A 2nd Sunday after Epiphany Thought To Encourage Us To Aim Straight For Heaven

We have it on good authority that we should aim straight for Heaven and not get sidetracked by thoughts of the inevitability of our going to Purgatory when we die. It's a worthy consideration for our Sunday respite from the ways of the world. In those precious moments when we can more calmly and peacefully fix our minds on supernatural matters - that which is truly real and lasting - here's something for such consideration.

This past week our weekday theme focused on "shaking off the world." The intent was to help us to free up space for our hearts and minds to more receptive to the supernatural, even as we go about our daily labors. It's a challenge for most of us, tied as we are to the ways of the world, the flesh, and - yes - the devil. Heck, even the saints had their bouts with the "Big Three" from time to time, some more than others. What made them saints was their determination to shake it off, if necessary confess and be sorry for any sin, and get on with the struggle for sanctity.

We mere pikers in the spiritual life can and should learn a lesson or two from the example of the saints in this matter. If we do, we might find ourselves open to some serious urging from St. Therese of Lisieux. In her short life, she made it very clear that we ought not spend our time fretting about how impossible it might seem that we avoid Purgatory when our time comes. She was very clear about this. We should not be so presumptuous in discounting Heavenly Father's Mercy and Love.

Here are some words written by one of the nuns who lived with the Little Flower. She is speaking of the last days on earth of our dear Therese. As you know, she died of tuberculosis at a young age (22). Here we find her physically wasted away, but strong in her mind and heart - perhaps the result of soul steeped in the supernatural over many years.

The thing is, St. Therese speaks in a manner that can touch each of us. She's urging us not to fall into the habit of thinking we're inevitably going to Purgatory, that we can't even dream of going straight to Heaven. If we take her seriously - and of course we will - we will emerge from reading her words with, perhaps, a real hope that we might - might - get to Heaven, bypassing Purgatory. 

Can anything be more encouraging, provide more of lift, on this 2nd Sunday after Epiphany? Take the time to read, absorb, meditate on, and enjoy the very thought of Heaven without Purgatory.

“When we go to see her, we find her much changed, very thin. But she is always calm and has a pleasant word. She sees death coming with joy and does not experience the least fear. When we spoke to her about Purgatory for ourselves, she said: ‘Oh! How you trouble me, you do a great injury to God in believing that you will go to Purgatory. When we love there can be no Purgatory. Listen to how far your confidence must extend! It must make you believe that Purgatory was not made for you, but only for those who have forgotten Merciful Love or who have doubted its purifying power. Jesus is blind to the faults of those who are endeavoring to respond to this love. He counts only on the fire of love which covers all sins, and above all on the fruits of His perpetual sacrifice. Yes, in spite of your little infidelities, you can hope to go straight to heaven. God desires it more than you do, and He will certainly give you what you hoped for from His mercy. It is this confidence and abandonment which He will reward. Since He understands your weakness, His divine justice has arranged to cope with it. While relying on this assurance, take care that He does not lose love.”