Eschatology - Paper 1

Question 1

What happens in the Easter vigil and what does it represent?

Answer 1

• After sun sets, priest lights a fire; symbolises the light of Christ rising from the tomb, destroying the power of sin and death.
• Priest traces design of the Alpha and Omega symbols - shows Christ is eternal.
• Priest lights Pashcal candle from fire, saying, “May the light of Christ rising in glory dispel the darkness in our hearts” - represents light of Christ coming to overcome darkness of sin and death.
• Light from Paschal candle is used to light candles held by everyone else in the church - shows that all believers are able to share in the risen glory of Christ.

Question 2

What are the symbols found on the Paschal Candle?

Answer 2

• Alpha and Omega which show Christ is eternal.
• Candle represents the risen Christ.
• The five grains of incense represent the five wounds Christ received during his crucifixion.

Question 3

Describe some other uses for the Paschal Candle.

Answer 3

• Also lit at baptisms and funerals
• When a person is baptised and the Paschal candle is lit it shows the person has been filled with the light of Christ.
• Priest says the child “has been enlightened by Christ” and “may she keep the flame of faith alive”.
• At a funeral it is lit to show the deceased person has joined Christ in the resurrected life.

Question 4

How does Michelangelo’s “The Last Judgement” depict “The Last Judgement”?

Answer 4

• In the original painting, everyone except for Jesus and Mary was naked which shows that in the Last Judgement all people are equal before God.
• People are shown to be rising from their grave : this shows that all people will be raised up for judgement on the last day.
• In the Book of Revelation seven angels blow trumpets to bring about the end of the world and Christ’s judgement.

Question 5

Describe the symbolism found inside Michelangelo’s “The Last Judgement” painting.

Answer 5

• One of the angels is holding a small book filled with the names of those who will be raised to heaven, while another angel is holding a much larger book filled with the names of those destined to go to hell. This reflects Jesus’ teaching that no one should be complacent and assume they will be raised to heaven.
• Christ’s hand is raised, reflecting the parable of the Sheep and the Goats, in which Jesus promises the good will be on his right and the wicked on his left and here Christ is raising those to his right up to heaven.
• Near to Jesus saints are holding the tools that were used to torture and kill them. Despite this toture, the saints are depicted to have perfect bodies. This reflects the Catholic belief that people’s bodies will be resurrected (and souls) and made perfect. Furthermore, this also reflects the belief that people who stick to their faith, no matter what happens to them, will be raised up to heaven.

Question 6

What is a tombstone?

Answer 6

A tombstone is a large carved stone that is placed over a person’s grave. It indicates the location of the person’s grave, so it can be treated with respect.

Question 7

Describe some features of tombstones.

Answer 7

• Often inscribed with the letters “R.I.P” which stands for “may she/he rest in peace”. This is a prayer expressing hope that the person is enjoying eternal life in heaven.
• Catholic tombstones are often shaped like a cross which indicates that the person believed in Jesus and expresses hope that they will be resurrected with Jesus to eternal life.
• Some Catholic tombstones have an angel carved on them which reflects the belief that all people have their own guardian angel.

Question 8

What is a monument?

Answer 8

A monument is a structure that is built to remember an important person or event eg for Catholic saints such as for St Edward the Confessor (in Westminister Abbey).

Question 9

Describe some features of a monument.

Answer 9

• In the past, wealthy Christians buried in sarcophagi with the Chi-Rho symbol on them which was a reminder of the belief that Jesus died so everyone would be able to experience eternal life in heaven.
• In the Middle Ages, monuments decorated with skeletons / symbols of decay. Reflects the belief that no matter how important a person is they face death and judgement like everyone else.

Question 10

What is a rememberance garden?

Answer 10

A rememberance garden is an outside area where ashes of people who have been cremated can be kept in an urn. Many Catholics choose to be cremated because there is not enough space to be buried.

Question 11

Describe some features of a rememberance garden.

Answer 11

• Rememberance gardens are designed to be areas of peace and beauty because it helps mourners reflect on the peace and beauty of heaven.
• Rememberance gardens are quiet, reflective spaces which allow people to mourn for their loved ones in peace.

Question 12

How do Christians believe the end of time will come about?

Answer 12

• The Bible suggests the end of time will be signalled by cosmic disasters - such as the sun darkening or the stars falling from heaven (Mark).
• After this, the Son of Man will come to judge the whole of creation; the end of the current world order will occur and will lead to the creation of a new one; the Reign of God will be established.
• Much of what Christians believe about the afterlife and the end of time is based on Jesus’ resurrection which most importantly taught Christians that life continues after death in the presence of God.

