This will necessitate some transition, some change from a state of unworthiness to the state of worthiness. This is the essential content of the dogma. This is unchangeable. The soul is cleaned from whatever made it unworthy of the divine presence. The cleansing action can vary from a very tender loving dusting of an artistic piece of furniture or the careful shining of a wedding ring to the rubbing and scrubbing of a dirty floor.
Some theologians interpret purgatory in the first sense.
It is the caressing hand of the heavenly Father or a fatherly loving embrace that cleanses and purifies the soul. Others see in purgatory the hand of the Father punishing the mischievous child and causing it pain. In past ages many considered the divine fire to be real fire. Others, however, consider it symbolic fire. Some modern theologians consider purgatory the last step of divine healing.