Purity is a gift of the Holy Spirit. Temporal punishment/affect for past sins can remain even after they are forgiven. All sin was forgiven by the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross but not all temporal affect by the sin of Adam was removed .
The punishments of sin
1472 To understand this doctrine and practice of the Church, it is necessary to understand that sin has a
double consequence. Grave sin deprives us of communion with God and therefore makes us incapable of eternal life, the privation of which is called the "eternal punishment" of sin. On the other hand every sin, even venial, entails an unhealthy attachment to creatures, which must be purified either here on earth, or after death in the state called Purgatory. This purification frees one from what is called the "temporal punishment" of sin. These two punishments must not be conceived of as a kind of vengeance inflicted by God from without, but as following from the very nature of sin. A conversion which proceeds from a fervent charity can attain the complete purification of the sinner in such a way that no punishment would remain.84
1473 The forgiveness of sin and restoration of communion with God entail the remission of the eternal punishment of sin, but temporal punishment of sin remains. While patiently bearing sufferings and trials of all kinds and, when the day comes, serenely facing death, the Christian must strive to accept this temporal punishment of sin as a grace. He should strive by works of mercy and charity, as well as by prayer and the various practices of penance, to put off completely the "old man" and to put on the "new man."85
- CONCUPISCENCE
Insubordination of man's desires to the dictates of reason, and the propensity of human nature to sin as a result of original sin. More commonly, it refers to the spontaneous movement of the sensitive appetites toward whatever the imagination portrays as pleasant and away from whatever it portrays as painful. However, concupiscence also includes the unruly desires of the will, such as pride, ambition, and envy. (Etym. Latin con-, thoroughly + cupere, to desire: concupiscentia, desire, greed, cupidity.)
Effects of sin - Summa Theologiae I-II 85-87
From
Answer Me This!
By Patrick Madrid
What Purgatory is NOT:
1. Purgatory is not a second chance.
2. Purgatory is not a place where the soul can do anything to cleans himself; all cleansing is done by God alone.
3. Purgatory is not a "third option" for people who are "too good" for hell but "too bad" for heaven; there are only two destinations for those who have died: heaven or hell.
Principles Supporting Purgatory:
1. Scripture teaches that we can pray for those who have died.
2. Those in heaven do not need prayer; those in hell cannot benefit.
3. Scripture teaches that there are other places where those who have died may be other than heaven or hell: hades and "Abraham's Bosom (or the Limbo of the Fathers).
4. We know that nothing unclean can enter heaven.
5. We know that we may not be perfectly detached from sin and the things of this world when we die.
OK. So, temporal punishment is a result of temporal sins. Basically what comes comes around goes around.
And I understand clearly that there are people who simply would no "really" confess or forgive someone from the heart, etc.
So, stuff like this remains on one's conscience.
The temporal sin remains, simply because a person cannot or would not admit and confess everything he did wrong.
Excuses and explanations are the usual cover up.
(By the way. I am terrible at reading links. I'd rather have one-on-one).
If I'm in a ball park, what is the difference between Hades and Purgatory?
What I mean is this. Hades has compartments. The greatest of sinners suffer a lot and the good people sleep there. (At least that's the way it was in the OT [Sheol] with a carry-over to NT [Hades]).
(The Great White Throne Judgement comes in the future and there is that "second" hell called Gehenna or Burning Lake).
Hades also (probably) had the compartment of Abraham's Bosom as well.
Is Purgatory in Hades?
Some may, some may not.
I do not because,
1.) I know if I am there, that heaven is assured inevitable. There is no backsliding into reprobation from purgatory possible.
2.) I know nothing impure can enter heaven and that God loves me enough to permit me a means of being purified so that I can enter perfect union with him in the
beatific vision.
Others may fear it by misunderstanding, similarly to how one might fear admission of their sins or unnecessary anxiety in meeting the Omnipotent face to face. Its an unrealistic fear because God is love and knows all and we cannot hide anything from him. Anything that draws us away from the unity with God that we are destined for is a deception. Not everyone has a proper perception of God or may fear mystery or a plethora of other things they needn't.
You are not afraid of Purgatory because it is an assurance of Heaven.
Fair enough. I find this fascinating.
So, in a way you do not mind the pain?
I am bringing the topic of pain again because that is my practical understanding of Purgatory, pain ... and this is such a unique teaching ... and pain is something so feared and shunned by people.
The pain part makes no sense to me.
Purgatory as painless purification? - sure.
We do pray Lord's Prayer every day daily sins.
We do mess up every day ...
I would understand if purification would be made in a painless manner.
But if a poor woman asks God for mercy, would she get pain?
You see what I mean?
Thanks,
Ed
