Eschatology

Paschal candle

Represents the risen Christ

Alpha and omega symbols - Christ is eternal

5 grains of incense - 5 wounds

baptisms - when a person is baptised they are given a candle lit from the candle - shows the person ahs been filled with Christ “This child has been enlightened by Christ”

funeral - dead joined Christ in resurrected life

Easter Vigil

Easter Vigil service

all believers are able to share in the risen glory of Christ-

After sun has set the priest lights a fire - light of Christ rising form the tomb destroying the power of sin and death

Light from paschal candle used to light other candles

Easter Vigil service
Christ is eternal

Priest traces the design of the Alpha and Omega with his sand while saying a prayer

Easter Vigil service
5 wounds Christ received in his crucifixion

Priest inserts 5 holders each containing a grain of essence -

Easter Vigil service

light of Christ coming into the world

Priest lights candle saying “may the light of Christ rising in glory dispel the darkness of our hearts and minds 

How does the last judgement reflect Catholic Belief?

• Christ: Central figure, judge of all; wounds visible showing glory through obedience and suffering.

• Resurrection: People rising from graves for final judgment; some move to darkness (hell) showing the light of Christ cannot reach those who reject God.

• Saints: Holding instruments of martyrdom; bodies resurrected and perfected; faithful raised to heaven with their body and soul intact, perfect.

• Angels: One with small book (hell), one with large book (heaven); warning that no one should presume salvation.

• Nakedness: Everyone equal at the Last Judgment.

Quote -Role / How to get to God? (2)

Everyone has the duty to lead his or her life in accordance with God's plan Church

I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the father except through me

The 4 last things

What is heaven / hell?

• Heaven: Endless moment of love, state of supreme happiness (Church). Judged favorably, God’s love removes all cares. God wants everyone to join Him, but respects free will—people must choose to accept God.

• Hell: Everlasting separation from God (self-exclusion, Church). Judged unfavorably, people reject God, aware of what they’ve lost, existing in frustration and anger.

St Paul

• St Paul: “What is sown a physical body is raised a spiritual body” — compares the earthly and resurrected body to a seed and plant: same essence, but transformed.

• Jesus’ Resurrection: Physical body, fully present and touchable, yet not limited by earthly constraints.

Tombstone

• Headstone: Large carved stone marking a grave so it can be located and respected.

• RIP: Prayer expressing hope the person is in heaven with eternal peace and happiness.

• Cross: Symbol of belief in Jesus and hope of resurrection to eternal life with Christ.

• Angel carving: Guardian angel protects in life and presents the soul to God for merciful judgment.

Monument

structure built to remember an important person or event

Decorated Coffin - Chi rho - believed in Jesus / reminder Jesus died so we can access heaven

decorated with skeletons - equal when we face God

Remembrance Gardens

outside area where ashes of people can be buried -dignity not scattered because the body is the temple of the holy spirit

peace and beauty - symbol of heaven where the deceased hopefully is 

quiet - mourn for loved one to feel close to them

Eschatology

• Eschatology: Study of the end of time.

• Signs: Cosmic disasters—“stars will fall from the sky”, “heavenly bodies will be shaken” (Bible).

• Judgment: The Son of Man will judge all creation.

• Outcome: The current world ends, a new one is created, and God’s reign is established.

How beliefs about resurrection and the end of time have changed?

Jesus’ resurrection meant the world would end shortly and all people resurrected and taken to God 

Then Christians realised they have to live in the life of the resurrection to follow Jesus’ teachings / resisting sin to prepare for judgment.

The 4 last thing

Death

• Death: Transition to a new phase of life, not to be feared—beginning of eternal life beyond bodily limitations.

• Soul: Lives on after the body dies, judged by God, and sent to heaven or hell.

• Final Judgment: Soul and body will be reunited.

The 4 last things

judgment

• Judgment after death: Catholics believe God judges everything a person has done in their lifetime.

• Moment of truth: Accept responsibility for all actions; Catholics also self-reflect in the light of God’s love.

• Mercy: Jesus died so all could be saved, making God’s judgment merciful.

Purgatory

• Purgatory: Catholics judged by God who want to accept heaven but feel shame for past sins.

• Purpose: God has forgiven their sins, but purgatory cleanses the effects of wrongdoing so the person can fully enjoy heaven.

• Assistance: The process can be shortened through prayers from the living.

Particular Judgment

• Happens immediately after death.

• Basis: Judged individually on actions taken in life.

• Outcome: Sent to heaven, hell, or purgatory.

Final Judgment

• Final Judgment: At the end of time, Christ will come in full glory to judge all creation.

