Food for Thought: Merit and Temporal Punishment

[Shin]

"The question is whether the fact that a man goes through a long purgatory will cause him, when entering heaven, to receive a lower degree of glory than that given to him who goes through a short purgatory or none at all?

In answer to this question we must remark that, as theologians teach us, merit and temporal punishment are separate things. Merit is measured by acts of virtue, while temporal punishment is measured by acts of sin, and each total is reckoned separately. The total of merit determines the degree of reward in heaven; the total of sin measures the degree of punishment to be endured in purgatory, if not atoned for in this life. Hence the individual who suffers a long purgatory, at its termination, will get full credit for all his merits; and if they were greater in number than those of the other individual referred to above, he will receive a greater degree of glory. The reason is that merit and punishment or expiation belong to a different order of things. The merit acquired is eternal, while the demerit caused by sin is temporal in its consequences. We of course suppose that sin has been repented of, and its guilt forgiven and effaced before death.

All this is not revealed doctrine, but is merely the application of reason and common sense to supplement the somewhat scanty data we possess on this subject. If the soul of the just man carries with it from this life such stains as must detain it from an immediate entrance into the presence of the Creator, it is still assumed that the full measure of merited happiness awaits it, once the claims of divine justice have been fully satisfied."

- The Future Life: according to the authority of divine revelation
by Joseph Casimir Sasia


I thought I would post this passage I came across in my reading, because this matter has been long on my mind. Of course it is only one author's statement on the matter. I have not read very much of the book, but it is one of high interest, as there are not too many books on Heaven that I have found.

The book was published by Benziger Bros. a reliable old publisher when it was still in business.

[martin]

This is very interesting Shin.
I often wondered on this subject especially on perfect contrition which would cancel out all temporary punishment due to sin.
It’s for me an almost impossible thing to achieve as I can always find even in my most sincere times the fear of punishment always lurking in the background and that true sorrow inspired by love of God only…. Well my conclusion… It has to be a pure gift from God.
Maybe it’s something we receive on our death bed according to how well we lived our lives and all those little prayers with those promises attached may well come into play.. I HOPE !!

[Bailey2]

"Love covers a multitude of sins."  1Peter4:8   

[Shin]

This is very interesting Shin.
I often wondered on this subject especially on perfect contrition which would cancel out all temporary punishment due to sin.
It’s for me an almost impossible thing to achieve as I can always find even in my most sincere times the fear of punishment always lurking in the background and that true sorrow inspired by love of God only…. Well my conclusion… It has to be a pure gift from God.
Maybe it’s something we receive on our death bed according to how well we lived our lives and all those little prayers with those promises attached may well come into play.. I HOPE !!

I wonder how hard it is to make a perfect act of contrition truly? Does one simply have to be forgetful of the pains of punishment? Or do the deepest motivations that might not be present in the mind when one performs it but nevertheless somehow be part of the motivation be a problem?

I don't know. I simply do my best with them, praying for God's grace to do it properly, without which it cannot be done of course.

I try to think about Hell sometimes and think that I would rather be in the bottom of it than offend God by sin for the sake of His love, when making the act. But of course, one is not feeling any pain while making this act. How much is it 'the spirit is willing, the flesh is weak?'.

Well. I think one should do one's best to make as perfect acts of contrition as possible after sin, immediately, and perhaps with God's grace they will be perfect truly. 

[Brigid]

"Love covers a multitude of sins."  1Peter4:8   

How to love our fellow man, without any selfish motives at all - since we need to love those we can see or we cannot love Him whom we can't see - is the hardest thing for me. The question of "tough love" and what that really is, as far as He's concerned, is one that is constantly a question for me, too.

[Shin]

Oh yes, when to use tough love is a difficult question!

I think it's an especial problem trying to use it on those who have not experienced it, as they overreact. But people need discipline!

[Brigid]

I think it's an especial problem trying to use it on those who have not experienced it, as they overreact. But people need discipline!

I really agree. I think tho' that easing them into it some, while always speaking truth of course, is not as hard for them to hear. (Teasing helps too. ) Probably, that's a common female belief.

[Shin]

You said it!  

You know there are so many people these days who have no idea of what Heaven is like at all.

It is true 'eye has not seen' and 'ear has not heard!' On the other hand there is more than only nothing to know!

Heaven is such an interesting place.. I remember one picture I saw once, of vast numbers of angels, blotting out the sky in circles, deeper and deeper, surrounding the throne of God.

The Heavenly ranks of the angels.. Seraphim, Cherubim, Thrones.. Dominions, Powers, Virtues.. Principalities, Archangels, Angels...

The different classes and orders of saints, the Virgins, the Confessors, the Martyrs. . .

The higher saints and angels teach the lower the deeper mysteries of God. . . the Seraphim burning with love gather closest about His throne.. To the Virgins alone is the singing of the Canticle.. Some wear the Red Crown of martyrdom.. the deeds of the saints are represented in the splendor particular to each in Heaven.. All of these splendors in some way revealing the greater glory of God, the depths of His goodness and love, He, Himself. . .

And there upon the Throne.. The Holy Trinity.. besides whom is the Bride, the Blessed Virgin Mary.. our Queen and Mother...

How much we love God on earth determines our place in His love in Heaven.