Posted on 11/02/2014 3:14:08 PM PST by NYer
On All Souls Day, the Catholic Church offers prayers and liturgies for the repose of the dead. As Catholics, we are called by the Church to focus our spiritual energies to assist these poor souls, who, though saved, are still in need of purification. Our prayers and sacrifices assist them in this process of purification as a means used by God to communicate purifying grace to them. After all, He is the vine, we are the branches so that He produces his fruits of grace through us.
The practice of praying for the dead actually predates Christianity. In 2 Maccabees 12: 41-45, Judas offers prayers and sacrifices for his fallen comrades to make “atonement for the dead that they might be absolved from their sin.” Some argue that the books of the Maccabees are not inspired scripture. Leaving that argument aside for now, we can at least look at them as historical books detailing accepted pious practices of God’s people some 300 years before Christ.
If that is the only place in the Bible where we find any reference to purgatory, many Protestant Christians argue, then that is a weak support for such a practice. Fortunately, we know as Catholics that all of our doctrines are indeed found in the Word of God, as is the doctrine of Purgatory. Hence what follows is a biblical understanding of the Catholic doctrine of Purgatory.
The book of Genesis recounts for us the far reaching repercussions of Adam and Eve’s disobedience in the Garden. This sin, we find, brought about four consequences which I will summarize here (Gen 3: 16-24):
First, their sin brings about disharmony between persons. God tells Eve that both her relationship to her husband and children will now be characterized by pain and mistrust (Gen 3:16). Further, God has to make garments for man and woman because now, as the text implies, they feel shame (Gen 3:21).
Second, their sin brings about disharmony between man and creation. God tells Adam that he will produce the fruit of the earth with toil and difficulty (Gen 3: 17). Even the ground itself is cursed because of their sin (Gen 3: 17).
Third, their sin brings about disharmony between man and himself. He no longer has spiritual control over his body; thus, his body returns to the dust of the ground (Gen 3: 19). Adam and Eve are no longer able to receive everlasting life (Gen 3: 22).
Lastly and most importantly, sin brings disharmony between God and man. This consequence results in mistrust and fear of God (Gen 3: 10), and, worse, spiritual death. Without God, neither physical nor spiritual life can be sustained (Gen 3: 19, 24).
The first three disharmonies mentioned above are called ‘Temporal punishments due to sin.’ Temporal refers to things pertaining to this world. The last disharmony, the disharmony with God, is called eternal punishment, because it refers to things pertaining to the eternal world with God.
All four of these disharmonies are healed by Christ. The only healing we experience fully in this life, however, is from eternal punishment–or disharmony with God. That’s why Christ is the One Mediator between God and man.
It should be clear that we don’t experience a full healing from the temporal disharmonies/punishments as Christians, because we still struggle. We experience suffering, illness, catastrophes, and even death. Yet, Christ heals these problems, too, it’s just that we don’t experience the full healing in the temporal sphere until He returns.
Until then, we are called to struggle for His Kingdom. As St. Paul puts it, “But we have this treasure (the healing grace of salvation) in earthen vessels, to show that the transcendent power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying around in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.” (2 Cor 7-10)
To overcome these temporal disharmonies, we are called to cooperate with Christ’s power in grace so as to bring about the healing with Him in these areas. This is why we are called to pray, fast, and alms give so as to forgive our neighbor’s sins and be forgiven, and to receive the reward promised by our heavenly Father that we will once again regain temporal peace/harmony on earth and in heaven (Mt 6:5-23).
What happens if we die and are reconciled to God (the eternal punishment for sin), but have not entirely cooperated with grace to overcome the temporal punishments for sin? St. Paul gives us the answer in 1 Cor 3: 12-16. He says that after death, our works will be tested “as though by fire, and the fire will test what kind of work we have done,” and we will suffer loss, though we will still be saved (1 Cor 3:13-15).
This is a very clear passage regarding the purification (which we call purgatory) that takes place after death. This fire purifies us from our temporal disharmonies mentioned above, if we die without having them entirely purified in this life.
You are wrong, Protestantism is the lie.
And it is in Purgatory that Jesus, through his merits not ours, completes the cleansing of sin from our souls.
By faith, it is in HIS blood that we are washed white as snow, justified from ALL our sins, redeemed from ALL penalties for our sin and born again - counted as children of the Living God sealed by the Holy Spirit until the day of redemption.
And this is the major error of Protestantism. We are redeemed not just from the penalties of sin but from sin itself, that disorientation of the soul rooted in selfishness. Jesus came not just to pay the penalty for our sins but to give us access to the grace of God which makes us truly holy, not merely imputing the holiness of Jesus on those who remain corrupt within. It is in Purgatory that occurs that which St. Paul wrote:
I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work in you will continue to complete it until the day of Christ Jesus.… And this is my prayer: that your love may increase ever more and more in knowledge and every kind of perception, to discern what is of value, so that you may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God. (Phil. 1:6, 9-11)The work of our salvation is not completed until our love increases and we are filled, not just imputed, with the fruit of righteousness that come through Jesus Christ. Concerned only with our legalistic justification, Protestantism fails to recognize the greater mission of Jesus Christ, our sanctification.
Let it go and ignore them! I actually wish that FR would ban them. They need thier own site at which they can bash all they want.
Because he admitted his guilt and repented.
I know what you mean.
There is nothing like the feeling after confession from the power of Christ's absolution. I welcome the penance.
There is NOTHING like knowing that we can receive the Food (Body and Blood) from Heaven on our tortuous path to eternity. Traveling through life without it makes the journey that much more difficult, heart breaking and empty.
Without the Eucharist, you might as well stay home, watch a televangelist, read the Good Book and say some prayers. Well, the Lord's Prayer.
If protestants did think they would become Catholics. Just ask Scott and Kimberly Hahn, Marcus Grodi, Jeff Cavins, Tim Staples, Jimmy Akin, and the list goes on and on and .......
Non catholics have no business “refuting” something they do not comprehend.
Well said, they need to hear this more often. Of course if they did actually understand Catholic Theology they couldn't stay protestant.
By faith, it is in HIS blood that we are washed white as snow, justified from ALL our sins, redeemed from ALL penalties for our sin and born again - counted as children of the Living God sealed by the Holy Spirit until the day of redemption.
And this is the major error of Protestantism. We are redeemed not just from the penalties of sin but from sin itself, that disorientation of the soul rooted in selfishness. Jesus came not just to pay the penalty for our sins but to give us access to the grace of God which makes us truly holy, not merely imputing the holiness of Jesus on those who remain corrupt within. It is in Purgatory that occurs that which St. Paul wrote:
I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work in you will continue to complete it until the day of Christ Jesus.… And this is my prayer: that your love may increase ever more and more in knowledge and every kind of perception, to discern what is of value, so that you may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God. (Phil. 1:6, 9-11)
The work of our salvation is not completed until our love increases and we are filled, not just imputed, with the fruit of righteousness that come through Jesus Christ. Concerned only with our legalistic justification, Protestantism fails to recognize the greater mission of Jesus Christ, our sanctification.
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So well put.
Thank you for posting.
Uh, no, NOT “Purgatory”. If you read the link for the Jewish “prayer” for that deceased man, you would have seen that the sins for which he was given this terrible “burden” of carrying wood for his own burning were what Catholicism would call “mortal” sins. Catholics don’t believe anyone with mortal sins on their souls even go to Purgatory.
Right. There are some superficial similarities, but they are absolutely not the same. Such is also the case with many other concepts.
So well put.
***
And redolent with patience and compassion.
You are wrong.
Here’s a thought: How about we agree to disagree?
We Catholics believe in the concept of Purgatory. You, apparently, do not. But I can promise you with great certainty that no Catholics will attempt to force you to believe what we believe.
6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7 which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse! 9 As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under God’s curse!
Many of us WERE cradle Catholics! I understand fully what Catholics believe. To assert Scriptural proof texts are "always ignored" is flat out wrong AND hypocritical. What I usually see is RC interpretation of snippets of Scripture - if that - and a whole bunch of "tradition" stuffed around it to make it seem to be Biblical. Many times, entire passages of Scripture are ignored by RCs because they know what they say would contradict their own church's teachings. Because I was an RC, I have a heart for those who are searching for the truth of the gospel of the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ - just as I was.
First Things - Purgatory for Everyone
What the Church means by Purgatory
Radio Replies Second Volume - Purgatory
Purgatory Exists. And It Burns
The Month of November: Thoughts on the "Last Things"
To Trace All Souls Day (Protestants vs Catholics)
Radio Replies First Volume - Purgatory
The Doctrine of Purgatory [Ecumenical]
The Heroic Act [Catholic-Orthodox Caucus] (Offering everything for the Souls in Purgatory)
MONTLIGEON MIRACLE: HOW PRIEST TURNED INTO 'TRAVELING SALESMAN' OF PURGATORY
IN BRUSH WITH DEATH, PRIEST SHOWN HELL, PURGATORY, DEGREES OF SUFFERING
Praying for the Dead [All Souls Day] (Catholic/Orthodox Caucus)
Purgatory: Service Shop for Heaven [Ecumernical]
Beginning Catholic: Catholic Purgatory: What Does It Mean? [Ecumenical]
OF GUARDIAN ANGELS AND THE ROLE THEY PLAY NOT JUST ON EARTH BUT IN PURGATORY [Catholic Caucus]
IN ANNALS OF SAINTS IS CONVERT'S STRIKING DEDICATION TO THOSE SOULS IN PURGATORY [Catholic Caucus]
Explaining Purgatory from a New Testament Perspective [Ecumenical]
PURIFYING THE SOUL ON EARTH IS WORTH 100X WHAT IT TAKES AFTER [Catholic Caucus] What Happens After Death?
