Purgatory: A Consoling Truth for Imperfect Souls

For many Catholics, the concept of purgatory can be a source of confusion or even fear. Yet, far from being a grim holding cell, purgatory offers profound consolation to believers who grapple with the reality of sin in their daily lives. We are all too familiar with our own weaknesses – from fleeting uncharitable thoughts to failures in promptly meeting the needs of those we love. Christian perfection often feels like a heroic ideal, rarely attained by "ordinary folks." Considering that death can surprise us at any moment, as Jesus reminds us in Matthew 24:44, the thought of facing God with the guilt of venial sin and the lingering effects of our imperfections could lead to despair of final salvation. Without purgatory, the path to heaven might seem impossibly narrow for most.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines purgatory as a purification, "so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven"¹ (CCC 1030). It is a state for "all who die in God's grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven" (CCC 1030). This divine provision remedies our despair, infusing joy and hope within the soul. It assures us that our shortcomings, though real, are not enough to eternally bar us from the glory of heaven if we die in God's grace. It's a testament to God's immense mercy and His desire for all His children to ultimately be united with Him.

Indeed, purgatory manifests God’s incredible love for us. The Catechism affirms that "this final purification is entirely different from the punishment of the damned" (CCC 1031) and is a loving act of God to prepare souls for the beatific vision. God does everything He can to make our union with Him possible, even providing a post-mortem opportunity to be freed from venial sin and any remaining attachments to sin that impede our entrance into heaven. This is truly "good news," demonstrating the lengths to which God's love extends. This consolation extends not only to our own hope of heaven but also to our loved ones. Purgatory gives us the assurance that even if our beloved friends and family die without the perfect holiness required for immediate entry into heaven, they are not forever excluded from His eternal embrace.

Understanding purgatory, therefore, should inspire us to greater trust in God's mercy and to cooperate with His grace in this life. While purgatory is a gift, it is also a reminder of the consequences of sin and the need for purification. To avoid spending excessive time in purgatory, Catholics can strive to live lives of greater holiness by frequenting the sacraments, especially Reconciliation and the Eucharist, performing acts of charity, and growing in virtue.

 

Align Your Life with God's Values

The very heart of the Christian faith, the gospel, is a concept deeply rooted in the past, yet profoundly relevant for today. Far more than just any "good news," its origins in the Hebrew bsorah and Greek euangelion point to a specific kind of joyful proclamation. To truly grasp the New Testament's understanding of the gospel, we must look to the Old Testament, where its emergence was prophesied. Often, in the Old Testament, "good news" heralded a military victory, signifying God's triumph for His people. This theme of divine intervention and victory is particularly prominent in the prophetic book of Isaiah, a source frequently quoted by Jesus Himself.

Isaiah’s prophecies, especially in the latter part of the book which foretells the coming of the Messiah, are rich with references to this "good news." When Jesus quotes Isaiah 61 and declares its fulfillment in His ministry, He directly connects His work to Isaiah's vision of a coming era where God would reign and bless His people. This understanding of the gospel as the arrival of God's Kingdom is a central theme throughout the New Testament. Numerous passages refer to the "gospel of God" or the "gospel of the kingdom of God," consistently linking the good news to God's active rule and reign. This strong linkage reveals that the gospel is not merely a message from God, but a message about God and His sovereign, redemptive work.

For us as Catholics, understanding the gospel in this light provides a powerful and practical way to live our faith. If the gospel is the good news of God's kingdom arriving and His reign beginning, then living as good Catholics means actively participating in bringing about that kingdom here on earth. This involves recognizing God's sovereignty in all aspects of our lives, striving to live according to His will, and working for justice, peace, and charity in our communities. It means embracing the Sacraments, particularly the Eucharist, as tangible encounters with Christ's kingdom, and allowing His grace to transform us into agents of His love. By continually seeking to align our lives with the values of the Kingdom – love of God and neighbor – we become living embodiments of the good news, making Christ’s reign present to the world around us. 

We are People of the Word and Sacred Tradition

Tradition is the lifeblood of identity, both for individuals and groups. It encompasses our education, culture, and the invaluable inheritance passed down through generations. The very word "tradition" stems from the Latin tradere, meaning "to hand on." While not all traditions are equally significant—some are merely human inventions, even frivolous or harmful, as cautioned in Mark 7:8 and Colossians 2:8—others hold profound importance. For Catholics, this handing on of faith from Christ and the apostles is of unparalleled significance, known as "Sacred Tradition" or "Apostolic Tradition," capitalized to distinguish it from lesser customs.

The apostles initially transmitted the faith orally through their preaching. Over time, some of them and their companions penned the documents that would eventually form the New Testament. Together with the Old Testament, these writings constitute Sacred Scripture. It is crucial to understand that Sacred Scripture is not separate from Sacred Tradition; rather, it is the written part of this ongoing transmission of faith. As Pope Benedict XVI often emphasized, the Word of God is a living reality within the Church, encountered not only in the Bible but also in Tradition and through the Church's teaching office. He saw tradition as a "living river" that connects us to the origins of the faith, making the presence of Christ ever new and relevant.

