13/JESUS
13/3 PURGATORY
THE JEWS PRAYED FOR THE DEAD. During the war against the
enemy, the Jewish leader, Judas Maccabaeus, ordered the burial of his dead
soldiers. It was then discovered that the dead carried small images of idols
which was prohibited by the Jewish religion. Judas, who believed in the
resurrection of the dead, sent a request for prayers to Jerusalem that the sins
of the dead would be forgiven. This indicated that before one's final reward,
it was necessary that sins be forgiven. This necessary forgiveness can be
called purgatory.
THE MEANING OF PURGATORY. The meaning of this doctrine of the
Catholic Church could be a place or state of suffering inhabited
by the souls of
sinners who are being purified from their sins before going to heaven. St.
Clement of Alexandria taught that those who repent on their deathbed and do not
have time to do works of penance in this life will be purified in the next life
by purifying fire. The Church has never stated the nature of the suffering in
purgatory.
PRAYING FOR THE DECEASED. Catholics are able to help deceased
persons by praying, doing good works, and offering Masses for them. Each year,
on November the second, the Mass of All the Faithful Departed is celebrated and
the month of November is called the month of all departed souls. This is possible
for we believe the living are able to help the deceased who are in purgatory.
We are encouraged to pray for the deceased.
