We are now close to halfway through the month of October which means that we will very soon arrive at November 1st and November 2nd. November 1st is All Saints Day where we come to acknowledge the multitude of saints in Heaven and November 2nd is All Souls Day where we are reminded of the need to pray for those in Purgatory.
Purgatory is an important aspect of our faith, but is one which is sadly rejected by many faith traditions and even some Catholics. At the point of death we would rather jump towards the canaization ceremony of our loved one instead of expressing the reality of Purgatory and the need to pray for the souls of the faithful departed.
Some make a mistake by seeing Purgatory as a second chance of getting Heaven. When it pertains to our salvation there are not any second chances. When we die we will either be judged to Heaven or Hell. Purgatory is instead a temporal punishment for sin and for a cleansing from the attachment to sin. It is Purgatory which cleanses the soul as “gold tested in fire.”
Our Gospel passage is one which is often used in regards to Purgatory. In it we were told concerning the king who settled accounts with his slaves. He forgave him the debt, but the slave was unjust in forgiving the debt of others. For this it was stated: “Then in anger his master handed him over to the torturers until he should pay back the whole debt.”As it is similarly stated in the Gospel of Saint Luke: “I say to you, you will not be released until you have paid the last penny.”
From all of this we can conclude that Christ calls the believer to live out a life of justice which will be exacted to the last cent. The Catholic teaching on Purgatory is that if at the end of one’s earthly life, this debt of justice was not satisfied, he shall be purified before entering heaven. This is in line with the Book of Revelation which states concerning Heaven: “nothing unclean will enter it.”
Thankfully, Purgatory exists for without it how would we expect something which is found unclean to enter Heaven? Without Purgatory how would we who continue to have earthly longings find happiness in Heaven?
Therefore, let us continue to pray for the souls of the faithful departed that they may be escorted into Heaven this day by all of the angels and saints. Let us offer our sacrifices for them and let us orient our heart towards Heaven that we may come to order our life towards Paradise.
Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon them.
May the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God, Rest In Peace. Amen.
