HONORING THE DEAD: Today is the Feast of All Souls, a day when we Catholics make a point of praying for the poor souls in Purgatory – i.e., a temporary state occupied by souls who have died in a state of grace, but who still need to purge themselves of the residual effects of their sins.
And while I believe that the doctrine of Purgatory speaks to God’s mercy, justice, and love for all souls, I do not believe that God gives anyone a catechism test at judgment, rewarding those who get every jot and tittle correct with eternal life and condemning anybody who gets even one thing wrong with eternal damnation.
But that doesn’t mean I don’t think doctrine doesn’t matter. Doctrine does matter, because it undergirds and drives behavior. Continue reading
