The Four Last Things
Chapter 14 Chapter at a Glance
The Four Last Things
ea her tro u tio e elieve i Four ast hi s eath u eave or se t to ell here the souls ho e t eave a ur ator a ell e at the ver least re e t o s love a er are all e ers o the Co u io o ai ts a ell i eter al su eri o the loss o that is the Chur h i eave the Chur h i eave a relatio shi ith o ur ator a the Chur h still here o earth or i out their salvatio t the e o our e live i a orl that e ies the e iste e earthl lives e lo to attai eave to o ell a arel elieves i eave or ell ith o a all is a els a sai ts at least eave as e u ersta it to for eternity. But fi rst, after death, we all expe- be. This may be a diffi cult chapter for your rience the particular judgment, where must stu e ts to ras as the a have ever a e a a ou ti to Jesus or our a tio s ee tau ht the Four ast hi s as the during our lives. Then, by the extent we are ut o ourse these tea hi s a hose Christ uri our lives e are either e so e o the ost i orta t tea hi s given entrance into Heaven where we expe- o our Christia Faith he at the e o rience the Beatifi c Vision for eternity, sent to ti e a ter the Resurre tio o the o Purgatory where we are purifi ed of the re- e ill a e the Fi al Ju e t e ore ai i e e ts o our si s ut are assure o o re e s all thi s i the e eave a the e arth
o hia stitute or ea hers Chapter at a Glance
Enduring Understandings In this chapter, students will understand that… ■■ We believe in Four Last Things: death, judgment, Heaven (and Purgatory), and Hell. ■■ Christians should pray to the saints for guidance just as the saints pray for us for a conversion of heart. ■■ In death our souls are separated from our bodies and this is the gateway to the soul’s eternal life. ■■ Jesus judges our souls according to our works and acceptance of grace. ■■ Heaven is a place of joy that no description can begin to capture, whereas Hell is the state of being after death that is full of pain and suffering because of the absence of relationship with God. ■■ Purgatory is the state of being after death in which our souls are purified before entering Heaven. The Souls in Purgatory are absolutely assured of attaining Heaven. ■■ There is a hopeful finale to creation in which our body and soul will be reunited.
Essential Questions ■■ What are the four elements of Christian eschatology? ■■ How does the Church as a “Communion of Saints” participate in each other’s salvation? ■■ What does Christianity teach about our earthly death? ■■ How and by whom are our souls judged? ■■ What does Scripture teach about Heaven and Hell? ■■ What is Purgatory? ■■ What is the message of the Last Judgment and New Creation?
Chapter 14 Lesson Plan Chart
TEACHER’S STUDENT STUDENT GUIDE TEXTBOOK WORKBOOK ACTIVITY PAGES PAGES PAGES
Focus and Reflection Questions pages 369–370 page 225
Straight to the Source Primary Source Material pages 371–372 pages 226–227
Warm-Up: Last Things Reflection page 373 N/A
Activity #1: Death and Judgment pages 374–376 pages 112–114
Activity #2: Heaven, Hell, and Purgatory pages 377–378 page 115
Activity #3: The Last Things Scripture Scavenger Hunt pages 379–381 pages 116–118
© Sophia Institute for Teachers Unit 4, Chapter 14: The Four Last Things 357 What Your Students Will Learn in Chapter 14 Unless otherwise noted, all page numbers refer to the Student Textbook.
Vocabulary Straight to the Source ■■ Communion of Saints (pg. 216) Additional readings from primary ■■ Heaven (pg. 216) sources ■■ Purgatory (pg. 216) ■■ Excerpt from The Life of Teresa of Jesus, Chapter 32 (pgs. ■■ Hell (pg. 217) 226–227) ■■ Four Last Things (pg. 217) ■■ Particular Judgment (pg. 219) ■■ General/Last Judgment (pg. 219) Materials No additional materials are needed for this chapter. Catechism Connections Students will directly engage with the following Catechism references over Lives of Faith the course of the chapter: ■■ St. Teresa of Avila (pg. 221) ■■ CCC 679 (pg. 219) ■■ CCC 947 (pg. 216) ■■ CCC 1021 (pg. 112 [Workbook]) ■■ CCC 1022 (pg. 113 [Workbook]) ■■ CCC 1038 (pg. 113 [Workbook]) ■■ CCC 1039 (pg. 114 [Workbook]) ■■ CCC 1040 (pg. 114 [Workbook]) ■■ CCC 2635 (pg. 217)
358 Encountering Christ © Sophia Institute for Teachers Scripture Encounters Students will directly engage with the following Scripture passages over the course of the chapter: ■■ Job 10:21-22 (pg. 117 ■■ Luke 23:42-43 (pg. 116 [Workbook]) [Workbook]) ■■ Isaiah 4:4 (pg. 118 [Workbook]) ■■ John 11:25-26 (pg. 219) ■■ 2 Maccabees 12:39-46 (pg. 118 ■■ John 14:2-3 (pg. 116 [Workbook]) [Workbook]) ■■ John 14:2 (pg. 221) ■■ Matthew 10:28 (pg. 117 ■■ John 3:16 (pg. 116 [Workbook]) [Workbook]) ■■ 1 Corinthians 2:9 (pg. 222) ■■ Matthew 12:32 (pg. 118 ■■ 1 Corinthians 3:15 (pg. 118 [Workbook]) [Workbook]) ■■ Matthew 16:18 (pg. 117 ■■ 1 Corinthians 13:12 (pg. 116 [Workbook]) [Workbook]) ■■ Matthew 13:49-50 (pg. 117 ■■ 2 Thessalonians 1:6, 9 (pg. 117 [Workbook]) [Workbook]) ■■ Matthew 25:46 (pg. 117 ■■ 1 Timothy 2:3-4 (pg. 223) [Workbook]) ■■ 1 Peter 1:6-7 (pg. 118 ■■ Matthew 25:45-46 (pg. 116 [Workbook]) [Workbook]) ■■ 1 Peter 3:18 (pg. 223) ■■ Luke 12:58-59 (pg. 118 ■■ 1 John 3:2 (pg. 116 [Workbook]) [Workbook]) ■■ Revelation 7:9 (pg. 216)
© Sophia Institute for Teachers Unit 4, Chapter 14: The Four Last Things 359 Chapter Text and Discussion Questions
1 What other popular images
about Heaven come to mind? o r r r o r Accept reasoned answers.