Whether an element of Tradition was eventually written down in Scripture or remained in oral form, it was consistently considered important and binding for believers. The New Testament itself frequently exhorts believers to uphold Sacred Tradition, as seen in 1 Corinthians 11:2 and 2 Thessalonians 3:6. Most strikingly, 2 Thessalonians 2:15 directly instructs readers to "stand firm and hold to the Traditions which you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by letter." This underscores the authority of both spoken and written forms of Christian Tradition. For Pope Benedict XVI, this inseparable unity between Scripture and Tradition is fundamental, both flowing from the same divine wellspring and converging to form one singular deposit of the Word of God.

This continuous transmission of faith across generations is a cornerstone of the Catholic Church's identity. In 2 Timothy 2:2, written by St. Paul shortly before his death, he implores his protégé, "what you have heard from me before many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also." This passage highlights the intentional, generational passing on of Sacred Tradition from Paul's era to Timothy's, and onward to future leaders. Pope Benedict XVI frequently spoke of this "hermeneutic of continuity," emphasizing that the Church's life and liturgy develop organically, ensuring that what earlier generations held sacred remains sacred for us today. The Church, therefore, is truly a people of the Word and Sacred Tradition, preserving and proclaiming the living Gospel through the continuous work of the Holy Spirit.

Heralds of Charity: The First Deacons and the Dawn of a New Era

In the vibrant, nascent days of the Church, as the Apostles diligently spread the Good News, a beautiful and essential need arose. The community of believers was growing rapidly, and with it, the demands of daily life and ministry. It was in this context, as recorded in the Acts of the Apostles, that the Holy Spirit inspired a pivotal development in the structure and service of the Church: the appointment of the first deacons.

The apostles, recognizing that they could not dedicate themselves fully to both prayer and the ministry of the word while also attending to the material needs of the community, wisely sought a solution. Acts 6:1-6 recounts this moment: "Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint by the Hellenists against the Hebrews, because their widows were¹ neglected in the daily distribution. Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, 'It is not desirable that we should leave the² word of God and serve tables. Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.'"

This³ passage highlights the practical necessity and spiritual insight behind the diaconate. These men, "full of the Spirit and wisdom," were chosen to serve, to free the Apostles for their primary mission of evangelization and prayer. The choosing of these seven men, including the renowned Stephen, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, marked the formal institution of the diaconate, a distinct order within the Church. They were then presented to the Apostles, "who prayed and laid hands on them," a gesture that signifies ordination and the conferral of a sacred office. The Catechism of the Catholic Church, in paragraph 1569, affirms this, stating that "at the lower level of the hierarchy are deacons, who receive ordination 'not to the priesthood but to the ministry.'" Their role was, and remains, to serve the People of God in the "ministry of the liturgy, of the word, and of charity" (CCC 1570).

Among these first deacons, Saint Stephen stands out as a luminous example of faith and courage. Filled with grace and power, he "worked great wonders and signs among the people" (Acts 6:8). His powerful preaching and unwavering testimony to Christ, however, stirred up intense opposition. Accused falsely, Stephen delivered a stirring defense before the Sanhedrin, recounting salvation history and boldly proclaiming Jesus as the Messiah. His final moments, as he looked up to heaven and saw "the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God" (Acts 7:55), are profoundly moving. He was then dragged outside the city and stoned to death, becoming the Church's first martyr.

It is here that we encounter a fascinating and providential intersection of lives. Among those who consented to Stephen's execution and even guarded the cloaks of his persecutors was a young man named Saul, a zealous Pharisee dedicated to stamping out this new Christian sect. Acts 7:58 states, "And the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul." Saul witnessed firsthand Stephen's unwavering faith, his radiant countenance, and his final prayer of forgiveness for his persecutors: "Lord, do not hold this sin against them" (Acts 7:60).

Could it be that this powerful display of Christ-like love and forgiveness, witnessed by Saul as he stood by and approved, began to chip away at the hardened walls of his heart? While Saul continued his relentless persecution of Christians, the memory of Stephen's martyrdom, particularly his prayer for forgiveness, may have been the very crack that allowed the light of Christ to eventually penetrate his soul. As Pope Benedict XVI noted in a general audience on November 5, 2008, "Stephen's martyrdom ... brought about a radical change in the life of Saul. This death was not merely the end of a life, but the seed of a new one, as Stephen's last words, 'Lord, do not hold this sin against them,' echoed in Saul's ears." This pivotal moment, fueled by divine grace, indeed led to Saul's dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus, transforming him into Saint Paul, the Apostle to the Gentiles, one of Christ's most fervent and influential disciples.

Today, the spirit of those first deacons continues to animate the Church. Deacons, ordained through the laying on of hands, continue to serve the People of God in a multitude of ways. They are truly "heralds of charity," ministering to the poor and needy, bringing the compassion of Christ to those on the margins. They preach the Gospel, bringing the Word of God to life in homilies and catechesis. They witness the joyous union of couples in Holy Matrimony, echoing God's covenantal love. And with immense joy, they baptize new Catholics, bringing them into the life of Christ and His Church, marking the beginning of their journey of faith. Just as in the early Church, deacons today stand as living testaments to selfless service, embodying the call to "serve and not to be served," a vibrant and indispensable pillar of our Catholic faith. 

