‘Listen to Him’
A column by the Most Rev. Ronald M. Gilmore
Bishop of
As November opens, we are reminded again of
those who have died in God’s grace and friendship. The Catechism of the Catholic Church
and the United States Catechism for Adults help us understand them. Those who are perfectly purified live forever
with Christ. Those who are imperfectly
purified have still a journey to make.
The Church gives the name Purgatory
to the final purification of the elect, which is entirely different from the
punishment of the damned. Those who died
in the state of friendship with God but who are not fully purified and
perfected are assured of their eternal salvation. But they must undergo a purification to
obtain the perfection of love and holiness needed to enter heaven, where they
will have a heart that is totally open to the Lord. This process is called Purgatory.
It is impossible for us to imagine what
Purgatory is. Based on certain
scriptural texts (1 Cor 3:15; 1 Pet 1:7), it has been described as a purifying
fire. Since the human soul cannot be
touched by earthly flames, the image serves to recall that perfect love is
achieved by a gradual and painful spiritual detachment from selfishness and
self-centeredness. It is a lesson we
began to learn among the toys in a sandbox.
This teaching is also based on the practice
of prayer for the dead. We inherited
this from the Hebrews: Judas Maccabeus made atonement for the dead that they
might be delivered from their sin. (2 Macc 12:46) From the beginning the Church has honored the memory of the dead
and offered prayers for them, above all the Eucharistic sacrifice, so that they
too may reach the beatific vision of God.
The Church has also commended almsgiving,
indulgences, and works of penance undertaken on behalf of the dead. As St. John Chrysostom said: If Job’s sons
were purified by their father’s sacrifice, why would we doubt that our
offerings for the dead bring them some consolation? Let us not hesitate to help those who have
died, and to offer our prayers for them.
+ Most Rev. Ronald M. Gilmore
Bishop of
Al empezar noviembre, se nos hace recordar a
quienes han muerto en la gracia y en la amistad de Dios. El Catecismo de la
Iglesia Católica, y el Catecismo de los Estados Unidos para Adultos,
nos ayudan a entenderlo. Quienes han sido purificados perfectamente viven para
siempre con Cristo. Quienes han sido purificados imperfectamente, tienen
todavía camino por recorrer.
Esta purificación final
de los elegidos es llamada Purgatorio por la Iglesia, y es completamente
diferente al castigo de los condenados. Quienes han muerto en amistad con Dios,
pero no han sido totalmente purificados y perfeccionados tienen segura la
salvación eterna. Sin embargo, tienen que pasar por una purificación para alcanzar
la perfección de amor y santidad requerida para entrar al cielo, en donde
tendrán un corazón totalmente abierto al Señor. Este proceso se llama
Purgatorio.
Es imposible para nosotros imaginar lo que
es el Purgatorio. Basados en ciertos textos de la Escritura (1 Cor 3, 15; 1 Pet
1, 7), ha sido descrito
Esta enseñanza se basa también en la
práctica de la oración por los difuntos. Heredamos esto de los hebreos: Judas
Macabeo ofreció actos de expiación por los muertos para que fueran liberados de
su pecado. (2 Macc 12, 46) Desde el principio, la Iglesia ha honrado la memoria
de los muertos, y ha ofrecido oraciones por ellos, especialmente el sacrificio
de la Eucaristía, para que ellos puedan también alcanzar la visión beatífica de
Dios.
La Iglesia ha recomendado también la
limosna, las indulgencias, y los actos de penitencia hechos por los muertos.