M
Michael038
Guest
Do you believe in Purgatory?
It simply means willingly undergoing that purification on earth. It means not being content with spiritual mediocrity, and diligently working to amend your way of life. Ultimately, the only thing we have to offer to God is our free will, and by devoting ourselves to our own sanctification, we are giving that to God. Also, souls in purgatory cannot gain merit. You can wait until after death to be purified BY God, but that purification will not gain you any merit. If you seek to be purified by God here on earth, you will merit more glory in heaven. That is, speaking analogically, by seeking sanctity in this life, the cup that is your soul becomes bigger–meaning, that you can “have more of God” in the world to come. And that, ultimately, is the motive that underlies all meritorious works. By seeking to purify your soul, you are saying to God, "I want my soul to be as beautiful as possible for You when You see fit to call me home. That’s what it means to “do your purgatory on earth”–it means making your entire life an offering to God.I do believe in Purgatory, but am having trouble grasping the concept of “doing one’s Purgatory on Earth.” I understand offering up one’s sufferings. However, if a soul goes to purgatory for cleansing, isn’t it only the spirit that suffers, whereas on Earth there is physical suffering as well.