Coping with Dying and Purgatory

Facing death is less daunting than the process of dying itself; the uncertainty surrounding one's death can induce fear. The concept of Purgatory offers a framework for coping with dying by emphasizing its role as a transitional state before reaching heaven. Purgatory is depicted as a place where the suffering exceeds the joys of earthly life, as individuals confront their sins and the distance from God's perfection. However, this suffering is contrasted with the knowledge of guaranteed eventual joy in heaven, stemming from the momentary glimpse of divine beauty and goodness. The joy of being aligned with God's will and the assurance of heaven is also described as surpassing the pain endured in Purgatory. Moreover, it is noted that no soul condemns itself to hell without first resisting God's loving grasp, highlighting the struggle between divine mercy and human choice.