3rd Promise of the Sacred Heart of Jesus: I will comfort them in all their afflictions.
Mt 5:20-26 Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Settle with your opponent quickly while on the way to court with him. Otherwise your opponent will hand you over to the JUDGE, and the judge will hand you over to the GUARD, and you will be thrown into PRISON. Amen, I say to you, you will not be released until you have paid the last penny.”
This imagery of PRISON is disconcerting, uncomfortable and maybe even frightening- as it should be. Our ONLY goal should be Heaven. We should never be glib concerning Purgatory.
"Otherwise your opponent will hand you over to the JUDGE" - we have but ONE JUDGE
"the judge will hand you over to the GUARD" - He has placed but ONE GUARD
"you will be thrown into PRISON." - for the faithful, there is but ONE PRISON
"you will not be released until you have paid the last penny.” - Though frightening, this is also a hopeful gift. If in Purgatory, we know that after we have PAID our Penance, we WILL SEE THE FACE OF GOD.
Let us strive to settle our account here on Earth. Let us pray, fast, and avail ourselves of the gifts of the Sacraments. Then, through the grace of God, we will not need to be handed over. Pray each day that when we are in the presence of the ONE JUDGE, He will say, " Well done, good and faithful servant!" Matt 25:23
St. Anthony of Padua, “the Hammer of Heretics,” “the Ark of the Testament,” pray for us.
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