Bulletin Q&A Article; Published 2-25-24:
Is there a reference to Purgatory in the Bible? Or in Jesus’ teachings? Could you state the passages?
Purgatory is the most common of all question topics that I receive in the “Ask Deacon Joe” box or through emails. This particular question struck a chord with me when I received it several months ago. Many years ago, I felt called to write a book about Purgatory. But I struggled to find an approach that would be a meaningful addition to the collection of Purgatory books that already existed. A couple of years ago, I committed my Lenten focus to addressing the challenge and ended up writing a short book with the working title: “In His Own Words: Jesus Teaches about Purgatory”. It doesn’t try to provide information about what Purgatory is like, but rather to show that a belief in Purgatory is confirmed by reviewing the teachings of Jesus. I didn’t do anything with my manuscript, questioning whether it was worth pursuing publication. But when I received this question, I saw it as a sign and decided to act. So far, I have been rejected by one publisher, and I am awaiting a response from a second. Please say a prayer that, if it is God’s will, I find a publisher. Be sure to add the part about God’s will. The book might be a piece of junk, and God might not want it to be published. And I’m okay with that.
Of the existence of Purgatory, I am confident. Of what Purgatory is like, I have only clues. And that brings us back to the question at hand. There are many references in the Bible that allude to the existence of Purgatory. However, the Catechism of the Catholic Church only references four of them in its official teaching on Purgatory. And only one of them references the words of Jesus.
- “And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come” (Mt. 12:32). The Catechism quotes from the Council of Trent and states: “From this sentence we understand that certain offenses can be forgiven in this age, but certain others in the age to come.” Where is this place of forgiveness in the age to come if Purgatory does not exist?
- “But if someone’s work is burned up, that one will suffer loss; the person will be saved, but only as through fire” (1 Cor. 5:13), and “In this you rejoice, although now for a little while you may have to suffer through various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold that is perishable even though tested by fire, may prove to be for praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Pet. 1:6-7). Of these two verses the Catechism states: “The tradition of the Church, by reference to certain texts of Scripture, speaks of a cleansing fire:” Purgatory is the cleansing fire that purifies us so that we can enter Heaven.
- “He then took up a collection among all his soldiers, amounting to two thousand silver drachmas, which he sent to Jerusalem to provide for an expiatory sacrifice. In doing this he acted in a very excellent and noble way, inasmuch as he had the resurrection in mind; for if he were not expecting the fallen to rise again, it would have been superfluous and foolish to pray for the dead. But if he did this with a view to the splendid reward that awaits those who had gone to rest in godliness, it was a holy and pious thought. Thus he made atonement for the dead that they might be absolved from their sin” (2 Macc. 12:43-46). Judas Maccabeus prayed and made sacrifice for his fallen soldiers. But praying for the dead makes no sense unless there is a belief in Purgatory. Souls in Heaven do not need our prayers, and souls in Hell cannot benefit from our prayers. The Catechism states: “From the beginning the Church has honored the memory of the dead and offered prayers in suffrage for them, above all the Eucharistic sacrifice, so that, thus purified, they may attain the beatific vision of God.”