Question 13

How has beliefs about resurrection and the end of time changed over the years?

Answer 13

• Early Christians believed Jesus’ resurrection meant the end of the world would happen shortly which would mean all people would then be resurrected and taken up into the presence of God.
• However, as time passed and the world didn’t end this view changed. Christians realised they have to follow Jesus’ teachings and resist temptation to sin which prepares them for judgement after death.

Question 14

What does St Paul say in his letter on resurrection?

Answer 14

• St Paul says in his letter that a resurrected body will live forever as it is “imperishable”, will be sinless and perfect as it is “raised in glory” and will be powerful and strong as it is “raised in power”. (Quotes from Corinthians).
• Paul compares relationship between earthly body and the resurrected body to the relationship between the seed and the plant that grows from it. In some ways they are the same thing, but they are also different from each other.

Question 15

What are the last four things that happen which Christians believe happens to all people?

Answer 15

• Death
• Judgement
• Heaven
• Hell

Question 16

Describe the Christian belief of death.

Answer 16

• Christians believe death is a transition to a new phase of life which is not something to fear because it is the start of eternal life.
• While the body dies the soul continues to live on.
• The soul is judged by God and sent to heaven or hell (Catholic may also be sent to purgatory).
• At the end of time, at the final judgement, the body and soul will be reunited in a perfect form.

Question 17

Describe the Christian belief of judgement.

Answer 17

• Catholics believe after they die they will be judged by God.
• God will consider everything the person has done during their lifetime, however because Jesus died so all people could be saved, Christians believe God’s judgement will be merciful.

Question 18

Describe the Christian belief of heaven.

Answer 18

• If people are judged favourably, they will enter heaven.
• Heaven is the state of eternal happiness in the presence of God and God removes all cares and worries.
• God wants all people to join him in heaven, but he also respect’s people’s free will which means people have to choose to accept God in order to enter heaven.

Question 19

Describe the Christian belief on hell.

Answer 19

• If people are judged unfavourably, they will enter hell.
• Hell is the state of eternal seperation from God.
• Christians believe God doesn’t send people to hell : instead people send themselves by not accepting God.

Question 20

What is the Catholic beliefs on purgatory?

Answer 20

• Catholics believe that some people are ashamed of the bad things they have done in their life and want to make up for their wrongs.
• This is a cleansing process, where the effects of sin are removed so the person can feel happy in the presence of God.
• Catholics believe this process can be quickened with the help of prayers by those who are still alive.

Question 21

What two types of judgement do Catholics believe in?

Answer 21

Particular judgement and Final Judgement

Question 22

What is particular judgement?

Answer 22

• Happens immediately after a person dies.
• Particular judgement is when God judges someone on a personal, individual basis. This means they are judged on all the actions they took during life.
• Results in person going to heaven, hell or purgatory.

Question 23

What is the Final Judgement?

Answer 23

• Happens at the end of time.
• Christ will come in glory at the end of time and judge the whole of creation.
• After this happens, the Reign of God will be established and those who have been judged favourably by God will stay with him forever in his perfect creation.

Question 24

Describe some other Christian beliefs about the afterlife.

Answer 24

• Many Christians do not believe in purgatory, only heaven and hell.
• Some Christians believe judgement doesn’t happen immediately after. Instead all people wait at their grave for the second coming of Christ, the Final Judgement.

Question 25

The parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus

Answer 25

The parable tells a story of a rich man who had everything he wanted in life, yet never helped the poor man called Lazarus who lay at the gates to his house. When both men died, the rich man went to hell and Lazarus to heaven.

Question 26

What does the parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus teach?

Answer 26

• Showing love and kindness to others will lead people to heaven : by not showing love and kindness to Lazarus the rich man went to hell.
• Wealth can make it easier to forget the needs of others : the rich man “feasted sumptuously every day” yet did not share any food with Lazarus.
• It is not possible to move between heaven and hell : Abraham tells the rich man that there is a “great chasm” between heaven and hell which shows a person cannot escape hell by repenting for the things they did wrong in their life.
• Hell is a place of torment where people are cut off from any relationship with God : rich man says he is “in agony in these flames”.

Question 27

What is cosmic reconciliation?

Answer 27

• God the Father created the universe through the God the Son and made all things to be perfectly balanced in harmony.
• Sin broke this harmony.
• As the Son of God, Jesus was able to destroy the power of sin and death, which had disrupted God’s perfect creation. Jesus’ death and resurrection helped restore harmony to the world.
• The whole of creation will be fully restored and made perfect at the end of time. At this point the cosmos will be fully reconciled with God. This is known as cosmic reconciliation.

