What is eschatology
The Christian study of what happens at the end of time
What does the last judgement by Michelangelo tell us about the afterlife
1) christ is the central figure-showing he is the judge all
2) Christ right hand is raised - reflecting the parable of the sheep and goat in which Jesus promised that good will be on his right and the wicked on his left
3) Mary has a look of calm trust-showing she is the perfect disciple
4) Did Jesus our seats - holding the tools used to torture/kill them. This shows that those who stick to their Faith, no matter what, will be saved
5) people are rising up from their graves-showing that all will be raised up for judgement on the last day
6) The angels hold two books-small and large-the larger one has the names of people going to hell-this shows that no one should assume they are going to heaven
What does the Bible say about the end of time
Will be signalled by cosmic disasters-fighting, large - scale events such as the Sun darkening all the doors falling out the heaven
After this-
The son of man will come to judge the whole of creation
The end of the recent world order will lead to the creation of a new one
Where do we get most of the information about the resurrection and life after death from
Most beliefs come from Jesus resurrection. Which teaches us that life continues after death with God
How has views of when the end of time will happen changed
The early Christians believed the end of time would happen very soon
All people would then be resurrected and taken up into the presence of God
As time passed the world didn’t end, views changed
Catholics realised that they have to live in the life of the resurrection whilst they are still alive on Earth
By follow Jesus’s teaching preparing them for judgement after death
What is bodily resurrection
Catholics teach that Jesus will physically raise them from death
Jesus will give back the bodies as before death but they will never die
The righteous. Free from suffering and pain like Jesus was
What does Saint Pauls letters say about resurrection
“It is sawn as the physical body, it is raised as a spiritual body”
Saint Paul said that the physical body and the resident body are the same thing but also different
What is the paschal candle
The Paschal candle is an important feature of the Easter vigil ceremony. This is a service that takes place the night before Easter Sunday
It represents the risen Christ - light of the world
What does the Paschal candle have to do with the vigil mass
The priest light a fire - the light of Christ rising from the tomb
The Paschal candle is lit from the fire - the light of Christ overcoming Sin and death
The priest insert five grains of in the sense into the candle - represents five wounds of Christ
Priests traces the alpha and the Omega -shows Christ is eternal
The light from the Paschal candle light the candles that the people are holding-all can share in overcoming Sin and death
What are the other times that the Paschal candle is lit
Baptism - shows the person is filled with the light of Christ
Funeral - shows the deceased has joined Christ in the resurrection
What catholic teaching does affect what memorials are used for the dead
Catholics believe in the direction of the body that the whole person - body and soul will be judged
Since the body is the”Temple of the holy spirit “ it should be treated with respect even after death
What are the three memorials used for the dead
Tombstones
Monuments
Remembrance gardens
What are the features of a tombstone
Catholic tombstones are often shaped like a cross - indicates the person believed in Jesus, the hope they will be resurrected with Jesus
Some catholic tombstones have an angel carved on them-the belief that all people have their own angel guardian who takes care of them during their life, the angel will present them to God to be judged and ask for a merciful judgement
What are the features of the monument
In the past, some wealthy Christian were buried in a Sarcophagi with the Chi-rho symbol on them-shows the person believe in Jesus, reminder of the belief that Jesus died so everyone could experience life in heaven
In the Middle Ages, monuments were often decorated with skeletons and other symbols of decay-reflects the belief that no matter how important ,wealthy a person is they faced death and judgement just like everyone else
What are the features of a remembrance Garden
Designed to be areas of peace and beauty-helps mourners to reflect on the peace and beauty of heaven, where the person died is now hopefully present
Are quiet, reflective spaces-helps people to mourn their loved ones in peace in a place where they feel close to them, as this is where their bodily remains are at rest
That are the 4 last things
Death
Judgement
Heaven
Hell
Why is death part of the 4 last thing
For Christians, death is a transition to a new phase of life
While the body dies, the soul continues to live on
At the end of time, at the final judgement, the body and soul will be renewed in a perfect form
Why is judgement part of the 4 last thing
Catholics believe that after they die they will be judged by God
This is the moment of truth when people have to except responsibility for all of their actions
Because Jesus died so all people could be saved, Christians believe Gods judgement will be merciful
Why is heaven part of the 4 last thing
If people are judged favourably, they will enter heaven
Heaven is the state of eternal happiness in the presence of God
In heaven, Gods love remove all cares and worries
Why is hell part of the 4 last thing
If people are judged Unfavourably, they will enter hell
Hell is the state of eternal separation from God
