When I’ve explained Purgatory to my children, it’s been along the lines of how C.S. Lewis explained it – that it’s a kind of spiritual bath to clean ourselves up for an eternity spent in friendship with God. But I also don’t want to ignore another aspect of Purgatory, that is to pay what punishment we owe to God for the sins we’ve committed in this life. So I make sure to tell them that just as when we have to scrub the dirt behind the ears, when we get cleansed in Purgatory, it might not feel so very great.
Of course, that is a greatly simplified explanation of the doctrine of Purgatory within the Catholic Church. As faithful Catholics, we owe it to ourselves and to God Himself to have a firm grasp on this doctrine.
Karlo Broussard, author and apologist at Catholic Answers, who joined me several months ago on another episode, came on The Catholic Mama podcast to chat about his latest book, Purgatory Is for Real, and why Purgatory is a wonderful example of God’s love and mercy and why we should rejoice and embrace this doctrine of faith.
We also spend some time chatting about a common misconception about Purgatory and how some Protestants, including Martin Luther, have and continue to view Purgatory. It was a really fascinating episode and I certainly learned a lot!
So download the episode below or listen to it on iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play iHeartRadio, or anywhere you normally access podcasts. The Catholic Mama is there! And be sure to catch up with Karlo at KarloBroussard.com, as well as grab a copy of his latest book, Purgatory Is for Real at Catholic.com or on Amazon.
Also! I just launched The Domestic Church, a monthly membership that helps busy Catholic moms and dads enjoy guided spiritual readings through a unique virtual book club, plan a minimalist feast day celebration, and request a spiritual bouquet. Just $10 a month, this patreon-like membership will help The Catholic Mama continue to reach more Catholics seeking to deepen their faith. Learn more and sign up HERE!
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Other Episodes of The Catholic Mama Podcast that You Might Like
EP 133: Meeting the Protestant Challenge with Karlo Broussard
EP 154: Why You Should Consecrate Yourself to St. Joseph Right Now with Fr. Don Calloway
EP 123: How to Defend Against Popular Atheist Slogans with John DeRosa
Need help we answering some basic questions about Christianity and Catholicism? Then be sure and grab The Catholic Mama’s How to Talk to Your Kids about God, available for FREE here.