99 & 1/2 Won’t Do – A Meditation on Purgatory

Archdiocese of Washington ^ | November 1, 2010 | Msgr. Charles Pope

[Salvation]

99 & 1/2 Won’t Do – A Meditation on Purgatory

By: Msgr. Charles Pope

I have blogged before on Purgatory. For example here: Purgatory – Biblical and Reasonable. I have also provided a PDF document on the Biblical roots of the teaching here: PDF Document on Purgatory .

On this Feast of All Souls I want to reflect on Purgatory as the necessary result of a promise. Many people think of purgatory primarily in terms of punishment, but it is also important to think of it in terms of  promise, purity and perfection. Some of our deceased brethren are having the promises to them perfected in purgatory. In the month of November we are especially committed to praying for them and know by faith that our prayers are of benefit to them.

What is the Promise which points to Purgatory? Simply stated, Jesus Made the promise in Matt 5:48: You, Therefore, must be perfect as you Heavenly Father is perfect. Now in this promise is an astonishing declaration of our dignity. We are to share in the very nature and perfection of God. This is our dignity:  that we are called to reflect and possess the very glory and perfection of God.

St. Catherine of Siena was gifted by the Lord to see a heavenly soul in the state of grace and her account of it is related in her Dialogue. It is here summarized In the Sunday School Teacher’s Explanation of the Baltimore Catechism:

The Soul in the State of Grace- Catherine of Siena was permitted by God to see the beauty of a soul in the state of grace. It was so beautiful that she could not look on it; the brightness of that soul dazzled her. Blessed Raymond, her confessor, asked her to describe to him, as far as she was able, the beauty of the soul she had seen. St. Catherine thought of the sweet light of that morning, and of the beautiful colours of the rainbow, but that soul was far more beautiful. She remembered the dazzling beams of the noonday sun, but the light which beamed from that soul was far brighter. She thought of the pure whiteness of the lily and of the fresh snow, but that is only an earthly whiteness. The soul she had seen was bright with the whiteness of Heaven, such as there is not to be found on earth. ” My father,” she answered. “I cannot find anything in this world that can give you the smallest idea of what I have seen. Oh, if you could but see the beauty of a soul in the state of grace, you would sacrifice your life a thousand times for its salvation. I asked the angel who was with me what had made that soul so beautiful, and he answered me, “It is the image and likeness of God in that soul, and the Divine Grace which made it so beautiful.” [1].

Yes, this is our dignity and final destiny if we are faithful to God.

So, I ask you, “Are you there yet?” God has made you a promise. But what if it is not yet fulfilled and you were to die today without the divine perfection you are promised yet completed? I can only say for myself that, if I were to die today, as far as I know I am not aware of mortal sin. But I am also aware of not being perfect. I am not even close to being humanly perfect, let alone having the perfection of the heavenly Father!

But Jesus made me a promise: You must be perfect as the heavenly Father is perfect. And the last time I checked, Jesus is a promise keeper!. St. Paul says, May God who has begun a good work in you bring it to completion. (Phil 1:6).  Hence, If I were to die today, Jesus would need to complete a work that he has begun in me. By God’s grace, I have come a mighty long way. But I have a long way to go. God is very holy and his perfection is beyond imagining.

Yes, there are many things in us that need purging. Sins, and attachments to sin. Worldly clingings, and those rough edges to our personality. Likewise most of us carry with us hurts, regrets, sorrows and disappointments. We cannot take any of this to heaven with us. It wouldn’t be heaven. So the Lord, who is faithful to his promise, will purge all of this from us. The Book of Revelation speaks of Jesus ministering to the dead in that he will wipe every tear from their eyes  (Rev 21:4).  1 Corithians 3:13-15 speaks of us as passing through fire in order that our works be tested and that what is good may be purified and what is worldly may be burned away. Job said, But he knows the way that I take; and when he has tested me, I will come forth as pure gold (Job 23:10).

