Death, Judgment, Heaven, Hell, & Purgatory The Promise Fulfilled

Transcription

1 Death, Judgment, Heaven, Hell, & Purgatory The Promise Fulfilled It is through giving that we receive, and it is through dying that we are born into eternal life St. Francis of Assisi I am happy and you should be happy too. Do not weep. Let us pray together with joy John Paul II 1

2 The Peace Prayer of Saint Francis "O Lord, make me an instrument of Thy Peace! Where there is hatred, let me sow love. Where there is injury, pardon. Where there is discord, harmony. Where there is doubt, faith. Where there is despair, hope. Where there is darkness, light. Where there is sorrow, joy. Oh Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love; for it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life." 2

3 Overview Death & Resurrection not an easy Theology Jeremy Story- Theology of the Tomb of Christ Understanding the Journey Role of Suffering in this Life Death- Good Friday Sunday s Coming Promise of Eternal Life & Peace to come The Jesus story- Read it as if you believed it.. 3

4 Two Moments of Great Mystery Nowhere 4

5 Two Moments of Great Mystery Nowhere Nowhere 5

6 Two Moments of Great Mystery Nowhere Nowhere Our Life on Earth Conception Teaching of Jesus Love of God Love of Self Love of Others Use of Talents Relationships Death God Given Talents Heaven Purgatory Hell The Kingdom of God: Eternal Life 6

7 Death: What Happens? The play Everyman and his friends: Money/ Fame/ Power & Good Works; Only Good Works will join him in death Instant Replay noted by Kubler-Ross and others in the near-death experience: When you come to this point you will see there are only two things that are relevant: the service you rendered to others, and love. All the other things we think are important like fame, money, prestige and power are insignificant. Reading A: Matthew 25:

8 After Life Particular Judgment Purgatory Heaven Hell 8

9 Judgment Particular Judgment Reading 2: Luke 16:19-26 Moment of death; No Hiding from truth; We will judge ourselves We will see the good & Love We will see the evil & hurt 9

10 Judgment General Judgments Reading 3: Matthew 25: 31-40,46 He will come again to judge the living and the dead ; Judgment of all humanity; End of the World; Completion of God s plan No Where to hide. 10

11 Purgatory Purgatory: A Place of preparation Middle state for the Purification of thought Losing of Ego Pain of dying to oneself to rise again with Christ 11

12 Heaven Eternal Union with God Opposite of Hell Blessed are the clean of heart for they shall see God Matthew Vision of God will transform us into the likeness of God John New Life for us is Eternal Life Heaven is Full Union of human person with God. It is what we strive for It is the completion of all we are as human beings. Richard McBrien 12

13 Hell Hell is envisioned as Fire Jesus uses this image in Matthew 13:30 Does not necessarily describe a place Turn our backs on God Radical separation leads to everlasting alienation & estrangement Chosen by the Sinner Peck s Emptiness of the Garbage Can No, he replied, you ll uproot the wheat if you do. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest. Then I will tell the harvesters to sort out the weeds, tie them into bundles, and burn them, and to put the wheat in the barn. 13

14 Eternal Life Reading 4: John 14:2-3 This Beatific Vision brings us into a new life: eternal life; God gives eternal life to those that are faithful; Our Actions & Choices on earth are important; We are called by Jesus to make life better; Jesus as our model of the fully actualized human; Called to life of Service = Happiness 14

15 Jesus Suffers and Dies Jesus Suffers Mentally in the Garden Father,if you are willing, take this cup away from me; still not my will but yours be done. Luke 22:42 Jesus suffers Emotionally Betrayed by Judas/ Denied by Peter/ deserted by the Apostles Jesus Suffers Physically Thorn/ Scourged/ Crucified Jesus suffers Spiritually Feeling of Abandonment 15

16 Why Jesus Suffered Cross as a sign of Love: no person has greater love than this, to lay down one s life for one s friends John 15:13 Cross is a revelation about Love: Love entails suffering: deny yourself and take up your cross and follow me Luke 9:23 Cross is an invitation to Love: Visual way it says: Love another as I have loved you John 15:12 16

17 Resurrection Good Friday is not the End: It is the new beginning! Jesus is Risen Jesus appears to the Disciples on the road to Emmaus Jesus is Glorified In his resurrection he is more than simply raised from the dead. Jesus sends the Spirit and it was poured out upon the entire church. 17

18 The Good News Nothing can destroy us anymore Not pain Not Sorrow Not rejection Not Sin Not even Death itself 18

19 Books 19