Last night was our Catechism Night where we break up into small groups and discuss a topic from the Catechism. The topic was the last four things: Death, Judgement (Particular and General), Heaven, and Hell; we seem to keep it light as many of the 20s Group members joked about, since last week's meeting was a Member Talk about the End of Life issue for Cancer Patients.
These past two meetings are a great way to prepare for the coming All Souls' Day, where we remember the poor souls of purgatory. Since we had three small groups I cannot tell you how the discussion went for the other two, yet I can tell you the group I was in really focused on purgatory and death, it does seem to be an issue among our brothers and sisters Protestants who believe in Heaven and Hell (or some do not even believe in Hell) only.
How do we as Catholics explain purgatory? When I was in RCIA one of the friars explained it to us that even though you confessed your sins there is still a stain from the sins you committed and so purgatory is like the washer; your garment is stained and now you have wash out the stains. "Those who die in Gods' grace and friendship imperfectly purified, although they are assured of their eternal salvation, undergo a purification after death, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of God." (CCC 1054) You cannot go anywhere special with dirty clothes, you would want to look your best, why not be that way when you meet God face to face.
As I mention the group I was in discussed not only purgatory, but death as well. The question prompted to us was this: Why do you think the catechism says that Christ "opened the possibility of salvation to all men" instead of that he opened Heaven to all? This brings up another issue among all Christians (Catholic and Non-Catholic); God wants all His children to be with him, so He does open it for all men, but it by our free will that we decide if we wish to be with our Father in Heaven or not. That is why it is only a possibility and not a free-all. (To which I think about the Gospel Study three weeks ago about the Wedding Invitation)
After the meeting about ten of us maybe went out to Boston's (a nice pizza/pub restaurant). One of the great things is I found another friend who I hope will love John and Abigail Adams as much as I do. I might have a Revolutionary War Lovers started sooner or later. (not really, but would it not be wonderful?)
Please if you are in the Columbus area and you are 18 (high-school graduate) to mid-thirties, stop on by and join us for a meeting!
God Bless,
Nikita
1 comment:
Twenty members - that's great! How do you advertise or recruit members who stay? At my Women's Group we have anywhere between five and nine people come, and my other young adults group can range from four to ten or so. Smaller groups are more intimate, but larger members allow for more activities and discussions.
Purgatory is a tough concept. Before I became Catholic, I didn't understand it either. I think it's improperly taught as a place people go after they die for a certain length of time, like a waiting room. In reality, space and time are part of our universe, not the afterlife, so those concepts don't make sense. It's better described as a process, like you said, a cleansing or preparing. It's biblical, too, and a lot of people don't know the scriptural references to it that might help them understand better.
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