Following the Truth: Why I Cringe Every Time I Hear “Safely Home”!

FollowingtheTruth.com ^ | May 29th, 2012 | Gary Zimak

[Salvation]

Why I Cringe Every Time I Hear “Safely Home”!

May 29th, 2012

by Gary Zimak.

I do not like the poem, “Safely Home”. There, I said it, let the negative comments begin! However, before you write me off as a “nut” or someone who lacks compassion, let me explain why this seemingly comforting poem is not compatible with Catholic teaching and could actually cause your deceased loved ones to suffer needlessly.

Let’s begin by looking at this poem, which is appearing on more and more Catholic prayer cards:

I am home in Heaven, dear ones;
Oh so happy and so bright!
There is perfect joy and beauty
In this everlasting light.

All the pain and grief is over,
Every restless tossing passed;
I am now at peace forever,
Safely home in Heaven at last.

Did you wonder I so calmly
Trod the valley of the shade?
Oh, but Jesus’ love illumined
Every dark and fearful glade.

And He came Himself to meet me
In that way so hard to tread;
And with Jesus’ arm to lean on,
Could I have one doubt or dread?

Then you must not grieve so sorely,
For I love you dearly still,
Try to look beyond earth’s shadows,
Pray to trust our Father’s will.

There is work still waiting for you,
So you must not idly stand;
Do it now, while life remains,
You shall rest in Jesus’ land.

When that work is all completed,
He will gently call you Home;
Oh, the rapture of that meeting,
Oh, the joy to see you come!

(“Safely Home”, author unknown)

On the surface, this poem is very comforting. Who wouldn’t want to know that their deceased loved ones are in Heaven? Unfortunately, the very first line is problematic and makes a statement that no one (other than the Church) has a right to make. Like it or not, unless your relative is a canonized saint, we don’t know if they are in Heaven. While they very well may be, we can never know for sure. Although the thought of their eternal happiness might be comforting to us, it can actually be harmful to the souls of our loved ones. Why? Mainly because if we think someone is in Heaven, we’ll probably stop praying for them!

One of the Spiritual Acts of Mercy is to pray for the living AND THE DEAD. When we pray for the souls of the deceased, we ask the Lord to have mercy on their souls and to accept them into His Heavenly Kingdom. According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC):

From the beginning the Church has honored the memory of the dead and offered prayers in suffrage for them, above all the Eucharistic sacrifice, so that, thus purified, they may attain the beatific vision of God. The Church also commends almsgiving, indulgences, and works of penance undertaken on behalf of the dead. (CCC 1032)

Since the Church teaches that our prayers can benefit the souls in Purgatory, it follows that withholding those prayers will have a negative effect. Many of us can remember those days when praying for the souls in Purgatory was a “given” for Catholics. Although I’m stretching my memory a bit, it was just something we did. Here is a example, taken from the foreword of an old prayer book that I found on eBay:

Where Purgatory is, what individuals go there, how long they remain there, are questions which the Church does not answer. She does tell us, however, that the souls in Purgatory can pray for us, and that we, in turn, can hasten their departure from Purgatory by our charities, prayers and especially, by offering and having offered the Holy Mass in their behalf. (Prefatory Note, Our Dear Dead – A Little Book Of Remembrance, 1931 – Passionist Missions)

The concept of Purgatory can be supported by Sacred Scripture (Matthew 12:32, 1 Corinthians 3:15, Revelation 21:27), as can the practice of praying for the souls being purified there (2 Maccabees 12:42-46). We also see evidence of this practice in the writings of the Early Church Fathers:

“A woman, after the death of her husband…prays for his soul and asks that he may, while waiting, find rest; and that he may share in the first Resurrection. And, each year, on the anniversary of his death, she offers the sacrifice.” (Tertullian of Carthage, 218 A.D.)

“Then we commemorate also those who have fallen asleep before us, first patriarchs, prophets, apostles, martyrs, that at their prayers and intercessions God will receive our petition. Then on behalf of the holy fathers and bishops who have fallen asleep before us, and in a word all who in past years have fallen asleep among us, believing that it will be a very great benefit to the souls for whom the supplication is put up, while that holy and most awful sacrifice is set forth.” (St. Cyril of Jerusalem, 350 A.D.)

