Published in the bulletin of Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Knoxville, TN, on the 12th Sunday of Ordinary Time.
My dear Parishioners,
Peace! The twelfth article of the Apostle’s Creed is “I believe in everlasting life.” There are ten (10) In Brief passages in the Catechism of the Catholic Church regarding this article of the Creed. The following is a reflection on article 1054.
One special grace for which we should all pray is the grace of a happy death. Various patron Saints intercede especially for the grace of a happy death: the Blessed Virgin Mary, whom we so often ask to pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death; Saint Joseph, who is thought to have died with Our Lady and the Lord looking on; Saint Benedict, whose Jubilee Medal invokes his intercession and presence at our death. To die in grace and friendship with God, free from all mortal sin and the punishments of mortal sin (Hell), is to have the grace of a happy death. When we are well and regularly confessed the odds are in our favor that we will enjoy the grace of a happy death.
Should we happily find ourselves free from mortal sin and the punishments of mortal sin (Hell), those who die in venial sin or with punishments of venial sin not yet endured, the justice and mercy of God require such souls to be perfectly purified (cf. Numbers 18:22; 1 John 5:16–17). While the term “Purgatory” is not found anywhere in Sacred Scripture, the reality that nothing impure enters into the presence of God is found throughout. Consider 2 Maccabees 12:32–46 where a collection was taken up from among the surviving soldiers for those who had died wearing idolatrous amulets, in order to provide for an expiatory sacrifice. While the Lord Jesus was dealing specifically with blasphemy against the Holy Spirit in Matthew 12:32, this passage should also be understood to refer to the forgiveness of other sins, venial, in the world to come. This is good news for those who are imperfectly purified at their death.
Those who die free from all mortal sin are assured of eternal salvation. The ‘poor souls’ in Purgatory are poor not because they lack hope or blessed assurance of their salvation. Their poverty is due to our lack of prayer and concern for them. They can be considered to be like those imprisoned souls whom the Lord Jesus liberated during the harrowing of Hell (cf. 1 Peter 3:19–20; Ephesians 4:9–10).
The post-mortem purifications we may undergo may take the form of suffrages made by our loved ones still living on Earth, through their prayers, the Holy Masses offered for eternal repose, and the like. Almsgiving covers a multitude of sins (cf. Daniel 4:27; Luke 11:41). Holiness is necessary to enter the joy of God. Nothing unclean shall enter into God’s presence (cf. Leviticus 15:31; Revelation 21:27). We have great incentives to preserve the innocence given us in Holy Baptism, Penance and Eucharist: Life on high with Christ forever, possible by His grace.
God bless you!
Father John Arthur Orr