Monday, April 26, 2010

Part I, Chapter XIV. The Resurrection of the Body and Life everlasting

168. What is death?
Death is the separation of the soul from the body; it is part of the penalty now incurred by mankind because of original sin.
169. Is every soul judged immediately after death?
Every soul is judged immediately after death, and this is called the particular judgment. Sacred Scripture says: it is appointed unto men once to die, and after this the judgment (Heb. ix, 27).
170. What happens at the particular judgment?
At the particular judgment souls in the state of grace are judged worthy of heaven, and souls in the state of mortal sin are condemned to hell.
171. What is heaven?
Heaven is the place or state of perfect happiness where the blessed see and enjoy God for ever.
172. What does Sacred Scripture say of the happiness of heaven?
Sacred Scripture says: Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard: nor hath it entered into the heart of man, what things God hath prepared for them that love Him (I Cor. ii, 9).
173. Do the souls in the state of grace enter heaven immediately after the particular judgment?
Souls in the state of grace enter heaven immediately after the particular judgment, if they are fully purified from sin and its effects; otherwise they go to purgatory.
174. What is purgatory?
Purgatory is the place or state of punishment in the next life, where souls are purified before they can enter heaven.
175. What souls go to purgatory?
The souls of those who die in venial sin, or who have not fully satisfied for the temporal punishment due to sin, go to purgatory.
176. What is hell?
Hell is a place or state of punishment in the next life, where the wicked undergo everlasting suffering with the Devil and his angels.
177. How do they suffer who are condemned to hell?
They who are condemned to hell are deprived of the vision of God, and suffer dreadful torments, especially that of fire, for all eternity.
178. What is meant by the resurrection of the body?
The resurrection of the body means that on the last day the bodies of all men will rise again, united to their souls.
179. What is meant by the last day?
By the last day is meant the day of general judgment, when the Son of Man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels: and then will he render to everyone according to his works (Matt. xiv, 27).
180. If every soul is judged immediately after death, why should there be a general judgment?
A general judgment is required in order that the providence of God, who sometimes permits the good to suffer and the wicked to prosper in this life, may appear just before all men.
181. How will the bodies of the just rise?
The bodies of the just will rise like the body of our Lord Jesus Christ, glorious and immortal.
182. What will Christ say to the just on the last day?
Christ will say to the just on the last day: Come, ye blessed of my Father, possess you the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world (Matt. xxv, 34).
183. How will the bodies of the damned rise?
The bodies of the damned will not rise glorious, but they will be immortal, to share in the everlasting punishment of the soul.
184. What will Christ say to the wicked on the last day?
Christ will say to the wicked on the last day: Depart from me, you cursed, into everlasting fire, which was prepared for the Devil and his angels (Matt. xxv, 41)
185. What does life everlasting mean?
Life everlasting means that, if we serve God faithfully in this life, we shall see, love and enjoy Him for ever in heaven.
186. What is the meaning of the word Amen?
By the word Amen is meant so be it: at the end of the Apostles' creed it expresses our firm belief in all the doctrines that the Creed contains.