THERE'S A PLACE FOR US

"Chastised a little, they shall be greatly blessed." -Wisdom 3:5

There is both a quantity and quality of fruit that God expects us to produce in our earthly life. Our fruit of personal holiness and "good works"must endure.
God is much more than "the Man upstairs" Who is our Friend. He is also our Judge, Who "will test the quality of each man's" good works and holiness.Some of the dead who die in the Lord will not have lived a life as fruitful as God expected. God in His mercy will still grant them eternal life. Thus, these deceased folks "will suffer loss," yet "will be saved, but only as one fleeing through fire" (1 Cor 3:15).

There is a degree of "holiness without which no one can see the Lord. What happens with the above folks who are granted eternal life yet are lacking in the enduring fruit and holiness God requires? Jesus has gone to "prepare a place" for us (Jn 14:2). As the above Scriptures indicate, He also has to prepare us for the place. If we have died in Christ, but aren't yet prepared for His place, then Jesus has to finish the job before He can take us into the heavenly feast.

 The Catholic Church, guided by the Holy Spirit (Jn 16:13), has taught that the above Scriptures and other truths indicate the existence of a "place" of purification we call purgatory. In purgatory, the souls of those who have not prepared themselves sufficiently in their time on earth are purified for the awesome privilege of seeing God face to face. Since they are fellow members of the body of Christ we need them and they need us. Let us help them with our prayers.

Prayer: Father, may I grow daily in holiness now rather than later. I pray for the souls of those in purgatory to be speedily purified.

Promise: "No one who comes will I ever reject." -Jn 6:37

Praise: Praise the Father of love, risen Savior, and the Spirit of truth!

Our Lady's Medjugorje Message of November 1986

"Dear children! Today I wish to call you to pray daily for souls in purgatory. For every soul prayer and grace is necessary to reach God and the love of God. By doing this, dear children, you obtain new intercessors who will help you in life to realize that all the earthly things are not important for you, that only Heaven is that for which it is necessary to strive. Therefore, dear children, pray without ceasing that you may be able to help yourselves and the others to whom your prayers will bring joy. Thank you for having responded to my call."