What happens to the righteous when they die? (5)

Read Luke 7:36-50

I remember my surprise in 2005, when Pope John Paul II died, in finding out he would spend time in Purgatory.  He was highly revered.  Yet he had to spend time in torment.  People were encouraged to pray for him that his stay would be shortened.  This is the Catholic doctrine regarding the righteous.

As we allow a Roman Catholic source to explain their reasoning for this doctrine (Christ Among Us: A Modern Presentation of the Catholic Faith, Anthony Wilhelm, 2^nd Rev. Edition, pp.418-421; direct quotes are in italics), keep in mind that we make two simple arguments against it:

1.     Purgatory is nowhere taught in Scripture.

2.     The doctrine of Purgatory takes away from the finished work of Christ.

In today’s reading it is said that the penitent prostitute did what she did to show her gratitude for Christ’s forgiveness of her sins by making up for them.  So, we are told, our love should impel us to do something to make up for the sins God has forgiven.  This idea of making up for our sins is behind the doctrine of Purgatory.  In an attempt to stay away from salvation by works, we are told that God forgives us thoroughly and asks nothing in return.  And though He does not demand it, there is a necessity within ourselves to make up for our sins.  

United with Christ there are many ways we can do this: by acts of worship, particularly the Mass, the sacraments, deep sorrow in confession, prayer, offering up our sufferings, and doing penance.  But if at our death we have not yet made up for our sins, we must make up for them by passing through Purgatory.  Apparently God does require something in return!

Purgatory is the painful state or experience of encountering God after death, when we see Him as He really is, and by contrast, ourselves as we really are.  We are told, an encounter with the living God must always be painful, totally upsetting.  But how does Purgatory make up for our sins?  In this state of purgation we make up for our sins by growing in love.  While Christ has made up for our sins, we yet have the need of doing something about them ourselves, as when we offend anyone we love.  We experience this painful purgation because we have not loved enough on earth.  This is confusing given our two objections.

It is interesting to note as well: Those passing through this purgatory state know clearly that they are saved, God's love overwhelms them, and they have a joy more intense than anything on earth.  That seems confusing.  And then, true to Catholic teaching, Those in the state of purgation cannot help themselves, but we can help them attain heaven more quickly by praying for them, offering Mass for them, offering our sufferings, good actions, and so forth.

To all this we simply say: Purgatory is not taught in Scripture; and it denies the work of Christ.  His death pardons sin and pays our debt, entirely.