2 Read John 14:1–4. How does Vocabulary Jesus Tells us of the Goal of this this passage enhance our Communion of Saints Life and of the End of Life (n.): r o W ook or r o r o o o understanding of Heaven? r o r oo o o o o o o Jesus shares that there is room b o o rro b r r enjoy the Beatifi c Vision, for everyone — if there were not, o o r or o o r bo r r enduring purifi cation, r o r r b b o r o r ro He would not have made His o o o r r or o r b o o ork o r k o o b o r r r message accessible to all. o 3 Consider Luke 6:17, 20-26. Heaven (n.): o The Communion of Saints b r What message about Heaven o o o r r does this passage share? The “After this I had a vision of a great multitude, which no one and are perfectly purifi ed could count, from every nation, race, people, and tongue. They or r r passage discusses how Heaven stood before the throne and before the Lamb, wearing white ) robes and holding palm branches in their hands” (Rev. 7:9). will differ from life on earth – o o r or o r r o r o r o o Heaven r or W r o k or o r o o o o k o r suffering will be replaced with r o o k o r r r b or o r r o r r b or r r W r o r r r joy; poverty with richness; and k or r r o o o o o or o r exclusion with belonging. “Since Abraham, intercession — asking on behalf of anoth- Communion of Saints Vocabulary Beatifi c Vision. er — has been characteristic of a heart attuned to God’s mercy. Purgatory (n.): In the age of the Church, Christian intercession participates Four Last Things (n.): o o b r in Christ’s, as an expression of the communion of saints. In Purgatory o o intercession, he who prays looks “not only to his own inter- o o r “Communion of Saints” (CCC 947) o b o ests, but also to the interests of others,” even to the point of r b [ r ] r r praying for those who do him harm” (CCC 2635). still imperfectly purifi ed, r r o “great multitude… from ev- r r o The Last Things Hell (n.): o b r ery nation, race, people, and tongue” (Rev. 7:9) or b r r o r ok o “Four Last Things” o r o undergo purifi cation, so o r b o or bor b o o o r r o ro r r r o o human relationships — the joy that we fi nd on earth in love and friendship, o or r r o r o bo or o r ork o r o o o then we go to Heaven (or fi rst Purgatory) or Hell k ook o r o o o ) cause or project, even something like the excitement we experience in get- o o r o k o r o oo r b r r r o ro o o o r Death o r r o or o r b r r r r o W k o r o o o communion, even now we are never alone in our trials, sorrows, or struggle o o k o r r o b r r o ro or o W r r o o r o b r o r r o r o r o r r o o o r or earth to support us, and (even better) the prayers of the saints in Heaven. b r r o b
o or r o or r
360 Encountering Christ © Sophia Institute for Teachers 4 Who is a saint you pray
o r r r o r with regularly? Accept reasoned answers and extend the conversation Vocabulary Jesus Tells us of the Goal of this about why a particular saint is Communion of Saints Life and of the End of Life (n.): r o W ook or r o r o o o important to the student and r o r oo o o o o o o what the student knows about b o o rro b r r enjoy the Beatifi c Vision, o o r or o o r bo r r that saint. enduring purifi cation, r o r r b b o r o r ro o o o r r or o r b o o 5 Do you know of any ork o r k o o b o r r r o examples of how other
Heaven (n.): o The Communion of Saints religious traditions have b r o o o tried to “answer the r r “After this I had a vision of a great multitude, which no one riddle of death?” Accept and are perfectly purifi ed could count, from every nation, race, people, and tongue. They or r r stood before the throne and before the Lamb, wearing white responses drawing on ) robes and holding palm branches in their hands” (Rev. 7:9). o o r or o r r o r o student knowledge of other r o o Heaven r or W r o k or o r o o o o k o r religions of the world. For r o o k o r r r b or o r r o r r b or r r W r o r r r example, Buddhism believes k or r r o o o or o r o o in reincarnation in which the “Since Abraham, intercession — asking on behalf of anoth- Communion of Saints Vocabulary spirit is reborn as a being Beatifi c Vision. er — has been characteristic of a heart attuned to God’s mercy. Purgatory (n.): In the age of the Church, Christian intercession participates Four Last Things (n.): reflective of the deeds in the o o b r in Christ’s, as an expression of the communion of saints. In Purgatory o previous life. The ancient o intercession, he who prays looks “not only to his own inter- o o r “Communion of Saints” (CCC 947) o b o ests, but also to the interests of others,” even to the point of Greeks believed that all souls r b [ r ] r r praying for those who do him harm” (CCC 2635). still imperfectly purifi ed, went to River Styx to dwell r r o “great multitude… from ev- r r o The Last Things Hell (n.): o with Hades and the Fates — b r ery nation, race, people, and tongue” (Rev. 7:9) or b r r o r ok o “Four Last Things” o r o neither a Heaven nor a Hell, undergo purifi cation, so o r b o or bor b o o o r r o ro r r r o o human relationships — the joy that we fi nd on earth in love and friendship, o or r more of a repository of souls. r o r o bo or o r ork o r o o o then we go to Heaven (or fi rst Purgatory) or Hell k ook o r o o o ) cause or project, even something like the excitement we experience in get- o o r o k o r o oo r b r r r o ro o o o r Death o r r o or o r b r r r r o W k o r o o o communion, even now we are never alone in our trials, sorrows, or struggle o o k o r r o b r r o ro or o W r r o o r o b r o r r o r o r o r r o o o r or earth to support us, and (even better) the prayers of the saints in Heaven. b r r o b
o or r o or r
© Sophia Institute for Teachers Unit 4, Chapter 14: The Four Last Things 361 6 Consider the symbol of ashes
on Ash Wednesday at the 2 nit 4 Chapter 14: The Four Last Things 1 beginning of Lent and the words “Remember, man, that Vocabulary you are dust and to dust you Particular Judgment shall return.” How might this (n.): The u g ent 6 e perien e i e iate reminder shape your Lenten “I a ter eath in hi h the su tota o our i e s am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he journey? Accept reasoned hoi es or or against dies, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never responses. The ashes are o are re ea e ase die” (Jn. 11:25–26). on our o n e isions a reminder of our inevitable throughout the ourse o our i es e i e gi en physical death and invites us to entran e to ea en or urgator or i e sent embrace Lent as an opportunity to e to prepare for that day. Judgment General/Last Judgment (n.):The u g ent After our death, however, we fi rst will be called to give an account of our e perien e on the Last actions before God. There will be nowhere to hide. There will be no excus- a in hi h the ight es or rationalizations. God sees our hearts and knows us better than we o Christ ho is Truth know ourselves. Christ will be our judge: itse i i u inate e er thing othing i Christ is Lord of eternal life. Full right to pass defi nitive judg- re ain hi en e i ment on the works and hearts of men belongs to him as re- see not on a o our deemer of the world. He “acquired” this right by his cross. The o n in i i ua hoi es esus e eate eath end. Our seemingly infi nite capacity for love and knowledge and our sense Father has given “all judgment to the Son”. Yet the Son did not or or against o ut rising ro the ea of connection to our loved ones who have gone before us in death make us ho ea h one a e te e ause o is i tor come to judge, but to save and to give the life he has in him- believe that there must be something more for us after death. Even today, e er one e se an the e too ha e hope in the self. By rejecting grace in this life, one already judges oneself, when many do claim that nothing awaits us after this life, death remains a ho e or er o reation esurre tion o the ea receives according to one’s works, and can even condemn diffi cult puzzle for our culture. This leads us to either hide from the reality of n this then e i e oneself for all eternity by rejecting the Spirit of love. (CCC 679) u ge an e o e to death, living this life as if it could go on forever, or to fi ght off death, asking eterna i e ith Christ in medicine and technology to delay the inevitable. But death is inevitable. This particular judgment o urs at the o ent o our eath hen the e ea ens an the e ie ea h o us i e u ge a or ing to our or s an our a ep One day or another, everyone will die (CCC 1006). e arth or anishe tan e or re usa o gra e a h o us i either enter ea en i e iate As Christians, however, we know by faith that human beings were not into the eterna tor ent o enter Hell immediately, or have to be purifi ed in Purgatory before entering created by God to die and disappear. We are not just material beings. e ea en CCC 1 Unlike vacuum cleaners, computers, and badly cared-for house plants, we do not cease to exist when our body stops working. This truth is beautifully The general (or last) judgment i o ur at the en o ti e hen presented to us in the book of Genesis. In Genesis 2, which recounts the the ea rise ro their gra es an esus returns in g or t that ti e story of man’s creation, the Bible tells us that God formed man out of the our sou s i e reunite ith our o ies an the ust i e perien e the dust of the earth and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life (Gen. 2:7). resurre tion o i e the i e i e the risen Christ ut the un ust i This teaches us that each human being is composed of a material body and go orth to the resurre tion o u g ent n : The ate o ea h a spiritual soul, which does not decompose and die like a material body. in i i ua is eter ine at the parti u ar u g ent he or she e perien es Later in Genesis, we learn that even bodily death was contrary to God’s i e iate a ter eath ut at the ast u g ent o i re ea a things original plan for us. Death was not supposed to be a part of our existence. e i a e no n the u truth o our a tions our re ationship ith i Rather, it is a consequence of sin (Gen. 2:17, 3:3, 3:19; Wis. 2:23–24). This an is or o reation an sa ation CCC 1 1 41
