I was at a funeral Mass wherein the priest stated that the deceased was in heaven. Does this jibe with our concept of Purgatory?

God’s blessing to you and your ministry,

E. Zeegraes

This does not jibe with our concept of anything. The last time I looked, a number of miracles were still needed for canonization. You bring up a very, very important topic.

We still believe in purgatory and hell. 
(Please see the Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraphs 1030-1037.) 

God is merciful, and trusting in His grace we can have moral assurance about our salvation. This is way different than presumption. As for the preacher you recently heard, he is depriving the deceased of something wonderful: the assistance of the prayers of the faithful as he undergoes the spiritual growth and renewal that is purgatory.

I have met quite a few people who have died and lived to tell about it, and it's quite interesting to hear them share their death experiences. (You know, the tunnel and the light and all that business, not that it's good science or theology. It's still interesting.) Quite a few have told me that they experience the pain they have caused during their lives. Youch!  That doesn't sound pleasant. 

The Gospel of John chapter 5 verse 28 and following talks about the resurrection of life and the resurrection of condemnation. In the New Testament, the Greek word "krisis" is translated as judgment or condemnation. In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word "mish pat" is a little different.  It is usually translated judgment, but it  can be a good thing.

When the Messiah comes, He will judge things and straighten everything out.  For those who have rejected God in this world, Jesus seems to indicate that there is only the resurrection of condemnation. For those who have received God, albeit imperfectly, there is the resurrection of life.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church points out that there is no comparison between punishment in Hell and the purification of the elect. Perhaps these are two different aspects of judgment. I suspect that the purification of the elect, which we call purgatory, is a kind of positive judgment in which we finish what we failed to finish here. Jesus mentions sins that are forgiven in this age and sins that are forgiven in the age to come. (Mat 12:32) 

When in this current age I am growing spiritually, I need the prayers and help of my brethren in the Lord. I hope that you will assist me with your prayers as I continue to grow in the age to come, as well as in this age. 

That preacher failed to urge his hearers to remember the dead in their prayers, as the second book of Maccabees urges. (2 Macc 12:46) Yes, the books of the Maccabees are in the Bible, even though Luther tried to cut them out! 

I bet there are lot of souls who wish they had never heard those sermons that leave out purgatory and canonize everyone instantly, now that they long for our help and prayers as they draw closer to God whose love is cleansing them.

Yours sincerely,

Rev. Know-It-All

PS There is no truth at all to the rumor that my columns are getting weirder and weirder.