Easter Sunday is all about the Resurrection of the Lord.  We are rejoicing and full of gladness because, by the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Our Lord Jesuschrist, we are saved.  The Resurrection of Christ is a turning point in the history of salvation.  We are immersed in this joyous time of the year.  This season bring us together to have hope in the future, by understanding that eternal life is for those who believe in Him, After his resurrection, Jesus appeared to his disciples. Jesus said to Thomas who did not believe that the Lord appeared:  “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” Jn, 20,29.

Yet, many people do not believe in Christ and probably the same people who do not believe in Christ and His resurrection are the same people who just a few days ago were vocal at criticizing the Church because false came.  Yes, a few days ago Pope Francis was “quoted” mistakenly allegedly denying the existence of hell.  Well, this is not the first time that Eugenio Scalfari, a journalist trying to sell an article, interprets Catholic doctrine the wrong way.  We see how opportunist people who, like Scalfari, who is an atheist is making judgments and assertions that are not truthful.  Like him, many people who are not even practicing the faith are dare to say nonsense about our faith. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/vatican-dont-trust-report-that-pope-francis-denied-reality-of-hell-53450

Heresies and apostasy have plagued our faith for two thousand years, so we do not have to panic if some people even “Catholics” are denying one or more dogmas of our faith.  Some Catholics are even denying the existence of purgatory.  for that reason I want to narrate an anecdote:  During a hot day, one of my friends boarding my old car with a broken air conditioner.  He was complaining about the heat. I joked by saying:  “do not worry, purgatory is even hotter.” Though a joke, I was communicating a belief that most Catholics have trouble understanding this concept or reality.  The Baltimore Catechism explain doctrine through questions and answers.  Even though is an old resource it is good to take a look at what it says. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/resources/catechism/baltimore-catechism/lesson-37-on-the-last-judgment-and-the-resurrection-hell-purgatory-and-heaven

Since some Catholics are confused about the existence of purgatory, I want to dedicate some lines to talk about the topic.  I highly recommend the following book to follow up on my comments.“>

Purgatory is a state of the soul that we had some reference in the Old Testament; even some Jews believe in the existence of this state of the soul that certainly it is not referred as “purgatory”   (Prov 17,3; Dan 12,9; Wis 3,5; Sir, 2,5).  In the New Testament, Paul speaks about our purification through fire (1 Cor3,15).   Even some Protestants who fiercely deny the existence of purgatory sometimes pray for their beloved ones who have departed. The question that emerges is if it is possible forgiveness after dead? Certainly not, but why we pray for our dead? Then, we can start understanding purging as a kind of penance in the afterlife and through our prayer, we help the departed souls in purging their sins.  In the near future, I will dedicate a longer article related to the purgatory and the end of times (eschatology).

Happy Easter!!!