ophia nstitute or Tea hers
362 Encountering Christ © Sophia Institute for Teachers 7 What are some ways we can
2 nit 4 Chapter 14: The Four Last Things 1 prepare our souls for the judgment that awaits? Regular Confession and penance; Vocabulary examination of conscience. Particular Judgment (n.): The u g ent 6 e perien e i e iate “I a ter eath in hi h the su tota o our i e s am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he hoi es or or against dies, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never o are re ea e ase die” (Jn. 11:25–26). on our o n e isions throughout the ourse o our i es e i e gi en entran e to ea en or urgator or i e sent to e
Judgment General/Last Judgment (n.):The u g ent After our death, however, we fi rst will be called to give an account of our e perien e on the Last actions before God. There will be nowhere to hide. There will be no excus- a in hi h the ight es or rationalizations. God sees our hearts and knows us better than we o Christ ho is Truth know ourselves. Christ will be our judge: itse i i u inate e er thing othing i Christ is Lord of eternal life. Full right to pass defi nitive judg- re ain hi en e i ment on the works and hearts of men belongs to him as re- see not on a o our deemer of the world. He “acquired” this right by his cross. The o n in i i ua hoi es esus e eate eath end. Our seemingly infi nite capacity for love and knowledge and our sense Father has given “all judgment to the Son”. Yet the Son did not or or against o ut rising ro the ea of connection to our loved ones who have gone before us in death make us ho ea h one a e te e ause o is i tor come to judge, but to save and to give the life he has in him- believe that there must be something more for us after death. Even today, e er one e se an the e too ha e hope in the self. By rejecting grace in this life, one already judges oneself, when many do claim that nothing awaits us after this life, death remains a ho e or er o reation esurre tion o the ea receives according to one’s works, and can even condemn diffi cult puzzle for our culture. This leads us to either hide from the reality of n this then e i e oneself for all eternity by rejecting the Spirit of love. (CCC 679) u ge an e o e to death, living this life as if it could go on forever, or to fi ght off death, asking eterna i e ith Christ in medicine and technology to delay the inevitable. But death is inevitable. This particular judgment o urs at the o ent o our eath hen the e ea ens an the e ie ea h o us i e u ge a or ing to our or s an our a ep One day or another, everyone will die (CCC 1006). e arth or anishe tan e or re usa o gra e a h o us i either enter ea en i e iate As Christians, however, we know by faith that human beings were not into the eterna tor ent o enter Hell immediately, or have to be purifi ed in Purgatory before entering created by God to die and disappear. We are not just material beings. e ea en CCC 1 Unlike vacuum cleaners, computers, and badly cared-for house plants, we do not cease to exist when our body stops working. This truth is beautifully The general (or last) judgment i o ur at the en o ti e hen presented to us in the book of Genesis. In Genesis 2, which recounts the the ea rise ro their gra es an esus returns in g or t that ti e story of man’s creation, the Bible tells us that God formed man out of the our sou s i e reunite ith our o ies an the ust i e perien e the dust of the earth and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life (Gen. 2:7). resurre tion o i e the i e i e the risen Christ ut the un ust i This teaches us that each human being is composed of a material body and go orth to the resurre tion o u g ent n : The ate o ea h a spiritual soul, which does not decompose and die like a material body. in i i ua is eter ine at the parti u ar u g ent he or she e perien es Later in Genesis, we learn that even bodily death was contrary to God’s i e iate a ter eath ut at the ast u g ent o i re ea a things original plan for us. Death was not supposed to be a part of our existence. e i a e no n the u truth o our a tions our re ationship ith i Rather, it is a consequence of sin (Gen. 2:17, 3:3, 3:19; Wis. 2:23–24). This an is or o reation an sa ation CCC 1 1 41
ophia nstitute or Tea hers
© Sophia Institute for Teachers Unit 4, Chapter 14: The Four Last Things 363 8 At the end of our lives, Jesus
is our judge. How then, must nit 4 Chapter 14: The Four Last Things 1 we approach our lives? We must be ready to give an accounting for our works and experience purifi cation Lives of Faith how we utilized the gifts and t Teresa o i a opportunities given to us. We must also be honest about how a e ou e er ha to prepare a roo or a guest ne o those intense ho as o ing to isit ou sti a e perien es as a we accessed God’s mercy and ou pro a ashe the e sheets an put ision o e grace. out the an pi o ases ou a uu e the ne a in pra er she fl oor, dusted, and washed the windows and the e p aine in her auto iogra 9 What happens at irror ou a e sure the te perature ou e ph she oun herse trans Review the right an put an e tra an et on the e in ase porte to e n then she Confession? our guest got o a e ou a e a spe ia es ri e the s ene The examination of conscience, touch like a vase of fl owers or a bowl of candy. entran e to e as a ong St. Theresa sorrow for sins, resolution not hen e are e pe ting so eone to o e an narro tunne ar e and stay with us, we prepare for them. And so out o ro an o ere in of Avila was to sin, confession, absolution, oes o “foul mud, full of fi lthy rep- a mystic, or ti es t as too short to The rea it o u g ent shou not a e us ose hope ut shou in o has prepare a roo or ou in ea en someone who penance. stan up straight an too stea urge us to on ersion t is esus hi se ho i u ge us an this Jesus told us, “In my Father’s house there are entered into narro to ie o n The 10 How does the soul’s is our reason or hope e ause e no that is ission is to sa e n many rooms. If there were not, would I have ar ness as su o ating supernatural :1 n esus Christ o o ers us orgi eness gra e an rien ship told you that I am going to prepare a place for time in Purgatory mirror an there as no o ort to communion ut e ust a ept this o er o gra e an rien ship no in this i e e you?” (Jn. 14:2). e oun The su ering she with God penance? It is an opportunity The reality of ust e rea or e o not no the hour hen e i a e eath an Thin a out esus or s or a o ent e perien e in her ision through judgment should u g ent att :1 esus has gone to ea en to prepare a roo es to purify the soul and make as greater than e er hu prayer. restitution/satisfaction for sins not make us pe ia or ou ou are e pe te an ou are an i agination an as lose hope, but Purgatory esire utter in es ri a e committed. It stands to reason should instead o e er o er the ourse o our i es e an i en an e perien e o pra er i e this it is that regularly accessing the urge us to hoose to sta so e here e se in another roo no surprise t Teresa e ote her i e to ser ing ut this roo is one ost o us ou not ant to conversion. It is an o ing o he is perhaps the ost e Sacrament of Confession will en up in t Teresa o i a sa that roo no n e a p e o sti a pra er e ha e in Jesus himself prepare the soul for the trials t Teresa o i a as a Car e ite nun au the Chur h The sheer o u e o her ritings on who will judge thor oun er o a re igious or er an a sti the spiritua i e earne her the re ognition as a that await it after earthly death. us, and this is sti s are en an o en o eep pra er ho o tor o the Chur h our reason for Purgatory is a state of being of fi nal purifi cation after death and before enter into a supernatura o union ith o t Teresa sa the roo none o us ant to hope. through pra er This pra er is ar e isions sta in an she i e her i e so she ou enter ph si a signs i e tears h steria aughter an the one esus ha prepare or her hi h roo out o o e perien es t Teresa en ure in i ou i e our i e or tense sti a e perien es through her pra ers penance, and offer the sacrifi ce of the Mass on their behalf (CCC 1032).