Purgatory has to be – Yes, gold, pure gold, refined, perfect and pure gold. Purgatory has to be if God’s promises are to hold. The Protestants have no place for Purgatory because they interpret our perfection merely to be a legally declared perfection. Classical Protestantism speaks of an “imputed righteousness.”  Imputed righteousness is  a righteous that is merely said of us but is not actually so. Luther thought of us as a dung hill, completely depraved, and God covered us with his righteousness like snow on the surface, but we were still dung underneath. For Luther we merely have declared of us a justitia aliena (an alien justice). But Catholic Theology has always taken God seriously on his promise that we would actually be perfect as the Father is perfect. The righteousness is Jesus’ righteousness, but it actually transforms us and changes us completely in the way that St. Catherine describes above. It is a real righteousness, not merely imputed, not merely declared of us by inference. It is not an alien justice, but a personal justice, by the grace of God.

Esse quam videri – Purgatory makes sense because perfection promised us is real: Esse quam videri (To be rather than to seem). We must actually be purged of the last vestiges of imperfection, worldliness, sin and sorrows. And, having been made perfect by the grace of God, we are able to enter heaven of which Scripture says, Nothing impure will ever enter it (Rev 21:27). And again, you have approached Mount Zion and the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and countless angels in festal gathering, and the assembly of the firstborn enrolled in heaven, and God the judge of all, and the souls of the just made perfect (Heb 12:22-23).

How could it be anything less? – Indeed, the souls of the just made perfect. How could it be anything less if Jesus died to accomplish it for us?  Purgatory makes sense based on the promise of Jesus and the power of his blood to accomplished complete and total perfection for us. This is our dignity, this is our destiny. Purgatory is about promises not mere punishments. There’s an old Gospel hymn that says, “O Lord I’m running, trying to make a hundred. Ninety-nine and half won’t do!” 

That’s right, 99 1/2 won’t do. Nothing less than 100 is possible since we have the promise of Jesus and the wonder working power of the precious blood of the Lamb. For most, if not all of us, purgatory has to be.

[RnMomof7]

I posted the entire scripture. with the context and you still can not read it with any level of understanding ..so i have one more for you

1Cr 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know [them], because they are spiritually discerned.

[Melian]

The Catholic Church is the most scriptural, obedient, holy, historical, unified, and beautiful Church— of course it is, it was started by Christ Himself. He guides it through the Holy Spirit to this day.

I’ve given you Scriptural passages that make the case for Purgatory, including one from Christ’s own mouth. It’s no lie.

Catholics to not add to salvation, they continue to work to be worthy of it every day. It’s a life of service and sacrifice and love; it’s what Christ requires of followers. Remember the good man who asked what more he needed to do to get to Heaven? He believed. But Christ required even more of him. What did Christ require? More WORKS of love and sacrifice. THEN he’d be worthy of heaven.

The premise of faith alone does not hold up. Christ’s own words deny the concept.

[Melian]

You wrote:
“I am proud, thankful and Joyful that I am no longer a Catholic. If you are into the demonic.. Don’t feel bad - freedom in Christ is not something everyone wants. Bondage feels better to Catholics.”

I am sorry for you that you are no longer Catholic. I could never walk away from the Eucharist and the fulness of the Faith, the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the wealth of spiritual knowledge and history, and truth.

To be Catholic is to have it all. Everything Christ and the Holy Spirit have shared with man is still lived and taught in the Catholic Church. And I want it ALL. Not bits and pieces. Not snipped or re-punctuated. Not watered down by any man.

Frankly, anything less than Catholic is Christian-lite. The Catholic Church hasn’t thrown doctrine away when the going got tough. I like that. I choose to be Catholic. And I’m humbled, thankful, and relieved that I am. It’s the toughest religion there is!

In your honor, I have changed my tagline.

[Melian]

I did read it. I do understand it. And I say, with humility and thankfulness, that discernment happens to be one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit that I have received. It’s one of my special gifts from God and people have commented on my ability to discern my whole life.

So, whoops, the fact that we read that passage differently may actually be a problem of discernment- but not mine. I am reading the passage correctly.

[Judith Anne]

Neither of those links contain the quote. The link I found, however, does.

[Melian]

Additional Scripture to support Purgatory:
2 Mac 12: 42-46, Mt 12:32, Luke 12: 58, Luke 16:19-31, 1 Cor 3: 10-15, 1 Pet 3:19, Rev 21: 27.

