Purgatory

When people have been very ill they sometimes go to a place called a convalescence home where they can get well and strong again.  While they are still there they still feel the effects of their illness and they may still have some aches and pains, but at the same time they know that it will not be long before they are all right again, and looking forward to that fills them with happiness.

So, when we have seen Jesus, we shall go to a place called Purgatory, which means a place of cleansing, until we are fit to enter Heaven.  While we are in Purgatory we shall still feel the effects of our sins and we shall be more ashamed of ourselves than we have ever been before.  But at the same time we shall know that, after a while, we will be perfect like Jesus himself, and the thought of one day being with him for ever will give us great happiness.  And we shall be freed from all temptations once we have reached Purgatory.

We can compare the Christian journey from earth to Heaven with the game of Ludo. (1) The course round the board is like this life with all its hazards.  Once a player’s counter has reached its final home column, it is safe.  We can compare the home column with Purgatory, the concluding stage of the journey when the soul is safe at last and is peacefully set on the final path to Home.  And Home, at the centre of the board, is like Heaven, the visible Presence of God himself.