AMDG
Matthew Leonard was the main speaker of our 2016 Diocesan Men's Day of Renewal. He is an international speaker,
author, podcaster, and founder of Next Level Catholic
Academy, an online membership community focused on teaching Catholic
spirituality. A convert to Catholicism and former missionary to Latin America,
Matthew is a frequent guest on radio and television programs across the
country. His podcast, “The Art of Catholic”, is heard in more than 170
countries around the world. Matthew is the author of two books, “Louder Than Words: The Art of Living as a
Catholic” and “Prayer Works! Getting
A Grip On Catholic Spirituality” published through Our Sunday Visitor. He
lives in Ohio with his wife Veronica and their six children. Learn more about
him at MatthewSLeonard.com.
Matthew Leonard is the Executive
Director of the St. Paul Center. An internationally-known speaker and author,
he travels far and wide speaking to Catholic audiences and leading Journey Through Scripture, the St. Paul
Center's parish-based Bible study program. Prior to his conversion to
Catholicism in 1998, Matthew, a PK (Preacher's Kid), served as an Evangelixal missionary in Latin America. After
entering the Church, he obtained a Master's degree in Theology from the
Franciscan University of Steubenville before becoming vice president and guest
theology instructor at Ave Maria College. He has been heard and seen in places
like "Deep in Scripture with Marcus Grodi", Sirius Radio, and Our
Sunday Visitor.
Before entering the non-profit
world, Matthew was partner and president of a Chicago-based real estate
development firm. The father of four, he and his wife Veronica now make their
home in Ohio.
Follow Matthew on Twitter
@MattSLeonard.
WHY
YOU DON’T WANT TO GO TO PURGATORY
By
Matthew Leonard
(Taken from www. https://spiritualdirection.com/author/matthew-leonard)
The universal call to holiness means we’re supposed to get holy.
Every one of us is called to sainthood. And really, what are the alternatives? Well, behind door number 1 is the eternal fire
of hell. No thanks. Slightly less warm is behind door
number 2 – purgatory – the place scripture says our work on earth will be
“tested” by fire (cf 1 Cor 3:13).
Interestingly,
I don’t think we take purgatory seriously enough. In fact, it seems that many
of us are pretty resigned to that fact: that’s where we’re going to end up. How
many times have you heard someone declare with a sigh, “As long as I make it to
purgatory!” Really? That’s what you want? Cuz it’s not going to be cupcakes and
brownies.
We may
not know exactly what it is or how long it lasts, but we do know it’s gonna
hurt. Scripture says nothing unclean can enter heaven, and our impurities are
going to be “revealed by fire.” So we’re talking way hotter than James Brown’s
hot tub on SNL.*
St. John
of the Cross said that purgatory is more terrible than a thousand deaths.
Without God’s grace, it’s a purification we couldn’t survive. Yikes!
The good
news is, you don’t have to go there. Our Lord provides door number 3 –
it’s called sainthood. Love God with everything you’ve got, and there’ll be no
reason for the eternal elevator to stop on the way up.
So make
sure to set your sights as high as possible. Besides, it’s not a good idea
to aim for purgatory…You might miss.
Keep striving, my friends!
God bless you.
*SNL: Saturday Night Live–a comedy show
For more on purgatory go to
“Purgatory is Real; Them Now,
Us Soon”
http://paulrsebastianphd.blogspot.com/2011/11/21-purgatory-is-real-them-now-us-soon.html. A person who has worked hard on educating
people about purgatory is Susan Tassone through her talks and books. Her website is www.susantassone.com.
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