Day 6

Purgatory prepares us to be with God. But isn’t our life on earth a type of purgatory, too, especially for those of us who are fortunate enough to find recovery? By working the Twelve Steps from time to time and working Step 11 and Step 12 continuously, aren’t we undergoing a type of in-life purgatory? We’ll continue this purgation process for the remainder of our lives, giving us a jump start on purgatory should God see that we still need purification when we die. As Saint Faustina, Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, and Saint John of the Cross remind us, we can let our sufferings here and now purify us and draw us closer to eventually seeing God’s holy face after death.

We can consider God’s love for our fellows who are suffering as well as our loved ones who have passed from this world. Souls’ yearning for God in purgatory is so intense that it actually pains them to not be with the Lord. As St. John Chrysostom instructs us, “Let us help and commemorate them. If Job’s sons were purified by their father’s sacrifice, why would we doubt that our offerings for the dead bring them some consolation? Let us not hesitate to help those who have died and to offer our prayers for them” (CCC 1032). Therefore, let us call to mind our loved ones both alive or in purgatory, and offer up today’s prayers, sufferings, and acts of service for their sake and the sake of all souls.

Reflection Questions

• What aspects of your recovery help you “live out” your purgatory here on earth? 
• Who are your deceased loved ones that you feel inclined to pray for? What can you offer up for them today for their sake?

Daily Mass Readings

First Reading: Genesis 37:3-4, 12-13a, 17b-28a
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 105:16-17, 18-19, 20-21
Gospel: Matthew 21:33-43, 45-46

Reflection by Marcia G.

(1381-1447) — Nicolette Boellet, named after Saint Nicholas of Myra, was born in Corbie, France, when her parents were already in their 60s. She was orphaned at 17 and tried to join the Beguines and the Benedictines, but was dissatisfied with each. At 21, Colette joined the Third Order of Saint Francis and lived as a hermit for four years, during which time she received dreams and visions of Saints Francis and Clare calling her to reform their order. She became a Poor Clare, carried out reforms, and founded monasteries. Colette helped Saint Vincent Ferrer restore a papal schism, had a devotion to Christ’s Passion, and would fall into ecstasy after receiving the Eucharist.

Restoring discipline can be difficult once one has given up maintaining it. In 12-step recovery, we do a searching and fearless moral inventory (Step 4) and watch for patterns in our defects of character (Step 6). We humbly ask God to remove them (Step 7). What disciplines have aided you in your recovery?

“We must faithfully keep what we have promised. If through human weakness we fail, we must always without delay arise again by means of holy penance, and give our attention to leading a good life and to dying a holy death” (Saint Colette).

Reflection by Brad Farmer