The Roses Are Hanging In There, but what does this have to do with Purgatory?

We've had several hard, killing frosts, and the roses are still blooming.   The basil is dead.  The rosemary is gone.  The Brown Eyed Susans are seeds.  The Milkweed  are just stems and pods.  Yet, the roses are still still blooming. 

Our God is the God of Miracles.  Let us give Him praise!

Even in the midst of a storm, God walks with us, protecting us, and leading us through the storm.

On the coldest day, God sends us His warmth, surrounding us with His Love. 

Like a true Father, Brother, and Guide, He seeks to leads us in His Ways.  When we stray from His Path, and we return, He welcomes us back to His Unending Love, as the father welcomed the prodigal Son. 

God loved us into existence.  He made us in His Image and Likeness.  Our souls will live forever!  We make the choices, but there are consequences for our sins.  If we seek His forgiveness, we are healed in His Unending Love.  (A priest will forgive us our sins in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.) 
Like the child who has broken a window and must pay for the damage, we are given the gift of Purgatory by God.  If we do not enter heaven upon death, we are not condemned to hell.    Our time in Purgatory expiates our sins. 

Once in Purgatory, we can do nothing for ourselves.  Souls can pray for those left behind, but once in Purgatory, we must rely on the Masses, prayers, and works of charity made by others for our souls.   Yes, there is great suffering in Purgatory, but souls rejoice because they are on their way to heaven.

Like the roses who have escaped the frost, the souls in Purgatory are both poor and holy.  The souls have escaped the condemnation of hell for their sins, so they are holy.  They are not yet purified, but they are holy.  Since their purification is not complete, they are poor for they suffer grievously for their sins.  They do not see God, but they yearn for His presence.  Like roses who have survived the frost, they are protected and saved.  In this they rejoice.  Yet, they burn from within, awaiting the time when their perfection is complete, and they enter heaven to bask in the glory of the beatific vision.

"Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving;
    let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!
 For the Lord is a great God,
    and a great King above all gods."
Psalm 95: 2-3