ophia nstitute or Tea hers
364 Encountering Christ © Sophia Institute for Teachers nit 4 Chapter 14: The Four Last Things 1
experience purifi cation Lives of Faith t Teresa o i a a e ou e er ha to prepare a roo or a guest ne o those intense ho as o ing to isit ou sti a e perien es as a ou pro a ashe the e sheets an put ision o e out the an pi o ases ou a uu e the ne a in pra er she fl oor, dusted, and washed the windows and the e p aine in her auto iogra irror ou a e sure the te perature ou e ph she oun herse trans right an put an e tra an et on the e in ase porte to e n then she our guest got o a e ou a e a spe ia es ri e the s ene The touch like a vase of fl owers or a bowl of candy. entran e to e as a ong St. Theresa hen e are e pe ting so eone to o e an narro tunne ar e and stay with us, we prepare for them. And so out o ro an o ere in of Avila was oes o “foul mud, full of fi lthy rep- a mystic, or ti es t as too short to The rea it o u g ent shou not a e us ose hope ut shou in o has prepare a roo or ou in ea en someone who stan up straight an too stea urge us to on ersion t is esus hi se ho i u ge us an this Jesus told us, “In my Father’s house there are entered into narro to ie o n The is our reason or hope e ause e no that is ission is to sa e n many rooms. If there were not, would I have ar ness as su o ating supernatural :1 n esus Christ o o ers us orgi eness gra e an rien ship told you that I am going to prepare a place for an there as no o ort to communion ut e ust a ept this o er o gra e an rien ship no in this i e e you?” (Jn. 14:2). e oun The su ering she with God The reality of ust e rea or e o not no the hour hen e i a e eath an Thin a out esus or s or a o ent e perien e in her ision through judgment should u g ent att :1 esus has gone to ea en to prepare a roo es as greater than e er hu prayer. not make us pe ia or ou ou are e pe te an ou are an i agination an as lose hope, but Purgatory esire utter in es ri a e should instead o e er o er the ourse o our i es e an i en an e perien e o pra er i e this it is urge us to hoose to sta so e here e se in another roo no surprise t Teresa e ote her i e to ser ing ut this roo is one ost o us ou not ant to conversion. It is an o ing o he is perhaps the ost e en up in t Teresa o i a sa that roo no n e a p e o sti a pra er e ha e in Jesus himself t Teresa o i a as a Car e ite nun au the Chur h The sheer o u e o her ritings on who will judge thor oun er o a re igious or er an a sti the spiritua i e earne her the re ognition as a us, and this is sti s are en an o en o eep pra er ho o tor o the Chur h our reason for Purgatory is a state of being of fi nal purifi cation after death and before enter into a supernatura o union ith o t Teresa sa the roo none o us ant to hope. through pra er This pra er is ar e isions sta in an she i e her i e so she ou enter ph si a signs i e tears h steria aughter an the one esus ha prepare or her hi h roo out o o e perien es t Teresa en ure in i ou i e our i e or tense sti a e perien es through her pra ers penance, and offer the sacrifi ce of the Mass on their behalf (CCC 1032).
ophia nstitute or Tea hers
© Sophia Institute for Teachers Unit 4, Chapter 14: The Four Last Things 365 nit 4 Chapter 14: The Four Last Things
o ea en an earth in the ne reation e 1:1 is a ar e ous hopeful and exciting fi nale to the plan of salvation. Jesus saves not only sou s ut o ies an a o reation n hope u ea h o us i get to enjoy that salvifi c act for all eternity in a physical Heaven!
Hell an peop e o not e ie e in e e ause the annot see ho a goo o ou e er sen so eone to su h a p a e The are right that o ou ne er sen so eone to e The are rong ho e er that this eans no one goes to e The truth is that o oes not sen an one to e ou are a rien o o in i e ou are a rien o o in eath ut i ou are not a rien o o in i e ou are not or e to e a rien o o in eath o respe ts our ree o an i ou ha e hosen to e separate ro o i ou ha e hosen not to o e i an not to enter into a re ationship ith i e is the eterna p a e here ou an ontin ue this separation ro o God respects our freedom, The Gospels record Jesus speaking of the fi res of Hell on numerous o asions The Chur h un erstan s that state o eing a ter eath that e and if you have a e to e a p a e here the sou s o the i e i e punishe chosen to be suffering the eternal fi re of Hell. It is the eternal separation from God that separated from is the hie punish ent o e God, Hell is the Heaven e is an un ortunate rea it that tea hes us a out the usti e o o eternal place ou ha to es ri e ea en ith one or it ou e o This is an is gi t o ree i ea en is a o union o o e an o e its where you can e ause in ea en ou are ith the sour e o a o opu ar pi tures er nature is gi en ree o o es us e o e i a e an go continue this o ea en a a s a short o epi ting this an an e en istort our to ea en e o not return is o e e i e perien e e isten e ith separation from i age o o on using us a out it or pre enting us ro seeing the true out o n an eternit ithout o is e ourse o esires a to pea e happiness eaut an o e that a aits us there 1 Corinthians 2:9 e sa e : “This is good, and it is acceptable in the sight of God our Him. “What eye has not seen, and ear has Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowl- not heard, and what has not entered the human heart, what God has edge of the truth” (1 Tim. 2:3–4); an Christ ie “once for all, the prepared for those who love him.” righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God” (1 Pet. 3:18), ut sa ation is a gi t ree gi en an e are ust as ree to re e t it our bodies, and so the fi nal act of God’s plan is the resurrection of the dead. 3
ophia nstitute or Tea hers
366 Encountering Christ © Sophia Institute for Teachers nit 4 Chapter 14: The Four Last Things
o ea en an earth in the ne reation e 1:1 is a ar e ous hopeful and exciting fi nale to the plan of salvation. Jesus saves not only sou s ut o ies an a o reation n hope u ea h o us i get to enjoy that salvifi c act for all eternity in a physical Heaven!
Hell an peop e o not e ie e in e e ause the annot see ho a goo o ou e er sen so eone to su h a p a e The are right that o ou ne er sen so eone to e The are rong ho e er that this eans no one goes to e The truth is that o oes not sen an one to e ou are a rien o o in i e ou are a rien o o in eath ut i ou are not a rien o o in i e ou are not or e to e a rien o o in eath o respe ts our ree o an i ou ha e hosen to e separate ro o i ou ha e hosen not to o e i an not to enter into a re ationship ith i e is the eterna p a e here ou an ontin ue this separation ro o God respects our freedom, The Gospels record Jesus speaking of the fi res of Hell on numerous o asions The Chur h un erstan s that state o eing a ter eath that e and if you have a e to e a p a e here the sou s o the i e i e punishe chosen to be suffering the eternal fi re of Hell. It is the eternal separation from God that separated from is the hie punish ent o e God, Hell is the Heaven e is an un ortunate rea it that tea hes us a out the usti e o o eternal place ou ha to es ri e ea en ith one or it ou e o This is an is gi t o ree i ea en is a o union o o e an o e its where you can e ause in ea en ou are ith the sour e o a o opu ar pi tures er nature is gi en ree o o es us e o e i a e an go continue this o ea en a a s a short o epi ting this an an e en istort our to ea en e o not return is o e e i e perien e e isten e ith separation from i age o o on using us a out it or pre enting us ro seeing the true out o n an eternit ithout o is e ourse o esires a to pea e happiness eaut an o e that a aits us there 1 Corinthians 2:9 e sa e : “This is good, and it is acceptable in the sight of God our Him. “What eye has not seen, and ear has Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowl- not heard, and what has not entered the human heart, what God has edge of the truth” (1 Tim. 2:3–4); an Christ ie “once for all, the prepared for those who love him.” righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God” (1 Pet. 3:18), ut sa ation is a gi t ree gi en an e are ust as ree to re e t it our bodies, and so the fi nal act of God’s plan is the resurrection of the dead. 3
ophia nstitute or Tea hers
© Sophia Institute for Teachers Unit 4, Chapter 14: The Four Last Things 367 4 n ountering Christ
The Truth Is…
e a ant to go to ea en e gro up e ie ing ea en is here e er one goes hen the ie that one a e i get our ings an oin hosts o ange s in ea en ore than si p eing a theo og e o not e o e ange s hen e ie an ore than e an e o e gira es in this i e this ie o the a ter i e an angerous e u e us into thin ing e annot ose ea en an perhaps e is not e en rea h ou o sen so eone to e an a i e is a goo an o ing o e er e no that not on is ea en rea ut a so urgator an e en e esus to us so n e no o oes not ust sen sou s to e e per its the to ore er turn a a ro i an re e t is o e There ore e ust i e not on as i ea en is rea ut a so as i e is rea This no e ge shou in or our hoi es oti ate our o e an a a s spur us to hoose the goo
ophia nstitute or Tea hers
368 Encountering Christ © Sophia Institute for Teachers Chapter Activities
4 n ountering Christ
Focus and Reflection Questions (page 225 in the Student Textbook)
1 Who makes up the Communion of The Truth Is… Saints? The Communion of Saints refers to the entirety of God’s holy people, includ- Chapter 14 ing the Church on earth, souls in Purgatory, Focus and Refl ection Questions e a ant to go to ea en e gro up e ie ing ea en is here e er one and the saints in Heaven. goes hen the ie that one a e i get our ings an oin hosts o 1 ho a es up the Co union o aints ange s in ea en ore than si p eing a theo og e o not e o e ange s hen e ie an ore than e an e o e gira es in this i e this 2 hat oes ripture te us a out hat ea en i e i e ie o the a ter i e an angerous e u e us into thin ing e annot ose 2 What does Scripture tell us about what 3 hat is the ro e o saints in our ourne to ar sa ation ea en an perhaps e is not e en rea h ou o sen so eone to Heaven will be like? Heaven will include e an a i e is a goo an o ing a great multitude from every nation, race, 4 hat are the Four Last Things o e er e no that not on is ea en rea ut a so urgator an e en e esus to us so n e no o oes not ust sen sou s to e people, and tongue who are united in wor- 5 e per its the to ore er turn a a ro i an re e t is o e There ore shipping God! Students may also include e ust i e not on as i ea en is rea ut a so as i e is rea This 6 no e ge shou in or our hoi es oti ate our o e an a a s spur us other references to Scripture that are wo- 7 to hoose the goo ven into this chapter’s essay or Biblical 8 reading assignments. 9
10 3 What is the role of saints on our journey 11 toward salvation? The saints provide a model of living out our faith and converting 12 our hearts to Christ. They will also pray for 13 us and intercede for us on our journey. 14 What is the most thrilling part of the Christian beliefs about the fi nal destiny of the soul and humankind?