Question 28

What were Julian of Norwich’s teachings on cosmic reconciliation?

Answer 28

• Sin was necessary as God wanted humans to have free will and with free will comes sin.
• But “all shall be well” because sin will be defeated and made perfect at the end of time. The whole of creation will be brought together in harmony and reconciled with God.

Question 29

What beliefs did the Second Vatican Council confirm about the end of time?

Answer 29

• Christ will come in glory as the judge and saviour.
• No one is predestined to go to heaven or hell - people have the free will to choose whether to accept God or not.
• God doesn’t send people to hell; people send themselves to hell by choosing to reject God.
• People should be constantly preparing for the end of time and should always strive to follow Jesus’ teachings.

Question 30

Quote that teaches Catholics that they should be constantly preparing for the end of time.

Answer 30

“Since however we know not the day or hour, on Our Lord’s advice we must be constantly vigilant” - Lumen Gentium 48

Question 31

To prepare for the end of time, what does the Church teach Catholics?

Answer 31

• Keep faith in God and perform good deeds and actions that share God’s love with others.
• Do not commit mortal sins : “God predestines no one to go to hell, for this a willfil turning away from God (mortal sin) is necessary” - Catechism of the Catholic Church.

Question 32

What is the anointing of the sick?

Answer 32

A sacrament centered around around the action of anointing a sick person with holy oil.

Question 33

What actions go on in the anointing of the sick? What do they mean?

Answer 33

• Priest sprinkles the room and patient with holy water - reminder of baptism.
• Priest lays their hands on the head of the sick person, calling down the Holy Spirit - Holy Spirit fills the person to give them a sense of peace and the courage to overcome any doubt and despair the illness may have caused.
• Priest anoints the sick person with oil - anointing gives hope of a new life (either restoration to full health or the promise of eternal happiness with God).
• Holy Communion given to sick person - shows that Christ is present with the person.

Question 34

What is the commendation of the dying?

Answer 34

A short service centred around a dying person receiving their last Holy Communion, which is called Viaticum.

Question 35

What happens during the commendation of the dying service?

Answer 35

• Dying person may hold a crucifix : a reminder they are sharing in Christ’s death.
• Dying person may repeat promises made at their baptism : gives them confidence that they will experience God’s love in heaven after they die.
• At the moment of death a prayer is said with words “ go forth Christian soul, may your home be with God in Zion” : expresses hope the person is able to experience eternal peace and happiness with God.

Question 36

Sections in a funeral.

Answer 36

• Reception of the body
• The funeral Mass
• The committal and burial or cremation

Question 37

What happens in the reception of the body? What does it mean?

Answer 37

• Body taken to Church in its coffin : represents the deceased being taken back to God.
• Coffin sprinkled with holy water : reminder of baptism.
• Coffin placed beside lit Paschal candle : shows light of Risen Christ is shining on person.

Question 38

What happens in the funeral mass? What does this mean?

Answer 38

• Priest holds a funeral Mass : whole mass centered around praying that the deceased is now resting in the presence of God.
• Readings said one line said is in John “I am the resurrection and the life … everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.”

Question 39

What happens at the commital and burial or cremation? What does it mean?

Answer 39

• Priest waves smoke from burning incense over coffin : rising smoke represents people’s prayers being offered up to God on behalf of the deceased.
• As coffin is blessed congregation says “with poor man Lazarus may you enjoy eternal life” : expresses hope that deceased spend eternity in heaven.
• At burial / cremation, the Lord’s Prayer is said and coffin is sprinkled with holy water : reflects belief that deceased was a child of God who has now returned to his loving care.

Question 40

Explain the care of the dying.

Answer 40

Because of a belief in the sanctity of life, the Catholic Church teaches that:

• All human life is holy and sacred, because it has been created by God.
• All life should therefore be respected and valued.
• All life belongs to God. If anyone intentionally damages a human life then they are rejecting a gift from God.
• People have a duty to give the ill and elderly all the care and support they need, so they can maintain their dignity until they die.

Question 41

Why is the Church against euthanasia?

Answer 41

• Only God has the right to take away life.
• It is considered to be murder and morally unacceptable.
• Suffering is part of being human but may be reduced with medication.
• Suffering can be seen as a way to share in the suffering of Jesus on the cross.

Question 42

Quote against euthanasia.

Answer 42

“… we without hastening death, should accept it with full responsibility and dignity” - Declaration of Euthanasia Conclusion.