No One Can Imagine

While we begin to reflect on the souls of the faithful departed in this month of November, it is precisely that in considering this reality that we try to grasp the terrifying reality of what is meant by the judgment of almighty God. Living in a time as we do, of over indulgence and disordered living, so many have forgotten about the just judgment of God, which is profoundly exacting, so that it reaches to the inner depths of man, examining all of his actions and motives and deviations from the day of his use of reason till the day he parts this life, having come to the last breath and last ounce of grace given him in this life.

While we are often told to emphasise the mercy of God, yes, in truth, we actually can never emphasise it enough, for in it and by it alone are we saved. And yet at the same time, we can also say, that we can never emphasise enough the exacting justice of God, so much so that that for some Purgatory will not be a question of days, months or years, but centuries (unless we come to their aid by our prayers, Masses, sacrifices etc). The same God Who is ready to give pardon, is also the same God who tells us that "I say unto you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall render an account for it in the day of judgment" (Matt. 12). The same is true of not only our disordered and idle words, but likewise of our thoughts and actions.

This is why, for example, when on 13 May, 1917 when Lucy asked Our Lady about two of her friends who had recently died, of the one (Maria, who died aged 16) Our Lady said she was in Heaven, but of the other (Amelia, who died aged 18) Our Lady said she was not in Heaven but "in Purgatory" and would be there "until the end of the world". This is something hard for us to grasp, especially for a girl of those times and in a world which was far more innocent than that of our times. And yet Our Lady, who understands the exacting reality of God, would portray it as it is.

The great Catechism in Examples states a beautiful case that exemplifies this point:

"There in one of the monasteries belonging to the Cistercian Order were two holy monks who had a great affection for one another, and who seemed to lead unblemished lives. One of them died. Soon after his death he appeared to his friend whom he had left behind, while he was offering up prayers for the repose of his soul. As soon as he saw him, and perceived that his face bore marks of suffering, he asked him how he came to be in that state. The deceased monk answered, saying three times these words: 'No one can imagine, no one can imagine, no one can imagine'. 'What do you mean', said the other, 'by these strange words?' The dead religious answered 'No one can imagine how severe are the judgments of God, and how terrible are His punishments'.  Saying this he disappeared, leaving the religious full of fear."