It is a holy and wholesome thought to pray
for the dead, that they may be loosed from their
sins (2 Mach. xii. 46). These words of Holy Scripture,
approving the custom of praying for the dead,
that they may be loosed from their sins, implies
that they are bound by sin in a prison-house, from
which one day they will be released. The phrase
would be meaningless were there no Purgatory.
Even apart from inspiration, the passage bears witness
to the prevalent belief of the whole Jewish
people. If they were so much impressed with the
fear of the sufferings of Purgatory, and ready to
help those imprisoned there, how much more should I?
The sacred writer commends the piety of
Judas Machabeus, who collected a large sum of
money to have sacrifices offered for the sins of
those who had died in battle. His charity was very
pleasing to God. Amid the distresses and anxieties
of the war in which he was engaged with the enemies
of God, he did not forget the holy dead. What
a firm belief he must have had in Purgatory! What
a vivid realization of the needs of those who suffer
there! Yet, I too often seem to forget the very
existence of Purgatory and of those who suffer
there!
Tudas recognized the duty of special prayers and sacrifices for our own countrymen and friends; for those whom we have known and with whom we have associated on earth. Surely if he had this zeal, I, a child of the Church, ought to do more than I do for my friends, acquaintances, and benefactors. Pray for more devotion to those who have a special claim on you.