Standing on My Head: Purgatory

Tuesday, November 02, 2010

Purgatory

I just use Google image search to find the pictures for this blog. When I typed in 'purgatory' this image came up. I think it's pretty interesting. What do you see in it?

16 comments:

Old Bob said...: Stuck outside, but waiting patiently, sitting in the light he will be bathed in someday.; 9:49 AM
rayrondini said...: I think this picture conveys a conventional, but not all too realistic, view of Purgatory. It conveys this sense of somewhat anxious, yet still serene waiting. The kind of "cosmic waiting room" idea. What it doesn't convey, though, IMHO, is the purgative suffering which takes place in Purgatory.; 9:52 AM
Catawissa Gazetteer said...: I see a certain amount of obstinence, an unwillingness to give up the things of the world, even when they are stripped down to the most stark and basic.

Unnecessary loneliness. The light of truth hovers just overhead but the lies of familiarity keep us bound to our lives on earth.

I see me.; 9:54 AM
Tom S. said...: Anguish without Hopelessness; 10:46 AM
Anthony Brett Dawe said...: i reckon:

'In the fire of love we live and breath and have our being,

or pass by various ways, by many ways of dream to death'

-from 'Immortality' by 'A.E.' George Russell; 11:04 AM
Rita B said...: A more penitent posture would be appropriate in my opinion.; 11:53 AM
kkollwitz said...: Don't get any sense of purging.; 12:00 PM
Quanah said...: I don't see any purifying. I see a guy chillin'.; 12:34 PM
shadowlands said...: Hot shadowlands and childbirth, groan, groan.......; 12:34 PM
Kathy said...: He's in "Time out".; 12:58 PM
Les said...: He reminds me of Lazarus at the rich man's gate, a homeless man shut out of the banquet. For now.; 1:36 AM
Elizabeth said...: Longing for the light and warmth coming from above, but realizing this is where he needs to be for now....surrender.; 12:59 PM
Tertium Quid said...: The priest on All Souls' Day said: "I not only believe in Purgatory. I'm counting on it."; 6:07 PM
Marilyn said...: I can clearly see the face of Christ emblazoned in the orb of light on the door without a handle. I’m reminded of “Behold, I stand at the gate and knock. If any man shall hear my voice and open to me the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me; to him that shall overcome, I will give to sit with me in my throne; as I also have overcome, and am set down with my Father in his throne.” Rev. 3:19-21. I also see the stairs that the soul must climb and one can hope that his purification will be shortened by the prayers of the living. I wish I could figure out what the brick and mortar signify, if anything.; 9:16 PM
Howard said...: I think it would be more accurate to show him at the foot of the Cross, seeing clearly how each of his sins made that necessary; 9:48 AM
Steve said...: I like this image quite a bit. He's not out by the dumpster, being bitten by rats. He's not freezing on a curb. The purging is internal. He's working his way through things, slowly letting go of attachments that aren't what they should be. This is about purgatory as healing, not punishment, not torture. He's bathed in the warm, radiant light (as others have pointed out). God has not abandoned him during this process. God is helping him through it.

I'm glad you posted this image, Father. May God extend his mercy to all of his daughters and sons. May we open our souls to receive it.; 11:06 AM