In today’s first reading, Romans 8: 31-39, St. Paul raises several
questions: “If God is for us, who can be against us? Since he did not spare his own Son, but gave
him up for the sake of all of us, then can we not expect that with him he will
freely give us all his gifts? Who,” Paul asks, “can bring any accusation
against those that God has chosen? When God grants
saving justice who can condemn? Are we not sure that it is Christ Jesus, who
died—yes, and more, who was raised from the dead and is at God’s right hand—and
who is adding his plea for us. Can anything cut us off from the love of Christ—can
hardship, distress, or persecution or lack of food or clothing, or threats or
violence….No; we come through all these things triumphantly victorious, by the
power of him who loved us.”
Those words are deeply consoling for me following a recent
conversation about the afterlife and the belief of many that we will be
separated from God for awhile because of the punishment due our sinfulness and
our need for purification following death.
I have a difficult time perceiving God as a judge preparing meticulously
to hold our sin against us, just waiting for us to enter eternal life so he can
punish us as we deserve. This is not my
God. And furthermore, I believe that I
will come through this life “triumphantly victorious, by the power of him who
[loves me]!”
What if, however, I do Ieave this life unprepared to enter
into God’s presence? How will I become purified, since, after I die,I am no
longer able to prepare myself. That is part of my mission here on earth. Once I
die, I am then totally dependent on the prayers that are said for me by the
church militant, those still on this earth on their way to heaven. I do believe I shall be purified—however long
that purification period is after I die. It is not God punishing me, however;
it is the choice I will have made if I leave earth unreconciled, unrepentant of
my sins and not trusting in God’s infinite mercy and unconditional love.
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