Most of us have some who are related to us
by blood still suffering in the Purgatorial fire,
father or mother, brother or sister, some other kinsmen
perhaps more closely connected with us. All
these have a special claim upon us. They are bone
of our bone and flesh of our flesh. To neglect
them is very cruel; as it would be to neglect those
of our family, who are suffering on earth in some
way we could easily relieve. Might I not do more
for my relations who are still in need of my help?
We all shrink from unnatural cruelty: a son
who neglects his mother in her need; a parent who
leaves his child in misery. There is a sort of unnatural
cruelty in neglecting those to whom we
owe much, and whom God has in some way entrusted
to us. They are now dependent on us, stretching
out their hands for spiritual alms, for Masses, Prayers,
Indulgences. I might so easily do more--why
do I not do it?
We read in the parable of Dives how he
dreaded the presence of his brethren in the place
where he was in torments. This will also be the
case in Purgatory. How bitter it will be to us to
know that there are some closely united to us by
blood, who are also there through our fault or
neglect! If we had shown charity to them in this
life, they might long ago have been in Heaven,
praying for our deliverance. Instead of that, our
Purgatory will be prolonged for our unkindness to
them, and will be intensified by self-reproach. God
will treat us as we have treated them. Think of
your suffering relations and beware of neglecting them.