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Attitudes to life after death and death rites
Aims; To explore Catholic teaching on life after death.
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“One day I shall die. Thinking about that is good for me
“One day I shall die. Thinking about that is good for me. It helps me to look at the way I am living. It enables me to get a better perspective. I know that I shall not remain forever in this world” Why do think Cardinal Basil Hume would have reflected on death this way? Cardinal Basil Hume
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Death throws up many fundamental questions:
Why must I die? Why do I fear death? In life it may appear easier to try not to think about death In Christianity there is a belief in resurrection and life after death. Catholic teaching state that death is not the end. The is an after life. Question: In what ways might this life be a preparation of the next life?
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The Catholic Church has some very clear teachings on the Afterlife
The Catholic Church has some very clear teachings on the Afterlife. They can be divided into 7 areas TASK: Use the information provided to complete the table with the 7 key aspects/teachings.
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1. The Consequence of sin The Bible suggests that death is the result of human sin. The book of Genesis in the Old Testament suggested that death came as punishment for sin. In the New Testament St Paul writes “Just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned” Romans 5:12
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2. Transformed by Christ The Catholic Church teaches that through his death, Jesus has conquered death, and so opened the possibility of salvation to all men. In his death, Jesus went down to hell and then returned. Jesus has “Opened up the gates of heaven”. In other words, he has brought to people the possibility of life with God. Death is the end of earthly pilgrimage towards God, but not the end. In death, god calls human beings to be with him
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3. Resurrection and new life
From the beginning of Christianity, belief in the resurrection has been essential. The Christian Church began after the women and the tomb and the apostles accepted that Jesus has risen from the dead. Jesus said “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies” John 11:25. The Church teaches that after death the Christian gains a new body, not made of flesh
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4. Judgement The Church teaches that all are judged after their death on the way that they have lived their life and the ways that they have served or not served God in loving their neighbour. It has been described by one priest as “whispering into the ear of a merciful and compassionate God the story of my life which I have never been able to tell”
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5. Purgatory, and the Journey To God
The Catholic Church teaches that after death the person journeys towards the holiness of God. To do this most people must be purified of any remaining evil within them. Purgatory is this purification of sin. Prayers are said during the funeral mass to ask that the person will shortly be with God.
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6.WIth god in heaven The Church teaches that heaven is not a place, but it is to be in the presence of God. To be in heaven is to be with Christ (See Philippians 1:23, John 14:3, 1 Thessalonians 4:17). It is also where the saints martyrs are, as well as all those who have past through Purgatory. Heaven is a joyful eternal experience which cannot be described or imagined fully
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7.Hell The Catholic Church says little about Hell. It does hold that Hell exists and is eternal. Hell is for a Christian a state of being without God. Those who die in a state of mortal sin “descend into Hell, where they suffer the punishments of Hell” CCC Which is mainly separation from God. The Church says nothing about who is in Hell, or indeed whether anyone is there at all.
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Death Rites
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Death Rites ( ceremonies for believers in preparation for and after death)
Because Catholics believe that death is not the end but part of a journey into the next life, there are a number of DEATH RITES which offer a preparation for that journey Before Death: Viaticum: Viaticum is the Holy Communion given to a person who is close to death. It is intended to give the dying person comfort by reminding them that Jesus’ suffering and death was followed by his resurrection. It therefore gives hope for life with God after death As someone approaches death and may be suffering, they are living through stage of suffering in their life, just as Jesus suffered during his last week. They may feel very close to the risen Christ at this time. Task: What is Viaticum? How may Viaticum give Christians strength in their final hours?
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After Death: The Funeral Mass This is may be split into three parts:
1. Vigil This may be at home or in a Church hall. Keeping a vigil means keeping watch all night, as members of the family and friends watch over the coffin. 2. At The Church The coffin is in front of the altar The priest welcomes everyone The coffin is sprinkled with holy water as a reminder of that persons baptism The Mass continues in the same way as a normal Mass The final commendation: at the end of mass the priest sprinkles the coffin with holy water again. Some last prayers are said for the dead person to enter heaven quickly and be able to rest in peace 3. At the graveside Catholics may be buried or cremated. Prayers are said at the graveside again. Holy water may be sprinkled again. Sometimes family members and friends sprinkle water before leaving the graveside
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