Another Lenten reflection from Fr McTeigue, one of the few good Jesuits left.
From Aleteia
By Fr Robert McTeigue, SJ
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What is one of the most famous exchanges in Hollywood history?
“You want answers?”
“I want the truth!”
“YOU CAN’T HANDLE THE TRUTH!”
This exchange in the movie 'A Few Good Men' can prompt a reflection on the often-neglected doctrine of Purgatory. At our particular judgment, whether we want it or not, we will receive the truth—and, unless we die as saints ready for Heaven, we can’t handle the truth.
If we die in a state of unrepented mortal sin, that is, if we die while at enmity with God, then at our particular judgment, God will acknowledge our choice against him, and the choice we made for eternal separation from God will begin. The infinitely holy God is just, and cannot dishonor himself or our freedom by tolerating the presence of sin before him. The only way to “see the face of God and live” is to have died in a state of grace, purified by the saving work of Christ. The infinitely holy God is also merciful, and knows well our weaknesses. Those who die not at enmity with God may still be attached to what is unworthy of us and him, and may have died with venial sins for which we had neither regret nor repentance. We’re not ready to see God face to face; we “can’t handle the truth” (yet) of who God is and who we are before God. So, the merciful God offers us an opportunity for purification (Purgatory) so that we may finally enter Heaven.
We can find a formal account of Purgatory HERE. Put more simply: Purgatory is our chance to see with perfect clarity our choices against God, our disordered affections and attachments to what is unworthy of us, and to see clearly that love and glory which God has always offered us. Seeing what poor stewards we’ve been of our graces, seeing with perfect clarity the horrible effects of our sins—even venial sins—leads to an anguish of regret and scouring contrition that both scholars and mystics alike have described as a purifying fire. With the perfect clarity of Purgatory, we’ll see what we could have become with God’s grace, and what we actually did with our lives.
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