November 5, 2007

November is traditionally dedicated to praying for the dead. A quick read of a few pages from the Catechism of the Catholic Church(#1023ff.) is all that is needed to understand the official Church teaching on Heaven, Purgatory and Hell. Throughout history there have been many saints and mystics who have wrote in more detail concerning life after death.

Free will is at the heart of the Church’s teachings on this topic. From the mysterious story of Adam and Eve to the recent writing of the Catechism of the Catholic Church in 1995, the belief in free will is central. If God created us in His image and likeness, part of this reality is free will. If we are free, then we must wrestle with praise and punishment, merit and responsibility for our actions.

Purgatory is that place where those who made it, those saved by Christ, are purged and purified before entering heaven, before entering the presence of the One who is all holy, all love, all truth. In Purgatory we will work through all of our misused freedom (sin) and the damaging effects. So, let us pray for our brothers and sisters who are there right now!

God bless,

Fr. Luke Mary Fletcher, CFR
Saint Joseph Friary, New York, NY

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