[Melian]

From Christ’s own lips:

Matt 7:21 “Not every one that saith to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven: but he that doth the will of my Father who is in heaven, he shall enter into the kingdom of heaven.”

A life lived with faith is what is required. Not just faith.

[Melian]

From Christ’s own lips:

Matt 7: 21 “Not every one that saith to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven: but he that doth the will of my Father who is in heaven, he shall enter into the kingdom of heaven.”

Notice he says “me” so the speakers believe He is Lord and are calling Him Lord. They are already believers. Christ makes it clear that they are NOT saved unless they live out faith in their daily lives.

[goat granny]

Since even Satan that use to stand before God believes, that doesn't give him access to heaven....so how could belief along get anyone into heaven...since he also knows of Christ, and surly believes that is why he fights so hard against those that carry that name, belief alone would not get him anyplace except hell..If you believe in Christ, you must also do as he did with works...

Don't remember which book of the NT says it, but to paraphrase, show me a mans works and I will tell you whom he believes in...faith without works is dead....:O) agree with you....

Works include feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, housing the homeless, spreading the good news of salvation etc...not sitting in some little enclave patting each other on the back for your beliefs...jmho

[Melian]

Great post, goat granny. You sound like a wise woman.

The devil knows Christ exists. He also knows Christ is our Savior. But the devil wouldn’t DO what God asked; that’s why he’s not in Heaven today. I had not thought of this point in that way before. Thank you!

[presently no screen name]

The Catholic Church is the most scriptural, obedient, holy, historical, unified, and beautiful Church— of course it is, it was started by Christ Himself.

You can say that to your last breath - and it will NEVER make it so. Some just learn the hard way, so be it.

He guides it through the Holy Spirit to this day.

God's Word is Holy Spirit inspired. He doesn't NOT go against Who He is. He is not part of the RCC man made doctrines or the RCC's deliberate twisting of Scripture. To say HE guides that deception is saying the Holy Spirit is deceptive and that's not wise. Check on what the 'unpardonable sin' is. Catholics are really digging themselves an eternal hole and have no one to blame but themselves.

I’ve given you Scriptural passages that make the case for Purgatory, including one from Christ’s own mouth. It’s no lie.

The Vatican's interpretation is deceptive. Along with their heresy teaching of Mary as co-redeemer. If you would use some wisdom you might be able to see the deception.

From the beginning satan wanted to be like God and could never be. So if he couldn't, he deceives to make 'man' as a co-redeemer - a man aligned to the status of God. Anyone who believes that does NOT know God. They only know 'of HIM'. Satan deceives with purgatory with 'Jesus isn't enough' with one must still pay a penalty. So you see, anything to make Jesus less of who He really is. And no one can say that's not true by confessing that Jesus is this or that to them means NOTHING - because anyone with that belief - He has a co-redeemer or one must pay a penalty to finish the work of salvation - DOES NOT KNOW HIM!

they continue to work to be worthy of it every day.

Buy a clue - No one will EVER be worthy! What kind of PRIDE is that? WOW! Leave it to satan to lead some into thinking they can be worthy of something that they can never attain - he uses deception because, obviously, it works. No one will ever be worthy - that's why it is a GIFT because we CANNOT - we are UNABLE to - earn it.

The premise of faith alone does not hold up. Christ’s own words deny the concept.

Excuse me, who said anything about faith alone? Show me where I said that? GRACE! GRACE! GRACE! And we accept the GIFT of salvation by GRACE through Faith. Something Catholics are clueless about - 'a Gift' given by grace.

The next time you buy someone a GIFT - make sure you have the recipient pay for it in some way. After all, you must live by your Catholic beliefs. They may say - keep your gift since it shows not a giving heart. And that's what Catholics have aligned themselves with. That kind of giving - has the fingerprints of satan on it. And that kind of heart doesn't describe the All Loving God, who so loved the world...

Enjoy the fire you think is so beautiful.

[Melian]

I guess one must resort to nastiness when the facts are not on one’s side.

