Purgatory is the purification, the liberation, the healing that we still need — even after death — to prepare us for the immense, tremendous life that God has in store for us in Heaven. Purgatory is very different than Hell; it’s not “Hell Lite.” It’s got nothing to do with condemnation, fear, or punishment. It’s about a Father who loves us so much that even after death, He refuses to give up on us and leave us incomplete, too weak to stand in the dazzling light of His presence.

Readings at this Mass: Wis 3:1–9 | Rom 5:5–11 | Jn 6:37–40

Jesus' parable of the self-righteous Pharisee and the humble tax collector illustrated well the destiny of those who are truly humble and those who are truly arrogant. Humility is not a weakness, despite what our culture says; it is a great strength. It takes a strong person to not let one's ego take over.

Readings at this Mass: Sir 35:12–14, 16–18 | 2 Tm 4:6–8, 16–18 | Lk 18:9–14

God wants to answer our prayers for ourselves not necessarily by removing the suffering, but by giving us His presence — relationship. He doesn’t always take away pain or magically fix our lives. He comes to be with us in those sufferings. And when we invite Him into those hard places, they’re transformed from within. They become something beautiful; something that can make us better, that can become a gift. That’s what God wants for us, but it all begins with prayer He's just waiting for us to ask.

Readings at this Mass: Ex 17:8–13 | 2 Tm 3:14—4:2 | Lk 18:1–8

We will never understand our faith in a deep way unless we’re willing to grapple with the inseparable relationship between Jesus and the poor. A familiar, comfortable, “me and Jesus” faith is never enough. If we really want to walk with the Lord – if we really want to know him – then we have to walk with the poor, on the margins. In a country as large and as affluent as ours, it takes special care not to lose sight of the Gospel’s demand that we care for the poor — and even more care to not merely lend material aid and then forget that the poor are also persons worthy of our time and respect.

Readings at this Mass: 2 Kgs 5:14–17 | 2 Tm 2:8–13 | Lk 17:11–19

Even a tiny mustard seed of faith, when lived out, can transform lives in ways we may never fully see. But rest assured that God works through our small acts to shape lives for eternity, often in ways hidden from us until the fullness of time. Be mindful of those who have inspired you in your walk with God, and go out and make a difference. Share your giftedness with the world and trust that God will take care of the rest.

Readings at this Mass: Hb 1:2–3; 2:2–4 | 2 Tm 1:6–8, 13–14 | Lk 17:5–10

Our hearts are meant to be wide and deep and powerful. They're meant to beat with the life and love of God himself. When God’s Spirit rules our hearts and when being God’s instrument is our compass, if you will, miracles can happen. It’s when we shrink our hearts by letting our possessions possess us that our vision narrows and God’s peace diminishes.

Readings at this Mass: Am 6:1a, 4–7 | 1 Tm 6:11–16 | Lk 16:19–31

We are not called to be dishonest or gamify religion as if we get points for manipulating others. No, we are called to love people and use things, not use people and love things. When we live this way, others glimpse Christ alive in us. And that glimpse may be enough to spark faith in them, too. That is the kind of investment that pays eternal dividends.

Readings at this Mass: Am 8:4–7 | 1 Tm 2:1–8 | Lk 16:1–13

Christ showed us that suffering and death, hatred and violence, do not have the last word. He did so not by eliminating or fighting or destroying them, but by accepting and transforming them. That’s why we celebrate the cross: not because it is good, but because through the cross we have also received the power to transform suffering and death. When we respond to hatred with love and violence with peace, when we forgive those who do evil against us, we join Christ in pouring forth love in the face of evil, and it is this love that we celebrate today: the love that Christ poured out in response to the violence of the cross. There is no greater expression of love than the cross, and that is why it is central to our faith.

Readings at this Mass: Nm 21:4b–9 | Phil 2:6–11 | Jn 3:13–17