“Let us help and commemorate them. If Job’s sons were purified by their father’s sacrifice, why would we doubt that our offerings for the dead bring them some consolation? Let us not hesitate to help those who have died and to offer our prayers for them.” (St. John Chrysostom, 392 A.D.)

So what happens if our deceased loved ones are in Heaven and not in purgatory. Will our prayers be wasted? Not at all. We trust that the Lord will apply those prayers to those for whom they are needed. According to the Catholic Encyclopedia (1917 Edition):

The distribution of the fruits of the communion of saints among the dead, as among the living, rests ultimately in the hands of God, and is one of the secrets of His economy. We cannot doubt that it is His will that we should pray not only for the souls in Purgatory collectively, but individually with whom we have been bound on earth by special personal ties. Nor can we doubt the general efficacy of our rightly disposed prayers for our specially chosen ones as well as for those whom we leave it to Him to choose. This is sufficient to inspire and to guide us in our offices of charity and piety towards the dead; we may confidently commit the application of their fruits to the wisdom and justice of God.

Now that I’ve discussed the theory and the importance of praying for the dead, how can we put it into practice? While I would never recommend reminding a grieving relative or friend that their deceased loved one may not be in Heaven, here are some concrete steps we can take:

1. Assume that our deceased family members and friends are in Purgatory.
2. Have Masses said for our deceased loved ones and friends.
3. Obtain indulgences for the souls in Purgatory.
4. Offer up our suffering and make voluntary sacrifices on behalf of these souls.
5. Pray for the souls in Purgatory EVERY day.
6. Be careful what we say at funerals. Avoid canonizing anyone (“He’s definitely in Heaven”). Instead simply say “His suffering is over” ,”He’s at peace” or “He’s in a better place” or “I’ll pray for his soul”.

While it may not seem like a big deal, imagine you’re that soul in purgatory (unable to help yourself) while nobody on earth is praying for you or offering Masses for your soul. Suddenly it becomes a very big deal! Also, when we think about how many millions of souls are not being prayed for (Protestants, Jews, atheists, etc.) we can appreciate the need for helping them out.

Finally, if any of you happen to hear of my passing from this life…

PLEASE PRAY FOR MY SOUL!

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen. (Indulgenced prayer for the souls in Purgatory)

[Talisker]

My mother passed in 1985
My father passed in 1995

I don’t care who says what or how they say it or what they are thinking... that simple little prayer on the cards gives comfort to lots of people who are grieving. It’s a NICE thing. However, I pray for the souls of my parents every single day. I will pray for them as long as I have breath left in my own body. So, some simple, little comforting prayer that helps people along isn’t hurting anything and for Heaven’s sakes... to go into such detail over such a pretty sentiment is simply amazing to me. Keep praying for ALL the souls. THAT is what is important. To disect such a comforting poem to the degree this was disected is outrageously ridiculous.

I don't think you understand - the absolute joy of 90% of Christians, both Protestant and Catholic, is to talk about and ruminate upon how other people are going to go to hell.

That schadenfreude is the very point of the religion, you see. If you took that away - if you, for example, limited them to positive statements for other's good will, of the teaching of their own humility in not being able to judge others, like that guy said to do... uh... Jesus, that's it - Jesus, said to do, well, what's the fun in that? How would you know who was going to be a sinner? Why, the entire way to keep out of hell is to constantly talk about who's going there! After all, that's what Jesus did, right? He told everyone all about their sins, and how they weren't good enough.

I stopped worrying about what Catholics thought when I realized that they literally believe that ALL Protestants are going to hell - all of them, by definition. And, likewise, I stopped worrying about what Protestants thought when I realized that they believe ALL Catholics are going to hell - all of them, by definition.

Jesus wept.

[Salvation]

Is your mind closed to this idea? Sin puts us either in hell or in Purgatory. Even though we say we are sorry, we may have hurt other people through our sinful actions.

And, of course, one needs to be totally pure to enter heaven; do you you believe that?

1031 The Church gives the name Purgatory to this final purification of the elect, which is entirely different from the punishment of the damned. The Church formulated her doctrine of faith on Purgatory especially at the Councils of Florence and Trent. The tradition of the Church, by reference to certain texts of Scripture, speaks of a cleansing fire:

As for certain lesser faults, we must believe that, before the Final Judgment, there is a purifying fire. He who is truth says that whoever utters blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will be pardoned neither in this age nor in the age to come. From this sentence we understand that certain offenses can be forgiven in this age, but certain others in the age to come.

