SOS

Does purgatory exist? Very little is taught to us about this. So I found it enlightening when I read some excerpts from an interview done with Maria Simma of Austria who reportedly had regular visits from the souls in Purgatory.

Since 1940 (she was then aged 25), Maria Simma has had to explain their sufferings and to ask for prayers and Masses to be released from purgatory. Her local bishop and parish priest told her she could make known these visitations as long as there were no theological errors.

Sister Emmanuel of Medjugorje interviewed Maria Simma in 1997, and one part of the interview taken from a booklet titled “The Amazing Secret of the Souls in Purgatory” made me reflect. I will share this with you:

Sis Emmanuel: Maria, why does one go to Purgatory? What are the sins which most lead to Purgatory?

Maria Simma: Sins against charity, against the love of one’s neighbor, hardness of heart, hostility, slandering, calumny—all these things.

Maria gave an example. She had been asked to find out if a woman and a man were in purgatory.

From the souls who visit her, Maria learned that the woman was already in heaven and the man was in purgatory. This shocked the people who asked her because they know that the woman had died while undergoing an abortion and the man was seen always in church and very devout.

So Maria thought she was wrong. But when she searched for more information, it was. They died at practically the same moment, but the woman had repented and was very humble but the man criticized everyone; he was always complaining and saying bad things about others. This is why his purgatory lasted so long. And Maria advised: “We mustn’t judge on appearances.”

Other sins against charity that would send us to purgatory, Maria said, are our rejections of certain people, our refusals to make peace and forgive, and all the bitterness we store inside.

A woman whom she knew very well  died, and when she came to see Maria, she said she was suffering terribly in purgatory and she explained why.

While alive, she had a  fight with another friend for years, which she caused herself. Many times her friend asked for reconciliation  but she refused peace offering. Even when she got very sick, she still closed her heart to any reconciliation offered by her friend, right up to her deathbed.

Sis Emmanuel: Maria, please tell us: who are those who have the greatest chance of going straight to Heaven?

Maria Simma: Those who have a good heart towards everyone. Love covers a multitude of sins.

This reading made me reflect again on how I was unforgiving with my father before, with the world, with people because I felt I was the victim of the sufferings my family and I faced while I was growing up. But years later, when I learned to open my heart and see life in a more positive way, I felt the freedom and peace. I know God wanted me to do this because it’s also saving my soul…from purgatory.

On the other hand, the case of the woman who was in heaven and the man who was sent to purgatory reminded me that religious devotions and practices are not enough to save me. These are nothing if I have an attitude that’s incongruous to real love, which God has commanded us that “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres.” (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)

After reading Maria Simma’s testimony about the visits of the souls from purgatory, I closed my eyes and in my heart, I felt God telling me to live a non-judgmental life…to tame my tongue all the time not to give way to complaints immediately…to keep my peace even in the most trying times.

No one knows for sure about the real purgatory. However, what do we have to lose if we do good and be kind to other people? Anything good and pleasing to God is a ticket away from purgatory and direct to heaven.

As I always tell my friends, if they feel victimized or abused by other people, keep peace. Don’t join the fray or get involved in the sins of other people. SOS or save our souls.

The goal is heaven. If not, then purgatory. But if there’s a way to evade purgatory and go straight to Heaven, let’s do it now. Even if it hurts.

Hurts, pain and problems are of this world. And this world is not ours or to other people. No one owns it. So be free from what the world has or wants you to do.

SOS for heaven.