From the Pastor
Fr. Mike Comer shares his thoughts on Scripture, spirituality and the challenges of living the Gospel.
what happens after we die?
Nov. 2, 2025
The Church’s Liturgical Year runs from the First Sunday of Advent to the Feast of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe (also Christ the King). Because of this, the month of November is the final month of the Church year. During this month, she reflects on what are known as the Four Last Things—Death, Judgement, Heaven and Hell.
The Scriptures give us some information about these realities, so our reading points us toward them. Death is the ultimate final reality for each of us. Even for those who have spent their lives preparing for death, there can be great fear and anxiety about facing it. Faith does not mean there is no fear, but that we face our fears with courage and trust in God.
At death, there is a separation from the body and the soul. Human beings are a body/soul continuum. A body without a soul is a corpse. A soul without a body is a ghost. We are radically incomplete at that point and will be until the Resurrection of the Body. At the moment of death, we face what is known as the Particular Judgment. At that time, the decision is made whether the person is going to Hell or Heaven. If they are going to Hell, they go there directly. If they are going to Heaven, the judgment will address whether they need further purification before entering into Heaven or if they are ready to enter into the presence of God right away.
The Scriptures give us some information about these realities, so our reading points us toward them. Death is the ultimate final reality for each of us. Even for those who have spent their lives preparing for death, there can be great fear and anxiety about facing it. Faith does not mean there is no fear, but that we face our fears with courage and trust in God.
At death, there is a separation from the body and the soul. Human beings are a body/soul continuum. A body without a soul is a corpse. A soul without a body is a ghost. We are radically incomplete at that point and will be until the Resurrection of the Body. At the moment of death, we face what is known as the Particular Judgment. At that time, the decision is made whether the person is going to Hell or Heaven. If they are going to Hell, they go there directly. If they are going to Heaven, the judgment will address whether they need further purification before entering into Heaven or if they are ready to enter into the presence of God right away.
The Final Purification is what has been traditionally called Purgatory. It is a place for those who are saved and are going to Heaven but require further purification. It is not a second chance for salvation. Those in Purgatory are going to Heaven. In fact, they are nearer to Heaven than we are, so they experience the joys of salvation more than we do. Their sins are forgiven, but the attachments to sin must be removed.
Let’s use the language of addiction here. If an alcoholic quits drinking, there is still a powerful desire to drink and a temptation to resume drinking. True sobriety requires further growth so that this longing to return to drink is taken away. The same thing happens in terms of sin. If I have rejected sin, confessed my sin, and received absolution, I still may need grace to break free of my sins. Purgatory is the place of healing where that takes place.
—Fr. Mike Comer
Let’s use the language of addiction here. If an alcoholic quits drinking, there is still a powerful desire to drink and a temptation to resume drinking. True sobriety requires further growth so that this longing to return to drink is taken away. The same thing happens in terms of sin. If I have rejected sin, confessed my sin, and received absolution, I still may need grace to break free of my sins. Purgatory is the place of healing where that takes place.
—Fr. Mike Comer