1498 Through indulgences the faithful can obtain the remission of temporal punishment resulting from sin for themselves and also for the souls in Purgatory.

1475 In the communion of saints, "a perennial link of charity exists between the faithful who have already reached their heavenly home, those who are expiating their sins in purgatory and those who are still pilgrims on earth. Between them there is, too, an abundant exchange of all good things." In this wonderful exchange, the holiness of one profits others, well beyond the harm that the sin of one could cause others. Thus recourse to the communion of saints lets the contrite sinner be more promptly and efficaciously purified of the punishments for sin.

1472 To understand this doctrine and practice of the Church, it is necessary to understand that sin has a double consequence. Grave sin deprives us of communion with God and therefore makes us incapable of eternal life, the privation of which is called the "eternal punishment" of sin. On the other hand every sin, even venial, entails an unhealthy attachment to creatures, which must be purified either here on earth, or after death in the state called Purgatory. This purification frees one from what is called the "temporal punishment" of sin. These two punishments must not be conceived of as a kind of vengeance inflicted by God from without, but as following from the very nature of sin. A conversion which proceeds from a fervent charity can attain the complete purification of the sinner in such a way that no punishment would remain.

[Persevero]

“The “Paradise” that Christ spoke of was a waiting place. Where do you think all the good people of the Old Testament were until Jesus opened heaven?

You do believe that Jesus was the first one into heaven, don’t you?”

I think believers - those who believed in a Messiah yet to come - went to heaven and continue to go there. I think of Enoch, who walked with God, and then was no more, because God took him. Or Moses and Elijah, appearing on the Mount of Transfiguration. Elijah actually went to heaven in a chariot of fire. Or Lazarus in the parable Jesus told. He was in Abraham’s bosom, so therefore Abraham is there.

I think Jesus was in heaven from the beginning, since He is God, and then came to earth at the appointed time as an incarnate human being. He was resurrected and has returned to heaven and remains there to this day, sitting at the right hand of the Father until all His enemies are made the footstool of His feet.

That’s how I read it.

[Salvation]

Interesting point of view.

How to do you explain all the graves being opened after Christ’s death on the Cross and the spirits of the dead walking around Jerusalem — visibile to only believers?

I interpretation, and I believe that of the Church too, is that those people’s spirits did rise from their graves and wait until Jesus rose from his to follow him into heaven.

I’m no theologian, this is just what I have always believed.

[Salvation]

The other thing that is always evident is that God can do all things and has no lateral timeline as we interpret a timeline.

There are quotes about a short time being as a thousand years.

So during those three days, an instant with God, Jesus visited Purgatory and announced the good news to them. Could be possible, right?

[Lurker]

Ok then. So Jesus never once mentioned purgatory. So the Catholic church invented it.

Thanks for clearing that up for me.

Have a nice day.

[Persevero]

“So during those three days, an instant with God, Jesus visited Purgatory and announced the good news to them. Could be possible, right?”

If there is a purgatory, sure. But I don’t see any evidence for one.

So what was Jesus doing, preaching to spirits in a prison? I don’t know. There is reference made there to the days of Noah. It is a mystery to me.

[Persevero]

“How to do you explain all the graves being opened after Christ’s death on the Cross and the spirits of the dead walking around Jerusalem — visibile to only believers?”

Well, it is obviously some sort of resurrection. A first fruits, perhaps?

[cva66snipe]

I believe their soul is alive at death in one of two states. Either with The LORD in His presence or in hell banished forever. Does one need purging before heaven? Let's see what Paul said even while he was alive.

2 Corinthians 12 1This boasting is all so foolish, but let me go on. Let me tell about the visions and revelations I received from the Lord. 2I£ was caught up into the third heaven fourteen years ago. 3Whether my body was there or just my spirit, I don’t know; only God knows. 4But I do know that I£ was caught up into paradise and heard things so astounding that they cannot be told.

And John perhaps?

1Then as I looked, I saw a door standing open in heaven, and the same voice I had heard before spoke to me with the sound of a mighty trumpet blast. The voice said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must happen after these things.” 2And instantly I was in the Spirit,£ and I saw a throne in heaven and someone sitting on it!