15 Death, 4 What are the Four Last Things? 16 ophia nstitute or Tea hers Judgment, Heaven/Purgatory, and Hell. 17
5 As Christians, what contributes to our belief that “death cannot be the end”? We know we were not created by God to die and disappear. We are a material body and a material soul which does not decom- pose and die.
6 How does Jesus “solve” the “riddle of death”? Jesus defeated sin and death. By uniting ourselves to Him, we die in the earthly sense but live forever with Him.
© Sophia Institute for Teachers Unit 4, Chapter 14: The Four Last Things 369 7 What will happen to our soul immediately after death? We will be called to give an account of our actions before God. This is not a place for excuses or rationalizations: God sees our hearts.
8 When our soul is put on “trial” how will it be judged? Each of us will be judged according to our works and our acceptance or refusal of grace.
9 What are the three possible outcomes of our particular judgment? We will enter Heaven immedi- ately, enter Hell immediately, or be purified in Purgatory before entering Heaven.
10 What does God offer during this life in Jesus? God offers us forgiveness, friendship, and grace. Jesus wants to save us.
11 What two elements are required to purify a soul of the stain of sin? Forgiveness or contrition and restitution or satisfaction.
12 What happens in Purgatory? The mercy of God embraces those who have died in the friendship of God but have not yet made full satisfaction for their sins.
13 In what way is Heaven a mystery? Our imagination cannot comprehend what Heaven will be like. We can only anticipate the great joy and surprise that Heaven will be.
14 What is the most thrilling part of the Christian beliefs about the final destiny of the soul and hu- mankind? God bringing about the marriage of Heaven and earth in the New Creation. In the resurrec- tion, all people will rise from the dead and our souls will be reunited with our bodies.
15 How is Hell connected to one’s choices? We are not forced to be a friend of God in life; therefore, we are not forced to be God’s friend in death. Those who have chosen to be separated from God can spend eternity separated from Him in Hell.
16 How do we go to Heaven? Heaven is a communion of love. If we truly love God and have a conversion of heart to Him, we can go to Heaven. God desires all to be saved, but we must choose to accept and embrace this gift.
17 How did St. Teresa of Avila describe Hell as seen in her mystical visions? The entrance to Hell was a “long and narrow tunnel” carved out of rock and covered in “foul mud, full of filthy reptiles.” It was too short to stand up straight and too narrow to lie down. The darkness was suffocating and there was no comfort to be found. The suffering she experienced in her vision was greater than “every human imagi- nation” and was utterly “indescribable.”
370 Encountering Christ © Sophia Institute for Teachers Primary Source Activity Straight to the Source (pages 226–227 in the Student Textbook)
These optional primary source readings and reflection questions are meant to help root the learning from this chapter in the documents and tradition of the Catholic Church. The first reading is always a more simple reading, the second is of average difficulty, and the third is intended for more advanced students.
Answer Key
Excerpt from The Life of Teresa of Jesus, Chapter 32, St. Teresa of Avila, 1611 1 She was likely terrified and felt the pain and suffering of Hell. It was important to her to share this vision with the faithful so they knew the truth of Hell and of what was awaiting them if they turned away from God. 2 Teresa’s description of Hell is of intense suffering and pain and a loneliness and despair from being apart from God. The description of Heaven is the complete opposite of this vision, almost as if it was in direct response to it, describing that in Heaven God is present and there is no death, mourning, wailing, or pain, and every tear will be wiped from our eyes. 3 Reasoned answers will show an understanding that while Hell is a very real reality, our lives should be spent in pursuit of holiness and the things of God. Only in that will we find true joy. Accept other reasoned answers.
© Sophia Institute for Teachers Unit 4, Chapter 14: The Four Last Things 371 22 Unit t t in
Straight to the Source Straight to the Source U U
Excerpt from The Life of Teresa of Jesus, Chapter 32, St. Teresa of Avila, 1611 little progress by the road of fear): of how the devils tear the fl esh with their pincers or of the various oth- er tortures that I have read about — none of these are anything by comparison with this affl iction, which matter compared with that fi re. closely confi ned; the ground seemed to be full of water which looked like fi lthy, evil-smelling mud, and in 1 t in t t t i n in t i i i n t in it it were many wicked-looking reptiles. At the end there was a hollow place scooped out of a wall, like a i t nt t t t i i i n it t it cupboard, and it was here that I found myself in close confi nement. But the sight of all this was pleasant 2 t i ti n in t i in ti n i i t it t it t My feelings, I think, could not possibly be exaggerated, nor can anyone understand them. I felt a fi re within i n n t i ti n n t Lectio Divina ti it t t innin t i t ti n t i ti n n n that, though in my life I have endured the severest sufferings of this kind — the worst it is possible to en- nt t 3 t t n t it i i i n in i in some of them, as I have said, caused by the devil — none of them is of the smallest account by compari- i ti n n i son with what I felt then, to say nothing of the knowledge that they would be endless and never-ceasing. an affl iction so deeply felt, and accompanied by such hopeless and distressing misery, that I cannot too that would mean that one’s life was being taken by another; whereas in this case it is the soul itself that is tearing itself to pieces. The fact is that I cannot fi nd words to describe that interior fi re and that despair, but I felt, I think, as if I were being both burned and dismembered; and I repeat that that interior fi re and very walls, so terrible to the sight, bore down upon me and completely stifl ed me. There was no light and no light, it was possible to see everything the sight of which can cause affl iction. At that time it was not which are the punishment of certain vices. To look at, they seemed to me much more dreadful; but, as I those torments and that affl iction of spirit, just as if my body had been suffering them. I do not know how
i n tit t
372 Encountering Christ © Sophia Institute for Teachers Warm-Up Unit t t in Last Things Reflection Straight to the Source U (not in the Student Workbook)
This activity is meant to introduce the chapter’s topic, activate student knowledge, and encourage students to reflect on their own experience in order to set the stage for the learning in the rest of the little progress by the road of fear): of how the devils tear the fl esh with their pincers or of the various oth- er tortures that I have read about — none of these are anything by comparison with this affl iction, which chapter. matter compared with that fi re. 1 t in t t t i n in t i i i n t in it Activity Instructions i t nt t t t i i i n it t it
2 t i ti n in t i in ti n i i t it t it t i n n t i ti n n t Lectio Divina ti it A Distribute three different colored sticky notes to each student. Then, create a prayerful atmosphere in your t t innin t i t ti n t i ti n n n nt t classroom and lead students through a reflection on the description of Heaven given in Revelation 21:10–27. 3 t t n t it i i i n in i in i ti n n i B First, read the passage aloud slowly and have your student record a word or phrase that stood out to them on the first sticky note.
C Next, read the passage aloud a second time and have students record a word or phrase that stood out to them on the second sticky note.
D Then, read the passage a final time and have students record a word or phrase that stood out to them on the third sticky note.
E Have your students place their sticky notes face up on their desks and have them walk around the room and read the words and phrases that stood out to their classmates.
