H
HabemusFrancis
Guest
I was thinking more about Purgatory lately, the part of the afterlife which seems to draw the least amount of attention.
I know it is presented as an unfortunate place, and in many respects it is. Yet I am sort of fond of it existing because it seems a manifestation of how just and fair God really is, a place for those who truly love Him and their fellow man but also have unhealthy attachments to sin. A place where they can “sort themselves out” or “Get fixed” in the after life, the way they weren’t able to when they were alive.
It is said to be quite painful, more painful than any earthly fire. But I wonder if this just refers to their longing to be with God?
In a lot of ways we undergo purgatory on earth. In that people on earth sometimes suffer great sadness and inner pain, until they realize that God is really the only thing that matters ultimately, and through him we can overcome that pain?
I was thinking of this more and more because I was re-reading the divine commedy. Funnily enough my favorite book of these is the one on purgatory, maybe because the souls condition there is most similar to life on earth.
Dante (with great artistic lisence) presents as a place of sadness and sorrow, but not ultimate despair. Angels apparently go into it from time to time, to help sinners progress as they undergo their purgation. The souls do suffer trials, but at the very least I don’t think we can discount the possibilty of souls interracting and engaging in friendship and companionship of sorts, of the kind that is not ever possible in Hell:blush:.
Dante does seem to think there is some beauty in purgatory. For those being in the level purged of the sin of pride, there is a statue and presnetation of examples of humility: of the Virgin Mary saying “yes” to God’s wil for her, and of a Roman Emperor, bending down to give his claok to a begger.
In the level of purgatory for the envious, there examples(Statues or scenes) of the obvious virtue, of generosity: The wedding at Cana) and so on and so on for each level for sin. For each level of sin someone has to purge, they are presented with examples of the opposite virtue.
Dante’s version is almost enough to make me think that while there is trial and suffering in purgatory, there may be great hope or even happiness and peace as well.
I know Dante is no theologian or cleric, but nevertheless he was a well-read layman who was intimately aware of Catholic doctrine.
It all is almost enough to think I wouldnt mind terribly if I were sent to purgatory upon my death. Saddened and dissapointed maybe, but still very grateful to the Lord to give me one last chance.
I know it is presented as an unfortunate place, and in many respects it is. Yet I am sort of fond of it existing because it seems a manifestation of how just and fair God really is, a place for those who truly love Him and their fellow man but also have unhealthy attachments to sin. A place where they can “sort themselves out” or “Get fixed” in the after life, the way they weren’t able to when they were alive.
It is said to be quite painful, more painful than any earthly fire. But I wonder if this just refers to their longing to be with God?
In a lot of ways we undergo purgatory on earth. In that people on earth sometimes suffer great sadness and inner pain, until they realize that God is really the only thing that matters ultimately, and through him we can overcome that pain?
I was thinking of this more and more because I was re-reading the divine commedy. Funnily enough my favorite book of these is the one on purgatory, maybe because the souls condition there is most similar to life on earth.
Dante (with great artistic lisence) presents as a place of sadness and sorrow, but not ultimate despair. Angels apparently go into it from time to time, to help sinners progress as they undergo their purgation. The souls do suffer trials, but at the very least I don’t think we can discount the possibilty of souls interracting and engaging in friendship and companionship of sorts, of the kind that is not ever possible in Hell:blush:.
Dante does seem to think there is some beauty in purgatory. For those being in the level purged of the sin of pride, there is a statue and presnetation of examples of humility: of the Virgin Mary saying “yes” to God’s wil for her, and of a Roman Emperor, bending down to give his claok to a begger.
In the level of purgatory for the envious, there examples(Statues or scenes) of the obvious virtue, of generosity: The wedding at Cana) and so on and so on for each level for sin. For each level of sin someone has to purge, they are presented with examples of the opposite virtue.
Dante’s version is almost enough to make me think that while there is trial and suffering in purgatory, there may be great hope or even happiness and peace as well.
I know Dante is no theologian or cleric, but nevertheless he was a well-read layman who was intimately aware of Catholic doctrine.
It all is almost enough to think I wouldnt mind terribly if I were sent to purgatory upon my death. Saddened and dissapointed maybe, but still very grateful to the Lord to give me one last chance.
