https://www.crisismagazine.com/2022/dont-be-fooled-by-nice As a teen in the 1980s, I was at a moral crossroads. I was a typical, poorly catechized Catholic, playing around with serious sin, and my conscience was slightly bothering me. I had a sense of right and wrong (because relativism was not yet all the rage), but I saw God as a permissive parent who was too “loving” to enforce His own boundaries. However, before I waded further into sin, I thought it best to seek out the holiest friend I knew, Marianne, to get some advice. Marianne was a practicing Catholic who was caring, kind, sober, and chaste. Always cheerful and patient, she openly spoke of her love for Jesus, went to Mass every Sunday, and was one of the few people I knew through my K-12 public-school years who seemed to be very devoted to Catholicism—certainly much more than I was. It seemed reasonable, then, for me to go to Marianne with my question: Should I continue on this path of serious sin or turn around? Of course, I did not phrase it that way, but she and I both knew that our Faith held these actions to be sinful. Marianne leaned over and touched my forearm. “Leila,” she said, looking directly into my eyes and smiling warmly, “I just want you to be happy.” I am 55 years old now, but I still remember her face, the classroom, the surroundings, and the peace of that moment. Those words were all I needed to hear from my most moral friend. I didn’t look back, and for the next ten years, I continued in ever-deepening mortal sin. I didn’t fully understand that by listening to my friend’s soothing words, I was placing myself into the hands of the devil. She was so nice! She loved me! But in truth, I was a living example of St. Ignatius’ First Rule of the Discernment of Spirits (emphasis mine): In the persons who go from mortal sin to mortal sin, the enemy is commonly used to propose to them apparent pleasures, making them imagine sensual delights and pleasures in order to hold them more and make them grow in their vices and sins. In these persons the good spirit uses the opposite method, pricking them and biting their consciences through the process of reason. I fell into the trap that ensnares many souls today: believing that if a person has a pleasing personality, is affable, attentive, and “accepting” (whatever that means), then the person is good. Somewhere along the line, Catholics began making crucial judgments based on feelings rather than reason. We are lulled by a hearty laugh, a twinkling eye, a hug with a knowing smile. We get sucked in by a sense that someone loves us, even though we are being led down a garden path.
A few months ago there was a gentleman from my parish who died of AIDS in New York. He was celebrated in the Big Apple amongst the Gay and wider community for being amongst the first advocates of , 'Gay Rights' there. A little ripple from the big city of New York came to my parish when he was acclaimed in my own little city parish in Ireland as hero for this, members of his own family being at the forefront of idolising him. One of his sisters who was a,' friend' on face book began posting all manner of rainbow stuff. This irritated me and I pointed out that every time sexual perversion is mention in Scripture it is condemned. In every single instance. Not once is it applauded or allowed to stand. In some instance it is condemned so fiercely it requires the penalty of death. Also that in the entire history of the Catholic Church such perversion has always, always always been condemned, never ever permitted. There was no answer back. I never considered the consequences of this post in my parish were I might well have been lynched for saying such a thing. But there was only silence. But a few months later I did get a reaction from a brother and also a friend. I think they were shocked and pleased I could say such a thing. I think they were more kind of enjoying ,as men will the fact that it was such an un nice thing to say about someone who had recently died. Pope Francis has recently being praising himself about how nice he has been with Joe Biden and Nanci Pelosi. But the easiest thing in the world is to be nice to people. It cost us nothing. What tends to cost us is being honest and blunt. I do not know anywhere in Scripture were we are counselled to be nice. Not a single place. Not one. The Bible is an ass kicking set of Books. Totally ass kicking. Ass kicking can be fun. We have forgotten this. I enjoy it anyway. https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/a...si/?utm_source=featured&utm_campaign=catholic
YES... Jesus - who was painted by not just a few False (Jesuit) Theologians as being far nicer than "the Mean Old Testament God" --- as being a sort of Cosmic Effeminate Marshmallow.. Was/IS - for those who've actually dived into His GOSPEL and Know Jesus better b/c of that? THE very epitome of Honesty and Bluntness - when facing His enemies! HE IS OUR JUDGE AT THE FINAL JUDGEMENT!
I suppose, at least to a degree, meeting a saint would be a bit like meeting Jesus. I sometimes wonder what it might be like to met Padre Pio, for instance. Of course it would be the delight of my life to do so. But there would be a certain dread of the numinous. of the holy. For what if he told me a few home truths I really, really did not want to know. lao , it seems to me , that to live with a saint would be very challenging. In the best possible way of course, but still a challenge. I can see why people hated saints and wanted to harm, even to kill them. For by regarding them we see how very far short of what we could and should be. No easy thing.
