3rd Week of Lent 2018 - Tuesday - Purgatory and Lenten Suffering

Though the word ‘Purgatory’ is not found in scripture, the scriptural evidence for purgatory is manifold.

St. Paul writes in Corinthians of a fire which will purify the saved of their empty and selfish works (I Cor 3)

And of course the practice of praying for the dead is evidenced even in the Old Testament book of Maccabees.

The Lord Himself speaks about “forgiveness” which is offered in this age and in the “age to come” (Matthew 12).

And this morning’s Gospel, the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant is often cited as evidence of Purgatory. For those servants of the Master, those servants of God, who do not embody the Master’s own mercy perfectly, they will be “sent to the torturers” until their debt is payed.

Even our first reading today hints at the experience of purgation. Azariah praying in the fire for God’s mercy is a purgatorial figure. A figure of faith, a figure at prayer, a figure filled with repentance in the flames of a furnace, yet not being consumed. Notice also his absolute confidence in God. Similarly the souls in purgatory are absolutely assured their salvation, already having received their judgment by the Just Judge upon their bodily death.

Lent is a purgatorial season in which we undergo some suffering while in this earthly life to be purged of our selfishness, our lack of mercy. Suffering with Jesus brings joy, as St. Paul asserts, “Now I rejoice in my suffering for your sake, and, in my flesh I complete what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church.” Our voluntary penances bring about sanctification, and can be offered up for others: souls who are far from God, souls who struggle with sin, and the souls in purgatory. And we seek to embody the Lord's mercy in our Lenten almsgiving--our acts of self-sacrificial service.

It is best to willingly undergo penances on earth than to undergo them in the afterlife. For the saints, explain that the pains of purgatory are greater than the pains of earth.

So, this Lent, let us willingly embrace many purgatorial penances, for ourselves and for others, that we may know the joy of grace, an increase in charity, and conviction for the Gospel, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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For the whole Christian people, that in this sacred Lenten season, they may be more abundantly nourished by every word that comes from the mouth of God.

For the whole world, that in lasting tranquility and peace our days may truly become the acceptable time of grace and salvation.

For sinners and those who neglect right religion, that in this time of reconciliation they may return wholeheartedly to Christ.

For ourselves, that God may at last stir up in our hearts aversion for our sins and conviction for the Gospel.

For all who have died, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.

Grant, we pray, O Lord, that your people may turn to you with all their heart, so that whatever they dare to ask in fitting prayer they may receive by your mercy.