requirements for righteousness in His eyes. His parables illustrate very clearly that saying one believes is not enough to find favor with God.

For salvation? Use Scripture to confirm your statements. REMINDER: No one is righteous, only those who are 'in Christ'. If one isn't saved, they are not 'in Christ'. We attain salvation HIS WAY only.

One must live faith with humility, generosity, perseverance, and love. St. Paul makes this clear in his letters also. .

Paul taught God's Word alone, was Holy Spirit filled and walked by faith. Catholics are taught to walk in obedience to man made doctrine and have faith in their church. MAJOR difference. Align yourself with Paul's teachings - anyone can say what he taught. We are command to HEAR and OBEY HIS Word and not the catechism.

Our actions and deeds matter when Christ judges us. Christ made that clear.

What actions/deeds? What will Catholics says about their acts of praying to/for the dead, adoration towards anyone (Mary, saints) other than HIM, teaching that 'any man' is infallible, abiding by man made doctrine that is in direct opposition to His Word. The prideful nature displayed saying one can/must add to their salvation by works with the 'Jesus is Not Enough' mentality. Jesus said He died for all our sins, and the RCC rebels and teaches purgatory purifies one. How do you think that will 'judge' out? There are no liberal judges in heaven - ONLY ONE - and HIS WORD rules there and forever while the catechism is burnt up along with every other man-made doctrine.

[Melian]

Sorry. I think you’re completely wrong about Scripture, Catholics, and Purgatory.

[Melian]

Wrong. Paul said clearly that he worked out his salvation every day in fear and trembling. He made it very clear it’s not a done deal. Scripture, Christ’s parables, and Paul, support the idea of Purgatory.

[Melian]

Ok. Purgatory: 2 Mac 12: 42-46, Mt 12:32, Luke 12: 58, Luke 16:19-31, 1 Cor 3: 10-15, 1 Pet 3:19, Rev 21: 27.

Catholics are quite in line with Paul’s teachings. In fact, Paul submitted himself to the Church and Peter’s authority.

I don’t know about you, but I hear and obey Christ’s words before Paul’s.

Christ prayed for the dead when He prayed for Lazarus and the Centurian’s servant. Christ showed reverence for the Torah.

It is prideful to assume one is saved. It is humble to assume one must actually try to live the way Christ asked us to live— and to know we often fall short.

Not sure what your last paragraph means. The Catholic Church is the truest to Christ’s actual words and deeds, the early Church practices and teachings, and collected the writings of the Bible. The earliest Church members prayed to and for the dead: their carvings with their prayers to the dead are displayed in the Catacombs. The facts are not on your side.

The fact is the Catholic Church is the one, true Church of Christ and has His authority to carry on His teachings. The Catechism is built on Scripture. Every paragraph references the Scripture it pertains to. Pick it up and look at it some time.

It seems to me that your post is another vain repetition of the same, worn, inaccurate objections to the Church. There’s not much fact there, just a lot of sound and fury. It still signifies nothing.