[Greek] καθαρότης (katharotēs), [Latin] purgatio, [Latin] expiatio, [Latin] emundiato: purification, cleansing, cleanness, state of ritual cleanness, purity; Heb.9:13
Background information:
Greek Hellenism: This term means purity, cleanliness, cleanness, moral purity, honesty, and holiness. Plato’s Laws 778e states “The temples we must erect all around the market-place, and in a circle around the whole city, on the highest spots, for the sake of ease in fencing them and of cleanness.” Plato’s Republic 496c states “If I may so, sound right in any present politics, and that there is no ally with whose aid the champion of justice could escape destruction.” Herodotus’ The Histories 1.35 states “A Phyrigan of the royal house came to Sardis, in great distress and unclean hands. This man came to Croesus’ house and asked to be purified according to the custom of the country.”
Greek religion: Primitive religious understanding held that the processes of birth, sickness, and death were associated with uncleanness and the demonic domain. The gods, friendly to man, were perceived as clean and alien to the demonic. Cultic rules were originally designed to protect against the demonic and to allow for man’s entry into the gods’ domain. Only in a state of cleanliness can a man draw near to a deity. Philosophical thinking introduces the notion of personal morality (moral purity). Moral purity becomes a more important prerequisite for drawing near to the deity.
Old Testament: Uncleanness is both a lack of cleanness and a power which defiles. Anything associated with a foreign cult, idol, sacrifices (meats) and anything hostile to Yahweh is unclean. The Law works out a whole series of purity regulations for dealing with subjects contrary to Israel, Yahweh, and the religion of Yahweh. Washings are necessary for man’s holiness in his encounter with God. Severe impurities require burnt offerings or sacred objects. The holiness of Yahweh also requires moral purity. The prophets develop the value of the greater importance of moral (ethical) purity. The prophets prepare the way for the religion of Jesus. This in turn creates a clash of cultures between the Laws’ purity regulations and Jesus’ moral proclamations.
And they say the God of Israel; and under His feet there appeared to be a pavement of sapphire, as clear as the sky itself (Exo.24:10). She shall not touch any consecrated thing, nor enter the sanctuary until the days of her purification are completed (Lev.12:4). When the days of her purification are completed, for a son or daughter, she shall bring to the priest at the doorway of the tent of meeting a one year lamb for a burnt offering (Lev.12:6). You have made his splendor to cease and cast His throne to the ground (Psa.89:44).
New Testament: Hebrews emphasizes the superiority of the New Covenant sacrifice to the Old Testament sacrifices. Moral purity surpasses cultic purity. Jesus enters once and for all into the sanctuary with His own Blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption. Jesus’ sacrifice is far superior to the heifer’s ashes (with water) used for the cleansing of those who had become ritually defiled by touching a corpse. This new purity applies to the body, conscience, cleansing of sins, liberation of sinful impulses, and holiness.
Scripture:
“For if the blood of goats and bulls and the sprinkling of a heifer’s ashes can sanctify those who are defiled so that their flesh is cleansed.” Heb.9:13
These ashes mixed with water is used for the cleansing of those who have become ritually defiled.
Purgatory: The Catholic perspective of purgatory comes from the notion that one cannot enter into heaven (being in the presence of God) with sin. It is unclear whether purgatory is a place, process, or state of mind. Purgatory provides the means for this process by which souls can “burn off” sins and impurities. In order to enter into heaven, one must be free from sin. Those souls, who find themselves in purgatory, will eventually enter into heaven. Essentially, purgatory is a manifestation of God’s mercy and grace. Scriptural support for purgatory comes from 1Cor.3:15 (purifying fire), 2Macc.12:45 (praying for the dead), and Rev.21:27 (nothing unclean will enter God’s presence).
Etymology: This term is related to the Greek katharos, meaning purging or cleansing. The Latin purgatio means a cleansing, purging, apology, and justification. The Latin expiatio means a satisfaction or atonement. The related expiare means to completely (ex-) to make amends for, to atone for, and to make good. The Latin mundanus means of this world, earthly, secular, pure, clean and noble.
Conclusion:
Catharsis, cathartic, purge, purgatory, expiate, expiation, mundane
In the Greek Hellenistic era, it is significant to note that this term refers to both cultic purity and moral purity. This time period illustrates the beginning of the notion that birth, sex, and death are associated with the unclean domain. The gods become associated with the clean domain. Philosophy introduces the notion of personal morality (purity).
In the Old Testament, similar such attitudes of man’s physical processes continue to be unclean. Yahweh, Israel, and the Isrealites are those of the clean domain. Elements outside this domain are considered unclean. A cultural clash between cultic purity and moral purity later begins to appear. Jesus will later stress the greater importance of moral purity.
In the New Testament, Jesus advocates that the person (and his inclinations) are the source of sin, rather than cultic purification concerns. Moral purity surpasses cultic purity. Jesus offers a more superior and effective sacrifice of Himself.
It makes intuitive sense that there should be a “place” like purgatory where one can remove one’s sins, faults, and impurities before entering into heaven (God’s domain).
In a sense, Lent is also a time of spiritual catharsis.
WARNING—USELESS WORDS ALERT–
Cathartical: being carthartic
Expiatoriness: an expiationary quality
Mundanity: a mundane quality
Mundation: an act of cleansing
Mundatory: belonging to cleaning
Cathartistic: having to do with Cathartists
It has always been my intention not to make mundane, ordinary, or commonplace posts.