Life after death in Catholicism and Islam Explain the significance of a key belief within two religious traditions AS credits Internal assessment

What happens to humans when we die? LO: What do Catholic believe happens after humans die? -Where do these theories come from?

Personal Ponder What do we think happens to humans when we die? Where did we get these thoughts from? Church? Parents? Peers? Television? What did some of the World Religions say happens when we die? Brief Discussion.

What do Catholics believe? Death is the end of earthly life. Yet, the soul continues to live on. Soul separates from the body. There is a judgement at death We come from God and return to God. Death is not the end of life. Diagnosing death is the responsibility of the medical profession

So what is the soul? ‘Bart sells his soul’. Explore the question of what is the soul in more depth. Answer in your booklet the changes Bart goes through when he sells his soulBart sells his soul’. Write a definition of your own in your booklet to explain what you think the soul is.

The Soul The Soul is the spiritual principle of the human person. The Catechism (official teachings of the church) describes the soul as: "the innermost aspect of humans, that which is of greatest value in them, that by which they are most especially in God's image: 'soul' signifies the spiritual principle in man.“ "is immortal: It does not perish when it separates from the body at death, and it will be reunited with the body at the final Resurrection" (CCC 366).

Judgement at death At death there is individual judgement Final judgement will occur at the end of time (the second coming of Jesus)

All souls living and dead will be Judged by Jesus Christ when he comes back to earth. The souls of those who die unrepentant of serious sins, or in conscious rejection of God, will at judgment day may be forever in a state called Hell. The Catholic Church teaches the creationist view that the spiritual and immortal soul is created immediately by God. Vid - Christian teachings on life after death

What does the Old Testament say about life after death? Look up the scriptures in the Old Testament and find out about what happens after death. It is mentioned several times. Look up the following passages for OT Ecclesiastes 3:1-15 Daniel 12: 2-3 Psalm 49:15

What does the New Testament say about life after death? John 14:1-6 1 John 3:1-3 2 Corinthians 5:1, 6-10 (Really good)

Where do we see life after death mentioned in our Catholic practices?

Where do we see life after death mentioned in our Catholic rituals? What rituals do we undertake as Catholics? A.mass, prayers, voluntary service, liturgy We will focus on the Mass and Prayers

The Mass

What are the parts of the mass? Opening prayer Penitential rite Creed Preface Eucharistic prayer Acclamation Communion rite Prayer after communion

Penitential rite This is a general absolution and cannot replace going to the sacrament of confession. We cannot receive the Sacrament of Communion if did not confess a mortal sin beforehand. TASK Read the penitential rite and identify words or sentences that relate to life after death. (Handout)

I confess to almighty God and to you, my brothers and sisters, that I have sinned through my own fault in my thoughts and in my words, in what I have done, and in what I have failed to do; and I ask blessed Mary, ever virgin, all the angels and saints, and you, my brothers and sisters, to pray for me to the Lord our God. P. May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.

Creed Apostles Creed 1. I believe in God the Father, Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth: 2. And in Jesus Christ, his only begotten Son, our Lord: 3. Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary: 4. Suffered under Pontius Pilate; was crucified, dead and buried: He descended into hell: 5. The third day he rose again from the dead: 6. He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty: 7. From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead: 8. I believe in the Holy Ghost: 9. I believe in the holy catholic church: the communion of saints: 10. The forgiveness of sins: 11. The resurrection of the body: 12. And the life everlasting. Amen. Copy three of the statements and describe what it says about life after death.

Apostles Creed The Creed promotes the belief in eternal life. “And the life everlasting” Christ will judge the living and the dead “he will come again to judge the living and the dead” Communion of Saints- Those who are presently living or passed away within the Catholic faith. (The idea of heaven) “The communion of saints”

Nicene Creed TASK Read the Nicene Creed and identify words or sentences that relate to life after death.