They both were called up in Spirit just as when we die our bodies die and our spirit lives. But wait let's go back a long ways before to the Prophet Elijah

2 Kings Ch 2 11As they were walking along and talking, suddenly a chariot of fire appeared, drawn by horses of fire. It drove between them, separating them, and Elijah was carried by a whirlwind into heaven. 12Elisha saw it and cried out, “My father! My father! The chariots and charioteers of Israel!” And as they disappeared from sight, Elisha tore his robe in two.

Enoch perhaps? Genesis ch 5 21When Enoch was 65 years old, his son Methuselah was born. 22After the birth of Methuselah, Enoch lived another 300 years in close fellowship with God, and he had other sons and daughters. 23Enoch lived 365 years in all. 24He enjoyed a close relationship with God throughout his life. Then suddenly, he disappeared because God took him.

Evidence in The Bible doesn't point to purgatory. Obviously Paul and John saw Heaven while they were alive as did Stephen as he died.

My wife many years ago used to be a nurses aid in a nursing home. Usually when one of the residents on her shift was fixing to pass they called on her to sit with them. Some who were conscious and well aware of their surroundings would talk to her as their final breaths were drawn. They would say things like look isn't it wonderful come with me.

One day while at work she got a call to the building her beloved grandmother who raised her was in. The supervisor said get down there fast. My wife {this was before we had met} went in to see her grandmother. She was responsive but weak and knew of my wifes presence. My wife interacted with her. The woman had been a choir director, piano teacher, and voice instructor. In her final minutes her hands were making movements my wife recognized as her method of directing music. Not the arms waving but small hand movement type. This was within a few moments of her passing.

A year and a half later on a day off she too would have her encounter with crossing over and had begun the initial journey. She had suffered an extreme for lack of a better term Spinal Infarction. She was conscious and we were driving police escorted to the nearest ER. She was describing to me what she was seeing as I was driving. I was screaming hang on don't leave me. She was my girlfriend then and this was on a date. We made it to the ER and she lived and is now my wife.

When on the cross Christ said "It is finished" it was completed. ALL Righteousness was fulfilled for you, me, and salvation for many was accomplished. We are made righteous by Him alone and cleansed by Him alone. His Blood, His Grace, and through that our debt paid.

Christ did not tell the thief today after purgatory you will be with me in paradise.

39One of the criminals hanging beside him scoffed, “So you’re the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself—and us, too, while you’re at it!” 40But the other criminal protested, “Don’t you fear God even when you are dying? 41We deserve to die for our evil deeds, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.” 42Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.” 43And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

What is our punishment for our sins then? The Bible is quite clear on that.

Romans ch 6 15So since God’s grace has set us free from the law, does this mean we can go on sinning? Of course not! 16Don’t you realize that whatever you choose to obey becomes your master? You can choose sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God and receive his approval. 17Thank God! Once you were slaves of sin, but now you have obeyed with all your heart the new teaching God has given you. 18Now you are free from sin, your old master, and you have become slaves to your new master, righteousness. 19I speak this way, using the illustration of slaves and masters, because it is easy to understand. Before, you let yourselves be slaves of impurity and lawlessness. Now you must choose to be slaves of righteousness so that you will become holy. 20In those days, when you were slaves of sin, you weren’t concerned with doing what was right. 21And what was the result? It was not good, since now you are ashamed of the things you used to do, things that end in eternal doom. 22But now you are free from the power of sin and have become slaves of God. Now you do those things that lead to holiness and result in eternal life. 23For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.

Death of the body is our punishment for our sins on earth for the believers and unbelievers alike. Our bodies have the curse of sin but not our spirit if we accept Christ as Lord and Savior. Thus we are reborn. For those who believe yet shall we live.

The Bible teaches us believers are in heaven even as we are alive today. The Bible teaches us there are ones in hell today.

