Eschatology Flashcards
Paschal candle
Light-represents the light of christ rising from the tomb destroying sin and death
Alpha/omega-shows christ is eternal
Incense-represents the wounds christ suffered
Candle is walked up to the altar-shows that all believers are able to share in the light of christ
Other uses for the paschal candle
Baptism-the person is filled with the light of Christ
Funeral-the person has joined christ in the resurrection
How does the last judgement reflect catholic belief ?
Perfect bodies-surrounding Jesus are saints holding the tools that were used to kill them . Despite their bodies having been destroyed , when they are raised they are made perfect
Christs right hand-In the parable of the sheep and goat we are told the sheep will be judged on the right of Jesus . In the image those on the right are being raised. Those on the left begin to sink down to hell
Graves-people are being pulled up from the ground telling us that all will be judged on the final day
Darkness-those who are going to hell are shrouded in darkness. This is because they rejected God when they were alive preventing christ from reaching them
Equal-in the picture all except Jesus and mary are naked reflecting the belief that all are equal before God
Tombstone
RIP-a prayer expressing the hope that the person is enjoying eternal life in heaven.
Cross shaped-expresses the hope that they will be resurrected and join Jesus
Angel-reflects the belief that everyone has a guardian angel . This angel will ask for mercy when the person is judged by God
Monuments
Wealthy christians would be buried in sarcophagi . The Chi Rho is inscribed into it . This is a reminder that Jesus died so that we could all go to heaven
Decorations of decaying animals-shows that no matter how wealthy a person was they will face Gods judgement like everyone else
Remembrance Gardens
Areas of peace and beauty-helps mourners feel better as the deceased are in a beautiful place in heaven
Quiet-helps mourners pray with the deceased hoping that they were judged favourably
Cosmic disaster
Mark tells us that as the end of time the stars will fall from the sky
The son of man will come to judge the whole of creation
The end of the current world order will be replaced with a new one
The kingdom of God will be established
St paul on the resurrection
“Sown in dishonour , raised in glory”
Paul compares the resurrection to growing seeds. The seeds like us where planted imperfect but rose as beautiful plants . We will rise in perfect bodies.
The four last things
Death-a transition to a new phase of life. At the end of time the body as soul will be reunited in a perfect form
Judgement-God considers every single action a person has done . Gods judgement is believed to be merciful
Heaven-the state of eternal happiness with God. You can only enter heaven if you willingly accept God
Hell-the eternal state of separation from God . God doesnt send anyone to hell . We do this to our selves by not accepting him.
Purgatory
Every single person has committed sin. If you are sent to heaven you must go to purgatory . This is a place of cleansing for the soul .
Purgatory can be quickened by the prayers of loved ones who
Particular Judgement
Happens immediately after your death
God will judge you my considering every thing you have done .
After this occurs you will be sent to heaven orn hell
Final judgement
Happens at the end of time
Christ returns to judge the whole of creation
The reign of God is established
Other christian beliefs about after life
Many do not believe in purgatory . Either you go to heaven or hell
Organisations like the Quakers choose not to focus on the after life but more on how they live a good life pleasing God .
Many believe that the only Judgement that occurs is the final judgement . All those who die before that wait in their graves
What does the parable of the Rich man and Lazarus teach us
Kindness will get you to heaven-by not being kind the rich man was condemned to hell
Wealth makes it easy to forget the needs of others-the rich man feasted “sumptously” every day while Lazarus starved
It is impossible to leave hell-Abraham tells the rich man that there is a “chasm” separating heaven and hell . A person cannot be forgiven when in hell . You must make your life pleasing to God .
If you follow Jesus’ teachings you will go to heaven- the rich man begs lazarus to send some down to warn his brothers that if they do continue in their sinful ways and reject Jesus then they to will go to hell
What is cosmic reconciliation ?
God the father created the universe . He made all things perfect
Sin broke this harmony throwing the whole of creation off balance
Jesus’ sacrifice destroyed the power of sin . This helped restore harmony.
The whole of creation will be restored at the end of time when all are reconciled with God .
“Making peace through the blood of his cross”
Julian of Norwich
A medieval writer who recieved several visions from Jesus .
Jesus told her that sin was necessary but “all shall be well”
Sin is necessary as God gave humans free will as he did not want to force them to follow him , all will be well at the end of time when we are all reconciled with God
Preparing for the end of time
The second vatican council helped shape the catholic teachings on the end of time
Christ will return as judge and saviour . We must all live in hope for his return
No one is predestined to go to heaven or hell . It is up to us. God doesn’t send anyone to hell . We do that on our own .
We should always strive to follow Jesus’ teachings as we do not know when the end will come . “Constantly vigilant”
Anointing of the sick
Sprinkling holy water -A reminder of baptism
Laying their hands on the person-the holy spirit fills that person to give them strength and hope. Helping them overcome the doubt and despair that their illness has caused
Confession of the sick-the person can face the future with a clear conscience which helps them feel more positive
Communion is given-shows that christ is present with the person supporting them through their illness
Commendation of the dying
Dying holds a crucifix-A reminder that they share in Christs death.
Litany of the saints is read- asks the saints to pray for the dying person so that they are judged mercifully
Receives their last communion-Christ is with the person and will guide them on their journey to eternal life .
Moments before their death-A prayer is said . “Go fourth christian soul… may your home be with God in zion”
Reception of the body
Body is taken to church in a coffin-represents the deceased person being taken back to God
Coffin is sprinkled with holy water -The person was baptised into Christs death and not joins him in his resurrection .
A paschal candle is lit-shows that the light of christ is shining on the deceased
Funeral mass
The mass is called requiem meaning rest. The mass is centered around praying for the deceased’s favourably judgement
Readings often reference the resurrection of Jesus . “Everyone who lives and believes in me will never die”
The committal and burial
Holy water is poured onto coffin-reminder of baptism
Priest waves smoke-the rising smoke represents the prayers of the loved ones rising to God
A prayer is said for the mourners so that they will meet the deceased once again
Lords prayer-reflects the belief that the deceased is a child of God and will return to God
Care of the dying
Catholics oppose euthanasia. They favour palative care for the dying so that their transition to God is as easy as possible
Beliefs such as the sanctity of life and imago dei mean that catholics see all life as sacred . Only God can take life away