Jesus, Our Hope: The Sower and the Seed

Hope is not a vague optimism or wishful thinking—hope is a person. Jesus Christ is our living hope, planted in the soil of our hearts through His Word.

In the Parable of the Sower, Jesus tells us about a sower who scatters seed on different types of ground. Some seed falls on the path, some on rocky soil, some among thorns, and some on good, fertile soil. The seed is the Word of God, and we are the soil.

Jesus knows that life can make our hearts hard, rocky, or tangled with worry and sin. But still, He sows His Word generously. He doesn’t wait for us to be perfect; He comes to us right where we are, because He is the hope that transforms the soil.

When we receive His Word with faith, even in small amounts, it begins to take root. It pushes through the rocks, breaks through the thorns, and slowly, through grace, we become that good soil. And the fruit? It’s abundant: “some a hundred, some sixty, some thirtyfold” (Matthew 13:8).

So, if your life feels dry or cluttered or unworthy—take heart. The Sower hasn’t given up on you. Jesus is still sowing. His Word still brings life. And His hope is never wasted.

Let Him plant His hope in you today.

Discovering Your Heart's Rest: Dr. Shane Owens' New Book on St. Augustine, Timely for an Augustinian Papacy

In a providential alignment, as the Catholic Church welcomes its first Augustinian Pope, Leo XIV, the release of my good friend Dr. Shane Owens' new book, Return to the Heart: The Biblical Spirituality of St. Augustine’s Confessions, couldn't be more timely. This insightful work invites readers to delve into the enduring wisdom of one of Christianity's most influential figures, offering a roadmap for personal conversion and a deeper encounter with God.

St. Augustine's Confessions holds a unique place in Western literature as the very first autobiography. It's a profound narrative of one man's tumultuous journey away from and ultimately back to God, a journey rich with human experience. As Augustine himself famously penned, "He is most intimately present to the human heart, but the heart has strayed from him. Return to your heart, then, you wrongdoers, and hold fast to him who made you."

This profound call to the heart resonates deeply with our own contemporary struggles for love, happiness, and peace. Dr. Owens, with his new book, bridges the centuries, making Augustine's wisdom accessible to a new generation. He masterfully demonstrates that true wholeness and self-understanding are found only in a heart-to-heart encounter with our Creator.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church echoes Augustine's central insight, stating that "The desire for God is written in the human heart, because man is created by God and for God" and that only "in God will he find the truth and happiness he never stops searching for" (CCC No.¹ 27). Return to the Heart offers convincing testimony from St. Augustine's own life and writings to this fundamental truth: an ever-present God is ceaselessly at work, guiding us toward conversion and eternal life.

With Pope Leo XIV, himself a "son of St. Augustine," leading the Church, there's a renewed emphasis on the Augustinian charism. This papacy promises to reacquaint the universal Church with Augustine's intellectual depth and missionary zeal. As Pope Leo XIV's own motto, "In Illo uno unum" ("In the One, we are one"), drawn from Augustine, suggests, his pontificate will likely emphasize unity in Christ, rooted in a profound understanding of the human heart's restless yearning for God.

Now more than ever, as we navigate a world often characterized by restlessness and a search for meaning, Dr. Shane Owens' book provides a vital guide. It's an invitation to follow in the footsteps of St. Augustine, returning to the very core of our being to discover the ultimate peace and fulfillment found only in God. 

Welcome to Pope Leo

With gratitude to God and in joyful communion with the universal Church, we give thanks for the election of Pope Leo XIV. In this moment of grace, the Body of Christ rejoices at the new successor of Peter, chosen to shepherd the flock in a time of both great challenge and great hope. As he begins his sacred ministry, we invite all Eucharistic missionaries, parish leaders, and faithful across the United States to lift him up in prayer—offering personal Mass intentions, Holy Hours, and other devotions for our new Holy Father.

In his first words from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, Pope Leo XIV humbly introduced himself as “a son of Saint Augustine, an Augustinian.” This identity is more than biographical—it signals a deep spiritual heritage rooted in the search for God through community, humility, and love. The Augustinian Rule’s call to be “of one mind and one heart on the way to God” beautifully echoes the vision of the National Eucharistic Revival. As we prepare for our Eucharistic pilgrimage, this Augustinian spirit invites us to journey not as individuals alone, but as a people united in Christ.

The Eucharist itself is the supreme expression of this unity. In every Mass, Jesus Christ humbles Himself to become present under the appearance of bread and wine, drawing us into communion not only with Him, but with one another. In a world so often torn by division and isolation, the Augustinian emphasis on interior conversion and community challenges us to let our belief in the Real Presence lead to real transformation—healing relationships, forming friendships in Christ, and restoring the bonds of charity.

Let us pray that Pope Leo XIV will be a wise and courageous shepherd, rooted in the Gospel and guided by the Holy Spirit. May his Augustinian formation inspire us all to live Eucharistic lives—marked by humility, spiritual poverty, and deep love for God and neighbor. As we give thanks for our new Holy Father, may we also renew our commitment to walk together as one Church, “on the way to God.”