Meditations on Purgatory

Let us Consider the Causes of Lengthy Sufferings in Purgatory - Scandal

(Source: Purgatory by F.X. Schouppe by TAN Books)

A terrible expiation of suffering sadly awaits those of us who have given scandal to others in this life. To give scandal is to, through our example or words cause someone/s of weaker conscience to sin. If we lead a person thus into venial sin, we have sinned venially, if mortal sin ensues, then we have indeed sinned mortally.

Of course Our Lord spoke very severely of scandal: "Woe to the world because of scandals! Woe to that man by whom the scandal cometh! (Matthew 18:7)

"A painter of great skill and otherwise exemplary life had once made a painting not at all conformable to the strict rules of Christian modesty. It was one of those paintings which, under the pretext of being works of art, are found in the best families, and the sight of which causes the loss of so many souls.

True art is an inspiration from Heaven, which elevates the soul to God; profane art, which appeals to the senses only, which presents to the eye nothing but the beauties of flesh and blood, is but an inspiration of the evil spirit; his works, brilliant though they may be, are not works of art, and the name is falsely attributed to them. They are the infamous productions of a corrupt imagination.

The artist of whom we speak had allowed himself to be misled in this point by bad example. Soon, however, renouncing this pernicious style, he confined himself to the production of religious pictures, or at least of those which were perfectly irreproachable. Finally, he was painting a large picture in a convent of the discalced Carmelites, during which he was attacked by a mortal malady. Feeling he was about to die, he asked the Prior to allow him to be interred in the church of the monastery, and bequeathed to the community his earnings, which amounted to a considerable sum of money, charging them to have Masses said for the repose of his soul. He died in pious sentiments, and a few days passed, when a Religious who had stayed in the choir after Matins saw him appear in the midst of flames and sighing pitiously.

"What!" Said the Religious, "have you to endure such pain, after leading so good a life and dying so holy a death?" "Alas!" relied he, "it is on account of the immodest picture that I painted some years ago. When I appeared before the tribunal of the Sovereign Judge, a crowd of accusers came to give evidence against me. They declared that they had been excited to improper thoughts and evil desires by a picture, the work of my hand. In consequence of those bad thoughts some were in Purgatory, others in Hell. The latter cried for vengeance, saying that, having been the cause of their eternal perdition, I deserved, at least, the same punishment. Then the Blessed Virgin and the saints whom I had glorified by my pictures took up my defence. They represented to the Judge that that unfortunate painting had been the work of youth, and of which I had repented; that I had repaired it afterwards by religious objects which had been a source of edification to souls."

"In consideration of these and other reasons, the Sovereign Judge declared that, on account of my repentance and my good works, I should be exempt from damnation; but at the same time, He condemned me to these flames until that picture should be burned, so that it could no longer scandalize anyone." Then the poor sufferer implored the Religious to take messages to have the painting destroyed. "I beg of you, go in my name to such a person, proprieter of the picture; tell him in what condition I am for having yielded to his entreaties to paint it, and conjure him to make a sacrifice of it. If he refuses, woe to him! To prove that this is not an illusion, and to punish him for his own fault, tell him that before long he will lose his two children. Should he refuse to obey Him who has created us both, he will pay for it by a premature death."

"The religious delayed not to do what the poor soul asked of him, and went to the owner of the picture. The latter, on hearing these things, seized the painting and cast it into the fire. Nevertheless, according to the words of the deceased, he lost his two children in less than a month. The remainder of his days he passed in penance, for having ordered and kept that immodest picture in his house."

If such consequences occur due to one improper painting, what of millions of scandalous, impure or pornographic books sold in the U.S alone? What of the influence of impurity in movies, TV shows, video games and the like? What of the mere influence of our actions on the actions of others? Let us pray, pray that we do not cause scandal, confess our sins with sadness and amend our lives. Let us have Mary, Jesus and the saints as our examples instead of scandalous celebrities. Pray for the holy souls in purgatory as they suffer more than we can imagine!

Prayer

Graciously hear, O God, the fervent prayers we offer Thee for the suffering souls in purgatory, who, not having satisfied Thy justice, confide in Thine infinite mercy and our intercessions. Extend unto them Thy consolations, and redeem them, through Christ our Lord. Amen+

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen+