Eschatology Flashcards
What is the Paschal candle
What happens
A candle which is lit - represents one of the most important and meaningful symbols in the Easter vigil.
What happens:
Service takes place during hours of darkness and the priest lights a fire. This symbolises the light of Christ rising from the grave and breaking the darkness.
Then the priest lights and blesses the Paschal candle. This large candle represents the
risen Christ.
Symbolisms of the Paschal candle
The Alpha and Omega: represents the beginning and the end – Jesus Christ
Five holders are inserted into the candle – this is to represent the five wounds Christ received at the crucifixion.
During the procession – a light from the candle is taken and given to everyone – we all share in the light of the Christ
The candle lasts all year – until the next Easter vigil. It is lit at every Mass at Eastertide and every baptism – the lit candle shows the presence of Christ throughout our lives
Imagery and symbolism that is used in Michelangelo’s The Last Judgement and how does it reflect catholic teachings of judgement/afterlife
Jesus in the centre (powerful-Son of God) - still carries his wounds duringhis crucifixion. This highlights his obedience to God and suffering.
Everyone naked except Jesus and Mary - everyone is equal in the eyes of God during the Last Judgement
Saints are presented with perfect bodies despite being killed gruesomely with weapons they are holding . This reflects the belief that all will made new in resurrection
People leaving their graves - all will be judged
People express despair in hell - Hell has no light (light of christ can’t support those who reject God)
7 angles blow trumpets signifies the end of the world
Catholic beliefs of burial for ressurection
Catholics believe that the resurrection of the body will be a full bodily resurrection. The body must always be treated with respect and dignity for kingdom (last judgement)
What are tombstones and how does this express faith
Tombtsones: Early burial place of a person contains info of name/death/birth. Many catholics have their tombstone in shape of a cross – this is to identify the person as a believer in Christ.
What are monuments and how does this express faith
Monuments: erected over the grave of a very important person. The catholic church allows important people to be buried inside church. Sometimes monuments are erected over a saints grave where catholics pilgrim towards
What are rememberance gardens and how does this express faith
Rememberance gardens: catholics cremated than buried. Many people scatter the ashes in a remembrance garden – this reflects the beauty of what heaven will be like.
What is Eschatology
Eschatology- the study of what will take place at the end of time
How has Jesus influenced Eschatology and ressurection
Eschatology:
Jesus talks about the end of time in some passages – and they are often a warning about the devastation that will take place.
Resurrection:
Jesus’s resurrection was power of God at work in a new way on earth; it was the beginning of the end of the reign of sin and death.
It transform the way Christians think about life and death – it makes eternal life possible
What does St Paul say about resurrection
St Paul ,in his letters, deals with the subject of the resurrected life:
He compares the relationship of the earthly body and the heavenly body to a seed and plant that grows from it.
The resemblance between the two is hard/ impossible to identify – but it did grow from it
Importance of the four last rites and how it espresses God’s love
Death: A transition to eternal life where the earthly body will die (physical) however the soul passes onto to God until the end of time where the body reunites.
Judgement: In the presence of total love – people have to take responsibility for their actions. Judgement will be merciful – god is all loving and Christ died so that all might be saved
Heaven: Eternal happiness for believers however hell is an option for the rejecters. If sins are forgiven they can have a place in heaven offered
Hell: Seperated from God - beyond point of redemption - for those who totally rejected God
Catholics beliefs about purgatory
Purgatory: a state of cleansing to
Catholics believe it is a process rather than a place where sins are removed so people can face God.
Different christian beliefs about the afterlife
Catholics:
Catholcis believe when a person dies they are judges on a personal basis – this will decide whether they go to heaven or hell
Additionally, Christ comes again to judge everyone – the Kingdom of God will be established and belivers will be accepted
Other christians:
ALL Christians believe in the resurrection and afterlife
Some do not believe in purgatory – but that individual judgement is final – you go straight to heaven or hell
Some believe that we will wait for the 2nd coming and until then everyone is waiting in their graves
What is the parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus
Luke 16:19-31
The rich man had everything he wanted but he is hard hearted – this is a warning that wealth can destroy people lives. The lack of empathy for others is what condemns him to hades ( hell)
Hoes does the parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus tells christians about the afterlife
Luke 16:19-31
The parable teaches that an awareness of the value and the needs of others results in a closeness to God in the afterlife. In contrast a lack of this awareness leads to eternal separation from God ( hell).
Hell is descried as a place of suffering - Luke 16:24 “cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.”
Heaven – a place of happiness and comfort- Luke 16:25 “Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here”
Abraham was rewarded for his faith and trust in God - and those who have also been faithful will share in his reward _ Luke 16:31 “If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.”
what is meant by cosmic reconciliation of all things
Refers to the idea that; at the end of time, the whole of creation will be reconciled:
Genesis 3 (Adam and Eve) contains some great insights into human nature.
Their sin made this balance imperfect. It destroyed the relationship between God and humanity.
Jesus death – comes to restore this relationship which made it better but not perfect (still sin)
When he comes again through kingdom cosmic reconciliation will take place – it will be made perfect.
Cosmic reconcilations relation to God’s creation
Julian of Norwhich had a severe illness and was given her last rites.
She had a series of revelation from Jesus and dedicated her life after recovery to make sure this sighting was seen
The main idea was that sin is needed for people to be able to choose between free will
Cosmic reconciliation does not just affect human beings but the whole of the created world. All things will be made perfect at the end of time.
what has the Second Vatican Council taught about the role of the Church in preparing for the end of time
Christ promised he will return and establish kingdom- people must prepare
Everyone must be constantly ready for this to happen – trying to live as perfectly as they can.
The earth is not in its perfect form – it is a community of sinners striving for perfection however perfection will be created
All sins can be forgiven – hell is there for those that have totally rejected God
what are the last rites
The anointing of the sick:
Anoited with a special oil and prayed over and blessed by a priest. Often the person says a last confession and is fully prepared for the afterlife- give strength for the person for their next life
Commendation of the dying
Short service for a person’s last communion.
The person receives holy communion for the last time- they hold a crucifix to remind them they will join Christ in his resurrection and shows that Jesus is always with the person.
What is the importance of the last rites for Catholics
Enables catholics to gain the strength in order to enter kingdom of God through forgiveness of sins
Supports catholics to accept their fate to christ and enables Jesus to transport them to their afterlife
what happens during a Catholic funeral
Reception of the body: at the church door - coffin sprinkled with holy water as a reminder of baptism (beginning and end of life). The paschal candle is also lit represents risen christ ( belivers rising into heaven)
Funeral mass: sins forgiven. Burning of incense is waved around the coffin – the rising of this smoke symbolises the rising of this person into eternal life.
Grave/crematorium: our father said- the grace or coffin is sprinkled with holy water and the prayers reflect hope that the deceased will be quickly gained into eternal appiness
what does ‘sanctity of life’ and ‘euthanasia’ mean
Sanctity of life: all life comes from God – all life is precious and holy.
Euthanasia : killing someone painlessly and with compassion. To end their suffering
Hoes does the beliefs about the sanctity of life guide Catholic teaching on the care of the dying and euthanasia
Sanctity of life:
They believe that all life belongs to God – of anyone harms or destroys life they are rejecting a precious gift from God
Care of the dying: when the earthly body begins to break down – help should be provided with special care.
Euthanasia:
Many Christians will accept suffering as suffering with Christ The catholic church does not agree with euthanasia.
They believe it is wring because it lowers the dignity of life. Life should not be deliberately prolonged if someone is in pain – but not ended.
What is church militant, suffering and glorious
Church militant- people on earth who are struggling against the temptations of sin and evil
Church suffering- souls of the faithful who are in purgatory
Church glorious- faithful who are enjoying the happiness of heaven
Quotes of afterlife
‘In death the body and soul are separated. The **body decays, while the soul goes to meet God **and waits to be reunited with its risen body on the Last day ‘- Youcat 154
CCC “will send his angels, and they will gather … all evil doers, and throw them into the furnace of fire,”
‘We know not the day nor hour.. we must be constantly vigilant’ - Lumen Gentium 48
‘…..a place of weeping and gnashing of teeth’ (Matt
25:46).
Quotes of the church on cosmic reconciliation
The Church’s task is to make the kingdom of God which has already begun with Jesus, germinate and grow In all nations… **the Church, for all her weaknesses, is a formidable bit of heaven on earth **- Youcat 123
Quotes of resurrection
Jesus was resurrected in a physical body … he was fully present and touchable (John 20:19)
If the dead are not raised, then Christ has not
been raised. If Christ has not been raised, your
faith is futile and you are in your sins
(St Paul 1 Corinthians)