Purgatory
A Brief Catechism for Adults - Lesson 12: Purgatory
The Doctrine of Purgatory
The Early Church Fathers on Purgatory - Catholic/Orthodox Caucus
Required for entrance to Purgatory? Personal question for Cathloic Freepers.
__________ ++++++ Who Had Near-Death Episode Believes In Purgatory
Straight Answers: What Is Purgatory Like?
Do Catholics Believe in Purgatory?
Purgatory, Indulgences, and the Work of Jesus Christ (Discussion)
Prayer to Release the Souls of Purgatory
The Forgotten Souls in Purgatory
Praying for the dead [Purgatory]
“But if the Blood of Christ washes away our sins...why are suburbs necessary instead of a direct connection with our Lord.”
Purgatory IS direct connection to Christ. He makes it work with His blood.
“One wonders if this isn’t merely a medieval concoction to derive revenue from indulgences.”
Actually no one intelligent or knowledgeable wonders that. Seriously, proof of purgatory (outside of scripture) goes back to the 1st or 2nd century. Indulgences came in the 11th and had NO CONNECTION TO MONEY UNTIL LATER JUST AS THEY HAVE NO CONNECTION TO MONEY NOW.
“The Lord actually never spoke of such a thing as purgatory.”
(The work of our salvation is not completed until our love increases and we are filled...)
Holy Toledo! Where did you get these ideas.
BB You are wrong. Catholic theology teaches that if the person who has committed a mortal sin has made a good confession and repented of that sin then the sin is forgiven. They will still need to pay the temporal penalty for that sin in Purgatory. And the next time you might want to cite the actual teaching instead of the prot understanding of it.
CCC 1020 The Christian who unites his own death to that of Jesus views it as a step towards him and an entrance into everlasting life. When the Church for the last time speaks Christ's words of pardon and absolution over the dying Christian, seals him for the last time with a strengthening anointing, and gives him Christ in viaticum as nourishment for the journey, she speaks with gentle assurance:
Go forth, Christian soul, from this world in the name of God the almighty Father, who created you, in the name of Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God, who suffered for you, in the name of the Holy Spirit, who was poured out upon you. Go forth, faithful Christian! May you live in peace this day, may your home be with God in Zion, with Mary, the virgin Mother of God, with Joseph, and all the angels and saints. . . .
May you return to [your Creator] who formed you from the dust of the earth. May holy Mary, the angels, and all the saints come to meet you as you go forth from this life. . . . May you see your Redeemer face to face. 591
I. THE PARTICULAR JUDGMENT 1021 Death puts an end to human life as the time open to either accepting or rejecting the divine grace manifested in Christ.592 The New Testament speaks of judgment primarily in its aspect of the final encounter with Christ in his second coming, but also repeatedly affirms that each will be rewarded immediately after death in accordance with his works and faith. The parable of the poor man Lazarus and the words of Christ on the cross to the good thief, as well as other New Testament texts speak of a final destiny of the soul--a destiny which can be different for some and for others.593
1022 Each man receives his eternal retribution in his immortal soul at the very moment of his death, in a particular judgment that refers his life to Christ: either entrance into the blessedness of heaven-through a purification594 or immediately,595 -- or immediate and everlasting damnation.596
III. THE FINAL PURIFICATION, OR PURGATORY
1030 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.
1031 The Church gives the name Purgatory to this final purification of the elect, which is entirely different from the punishment of the damned.606 The Church formulated her doctrine of faith on Purgatory especially at the Councils of Florence and Trent. The tradition of the Church, by reference to certain texts of Scripture, speaks of a cleansing fire:607
As for certain lesser faults, we must believe that, before the Final Judgment, there is a purifying fire. He who is truth says that whoever utters blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will be pardoned neither in this age nor in the age to come. From this sentence we understand that certain offenses can be forgiven in this age, but certain others in the age to come.608
1032 This teaching is also based on the practice of prayer for the dead, already mentioned in Sacred Scripture: "Therefore [Judas Maccabeus] made atonement for the dead, that they might be delivered from their sin."609 From the beginning the Church has honored the memory of the dead and offered prayers in suffrage for them, above all the Eucharistic sacrifice, so that, thus purified, they may attain the beatific vision of God.610 The Church also commends almsgiving, indulgences, and works of penance undertaken on behalf of the dead:
**The practice of praying for the dead actually predates Christianity. In 2 Maccabees 12: 41-45, Judas offers prayers and sacrifices for his fallen comrades to make “atonement for the dead that they might be absolved from their sin.” **
My priest made this comment this morning:
If people are in hell, the prayers won’t do any good.
If people are in heaven, the people don’t need our prayers.
So, in the early church, they realized that there was somewhere in between — and so they prayed for the dead.
We call that “in between” situation “Purgatory” where souls who didn’t do the reparation for sins committed on earth will do their reparation.
It’s like writing a “I’m sorry” note to someone you hurt, but never did do it. So when you die you make up for that earthly negligence in Purgatory.
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