What do think about Gloria Polo's testimony

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Its been a little while since reading it, and i’d like to read it again. But since joining this forum, I realized it would be great to hear thoughts. I never thought anything seamed to contradict bible or Catholic teaching (not that either contradicts each other).

I really believe her story. I think her confessions are testimony to the truth. It is so amazing and revealing, that it is hard to take all in. But that would be expected. So many things are illuminating. It really inspires me to real action.

I know that private revelations are not manditory to believe. But of all the ones i’ve read, this one hits home the most. I dont even get into near death experiences, but this has so many things to remind us of judgement, the reality and effects of sin, the strength of prayer, the force of evil, the love of Jesus, the power of sacraments…etc.

Im sure its been discussed in here. If there is an existing thread. Please share it.

Thanks,
Michael
 
rcwitness said:
I never thought anything seamed to contradict bible or Catholic teaching (not that either contradicts each other).
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I already saw contradictions right off the bat.

javaemerald.com/religion/gloria_polo_testimony.html
Doctor Gloria Polo was an orthodontist living in Columbia when she was struck by lightning and had a near death experience in which she was judged by Jesus and condemned for mortal sin. Fortunately, a very pious, humble farmer who saw a picture of her in the newspaper prayed for her soul and Jesus granted her a second chance,
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Someone praying for someone else who is in mortal sin and being given a second chance?

[BIBLEDRB]1 John 5:16-17[/BIBLEDRB]

And getting judged over and over?

[BIBLEDRB]Hebrews 9:27[/BIBLEDRB]

I haven’t bothered to read the rest. I bet there is a lot more things that contradict the Bible and the Catholic faith.
 
BobCatholic said:
I already saw contradictions right off the bat.

javaemerald.com/religion/gloria_polo_testimony.html

Someone praying for someone else who is in mortal sin and being given a second chance?
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I hear ya, but i dont think he was praying for forgiveness of her mortal sins, but that she didnt die a physical death, or just mercy in her suffering. He didnt even know her to be aware of her sins. I think that is John’s point, not to pray for God’s forgiveness of a mortal sin that you are aware of a brother commiting…no?
 
As for men are to die only one death,

Where the cases in the new testament of those raised from the dead hoaxes?
 
Also, i can’t cancel her story because you found a passage that says man should die once. Aren’t there several instances in the bible of those raised from death? Im not sure she died technically…maybe just a coma…? I need to read again.

I have cosidered both of these. Both being accused by a very anti-Cathlic fellow. But they are understood issues. I personally dont think they neccessarily are cut and dry proof texts to disqualify this womans amazing experience. But I do keep in mind this could be a story. Just hard to come to terms with that, though. For her to live an irreverent life and have a verified, extremely intense near death experience and come out of it passionately telling this story.
 
OK, I think you’re stretching.
  1. The story said the farmer was praying for her soul. Doesn’t say why. You inserted your “why”
  2. there was only one story about someone rising from the dead, and that was Lazarus. Jesus did that one to teach an important lesson, which was public revelation. This story is private revelation and it already contradicts the Catholic faith.
  3. How many saints had a similar “second chance” where they died in mortal sin and then came back? Zero. I heard of one protestant preacher who claimed to have went to hell and came back, but that was protestantism (heresy). This does not sound anything like how God rolls.
  4. The story clearly said that Jesus had judged her to be in Mortal sin. The particular judgment was complete.
You asked for (name removed by moderator)ut, not a debate. I gave my (name removed by moderator)ut, and you’re debating.
 
With God ALL things are possible. Why do people put limits on God’s mercy and compassion?

Many people have been “clinically dead” and revived.

This woman’s testimony is one we should rejoice over for God has done as He wishes and been merciful. The fruit of her experience is her conversion.

Plus, I love what she says about sacramental marriage. Her story does not have to be “approved” for us to draw inspiration or repentance from it.
 
BobCatholic said:
OK, I think you’re stretching.

You asked for (name removed by moderator)ut, not a debate. I gave my (name removed by moderator)ut, and you’re debating.
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I am glad you replied. And i may be stretching. The thing is, is that im not saying you should believe it or not but that i do and i defend my reasons. But i could be wrong, im not the Church. Plus, i recomend reading the whole story before judging. And consider it is translated, which sometimes makes certain things hard to rush through.

Mainly, like Lady Love conveyed, it inspired me to realize the power of God’s sacraments and Love. And consequently the result in abusing these blessings.