Perhaps the unpardonable sin against the Holy Spirit is turning one’s back on the Church the Spirit is guiding and living in. Or knowing the truth about the Eucharist but choosing not to be Catholic for some other trivial or selfish reason. The Spirit is Truth. To knowingly walk away from Truth would be unpardonable; that’s what Satan did.

[presently no screen name]

I guess one must resort to nastiness when the facts are not on one’s side.

What you call nastiness is really TRUTH! The RCC man-made facts are on your side and I don't want them near me, I long ago rid myself of them. NOW, TRUTH is on my side, JESUS!! THANK YOU, JESUS!

Perhaps the unpardonable sin against the Holy Spirit is turning one’s back on the Church the Spirit is guiding and living in. Or knowing the truth about the Eucharist but choosing not to be Catholic for some other trivial or selfish reason.

To make it more clear - you mention church - there are many churches but there is ONLY ONE CHURCH where JESUS is The Head and within the members of HIS Church, the Holy Spirit lives. That said, I chose to be a child of The Most High God, not a Catholic. No middleman to cause deception! Free at last!

The Spirit is Truth. To knowingly walk away from Truth would be unpardonable; that’s what Satan did.

God's Word is Holy Spirit inspired - NOT the catechism nor man-made teachings. So to accept man-made teachings/doctrine is willingly accepting things not of God, and that leads to deception as has been revealed by His Word.

ONE God, ONE Savior, ONE Church. NEVER a co-redeemer - what demonic heresy! The next thing up Mary may be assigned 'co-head of the RCC church' since evil knows no bounds.

[presently no screen name]

I'm very well aware of that and hope Catholics heed it. They don't seem to heed much of His Word - and who HE says his mother is - is prime example of that. They not only ignore His teachings but lift her up to co-redeemer and every other status!

Christ makes it clear that they are NOT saved unless they live out faith in their daily lives.

Live out faith? Duh! Christianity is a faith walk! That's why man made doctrine and 'earthly' knowledge of who a mother is - and assign that to His heavenly Kingdom is NOT living by faith. Faith is NOT earthly knowledge. Do you see now how man-made (earthly) teachings are destructive and have NO place in His Kingdom.

I know you sent it to me FOR me but I'm NOT the one believing man-made earthly teachings and giving credence to a 'co-redeemer' of salvation based on an 'earthly knowledge' of what a mother is. Not only believing it but spreading it as if it is Truth. REMEMBER: His Kingdom is not tainted by 'man' anything. Unless one is walking by faith, they are not a Christian - just someone saying 'Lord, Lord'. And without HIS WORD ALONE, one can't do it because we need to renew our mind with HIS WORD and cast those sacred cows from man-made teachings out.

[Judith Anne]

Do you see now how man-made (earthly) teachings are destructive and have NO place in His Kingdom.

Including, of course, this statement from YOU.

REMEMBER: His Kingdom is not tainted by 'man' anything.

Except, of course, that Christ Jesus was fully MAN and fully GOD.

And without HIS WORD ALONE, one can't do it because we need to renew our mind with HIS WORD

What about His Grace? What about His gift of Faith? Reformed teaching is straining at gnats to swallow a camel.

[Judith Anne]

Do you see now how man-made (earthly) teachings are destructive and have NO place in His Kingdom.

Including, of course, this statement from YOU.

REMEMBER: His Kingdom is not tainted by 'man' anything.

Except, of course, that Christ Jesus was fully MAN and fully GOD.

And without HIS WORD ALONE, one can't do it because we need to renew our mind with HIS WORD

What about His Grace? What about His gift of Faith? Reformed teaching is straining at gnats to swallow a camel.

[presently no screen name]

that Christ Jesus was fully MAN and fully GOD'

His Kingdom! Got it? You got the Darwin Award for that response. Your mantel must be full by now.

What about His Grace? What about His gift of Faith

READ the post - don't pick and chose - it's SO CATHOLIC!

[Judith Anne]

Reformed teaching is straining at gnats to swallow a camel.

[presently no screen name]

I see you have a stuttering problem.

[RnMomof7]

The book is available on Amazon... buy it if you doubt it