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| Illustration by Elizabeth Wang* |
In parish life the question of purgatory comes up with some frequency. I'm often asked, "Does the Church still teach about purgatory - and if so, what?"
As a matter of fact, it was just yesterday at lunch with two parishioners that the conversation turned to purgatory.
And just this morning I read this helpful post by John Martens over at the America's blog on scripture and preaching, The Good Word.
Marten's comments reflect on Benedict XVI's remarks at his general audience on January 12 at which he spoke on St. Catherine.
I found this material helpful and hope that you will, too.
The image above is by Elizabeth Wang whose site, Radiant Light, includes sixteen great contemporary images of purgatory - please take a look!
*Illustration by Elizabeth Wang, T-00042A-OL When we pray at Mass we are united with Christ in Glory and with the gathering of His saints and the souls of Purgatory, © Radiant Light 2003-2001, www.radiantlight.org.uk
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Am curious to know if anything has been written about purgatory in connection with near death experiences (the warmth, light, feeling of euphoria, desire to stay "on the other side," etc.)
ReplyDeleteRosemary
Not to my knowledge. Have you googled that question?
ReplyDeleteI have two images of purgatory that have stayed with me for years:
ReplyDeletethe first is from the first Star Wars movie. There's a bar on a planet where folks are waiting for their ride. It's dim, noisy, smoky, like a good bar. I think of those characters off in the corners who might have been forgotten.
The second image comes from a Jesuit theology prof: Imagine you meet Jesus face to face. In his eyes, you can see that he knows everything you've done and haven't done, and why. Your natural instinct is to turn away from his gaze, but Jesus cradles your face in his hands and turns you to himself. Again you turn away. Again he guides you back. And he continues until you can look at him without guilt or shame, only great love and joy.
(word verification: relizion!)
Elizabeth Wang's illustration is beautiful! Fr.Austin, thank you for the purgatory resources and Shannon, love both of your purgatory visions. I can just see Jesus' gentle redirection.
ReplyDeleteA retired archbishop (no less) once said of a man who was a faithful religious Brother for over 60 years that the Brother had to go to Purgatory before heaven, since he was not perfect when he died. So the archbishop said that Purgatory was like being on the front porch of the house, having not yet entered. I did not have the heart to tell the good archbishop that, when I was a kid, even in the winter, I often preferred the front porch to inside the house. I guess maybe God was using the archbishop to tell me something??? So another opinion offered...
ReplyDeleteShawn