The Catechism in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz) – Episode Summary: Day 140: Purgatory and Hell

Host: Fr. Mike Schmitz
Podcast: The Catechism in a Year
Episode: Day 140
Release Date: May 20, 2025
Duration: Approximately 20 minutes
Catechism Sections Covered: Paragraphs 1030 to 1037

Introduction

In Day 140 of The Catechism in a Year podcast, Fr. Mike Schmitz delves into two profound and often challenging topics within Catholic doctrine: Purgatory and Hell. Drawing from the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) paragraphs 1030 to 1037, Fr. Mike provides a comprehensive exploration of these concepts, their scriptural foundations, historical development, and their implications for Catholic believers today.

Purgatory: The Final Purification

Definition and Assurance of Salvation
Fr. Mike begins by defining Purgatory as a state of purification for those who die in God's grace and friendship but still require purification to achieve the holiness necessary for Heaven. He cites paragraph 1030:

“All who die in God’s grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation. But after death they undergo purification so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of Heaven” (05:19).

Scriptural Foundations
Fr. Mike emphasizes that the doctrine of Purgatory is deeply rooted in Sacred Scripture. He references:

• 1 Corinthians 3:15: Speaking of a "cleaning by fire."
• 1 Peter 1:7: Mentioning a "final purification."
• 2 Maccabees 12: Highlighting the practice of praying for the dead.

Historical Development
The concept of Purgatory has been integral to Christian belief since the early Church. Fr. Mike discusses how early Christians, including St. Augustine, prayed for the deceased, as seen in the account of Augustine's mother requesting prayers in the Mass (14:05). He notes that the Councils of Florence and Trent further formalized the Church’s teachings on Purgatory, distinguishing it from the punishment of the damned.

Catholic vs. Protestant Perspectives
Fr. Mike contrasts the Catholic view of Purgatory with some Protestant interpretations of justification and sanctification. He explains that while certain Protestant traditions, like those influenced by Martin Luther, emphasize legal or imputed justification—where salvation is declared by God without an internal transformation—Catholic theology advocates for intrinsic justification. This view holds that true transformation occurs through cooperation with God’s grace, leading to genuine sanctification and holiness (11:10).

Role of Prayers for the Dead
Highlighting the enduring tradition, Fr. Mike underscores the importance of praying for the dead as a means of aiding their purification. He quotes St. John Chrysostom:

“Let us help and commemorate them. If Job’s sons were purified by their Father’s sacrifice, why would we doubt that our offerings for the dead bring them some consolation?” (06:47).

C.S. Lewis’s Perspective
Even notable Protestant thinkers like C.S. Lewis acknowledged the necessity of purification after death. Fr. Mike shares Lewis’s hypothetical scenario where souls desire to be cleansed before fully entering Heaven, illustrating the universal human yearning for complete sanctification (15:30).

Hell: Definitive Self-Exclusion from Communion with God

Definition and Nature of Hell
Transitioning to Hell, Fr. Mike defines it as the state of definitive self-exclusion from communion with God and the blessed. He cites paragraph 1033:

“This state of definitive self-exclusion from communion with God and the blessed is called Hell” (03:27).

Free Will and Responsibility
Fr. Mike emphasizes that Hell results from a deliberate and persistent choice to reject God’s love. He states:

“We cannot be united with God unless we freely choose to love Him” (02:38).
“To die in mortal sin without repenting and accepting God’s merciful love means being separated from Him forever by our own free choice” (03:22).

Scriptural Basis
He refers to Jesus’ teachings about Hell, particularly Gehenna, the "unquenchable fire,” and passages where Jesus warns of eternal separation for those who do not repent (07:55). Fr. Mike also mentions the First Letter of St. John, highlighting that hatred and grave sins lead to the loss of eternal life (07:15).

Eternal Separation and Its Implications
Hell's primary punishment is eternal separation from God, the source of true life and happiness. Fr. Mike quotes Lumen Gentium to emphasize vigilance and preparation for this possibility:

“God predestines no one to go to hell. He wants everyone to come to heaven” (09:31).

Call to Conversion
The teachings on Hell serve as a call to personal responsibility and constant conversion. Fr. Mike encourages listeners to live in such a way that, should they die today, they would be ready to enter Heaven. This involves loving God and neighbor, obeying commandments, and seeking reconciliation through confession when necessary (19:40).

The Narrow Gate:
He reiterates Jesus’ metaphor of the narrow gate leading to life:

“The gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few” (18:35).

Conclusion: Embracing God’s Grace and Avoiding Eternal Separation

Fr. Mike concludes by reinforcing the importance of personal choice in one’s eternal destiny. He urges listeners to:

• Choose to love God fully: By obeying His commandments and loving one’s neighbor.
• Seek purification: Through grace and the sacraments to prepare for Heaven.
• Avoid sin and persistent rejection of God’s love: To prevent the ultimate consequence of Hell.

He closes with a heartfelt prayer, asking for God's mercy for all, especially those who have died, and for the grace to live in a way that aligns with God’s will, ensuring their eternal salvation.

Key Takeaways

1. Purgatory is a state of purification for those who die in God’s grace but still need to be purified to achieve the holiness necessary for Heaven. It is supported by both Scripture and long-standing Church tradition.

2. Hell is the result of a definitive and voluntary rejection of God’s love, leading to eternal separation from Him. It underscores the importance of free will and personal responsibility in one’s spiritual journey.

3. Prayers for the Dead play a significant role in Catholic practice, aiding the purification process for the departed souls.

4. Personal Vigilance and Conversion are essential for avoiding eternal separation from God. Catholics are called to live a life of continual conversion, repentance, and cooperation with God's grace.

5. The episode serves as a profound reminder of the gravity of eternal destinies and the urgency to respond to God’s call to holiness and love.

Notable Quotes

• “All who die in God’s grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation. But after death they undergo purification so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of Heaven” (05:19).

• “This state of definitive self-exclusion from communion with God and the blessed is called Hell” (03:27).

• “He who does not love remains in death” (07:15).

• “We cannot be united with God unless we freely choose to love Him” (02:38).

• “God predestines no one to go to hell” (09:31).

This episode of The Catechism in a Year provides a thorough and contemplative examination of Purgatory and Hell, encouraging listeners to reflect deeply on their spiritual lives and the eternal implications of their choices.