Why Being in a State of Grace Isn’t Enough

Fr. Matthew offers a sobering reminder: remaining in the state of grace, while essential, is not in itself enough to enter Heaven. Why? Because even souls in grace may still carry attachments to sin — small imperfections, disordered desires, or venial sins that cling to the heart. Heaven is pure, and only souls perfectly conformed to the will of God can enter it. That is why our Lord taught us to pray, “Thy will be done.”

Sanctity is not just avoiding mortal sin; it’s allowing God to transform every part of our soul until we love what He loves and reject all that opposes Him. As Fr. Matthew explains, we can only receive the “crown of sainthood” when our will and God’s will are perfectly one. For some, this happens at the end of life on earth; for others, it’s completed in the merciful purification of Purgatory. But the goal remains the same — complete union with the Divine Will.

So don’t aim for Purgatory. Aim for Heaven. Purgatory is not a second chance; it’s God’s final mercy for souls who delayed sanctity. If you’re going to procrastinate anything, Fr. Matthew says, procrastinate sin — not becoming a saint. Begin today by offering each moment as a prayer of surrender: “Jesus, I trust in You.”

God is one, and the saints have one desire — Thy will be done. The more you surrender to that divine will, the more Heaven begins in you, here and now.

Grow in holiness and deepen your understanding of God’s mercy at DivineMercyPlus.org or on the free, ad-free Divine Mercy Plus (DM+) app. Visit the link in our bio for Catholic prayers, devotions, and resources to help you live for Heaven, not Purgatory.

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