F Conclude by facilitating a discussion with your students:
i n tit t ■■ What similarities and differences did you notice between the words and phrases that stood out to everyone? ■■ Was there anything that surprised you about your classmates’ insights? ■■ What about this passage is most challenging to you? Why?
© Sophia Institute for Teachers Unit 4, Chapter 14: The Four Last Things 373 Activity #1 Death and Judgment (pages 112–114 in the Student Workbook)
This activity is meant to help extend, deepen, or apply the learning that has occurred in this chapter. Scored ____ / 15
Activity Instructions he e elatio o hri t i cripture A Working individually or with a partner, have your students read the excerpts from the Catechism Death and Judgment ______/ 15 pts. of the Catholic Church about death, the particular Directions: ead the e erpts from the Catechism of the Catholic Church about death, the parti ular judgment, and Last Judgment and then answer ud ment, and the ast ud ment and then answer the fo us uestions. the focus questions from Death and Judgment on pg. 112 of the Student Workbook. The Particular Judgment 1021 eath puts an end to human life as the time open to either a eptin or re e tin the divine ra e manifest B When your students have completed the activity, ed in Christ. The New Testament speaks of judgment primarily in its aspect of the fi nal encounter with Christ in his second coming, but also repeatedly affi rms that each will be rewarded immediately after death in accordance review and discuss the correct answers. with his wor s and faith. he parable of the poor man a arus and the words of hrist on the ross to the ood thief, as well as other New Testament texts speak of a fi nal destiny of the soul—a destiny which can be different for some and for others. n t , ha ter he ur Last h ngs C Explain to your students that the study of the Four Focus Questions Last Things is called eschatology, or the study of 1022 ach a recei e hi eter al retributio i hi i ortal oul at the er o e t o hi death, i a particular 1 hen is the time for either a eptin or re e tin the divine ra e iven to us by hrist judgment that refers his life to Christ: either entrance into the blessedness of heaven—through a purifi cation or the eschaton. The eschaton is the Last Things. i ediatel or i ediate a d e erla ti da atio t the e e i o li e, e hall be ud ed o our lo e (The common title “Four Last Things” is perhaps
a bit misleading. One can talk about five: death, 2 hi h ud ment does the ew estament primarily spea of Focus Questions judgment, Heaven, Purgatory, and Hell. The rea 4 hat happe i the particular ud e t at the er o e t o our death son we still say “Four Last Things” is because 3 Which Gospel stories affi rm the existence of the particular judgment immediately after death? Purgatory is actually part of Heaven. The souls 5 po hat ill e be ud ed in Purgatory are 100 percent assured of salvation and attaining Heaven.) One truth that believers and nonbelievers agree upon and are certain is The Last Judgment 1038 he re urrectio o all the dead, o both the u t a d the u u t, ill precede the a t ud e t hi ill be that we all will die. What happens after our death the hour he all ho are i the to b ill hear the o o a oice a d co e orth, tho e ho ha e do e ood, to the re urrectio o li e, a d tho e ho ha e do e e il, to the re urrectio o ud e t he hri t ill is an important thing to consider because it af co e i hi lor , a d all the a el ith hi e ore hi ill be athered all the atio , a d he ill eparate the o e ro a other a a hepherd eparate the heep ro the oat , a d he ill place the heep at hi ri ht fects what happens before our death. In other ha d, but the oat at the le t d the ill o a a i to eter al pu i h e t, but the ri hteou i to eter al li e words, what happens after we die affects how we Focus Questions live our lives. For example, if, when we die, there ophia titute or eacher 6 hat ill co e be ore the a t ud e t is nothing after death, then that means something for our lives. Likewise, if, when we die, we find ourselves in Heaven, Hell, or Purgatory, that too means something for our lives. The difficulty in speaking 7 ho ill be athered be ore hri t at i eco d co i hat ill e do ith the about what happens after death is that we have not been there yet. We are all still alive. Only one person has ever returned from death — Jesus Christ. Thankfully, Jesus, His Church, and the Scriptures do have a lot to tell us about what happens after death. Even so, there is a lot that remains a mystery to us.
h a nst tute r ea hers
374 Encountering Christ © Sophia Institute for Teachers ■■ Continue to explain to students that death, the particular judgment, and the Last Judgments are a reality for all of us. Despite this fact, what we believe as Catholics about these things are some of the most misunderstood parts of our Catholic Faith. We all will die and each and every one of us will experience the particular judgment at the moment of our death. Far from the popular image of Jesus sitting as a courtroom judge handing out sentences for our crimes, the particular judgment will reveal the sum total of our life’s choices for or against God. In other words, did we choose to love God and our neighbor or not? Based on our own decisions throughout the course of our lives, we will be given entrance to Heaven (or Purgatory) or will self-exclude ourselves in Hell. Then, at the end of time when Christ returns, all the dead in Heaven and in Hell will be reunited with their resurrected bodies. All of the living and all those who have died will experience the Final Judgment. Then the light of Christ, who
he e elatio o hri t i cripture is Truth itself, will illuminate everything. Nothing will remain hidden. We will see not only all of our own individual choices for or against God, but how each one affected everyone else and the whole order of
Death and Judgment ______/ 15 pts. creation. On this, then, we will be judged and welcomed to eternal life with Christ in the New Heavens
Directions: ead the e erpts from the Catechism of the Catholic Church about death, the parti ular and the New Earth or banished into the eternal torment of Hell. ud ment, and the ast ud ment and then answer the fo us uestions.
The Particular Judgment 1021 eath puts an end to human life as the time open to either a eptin or re e tin the divine ra e manifest ed in Christ. The New Testament speaks of judgment primarily in its aspect of the fi nal encounter with Christ in his second coming, but also repeatedly affi rms that each will be rewarded immediately after death in accordance with his wor s and faith. he parable of the poor man a arus and the words of hrist on the ross to the ood thief, as well as other New Testament texts speak of a fi nal destiny of the soul—a destiny which can be different for some and for others. n t , ha ter he ur Last h ngs he e elation of hrist in ri t re
Focus Questions 1022 ach a recei e hi eter al retributio i hi i ortal oul at the er o e t o hi death, i a particular 1039 n the resen e of hrist who is r th itself the tr th of ea h man s relationshi with od will be laid bare. 1 hen is the time for either a eptin or re e tin the divine ra e iven to us by hrist judgment that refers his life to Christ: either entrance into the blessedness of heaven—through a purifi cation or he ast d ment will re eal e en to its f rthest onse en es the ood ea h erson has done or failed to do i ediatel or i ediate a d e erla ti da atio d rin his earthl life. t the e e i o li e, e hall be ud ed o our lo e Focus Questions 2 hi h ud ment does the ew estament primarily spea of Focus Questions 8 ho is r th itself 4 hat happe i the particular ud e t at the er o e t o our death 3 Which Gospel stories affi rm the existence of the particular judgment immediately after death? 9 hat will be re ealed in the resen e of hrist 5 po hat ill e be ud ed 10 hat will be re ealed e en to its f rthest onse en es The Last Judgment 1038 he re urrectio o all the dead, o both the u t a d the u u t, ill precede the a t ud e t hi ill be the hour he all ho are i the to b ill hear the o o a oice a d co e orth, tho e ho ha e do e ood, to the re urrectio o li e, a d tho e ho ha e do e e il, to the re urrectio o ud e t he hri t ill 1040 he ast d ment will ome when hrist ret rns in lor . nl the ather nows the da and the ho r onl co e i hi lor , a d all the a el ith hi e ore hi ill be athered all the atio , a d he ill eparate he determines the moment of its coming. Then through his Son Jesus Christ he will pronounce the fi nal word on the o e ro a other a a hepherd eparate the heep ro the oat , a d he ill place the heep at hi ri ht all histor . e shall now the ltimate meanin of the whole wor of reation and of the entire e onom of sal a ha d, but the oat at the le t d the ill o a a i to eter al pu i h e t, but the ri hteou i to eter al li e tion and understand the marvelous ways by which his Providence led everything towards its fi nal end. The Last d ment will re eal that od s sti e tri m hs o er all the in sti es ommitted b his reat res and that od s
ophia titute or eacher Focus Questions lo e is stron er than death.