We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, one in being with the Father. Through Him all things were made. For us men and our salvation He came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit, He was born of the Virgin Mary, and became man. For our sake He was crucified under Pontius Pilate; He suffered, died, and was buried. On the third day He rose again in fulfilment of the scriptures: He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son, He is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets. We believe in one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen. Nicene Creed

Reference to life after death in the Creed Jesus died, was buried, rose again from the dead, ascended into heaven, will come again. We look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come

Communion rite Following the Lords prayer – as we wait in joyful hope for the coming of our saviour, Jesus Christ Breaking the bread – may this mingling of the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ bring eternal life to all who receive it. Communion – may the body of Christ bring me to everlasting life

How do we show we believe in life after death? Prayers of the faithful Liturgy of the Eucharist -Pray for specific dead people in the Eucharistic Prayer -Pray for the dead in the prayers of the faithful -Pray for those who die in disasters and tragedies -Mass offered for deceased on anniversaries of their death

Catholic prayers – where is life after death mentioned? We pray for the dead Pray for saints to intercede on our behalf (e.g. St Bede…….) Rosary Symbols R.I.P – requiescant in pace. Rest in peace. Perpetual light – metaphor for light of Christ to continue Examples of traditional prayers -May the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace -Eternal rest grant to them O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon them

What do we believe about life after death? TASK Based on our booklets, have we changed our opinions on LAD? What happens when we die? What options are there? What happens to our body? What happens beyond death? What happened to Jesus?

Some understandings Death is a consequence of sin Passing through death makes it possible for us to experience God’s life Death has meaning because of Christ’s resurrection There is life after death There is a resurrection of the body There is a resurrection of the dead for judgement day There is a final judgement on the last day when Jesus will return People will be judged according to their faith and actions In our life we are free to accept or reject God’s love

Purgatory After death because of the effects of sin some may need to go through purification to be ready for complete union with God’s love. It is a process rather than a place

What about Heaven and Hell?

Heaven People who die in God’s grace will meet God “face to face”- 1 Corinthians 13:12 Beatific vision blessed sight of God at the moment of death (Isaiah 6:1-5 Acts 7:55-56) Experience the fullness of God’s life and love 1 John 3:2 Communion of saints- 1 Corinthians 2:9 COS: is the spiritual union of all members of the Christian Church living and the dead, those on earth, in heaven, and, for those who believe in purgatory.

Hell God continually offers his love and forgiveness Hell is a state of total separation from God It is a reminder of our freedom and that Jesus conquered Satan John Paul II warned against taking biblical descriptions of judgement too literally

How do we know people value life after death? Rituals and practices Prayers Memorials -all Saints day 1 Nov, -all souls day 2 Nov -Memorial cards -Months mind : a special mass offered for the deceased 30 days after death

Do Catholics care about life after death? Prayers and rituals Christian burial Office of the dead Recitation of the rosary People stay with the body until burial Cemeteries are maintained, flowers on graves

Practices and rituals Three funeral rites : Vigil, Funeral liturgy and Rite of Committal Vigil Gathering of family and friends following the death

Funeral liturgy in detail Demonstration in our belief of life after death

Purpose of a funeral For the deceased it is an expression of an effective communion of saints between the Church in heaven and the Church on earth For the mourners it is a participation in that communion For the community it is the proclamation of eternal life.

Funeral Rite – 1)Welcoming of the body

Lighting of Easter candle Easter candle is placed beside the coffin as a sign of Christ’s presence and victory over death

Pall is draped over the coffin May be draped over the coffin as a sign of Christian dignity and baptism

Christian Symbols These may be placed on the coffin

Sprinkling of the coffin Holy water as a reminder of baptism

Presence of the Christian community Sign of support, consolation and hope

Reading of the word of God Reading of the Word of God shows the loving presence of God and provides hope and strength

Liturgy of the Eucharist Eucharist as symbol of eternal life

Words of remembrance Recollection of Christian Life

Final Commendation Acknowledges the separation of death and the hope of the resurrection

Incensing the coffin Honours the body as temple of Holy Spirit and as a sign of our prayers for the deceased person

Rite of Committal Commitment of the body to the earth (or cremation or sea) Blessing of the grave Prayers Sprinkling of holy water Scattering of earth Burial