Christians believe God doesn’t send people to hell, people send themselves by not accepting God
What does the parable of the rich man and Lazarus teach us
Wealth can make it easier to forget the needs of others - The rich man doesn’t use his wealth to help others, so went to hell
People in hell are conscious and aware of those in heaven -in hell, the rich man is aware that Abraham and Lazarus are in heaven,this shows that people in hell are aware of the happiness of those in heaven, This increases the suffering
Having faith in God and following Jesus teachings, will lead people to heaven- The rich man asked Abraham to send someone from the dead to warn his brother and heaven and hell are real and they need to change their ways in order to enter heaven. Everything people need to know to get into heaven is in the Scriptures
What are catholic teachings about Purgatory
People want to make up for their sins
Therefore they must enter Purgatory
Purgatory is a cleansing process (not a place)
The effects of sin or removed… There is some pain
Heaven is guaranteed-it can be quick and with the help of price
What do other Christians believe about purgatory
Many Christians do not believe in Purgabtory. They believe that after judgement people will either totally except god and go to heaven or totally reject God and go to hell
What is particular judgement
Immediately after death, based on their actions. Results in heaven, hell or purgatory
What is final judgement
At the end of time when Christ comes again. The kingdom of God will be established
What is cosmic reconciliation
The belief that at the end of time the whole of creation will be reconciled
Creation will be restarted - made perfect
Sin broke the harmony of creation
Jesus’s death and resurrection help restore Harmony
What does Saint Julian of Norwich say
A mediaeval writer who received visions from Jesus
She asked Jesus why there is sin and Hell
Jesus replied…
“It was necessary that there should be soon, but all shall be well, and all shall be well, all manner of things shall be well “
shows sin is necessary because God gives us free will
Shows shows will be defeated and all things made perfect at the end of time
What is the second Vatican Council teachings on the end of time
No one is predestined for heaven or hell, people have free will to except or reject God
God doesn’t send people to help people send themselves (omnibenevolent)
People should be constantly preparing for the end of time-follow Jesus teachings
“Since we know not the day nor the hour… We must be constantly vigilant”
How should Catholics prepare for the end of time
Follow Jesus’s teachings
Key faith in God
Perform good actions
Do not commit mortal sin
If you have committed sin confess and be truly sorry
What is the last rites
A collection time for two things
The Sacrament of the sick
Commendation of the dying
What happens in the sacrament of the sick
Begins with the Priest sprinkling holy water - baptism
The priest lays their hands on the sick person calling down the power of the holy spirit-The holy spirit gives them a sense of peace and strength to resist sin, courage to overcome the doubt and despair that their illness may have caused
The priest blesses oil, then he anoints the head and hands of the sick person with it-The anointing gives hope for a new life, whether this is a restoration to full health in this life or the promise of eternal life with God
Confession of sins – can face the future with a clear conscience which helps them to feel more positive
Holy communion – shows that Christ is present with the person supporting them
What happens at the commendation of the dying
A short service to give the dying person to receive holy communion
A crucifix is held-remind that they are serving in Christ’s death
Baptism promises are repeated-gives confidence they will reach heaven
Bible readings and prayers are said-showing God is with them
Holy communion is received-showing Christ is with them on their journey to New Life
What are the stages in the funeral rite
Reception of the body
The funeral Mass
The committal
The burial site
What happens at the reception of the body in the funeral rite
The body is taken to church in its Coffin
The Coffin sprinkled with holy water
The coughing is placed beside the late Paschal candle
What happens at the funeral mass in the funeral rite
Requiem-funeral mass
Mass is based around praying that the deceased is now resting with god
At the end there is usually a eulogy-beach about the person
Priest has to offer comfort and hope
“I am the resurrected and the life. He who believes in me will have life even through his death “
What happens at the committal in the funeral rite
Holy water is sprinkled over coffin
The priest blesses the Coffin with incense
A prayer is said for the mourners
“with poor man of Lazarus of old may you enjoy the afterlife “
What happens at the burial site in the funeral rite
The Lord’s prayer is said
The coughing is sprinkled with holy water
There are prayers for the persons eternal happiness with God
What are catholic beliefs about caring for the dying
Because of the belief in the sanctity of life:
All human life is holy and sacred
Would like to therefore be respected and valued
All life belongs to God
People have a duty to give the ill and The elderly all the care and support they need
Reasons for euthanasia
It quickly and humanely and suffering-especially if Terminally ill
You can die with dignity and minimum pain
Having the choice is very comforting
reasons against euthanasia
Goes against the sanctity of life
Sacrament of the sick/keeping faith
Changing their mind
Patient may feel pressured into dying
Palliative care