Luke ch 16 19Jesus said, “There was a certain rich man who was splendidly clothed and who lived each day in luxury. 20At his door lay a diseased beggar named Lazarus. 21As Lazarus lay there longing for scraps from the rich man’s table, the dogs would come and lick his open sores. 22Finally, the beggar died and was carried by the angels to be with Abraham.£ The rich man also died and was buried, 23and his soul went to the place of the dead.£ There, in torment, he saw Lazarus in the far distance with Abraham. 24“The rich man shouted, ‘Father Abraham, have some pity! Send Lazarus over here to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in anguish in these flames.’ 25“But Abraham said to him, ‘son, remember that during your lifetime you had everything you wanted, and Lazarus had nothing. So now he is here being comforted, and you are in anguish. 26And besides, there is a great chasm separating us. Anyone who wanted to cross over to you from here is stopped at its edge, and no one there can cross over to us.’ 27“Then the rich man said, ‘Please, Father Abraham, send him to my father’s home. 28For I have five brothers, and I want him to warn them about this place of torment so they won’t have to come here when they die.’ 29“But Abraham said, ‘Moses and the prophets have warned them. Your brothers can read their writings anytime they want to.’ 30“The rich man replied, ‘No, Father Abraham! But if someone is sent to them from the dead, then they will turn from their sins.’ 31“But Abraham said, ‘If they won’t listen to Moses and the prophets, they won’t listen even if someone rises from the dead.’”

[trebb]

It gives comfort to the living - what harm?
What makes a canonized saint any more likely to be in Heaven than any other saved Christian?
Why would God save someone, whom Jesus "never knew" from Hell because the living pray for it? Is God wishy-washy? God has decreed what is and what is to be and Jesus died so the rules would not have to be broken. Is there an amnesty escape clause for those who never allowed the Holy Spirit into their hearts?
What is this concept of Purgatory? Why would it be any different than the first line in the poem as far as accuracy?

[Mad Dawg]

I told my pastor that, unless something changes radically between now and my demise, if ANYONE preaches about my being in heaven at my funeral I will stand up in my coffin and preach purgation and the healing love of God.

[verga]

Actually you are close. They all refer to Hell.

In Jude it refers to the Angels that sided with Satan and are awaiting the final judgment, not the individual judgment. They are already in Hell.

The other two verses Are Satan being cast into the pit, and they finally being cast after roamng and patrolling the earth: 1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

And further in Job 1:7 And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.

As I said clearly Jesus went to a third place/ state that was niether Heaven nor Hell. These souls were able to be released, ergo purgatory.

[Biggirl]

Well people have gotten conforted by their dear ones being at peace, via having dreams in their sleep.

Well there are those folks who would believe that this it is just one man’s opinion.

[Biggirl]

I like the poem myself.

[Biggirl]

A very beautiful book, this is the kids edition with picutres in it.

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/heaven-is-for-real-for-kids-todd-burpo/1110768200?ean=9781400318704

[Campion]

Same here, TLLo’M, I think your fate is sealed once you die. I don’t find purgatory biblical.

I don't think you know what purgatory is, since you seem to think it means your fate isn't "sealed once you die".

And it most certainly means nothing of the sort.

It would be nice is people would actually bother to understand Catholicism before they reject it, rather than jumping to conclusions based on hearsay.

Only saved people, destined for heaven, even get to purgatory.

[Iscool]

I do not believe purgatory is biblical, I find no example of it in the bible, therefore it causes greater anguish to pray for those who have lost all hope.

Correct...There is no biblical evidence for a purgatory...

Just another tactic to keep them in bondage to their religion...

[Campion]

I asked where exactly Jesus mentioned the word “purgatory”.

That's a ridiculous standard of proof. Where did Jesus mention the word "Trinity"? "Sola fide"? "Rapture"? "Dispensation"? "Bible"?

Purgatory is a word that comes from Latin. NT Scripture records the deeds of people who spoke Aramaic and Greek.

However, 1 Cor 3 does talk about someone who is "saved, but as through fire". Sounds like purgatory to me.

[Iscool]

I do not believe purgatory is biblical, I find no example of it in the bible, therefore it causes greater anguish to pray for those who have lost all hope.

Correct...There is no biblical evidence for a purgatory...

Just another tactic to keep them in bondage to their religion...

[Lurker]

You’re right. Jesus didn’t say any of those things either, although he did frequently refer to Scripture.

Purgatory is a concept invented out of whole cloth by a bunch of priests hundreds of years after Jesus died and was resurrected. It has no more scriptural validity than “ indulgence”.