6 hat ill co e be ore the a t ud e t Focus Questions
11 hen will the ast d ment o r ho nows when this will be 7 ho ill be athered be ore hri t at i eco d co i hat ill e do ith the 12 What will we know when the Father pronounces the fi nal word on all history?
13 hat will tri m h in the end hat is stron er than death
h a nst tute r ea hers o hia nstit te for ea hers
© Sophia Institute for Teachers Unit 4, Chapter 14: The Four Last Things 375 Answer Key
1 During our human lives. 2 The Last Judgment. 3 The story of the poor man Lazarus and Christ’s words to the good thief on the Cross. 4 Our lives are referred to Christ, and we are given entrance into either the blessedness of Heaven or the purification of Purgatory, or we receive immediate and everlasting damnation in Hell. 5 Our love. 6 The resurrection of all the dead, both the just and the unjust. 7 All the nations. He will separate them from one another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. The “goats” will go away into eternal punishment and the righteous “sheep” will be brought into eternal life. 8 Christ. 9 The truth of each man’s relationship with God. 10 The good each person has done or failed to do during his earthly life. 11 When Christ returns in glory. Only the Father knows the day and the hour. 12 The ultimate meaning of the whole work of creation and the entire economy of salvation and all the marvelous ways by which God’s providence led everything toward its final end. 13 God’s justice will triumph. His love is stronger than death.
376 Encountering Christ © Sophia Institute for Teachers Activity #2 Heaven, Hell, and Purgatory (page 115 in the Student Workbook)
This activity is meant to help your students work directly with the text of this chapter and think more deeply about it. Scored ____ / 15
Activity Instructions nit hapter he our ast hings A Arrange your students in groups of three or four and have them complete the graphic Heaven, Hell, and Purgatory ______/ 15 pts. organizer on Heaven, Hell, and Purgatory Directions: sing the hapter te t and the Catechism referen es isted e ow omp ete the graphi pg. 115 of the Student Workbook. Students organi er a out ea en e and urgator
should use the chapter text and the listed ■ Heaven: Catechism references to fill in the chart. ■ Purgatory: ■ Hell: B After a few minutes, create on the board a Heaven Hell Purgatory blank version of the chart with the labels hat is it “Heaven,” “Hell,” and “Purgatory.” Call on groups to share some of their answers and fill in and discuss the chart. ow does one go there
Answer Key (See chart on the next page.) hat happens there
ho is there
hat are other important things to now a out it
ophia nstitute for ea hers
© Sophia Institute for Teachers Unit 4, Chapter 14: The Four Last Things 377 Heaven Hell Purgatory
What is it? The state of being after The state of being after The state of being after death where those who die death where those who die death in which those who in friendship with God live in friendship with God but die unrepentant of mortal forever with Christ. are still imperfectly purified, sin and refused the love are indeed assured of their and mercy of God to the eternal salvation, but first end experience eternal undergo purification so they separation from God and may achieve the holiness the Communion of Saints. necessary to enter the joy of Heaven.
How does one Dying in a state of grace Dying while imperfectly By refusing the love and “go” there? and friendship with God, purified of sin, or with mercy of God even to the or after purification in venial sins still remaining very end. By our own free Purgatory. on one’s soul. All souls in choice. Purgatory are assured of attaining Heaven. It is a temporary state.
What happens We behold the Beatific Souls are purified by a The primary punishment there? Vision, that is, God Himself “cleansing fire” to make up in Hell is the eternal as He is, face to face. We for the temporal effects of separation from God while experience eternal joy and their sins. continually thirsting for communion with all the Him. souls in Heaven.
Who is there? All the souls who have Souls in need of Those souls who have died before us in the grace purification. rejected God; Satan and and friendship with God, his demons. the angels, and saints. God Himself, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The Virgin Mary.
What are oth Accept reasoned answers. Accept reasoned answers. Accept reasoned answers. er important things to know about it?
378 Encountering Christ © Sophia Institute for Teachers Activity #3 The Last Things Scriptural Scavenger Hunt (pages 116–118 in the Student Workbook)
This activity is meant to help extend, deepen, or apply the learning that has occurred in this chapter. Scored ____ / 15
Activity Instructions he e elation of hrist in Scripture A Explain to your students that one way we know about Heaven, Hell, and Purgatory is that all of The Last Things Scripture Scavenger Hunt _____ / 15 pts. them are spoken of in Scripture. All three possibil Directions: ea a o t ea e e a r ator the e cr t re a a e . he eter e a ities after death and judgment have firm scriptural recor hat each a a e teache a o t ea e e or r ator . h a o t hat each a a e teache a o t hat t ho oe there hat ha e there ho there a foundations. And since all Scripture is inspired by a th e e orta t that the a a e ht teach . God and without error, we can be assured of the existence of Heaven, Hell, and Purgatory and the Scripture What does this passage teach us about Heaven? truth of what the Bible teaches us about them. oh
B Arrange your students in pairs or trios and assign oh each group either Heaven, Hell, or Purgatory. Then, using the The Last Things Scripture Scavenger Hunt chart on pg. 116 of the e Student Workbook, have groups look up each passage that corresponds to their assigned “last atthe thing” and record what each passage teaches about Heaven, Hell, or Purgatory. oh C When your students have completed the activity, call on groups to share and discuss their findings. or th a
Answer Key
Heaven: ■■ John 14:2–3: There is a place for all of us in Sophia nstitute for eachers Heaven. Jesus has prepared a place for all of us and has gone before us so that we can follow Him. ■■ John 3:16: God sent His only Son into the world so that we would not die but have eternal life. Heaven is a place of eternal life with God. ■■ Luke 23:42–43: Jesus promised the good thief that he would be with Him in Paradise. Heaven is paradise. ■■ Matthew 25:45–46: When we love the least ones in the world (by performing acts of mercy) our reward is eternal life. Again, Heaven is eternal life, which we attain by loving as Christ commands us to love. ■■ 1 John 3:2: In Heaven, we will see God as He is. ■■ 1 Corinthians 13:12: In Heaven, will know fully and be known fully in perfect communion with God and with each other.
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Scripture What does this passage teach us about Hell? Scripture What does this passage teach us about Purgatory?
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Hell: ■■ Matthew 10:28: We should truly fear what can kill our soul, not what kills just our bodies here on earth. Hell is like death for our souls. ■■ Matthew 13:49–50: The wicked will be thrown in the “fire” of hell, where there will be pain and suffering. ■■ Matthew 25:46: There is eternal punishment for those who do not love as Jesus commands us to love. ■■ 2 Thessalonians 1:6, 9: The “penalty” for sin is eternal ruin, which is eternal separation from God. ■■ Job 10:21–22: Hell is a place of eternal darkness. ■■ Matthew 16:18: The forces of hell (the netherworld) will not be victorious over the Church.
Purgatory: ■■ Matthew 12:32: Jesus suggests that there is an opportunity for “forgiveness” after death. There is no need for forgiveness for a soul who has attained Heaven, and Hell is a place for souls who have rejected God’s love and mercy. Therefore, there must be a third state after death in which forgiveness is possible. ■■ Luke 12:58–59: We will all be held accountable for our choices and their repercussions. But, once a soul in Purgatory has made up for her sins, she is released.
380 Encountering Christ © Sophia Institute for Teachers ■■ 2 Maccabees 12:39–46: The soldiers of Judas Maccabeus died in a state of sin (they were wearing pagan he e elation of hrist in cri ture “magic” amulets). Judas prayed for his dead soldiers that their sin might be forgiven after their death. Judas believed that his prayers for the dead would have an effect after their death. Souls in Heaven have no need Scripture What does this passage teach us about Purgatory? of our prayers, and our prayers have no effect on souls in Hell. Therefore, there must be some third state in atthe which prayers for the dead would have some effect. ■■ 1 Peter 1:6–7: Like gold purified in fire, our faith is purified after death in the purifying feringsuf of Purgatory so that we might be pure and worthy of Heaven. u e ■■ Isaiah 4:4: The Lord will purge the effects of sin, leaving only the pure soul. ■■ 1 Corinthians 3:15: There is a purification for souls in need of it after death, which will be like fire and
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Chapter 14
The Four Last Things Unit 4, Chapter 14: The Four Last Things 215
Chapter Overview
We believe in Four Last Things: death, judgment, Heaven (and Purgatory), and Hell. We are all members of the Communion of Saints. The Communion of Saints is the Church in Heaven, the Church in Purgatory, and the Church still here on earth working out their salvation. At the end of our earthly lives, we long to attain Heaven. The souls in Heaven dwell with God and all His angels and saints for eternity. But first, after death, we all experience the particular judgment. By the extent we chose Christ during our lives we are given either entrance into Heaven, sent to Purgatory, or sent to Hell. Then, at the end of time, after the Resurrection of the Body, we will face the Final Judgment before God renews all things in the New Heaven and the New Earth.