Catholic author, Piers Paul Read, points out in his book 'Hell and Other Destinations' that no other person in both the Old and New Testaments mentions Hell as often as Our Lord, Jesus Christ. Those theologians you reference are deluding themselves and their readers. We have to work out our salvation in 'fear and trembling'.
I remember as a very little child the Brother in school discussing with us the idea of Eternity which made a very big impression on me. The idea of something having no end and going on and on and on. Then when this idea was applied to Hell meant the poor soul went into the flames and never came out again was really mind blowing. Forever and ever and ever... You can see this well with St Jacinta and St Francesco and Sr Lucia at Fatima. The idea of hell and sunk into their souls to the very deepest levels and transformed them forever. I admit a part of me remains terrified of hell. This will remain with me forever. This I trace back to those very early religion classes. Scripture teaches us that the Fear of God is the beginning of Wisdom. How true.
Maybe not (re: forever) -- and Yes on (some) religion classes. The Imperfect Act of Contrition - - A person is sorry for their sins - because they fear God's punishment. Perfect Act of Contrition .. A person is sorry for their sins because they have offended God, whom they love and who loves them Many moons ago... and with a bit of trepidation - I chose to shift that prayer to the Perfect Act - And said fear of Hell, and ultimately Purgatory (taught as a sort of Hell-Lite) ultimately left me! “O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins because they offend Thee, my God, who art all good and deserving of all my love. .... I firmly resolve with the help of Thy Grace to Confess my sins, to do Penance and to AMEND my life, Amen! Yes, and we are called to approach our Heavenly Father - with loving AWE and RESPECT - i.e., in the same manner that a child will do - who loves their earthly father!
Purgatory is not Hell-lite, so teaching it as such would be a huge error, in my opinion. It's the entrance lobby to Heaven. The souls in Purgatory know that they are saved and suffer in joy. The souls in Hell know they can never leave and suffer in despair.
I am inclined to think, that in taking one step forward we do not leave the previous steps behind. In a human comparison, we may leave our parents when we come of age , but love binds us to them so that in a certain manner we never leave them behind. In a certain sense we remain always their children no matter what age we may reach in later life. So too with the Spiritual Life. A good for instance lies in the life of St Teresa of Avila, the Great Mistress of prayer. She relates that she always remained fond of reading pious books . Some of the nuns however were scandalised at this and approaching her asked how she, who had reached the heights of Contemplative prayer could return to what was a form of Meditative prayer usually associated with a much earlier stage of prayer. The Doctor of the Church replied that the soul could could take its ease on differing occasions with various prayer forms. Never believe that presently dancing on one dance floor, that we shall not return to dance on another previous one. This I believe is shown in Type in Scripture when we see the Angels climbing up and down the ladder. As regards to the Fear of Hell the Apostle of the Gentiles says that we must, Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12).
Personally I don't see the Fear of God as a negative thing but a positive thing. It puts salt in your food and gives it taste. It keeps the feet firmly on the ground and stops things becoming somewhat too pink and sweet smelling. Just as Moses was bid to take his shoes of when he entered the presence of the Lord at the burning bush, I think its better to take our shoes of in His presence, just to be on the safe side, till He bids us keep them on. If He bids us keep them on , ever.
Absolutely! The Fear (properly Understood) of God - IS the beginning of Wisdom We are never to Fear the creature Satan who only has power over our Life. We ARE to (properly Understood) Fear God - who has power over our Soul. The manner in which Jesus, and Mary and Joseph and John Baptist and the 11 Apostles approached God (as can be seen IN the New Testament - is as our Example.. We approach God as an obedient and joyful Child of God .. Agreed.. "Hell-Lite"? Is my wording.. Purgatory was taught to me Only as having similar to hell fire furnaces period and one remains for an indeterminate length of time. Burning Burning Burning. PUR and FIRe are cognate.. Gold is PURified by FIRe. We are PURified by full Acceptance of God's Gospel... whether here or in a PURIFYING state of spirit PURgatory whereby via acceptance we are PURged of SIN. I do not believe that olde teaching anymore..! Years ago, I came to see Purgatory ... in a similar manner (and earlier too) to how St. Pope John Paul II speaks of it. . Amen and Agreed! I work on eliminating SIN from my soul .. I've been repenting! IF God deems I need more removal! .. I fully accept it - for I want to be PURe.. For, only PURity can enter God's Kingdom Come.. +
I'd be very slow to reject outright 'that olde teaching', there is likely to be much truth, but the comparison to Hell is too stark. With respect to Purgatory, 'no pain, no gain'. Then again, to achieve anything worthwhile, a certain degree of pain, in the broad sense, is required.
