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dawn2006
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| Posted: Feb 14 2009 at 4:57pm | IP Logged
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I was telling someone about purgatory and such and I said I believe that souls will get one very last chance to see God and decide to serve him for eternity or go to hell. Is this a legitimate notion?
TIA.
I didn't know where to put this so please move to a better forum if necessary.
ETA: I copied and pasted my comment below (it was on a friend's blog.) This was very 'off the cuff' and I want to make sure it was at least somewhat on the right track. Again, TIA.
Quote:
Dawn said...
I don't believe God chooses to send people to hell as a punishment. A punishment it may be but one that a person decides for themself. For example, Satan chose to rule in hell rather than serve God. I believe in purgatory, also, a place for people to make reparation for the sins they died with. I believe we can make good works on earth and dedicate them to the salvation of souls in purgatory. I believe souls will get to see God one last time before deciding for all eternity whether they will want to be with Him or not. Again, Satan made that exact choice. People are surely capable of making that same choice for themselves and in this way God is, again, allowing us our say. And I totally believe that God sees even the worst sinners as one of his children, sees their entire life and what led them to make their choices. It's why one of my favorite prayers is "Lord, help me see them as you see them."
And I don't think the commandments are arbitrary. I think God knows human nature and used that knowledge to make rules that we may not understand but he knows will maximize our happiness and health.
((hugs))
And like you I am prepared to accept even those things I don't understand simply b/c God told me to. ;) |
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Dawn Farias | wife to Ariel | mom to Gabriel 9, Daniel 7, Elizabeth 5, and Michael 3 | blogger at Be Absorbed | native Texan but currently living near Seattle
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folklaur
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| Posted: Feb 14 2009 at 5:15pm | IP Logged
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Well, the CCC says:
1035 The teaching of the Church affirms the existence of hell and its eternity. Immediately after death the souls of those who die in a state of mortal sin descend into hell, where they suffer the punishments of hell, "eternal fire." The chief punishment of hell is eternal separation from God, in whom alone man can possess the life and happiness for which he was created and for which he longs.
Also:
"1031 The Church gives the name Purgatory to this final purification of the elect, which is entirely different from the punishment of the damned. The Church formulated her doctrine of faith on Purgatory especially at the Councils of Florence and Trent. The tradition of the Church, by reference to certain texts of Scripture, speaks of a cleansing fire:
As for certain lesser faults, we must believe that, before the Final Judgment, there is a purifying fire. He who is truth says that whoever utters blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will be pardoned neither in this age nor in the age to come. From this sentence we understand that certain offenses can be forgiven in this age, but certain others in the age to come."
I get the impression from the "immediately" in teh first reference that it is pretty much decided at death. That is why being in a state of mortal sin is so bad. It is why how you live each and every moment is so important. This - right here and now - is where we are making our choice, every day, all the time.
Also, the "before the Final Judgement" doesn't change where you are going, so to speak. If you are in purgatory, you are already saved, just not purified yet and able to enter heaven. You have no fear of going to hell though....
I could be wrong, and although I very much like your idea that you posted, I don't think it is an orthodox Catholic teaching.
I am sure others know much more about it than I do, tho.
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Michaela
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| Posted: Feb 16 2009 at 11:27am | IP Logged
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After reading your question, Dawn, I found The Four Last Things. All of it is excellent reading, but you may be interested in the article "Our Judgment Before God" --
The Four Last Things:
The Christian Understanding of Death
Our Judgment Before God
Hell
Heaven
The Last Day and General Judgment
Dawn wrote:
| I believe in purgatory, also, a place for people to make reparation for the sins they died with. |
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One thing that stood out to me is that you referred to purgatory as a place. Someone may need to correct my understanding, but purgatory isn't a place, rather a process on the way to Heaven.
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Michaela
Momma to Nicholas 16, Nathan 13, Olivia 13, Teresa 6, & Anthony 3
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4Real Forums : Domestic Church
Topic: Where did I get this idea?