• : God’s reign will be established, creation made perfect, and those judged favorably will remain with Him.

Other beliefs about the afterlife

• : All believe in resurrection and heaven; do not believe in purgatory—souls go straight to heaven or hell.

• : Does not happen immediately; all await the Second Coming in their graves for final judgment.

The parable of the rich and and Lazarus

1. Care for the poor –  “Lazarus is comforted, and you are in agony.” 

   • The rich man ignored Lazarus, so he suffers while Lazarus is rewarded.

2. Actions have consequences

   • God judges people based on their choices; the rich man’s selfish life leads to punishment.

3. Reversal of fortunes – “Many who are first will be last, and the last first.”

   • Shown: Lazarus, poor on earth, is honored in heaven; the rich man, wealthy on earth, suffers in hell.

4. It is not possible to move between heaven and hell “great chasm” you can’t escape hell by apologising for things done wrong in life.

Cosmic reconciliation

• Creation: Originally perfect.

• Sin: Broke harmony, upsetting creation.

• Jesus: His death and resurrection began the restoration of creation.

• Final reconciliation: At the end of time, all creation will be reconciled with God — “Through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things.”

Julian of Norwich

• Writer: Medieval mystic who received visions from Jesus.

• Asked why there is sin and hell.

• “It was necessary… but all shall be well.” (Revelations of Divine Love)

• : Humans have free will; sin will be defeated, and all things will be perfect at the end of time.

What the Church teaches about the end of time?

• Jesus will come in glory as judge and savior.

• Free will: No one is destined for heaven or hell; people choose by their actions. God does not send anyone—people send themselves. 

• “through our faith .. our salvation” Church

• : Individuals determine their fate through choices and should continually strive to follow Jesus’ teachings.

• “We do not know the day nor hour.” - Catholics should constantly prepare

• Avoid mortal sin: Catholics should not commit mortal sins.

• If they do, they must confess and be truly sorry.

•  “A willful turning away from God is necessary” (Church).

Anointing of the Sick

• Sprinkling with water. - resembles baptism

• Calling the Holy Spirit: Hands on head, fills the person with peace, strength to resist temptation, and courage to overcome doubt.

• Anointing with oil: Blessed oil on the forehead, symbolizing hope of new life, health, and closeness with God.

• Confession of sins: Helps the person face the future with a clear conscience.

• Holy Communion: Christ is present, offering support and comfort

Commendation of the dying

• Service for the dying: Person receives their last Holy Communion (viaticum).

• Crucifix: Held by the person, symbolizing sharing in Christ’s death.

• Bible reading: Reminds them God is with them and they face God’s judgment.

• Last Communion: Christ is present, guiding them from death to new life.

• Prayer at death: “Go forth, Christian soul”—expressing hope for eternal peace.

Reception of the Body

• Body taken to church: Represents returning the deceased to God.

• Coffin sprinkled with holy water: Symbolizes baptism—joining Christ in death and resurrection.

• Coffin placed near Paschal candle: The light of the risen Christ shines on the person.

The funeral mass

• Requiem Mass: Priest celebrates a Mass praying that the deceased rests with God in heaven, sins forgiven.

• Readings: Focus on Christ’s resurrection—“Everyone who lives and believes in me will never die” (John).

• Teaching: Reflects belief that Christ’s death and resurrection make life after death possible and open the way to heaven.

Committal and burial or cremation

• Holy water sprinkled on coffin: Symbolizes baptism.

• Incense waved over coffin: Shows God gave the deceased to the community; rising smoke represents prayers for the dead as the family returns them to God.

• Coffin blessed: “With poor man Lazarus of old may you enjoy eternal life”—praying the deceased spends eternity in heaven with Lazarus.

• Lord’s Prayer: Affirms the person was a child of God.

How are the dying cared for?

• Sanctity of life: All life is holy because God created it; life should be respected and valued regardless of age or illness.

• Belonging to God: Destroying life rejects a gift from God.

• Duty of care: People have a responsibility to care for the ill and elderly, maintaining their dignity.

Why the Church is against Euthanasia?

• Euthanasia considered murder: Only God has the right to take life.

• Suffering: Can be seen as sharing in Jesus’ suffering on the cross.

• Value of life: Euthanasia lowers the dignity and value of life.

• “Without any way hastening the hour of death, [people] should be able to accept it with full responsibility and dignity.”

•  Church - Life should not be artificially prolonged if treatment has no real benefit.

• A person near death should not receive treatment that only prolongs suffering.

St Therese of Lisieux

I am not dying, I am entering life