Passages 992 – 1029
I. Christ’s Resurrection and Ours
Belief in God has always included a hope in the resurrection, and when Jesus came he made this more specific by linking the Resurrection to himself. The resurrection f the body is one of the most opposed points of the Christian faith.
How do the dead rise?
In death, the soul is separated from the body which decays. At the resurrection we will be united with our glorified bodies. All will be resurrected. Those who did good will rise to life, and those who did evil will rise to be judged. Just as Christ raised his own body our earthly bodies will be changed into immortal glorious bodies. This exceeds our understanding, but the Eucharist gives us a foretaste. The resurrection of the dead will occur on the last day, the end of the world.
Risen with Christ
In a certain way we are already risen with Christ. Through our baptism we are united with Christ, but this life is a mystery “hidden with Christ in God.” Through the Eucharist we are part of the Body of Christ. Because of this we should treat our bodies with respect and dignity, and also treat others with the same respect, particularly the suffering.
II. Dying in Christ Jesus
Death
I. Christ’s Resurrection and Ours
Belief in God has always included a hope in the resurrection, and when Jesus came he made this more specific by linking the Resurrection to himself. The resurrection f the body is one of the most opposed points of the Christian faith.
How do the dead rise?
In death, the soul is separated from the body which decays. At the resurrection we will be united with our glorified bodies. All will be resurrected. Those who did good will rise to life, and those who did evil will rise to be judged. Just as Christ raised his own body our earthly bodies will be changed into immortal glorious bodies. This exceeds our understanding, but the Eucharist gives us a foretaste. The resurrection of the dead will occur on the last day, the end of the world.
Risen with Christ
In a certain way we are already risen with Christ. Through our baptism we are united with Christ, but this life is a mystery “hidden with Christ in God.” Through the Eucharist we are part of the Body of Christ. Because of this we should treat our bodies with respect and dignity, and also treat others with the same respect, particularly the suffering.
II. Dying in Christ Jesus
Death
- Death is the end of earthly life, it reminds us we have a limited time to live our lives to fulfillment.
- Death is the consequence of sin. The Church teaches that man was created to be immortal but death entered the world because of sin, and is the last enemy to be conquered.
- Death is transformed by Christ. The obedience of Jesus transformed the curse into a blessing.
The meaning of Christian death
In death God calls man to himself. Death is the end of our earthly pilgrimage, the time of grace and mercy God gives us to decide our ultimate destiny. The Church encourages us to prepare ourselves for the hour of our death, by asking the Mother of God to intercede for us “at the hour of our death” and to entrust ourselves to St. Joseph, patron of a happy death.
In death God calls man to himself. Death is the end of our earthly pilgrimage, the time of grace and mercy God gives us to decide our ultimate destiny. The Church encourages us to prepare ourselves for the hour of our death, by asking the Mother of God to intercede for us “at the hour of our death” and to entrust ourselves to St. Joseph, patron of a happy death.
Article 12 “I Believe in Life Everlasting”
I. The Particular Judgement
Each man is judged immediately after his death, and receives either entrance into heaven (immediately or after purification) or everlasting damnation.
II. Heaven
"Those who die in God's grace and friendship and are perfectly purified
live for ever with Christ. They are like God for ever, for they 'see him as he
is,' face to face." (CCC 1023)
"This perfect life with the Most Holy Trinity- this communion of life and
love with the Trinity, with the Virgin Mary, the angels and all the blessed- is
called 'heaven.' Heaven is the ultimate end and fulfillment of the deepest
human longings, the state of supreme, definitive happiness." (CCC 1024)
Jesus opened heaven for us, and shares his glory with all who believe in him and remain faithful to him. Heaven is a mystery beyond description. Scripture uses images of light, peace, wedding feast, wine of the kingdom, the Father's house, the heavenly Jerusalem, and paradise. God cannot be seen as he is, unless he wills it and and gives man the capacity to understand the mystery. This is called "the beatific vision".
In heaven the blessed continue to fulfil God's will toward men and all creation.
Question for Reflection: What are we doing to prepare for the hour of our deaths? I know death is NOT something I think about very often as I am surrounded by all these little ones so full of life. Am I teaching my children about heaven?
1 comment:
What are we doing to prepare for the hour of our deaths? I think we should try to live each day doing the things God has called each of us to do and using the gifts He has given us. We should always give Him the praise and honor he deserves and always allow Him to heal our brokenness. Continue to Love God and share that love with all we come in contact with. Living your life for God will prepare you for death.
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