It makes me think of Purgatory

One of the most misunderstood teachings in the Catholic faith is Purgatory.

What is it? Is it where you go after you die while God decides what to do with you?
Is it like hell, only temporary?
Is it a second chance?
How long is a person there?

Purgatory is a gift of God. Since only perfect people can dwell with God in Heaven, and very few people die having been TOTALLY perfected in this life, Purgatory is a place of purgation for people who are approaching full communion with God in Heaven, but have some imperfections that the love of God purifies away. Having been purified, they can enter fully into God's presence in Heaven, free from all imperfection and be with Him forever.

Some theologians talk about "suffering" in purgatory. In fact, when Catholics refer to three states of the Church, we talk about the Church Triumphant (those in Heaven), the Church Suffering (those in Purgatory) and the Church Militant (those of us soldiering on here on earth).

So why is there suffering if you have already "made the cut" so-to-speak? If you go to Purgatory, you are on your way to Heaven...there are just a few last minute imperfections to be purged away...why "suffering"?

I have heard explanations of it, but have actually seen these explanations played out in analogous form here at home.

Those in purgatory are "suffering" most keenly from being so near full communion with God, but not totally there...and they are aware, ever-more-so than when they were on earth, that there is not perfect union yet---and that it was their sins that they committed that are delaying their arrival in Heaven.

It's like at home when Michael Sr comes through the door from work. Baby Michael is thrilled and ecstatic! He gets a huge smile on his face, he yells, "HI!!" or just shrieks with joy. But almost instantly after that, he starts to cry. He reaches his little arms out towards his dad and whines.

Why is he whining?

Because he sees his goal: being in Daddy's arms, but isn't there at that moment, and every second that separates him from his all-time favorite place in the whole world, is sheer torture!

So much so, that even if he only has to crawl a few feet to get to his dad, he can't even pull himself together enough to do it. He puts his head on the ground and cries, waiting to be scooped up.

People in Purgatory can't get themselves the rest of the way home, anymore than we can do anything on earth to "earn" God's grace. God is the one who comes to us, who swoops down and scoops us up. Without Him, we are stuck like a little baby. We see what we want but we can't get ourselves there.

So, as baffling as it is to see Baby Michael go through his little routine of sheer joy and then flip-of-the-switch whining, it does make me laugh a little at the truth it is revealing. Our happiness lies in the presence of God, and anything that separates us is sheer torture for our soul. It's a good reminder to rid my life of things that keep me from Him now, and may keep me longer in Purgatory.

It's also a good reminder to pray for those who have died. Our prayers help them so their union with God can be hastened and they can dwell forever in the arms of our Father.