Sorry if i seemed to not appreciate your (name removed by moderator)ut. They are observant considerations if we were to accept this as a reliable account

Thanks,
Michael
 
There are other things that raise questions too. Her account of purgatory seems different than my impression. She says demons were there tormenting those who commited suicide. I thought that was a mortal sin, and purgatory was God’s cleansing, not demon torture. Then she does say Mary was praying to Jesus for her. This does imply her praying for the forgiveness of her mortal sins…
 
rcwitness said:
There are other things that raise questions too. Her account of purgatory seems different than my impression. She says demons were there tormenting those who commited suicide. I thought that was a mortal sin, and purgatory was God’s cleansing, not demon torture. Then she does say Mary was praying to Jesus for her. This does imply her praying for the forgiveness of her mortal sins…
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The church teaches that suicide is a grave sin and indeed it is but I knew of a young boy who committed suicide at 12 years old because his girlfriend broke up with him. How culpable is a 12 year old? Did he really grasp what he was doing? Did he know it was a mortal sin? Did he really think about the consequences to his actions? I have a hard time believing that he went to hell because I remember what it is like to be 12 (I was clueless). Did not Jesus tell the truth when he cried out on the cross, “Forgive them, they DO NOT KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING!”?
 
Hallo
I have read G.Polo’s testimony several times. I just accepted it, without questioning whether it has actually been approved as authentic “revelation” by the Church.
Hers is not the only case where a “dead” person came back to life; there are many accounts of NDEs in the world today which leave doctors and scientists mystified.
In these cases, I don’t think the person was clinically dead, only that their heart stopped beating for awhile. But all this time, she was in God’s hands - and with God, NOTHING is impossible!!!
And here is where the grace and mercy of God come in.
In a world where atheism abounds, where God is no longer accepted as Creator, where life after death is scorned and laughed at, our God sees the urgent need to reveal to the masses that there IS life after death, there IS a final judgement, that Heaven and Hell DO exist.
Even if there are some minor doctrinal errors contained in this account (due to human error), I do not doubt that her experience is authentic.
The fact that she “passed” from hell to Heaven does not make her testimony unauthentic. She is not trying to teach anyone that people in Hell can go to Heaven just by praying. Hell is permament, and she said this too. I think God permitted her to see both these places so that she could tell others about the reality of their existence.

I think her description of being “tested” on the 10 Commandments is very important, JUST BECAUSE the 10 Commandments are ignored by so many people today - even by Christians. There are so many little things we do which we justify and tell ourselves “it is not sin”, when in reality it is.
Her testimony made very clear the seriousness of many sins that people commit every day, serious particularly for those of us who call ourselves Catholics!
Another very important detail is her admission to being a “dietetic Catholic”, and how much this sort of attitude offends God. It made me also rethink my behaviour!! How many lukewarm Christians/Catholics there are out there… !!! Such testimony can help to “wake people up”.
A final thought: if this experience did not come from God (as some people think) then Gloria would not be encouraging people to take the sacrements such as Holy Communion and Confession more seriously. She also encourages people to pray for others, even those that they do not know, those who are in danger. This is also what many of our Saints did: they prayed for countless souls that they did not know personally, and their prayers were fruitful.
I am no theologian, but I think that this testimony can be very helpful to those who seek the truth.
 
Hey janela!
Thanks for the post. And your first! Welcome to the forum. I think her account is very real too. Some things are difficult to understand, thats for sure. But like you said, her intentions of people to receive the sacraments reverently and avoid sin because it is so ugly and pray for others because it matters are all very good reasons to not jump to harsh conclusions about certain things that “seem” to contradict Catholic teachings. Her testimony is translated. We cant be sure mistakes arent in the translation. I know some obvious ones exist.
Some tell me the story is too scary, that God seems too judgemental. Well, this life is for forgiveness, and the next will be judged. What do we think the judgement of the almighty perfect Lord will be like? She seems to describe Jesus as the most beautifull person of love. Its this world who thinks love should just accept sin. That comes from below. Gods love and reconciliation comes from above and is how we seperate ourselves from sin. God forgive us our weakness and make us clean!

Thanks,
Michael
 
Hallo Michael

…one other thing: given that this is a NDE (Near Death Experience) meaning that Gloria Polo only wrote about it some time later, perhaps it should not be treated as revelation (such as the revelation to St.Bridget, Josefa Menendez and others) but simply as a very believable and amazing experience.

