The soul is divided into three parts: the mind, the emotions, and the desires, and there are three categories of people: God, others, and self. The order of the soul should be mind in control of the emotions and desired. The proper order of persons is God, others, self. Purgatory is arranged according to the level of disorder of the souls, or of their disordered view of themselves, others, and God. The two main sections of purgatory are Love Perverted and Disordered Love of Good.
Those in the Love Perverted levels of purgatory have put themselves above others. They have also put their emotions over their minds. This is why they are on the lower levels of mount purgatory. They have a disordered view of others, and their souls are disordered. They must learn to see their sins for what they are, and to love others as they should, as they love themselves.
The Love Deficient and Love Disordered levels of purgatory are full of those who love God first, others second and self last, but have disordered souls. In the case of those whose love is deficient, they do not have the will power to do what they ought. Their minds are not in control enough to make them do as they aught. Those whose love is disordered love strongly, but love the wrong things. They love the things that feed their appetites, and are therefore controlled by their appetites. The penance that they are given in purgatory spurs the mind to further control, and subdues the desires by showing the souls what exactly their desires were in reality.
Unlike the souls in Hell, however, none of the souls in purgatory have put self over God intentionally. True, self indulgence is a form of idolatry, but due to the disorder of the soul, not to having intentionally put oneself over God. Purgatory is a place where order is restored to those who have sought it. Hell is a place where disorder is revealed for what it is, and the souls that chose it on earth dwell there continually wallowing in their horribleness.
No comments:
Post a Comment