I believe various mystics (including the most recent Maria Simna' speak of purgatory (and this is also true of heaven and hell as having nine different levels). The top level, the one nearest heaven comprises the Holy Souls simply waiting in adoration in Churches before the Blessed Sacrament waiting for their imminent release. Their only suffering (though I suppose this is harsh enough) the desire for God which is a torment. Which is why in Church I always pay attention being sure that their are many Holy Souls present especially at the Mass. The Mystics also tell us that the day most soul are released is Christmas Day. Which is lovely. The bottom of the nine levels of Purgatory is said to be an ante room to hell. It is just the same as hell only the difference being that the Holy Souls know they will be released whereas the damned are...well.. damned for all Eternity. Which is a huge difference. However the demons in the deepest part of purgatory are given permission to torture the Holy Souls, as they do the damned. The souls in this place escaped hell by the very skin of their teeth and many of them will be there until the end of the world.
I know modern Catholics find it difficult to get their heads round the idea of souls tremendous suffering in both heaven and hell. But I find a great understanding of it in regarding the sufferings of people here on Earth. Regard the sufferings of those who have no Faith. They may be rich and famous, good looking and in excellent health. Adored by millions. But it seems to me that in regarding such poor people we regard souls who are already in torment. Who are already in hell. I don't find it difficult to believe in either hell or purgatory, because I see it in the eyes of people around me I meet every day.
It was "too stark" which is why I rejected it - and thus moved much closer to Jesus/God. . I fully agree with St. Pope Paul II's expose of Purgatory - even before he penned it.. My 'insights' come from Prayerful Communication with the Author of Sacred Scriptures My Faith has increased multi-fold.. I have been involved in a genuine renewing of my soul. My main personal spiritual activity involves Jesus' Admonition to disciples. Be ye perfect as your Heavenly Father is aka Amending my life/breaking from Sin As in an ongoing purification.. A RePenting.. A revolution of my soul. Sanctification is not only a 'nice thing' .. It is what all of us are called to be / do . No non-saints shall be found in God's Kingdom. I've Great Faith and Hope --- It's Charity which I approach with allowable concern. for I am not my Judge.. and we shall be Judged in accordance to Charity. Dear God, Have I forgiven all? Am I truly Charitable? Please show me my faults? This is what I believe.. Purgatory Is Necessary Purification Before we enter into full communion with God, every trace of sin within us must be eliminated and every imperfection in our soul must be corrected At the General Audience of Wednesday, 4 August 1999, following his catecheses on heaven and hell, the Holy Father reflected on Purgatory. He explained that physical integrity is necessary to enter into perfect communion with God therefore "the term purgatory does not indicate a place, but a condition of existence", where Christ "removes ... the remnants of imperfection". 1. As we have seen in the previous two catecheses, on the basis of the definitive option for or against God, the human being finds he faces one of these alternatives: either to live with the Lord in eternal beatitude, or to remain far from his presence. For those who find themselves in a condition of being open to God, but still imperfectly, the journey towards full beatitude requires a purification, which the faith of the Church illustrates in the doctrine of "Purgatory" (cf. Catechism of the Catholic Church, n. 1030-1032). To share in divine life we must be totally purified 2. In Sacred Scripture, we can grasp certain elements that help us to understand the meaning of this doctrine, even if it is not formally described. They express the belief that we cannot approach God without undergoing some kind of purification. According to Old Testament religious law, what is destined for God must be perfect. As a result, physical integrity is also specifically required for the realities which come into contact with God at the sacrificial level such as, for example, sacrificial animals (cf. Lv 22: 22) or at the institutional level, as in the case of priests or ministers of worship (cf. Lv 21: 17-23). Total dedication to the God of the Covenant, along the lines of the great teachings found in Deuteronomy (cf. 6: 5), and which must correspond to this physical integrity, is required of individuals and society as a whole (cf. 1 Kgs 8: 61). It is a matter of loving God with all one's being, with purity of heart and the witness of deeds (cf. ibid., 10: 12f.) The need for integrity obviously becomes necessary after death, for entering into perfect and complete communion with God. Those who do not possess this integrity must undergo purification. This is suggested by a text of St Paul. The Apostle speaks of the value of each person's work which will be revealed on the day of judgement and says: "If the work which any man has built on the foundation [which is Christ] survives, he will receive a reward. If any man's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire" (1 Cor 3: 14-15). 