The fact that she wrote everything down later COULD mean there are some details missing or incorrect - due to human error.
But in any case, her NDE contains a lot of valuable teachings for everyone willing to read it. And I would NEVER say that God is too “judgemental”, as some might think. Since God is perfect, His concept of justice is perfect, and is way superior to ours.

But…I would be curious to know what the Church says about this, and see an evaluation…
all the best
janela
 
I found Gloria Polo’s story convincing and helpful. I was especially impressed when she related how lovingly Jesus spoke to the soul who was about to be damned, how he explained the reasons why. I’d always pictured a wrathful God, yet this is more likely how he is. It also reinforced my determination never to hear those words spoken to me, and to strive more ardently for holiness. After reading her testimony, I began praying for holiness and for heaven. Previously, I’d often prayed for the former, but not the latter. Now it’s my most earnest and fervent prayer. Her testimony also helped spark in me a love for souls asnd for doing what I can to help the people I encounter get closer to God.
 
I have read the testimony and am rereading it.
When I read it, I remembered a book that I read (approved) on the accounts of the Saints about Purgatory. It also reminded me of some of the details of the children of Fatima. If anything, reading it has helped me realize that God judges used based on a different standard than we do. It also reminded me of some personal experiences that I have had as I returned to the Catholic Faith.

She is right when she says that we end up in Eternity with the father that we chose. Since by their fruits you shall know them…the soul is laid bare of its masks and sin is shown for what it is. I found the description of the book of Life and how we see our lives again, with our choices, our intentions and how our sins affected others very enlightening as to how sin always affects others.

St. Faustina says that the greatest attribute of God is Mercy. I think that Justice is an extension of that Mercy. I don’t think that as creatures we have any right to say what the limits of God’s Mercy/Justice are. We are always biased by our own sins but we do know that God never contradicts himself.

We need to ask for Wisdom to see things as God sees them.
 
Marys_lamb said:
I have read the testimony and am rereading it.
When I read it, I remembered a book that I read (approved) on the accounts of the Saints about Purgatory. It also reminded me of some of the details of the children of Fatima. If anything, reading it has helped me realize that God judges used based on a different standard than we do. It also reminded me of some personal experiences that I have had as I returned to the Catholic Faith.

She is right when she says that we end up in Eternity with the father that we chose. Since by their fruits you shall know them…the soul is laid bare of its masks and sin is shown for what it is. I found the description of the book of Life and how we see our lives again, with our choices, our intentions and how our sins affected others very enlightening as to how sin always affects others.

St. Faustina says that the greatest attribute of God is Mercy. I think that Justice is an extension of that Mercy. I don’t think that as creatures we have any right to say what the limits of God’s Mercy/Justice are. We are always biased by our own sins but we do know that God never contradicts himself.

We need to ask for Wisdom to see things as God sees them.
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Good word, 👍

Welcome to the forum

Peace bw/u
Michael
 
We had a regularly visiting Priest say our Sunday Mass this morning , The Gospel was the story of Lazarus. His sermon was the story of Gloria Polo, since there is no written account of Lazarus’s death experience.
The Priest is very highly regarded and would not have read Gloria’s account with such conviction if he thought it could be a false testimony.
 
  1. there was only one story about someone rising from the dead, and that was Lazarus. Jesus did that one to teach an important lesson, which was public revelation. This story is private revelation and it already contradicts the Catholic faith.
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No, there were several, both OT and NT.

Not everybody is given a name, however.

Our LORD raised someone whose body was being carried our of Naim for burial.

Elsewhere in the NT, we have Tabitha and Eutychus being raised.

Lazarus is unique in the duration of his first death, but not in being raised after having died.

ICXC NIKA
 
janela said:
Hallo Michael

…one other thing: given that this is a NDE (Near Death Experience) meaning that Gloria Polo only wrote about it some time later, perhaps it should not be treated as revelation (such as the revelation to St.Bridget, Josefa Menendez and others) but simply as a very believable and amazing experience.

The fact that she wrote everything down later COULD mean there are some details missing or incorrect - due to human error.
But in any case, her NDE contains a lot of valuable teachings for everyone willing to read it. And I would NEVER say that God is too “judgemental”, as some might think. Since God is perfect, His concept of justice is perfect, and is way superior to ours.

But…I would be curious to know what the Church says about this, and see an evaluation…
all the best
janela
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After such being struck & burned by lightening,with the amount of drugs,pain killers,aneisthesia for operations,etc who knows what kind of dreams,hallucinations she had on account of what the aftermath entailed
 
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