Purgatory, a place of perfecting

[Rachaeld]

So, I’ve been reading about Purgatory and whether it takes away from the work of Christ on the cross and I’m wondering what you have to say about my current understanding. Is it correct to say

“Purgatory is a place in which God’s love is perfected in us. Yes, Jesus died for our sins, but our acceptance of his place as Lord and Saviour does not immediately make his love perfected in us. Therefore, his love must be perfected in us prior to entering into his presence.” Purgatory acts as a continuation of his work on the cross. Because of his work on the cross, we are given the gift of purgatory through which his love is perfected in us.”

What do you guys say?

 

[edward_george1]

Sounds good to me. I think you’ve hit on the key point, that the doctrine of purgatory doesn’t take away from the redemptive act of the Cross. It is rather one of the effects of the Cross.

-Fr ACEGC

 

[1Lord1Faith]

I think I would say, “We are perfected in God’s love” instead of, “God’s love is perfected in us”.

 

[edward_george1]

I would think they’re both equally valid statements. They’re not mutually exclusive.

 

[Gertabelle]

I have several friends who believe in God, believe in heaven, and despise some of their neighbors who have slighted them in some way.

But they don’t believe in purgatory.

What if, I ask them, these people they dislike are in heaven as well? Do they think their animosity towards these people would be part of heaven?

Well, they reply, those people can just stay on their side of heaven, and I’ll stay on mine.

These are good people who just struggle with forgiveness on a regular basis. I struggle with other things, so I understand.

Point is, none of us is ready in this life to enter into the presence of God. We need to be freed from our attachments to sin, to pride, to earthly pleasures, whatever is not of God.

Personally, I’m looking forward to a good scrubbing – please God, I die in a state of grace!

 

[MT1926]

“Purgatory is a place in which God’s love is perfected in us. Yes, Jesus died for our sins, but our acceptance of his place as Lord and Saviour does not immediately make his love perfected in us. Therefore, his love must be perfected in us prior to entering into his presence.”

This sounds great.

Just wanted to add something I heard Fr. Mike say the other day that really stuck with me.

The goal of the rational soul of the human being is union with God. So heaven is meant to be focused on union with God, the fullness of life revealed and fullness of life accomplished. Therefore if we still believe we need anything (basically our worldly attachments) other than God to be happy/fulfilled in heaven then we are not ready for heaven.

I think this goes right along with what you said about His love being perfected in us.

Until we able love God for who He is and not just for what He gives us, we are not ready for heaven.

Purgatory doesn’t take anything away from Christ’s work on the cross. It’s just the final gift He applies to us from this very work. To make us perfect to be in His presence.

Good Stuff.

God bless