3. At times, to reach a state of perfect integrity a person's intercession or mediation is needed. For example, Moses obtains pardon for the people with a prayer in which he recalls the saving work done by God in the past, and prays for God's fidelity to the oath made to his ancestors (cf. Ex 32: 30, 11-13). The figure of the Servant of the Lord, outlined in the Book of Isaiah, is also portrayed by his role of intercession and expiation for many; at the end of his suffering he "will see the light" and "will justify many", bearing their iniquities (cf. Is 52: 13-53, 12, especially vv. 53: 11). Psalm 51 can be considered, according to the perspective of the Old Testament, as a synthesis of the process of reintegration: the sinner confesses and recognizes his guilt (v. 3), asking insistently to be purified or "cleansed" (vv. 2, 9, 10, 17) so as to proclaim the divine praise (v. 15). Purgatory is not a place but a condition of existence 4. In the New Testament Christ is presented as the intercessor who assumes the functions of high priest on the day of expiation (cf. Heb 5: 7; 7: 25). But in him the priesthood is presented in a new and definitive form. He enters the heavenly shrine once and for all, to intercede with God on our behalf (cf. Heb 9: 23-26, especially, v. 24). He is both priest and "victim of expiation" for the sins of the whole world (cf. 1 Jn 2: 2). Jesus, as the great intercessor who atones for us, will fully reveal himself at the end of our life when he will express himself with the offer of mercy, but also with the inevitable judgement for those who refuse the Father's love and forgiveness. This offer of mercy does not exclude the duty to present ourselves to God, pure and whole, rich in that love which Paul calls a "[bond] of perfect harmony" (Col 3: 14). 5. In following the Gospel exhortation to be perfect like the heavenly Father (cf. Mt 5: 48) during our earthly life, we are called to grow in love, to be sound and flawless before God the Father "at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints" (1 Thes 3: 12f.). Moreover, we are invited to "cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit" (2 Cor 7: 1; cf. 1 Jn 3: 3), because the encounter with God requires absolute purity. Every trace of attachment to evil must be eliminated, every imperfection of the soul corrected. Purification must be complete, and indeed this is precisely what is meant by the Church's teaching on purgatory. The term does not indicate a place, but a condition of existence. Those who, after death, exist in a state of purification, are already in the love of Christ who removes from them the remnants of imperfection (cf. Ecumenical Council of Florence, Decretum pro Graecis: DS 1304; Ecumenical Council of Trent, Decretum de iustificatione: DS 1580; Decretum de purgatorio: DS 1820). It is necessary to explain that the state of purification is not a prolungation of the earthly condition, almost as if after death one were given another possibility to change one's destiny. The Church's teaching in this regard is unequivocal and was reaffirmed by the Second Vatican Council which teaches: "Since we know neither the day nor the hour, we should follow the advice of the Lord and watch constantly so that, when the single course of our earthly life is completed (cf. Heb 9: 27), we may merit to enter with him into the marriage feast and be numbered among the blessed, and not, like the wicked and slothful servants, be ordered to depart into the eternal fire, into the outer darkness where "men will weep and gnash their teeth' (Mt 22: 13 and 25: 30)" (Lumen gentium, n. 48). 6. One last important aspect which the Church's tradition has always pointed out should be reproposed today: the dimension of "communio". Those, in fact, who find themselves in the state of purification are united both with the blessed who already enjoy the fullness of eternal life, and with us on this earth on our way towards the Father's house (cf. CCC, n. 1032). Just as in their earthly life believers are united in the one Mystical Body, so after death those who live in a state of purification experience the same ecclesial solidarity which works through prayer, prayers for suffrage and love for their other brothers and sisters in the faith. Purification is lived in the essential bond created between those who live in this world and those who enjoy eternal beatitude.
Purgatory can only be understood in light of the awesome holiness of God. We but see through a glass darkly and therefore are often very ignorant of the deep rootedness of sin in our lives. No one can see the wickedness of His own ways without Divine Light. Even tiny imperfections need purified in the next life. Any purification is painful to the soul because the soul is sensitive to God's refining fire and love. Such purification is incredibly painful to the soul. But there is consolation in knowing one is saved and ultimately the beatific vision is the final destination.
I agree .. and in my experiences (and to use those above expressions), I have been in the process of seeing my wickednesses via the Light of Jesus..of whom, my FAITH in Him increased manifold during Finally seeing His Teachings and (Yes) Obeying them We are Called to Repent! Metanoia... Not the day after tomorrow; per se... Rather, "Today".. Repentance can only occur IF WE COME TO KNOW what we are to Repent! That first sentence is broad-brushed for me. as in: (If I may) 'Whaddaya mean "we"? ... I do not.. THINK of God's 1st Century disciples! Full of Joy! Changed! Changing our Behaviors has been the very opposite of "pain" to my Soul. REQUIREMENT? A FULL FAITH/BELIEF REPLETE WITH OBEDIENCE - IN OUR LORD"S APOSTOLIC COMMAND! IN PRAYER TO AND WITH GOD! .. . DIVE INTO HIS GOSPEL! AND THE REST OF THE NEW TESTAMENT! At least? .. That above was/is what has been transforming ME.. God's Holy Spirit! +