In this chapter you will learn that …
■■ We believe in Four Last Things: death, judgment, Heaven (and Purgatory), and Hell. ■■ Christians should pray to the saints for guidance just as the saints pray for us for a conversion of heart. ■■ In death our souls are separated from our bodies and this is the gateway to the soul’s eternal life. ■■ Jesus judges our souls according to our works and our acceptance of grace. ■■ Heaven is a place of joy that no description can begin to capture, whereas Hell is the state of being after death that is full of pain and suffering because of the absence of relationship with God. ■■ Purgatory is the state of being after death in which our souls are purified before entering Heaven. The souls in Purgatory are absolutely assured of attaining Heaven. ■■ There is a hopeful finale to creation in which our body and soul will be reunited.
Bible Basics Connections to the Catechism “I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes CCC 679 (page 219) in me, even if he dies, will live, and everyone who CCC 947 (page 216) lives and believes in me will never die.” CCC 2635 (page 217) JOHN 11:25–26
What eye has not seen, and ear has not heard, and what has not entered the human heart, what God has prepared for those who love him. 1 CORINTHIANS 2:9
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Vocabulary Jesus Tells us of the Goal of this Communion of Saints Life and of the End of Life (n.): The unity in Christ of What can we look forward to after a life dedicated to following Jesus and all the redeemed, those His teaching? Despite what cartoons might show you, it is not sitting on a souls in Heaven who bunch of puffy white clouds surrounded by angels playing harps. There is a enjoy the Beatific Vision, those souls in Purgatory lot of misunderstanding about life after death, which is natural, since It is a enduring purification, mystery — something we will never truly be able to wrap our minds around and those souls on earth until we experience it for ourselves… and maybe not even then. Even so, still working out their we can know some things based upon Sacred Scripture. salvation.
Heaven (n.): The state of The Communion of Saints being after death in which “those who die in God’s In the Book of Revelation, St. John writes: grace and friendship “After this I had a vision of a great multitude, which no one and are perfectly purified could count, from every nation, race, people, and tongue. They live forever with Christ” stood before the throne and before the Lamb, wearing white (CCC 1023). The souls in Heaven enjoy robes and holding palm branches in their hands” (Rev. 7:9). perfect communion and In Heaven, we will join all those men and women who have gone be- relationship with God, fore us and who now enjoy their reward in God’s Kingdom. Even now, His angels, and all of the though, we are united with them in the Church. The Church spans Heaven saints. In Heaven we will and earth, time and eternity, and in it the baptized on earth are united with see God face-to-face, as He is. This is called the the saints in Heaven. This is part of what we mean when, in the Creed, we Beatific Vision. profess our belief in the “Communion of Saints.” That term, however, re- fers to more than just the saints who are already in Heaven. It also refers to Purgatory (n.): The the entirety of God’s holy people, which includes the Church on earth, the state of being after death in which those souls in Purgatory, and the saints in Heaven. These three groups together who “die in God’s grace make up the whole Church, the “Communion of Saints” (CCC 947). and friendship, but [are] Because we already experience this communion in a limited way here still imperfectly purified, on earth, we have some glimpse of what it will be like in Heaven. Like the are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; Church on earth, the Church in Heaven is a “great multitude… from ev- but after death they ery nation, race, people, and tongue” (Rev. 7:9) united in worshipping undergo purification, so God. This means Heaven will never be lonely or boring. The blessings of as to achieve the holiness human relationships — the joy that we find on earth in love and friendship, necessary to enter the joy the deep bond we form with others when we work together on a common of Heaven” (CCC 1030). cause or project, even something like the excitement we experience in get- ting to know new and interesting people at a good party — will be present and perfected in Heaven. It is also important to remember that since we are already part of this communion, even now we are never alone in our trials, sorrows, or struggle for holiness. We have the prayers and assistance of our fellow believers on earth to support us, and (even better) the prayers of the saints in Heaven.
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Just as we pray for our family and friends on earth, so the saints in Heaven The saints in Heaven intercede for us. We can pray to them, asking them for help in our lives, enjoy communion with God, and can take our and they will take our prayers before God Himself. The entire Church is prayers before Him if we united in prayer in this way. We share in each other’s struggles and pray ask for their intercession. to God for each other. “Since Abraham, intercession — asking on behalf of anoth- Vocabulary er — has been characteristic of a heart attuned to God’s mercy. In the age of the Church, Christian intercession participates Four Last Things (n.): The name given to the in Christ’s, as an expression of the communion of saints. In collective events and intercession, he who prays looks “not only to his own inter- states of being of death ests, but also to the interests of others,” even to the point of and the afterlife. They are: praying for those who do him harm” (CCC 2635). death, judgment, Heaven, and Hell.
The Last Things Hell (n.): The state of being after death in which Traditionally, the Church has spoken of “Four Last Things” that occur to a those who die unrepentant person as they pass from this earthly life. First we die, then we are judged, of mortal sin and refuse then we go to Heaven (or first Purgatory) orHell . Let us take a look at each the love and mercy of God of these Last Things. to the end experience eternal separation from God and the Communion Death of Saints. The primary While we know that we are united to the saints in Heaven in the Communion punishment in Hell is the of Saints, we also know that the harsh reality of death lies between us eternal separation from and them. Every religious tradition has tried to answer the riddle of death. God while continually thirsting for Him. Human beings in every culture have had a sense that death cannot be the
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Jesus defeated death end. Our seemingly infinite capacity for love and knowledge and our sense by rising from the dead; of connection to our loved ones who have gone before us in death make us because of His victory believe that there must be something more for us after death. Even today, we too have hope in the Resurrection of the Dead. when many do claim that nothing awaits us after this life, death remains a difficult puzzle for our culture. This leads us to either hide from the reality of death, living this life as if it could go on forever, or to fight off death, asking medicine and technology to delay the inevitable. But death is inevitable. One day or another, everyone will die (CCC 1006). As Christians, however, we know by faith that human beings were not created by God to die and disappear. We are not just material beings. Unlike vacuum cleaners, computers, and badly cared-for house plants, we do not cease to exist when our body stops working. This truth is beautifully presented to us in the book of Genesis. In Genesis 2, which recounts the story of man’s creation, the Bible tells us that God formed man out of the dust of the earth and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life (Gen. 2:7). This teaches us that each human being is composed of a material body and a spiritual soul, which does not decompose and die like a material body. Later in Genesis, we learn that even bodily death was contrary to God’s original plan for us. Death was not supposed to be a part of our existence. Rather, it is a consequence of sin (Gen. 2:17, 3:3, 3:19; Wis. 2:23–24). This
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is why death — which is, in a way, a completely natural part of all bodily Vocabulary life — is a problem and riddle for us. We sense that there is more to us than Particular Judgment what returns to the earth when we die and that there is something “wrong” (n.): The judgment about death (CCC 1006–1008). experienced immediately Jesus provides us with the answer to the riddle of death. He says, “I after death in which the sum total of our life’s am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he choices for or against dies, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never God are revealed. Based die” (Jn. 11:25–26). Through His life, Death, and Resurrection, Jesus de- on our own decisions feated sin and death. If we unite ourselves to Him, we will die in the sense throughout the course of that our earthly life will end, but we will, in fact, live forever with Him. This our lives, we will be given means that, for the Christian, death is transformed by Christ from a curse entrance to Heaven (or to a blessing — it becomes the gateway to eternal life (CCC 1009). Purgatory) or will be sent to Hell.
Judgment General/Last Judgment (n.):The judgment After our death, however, we first will be called to give an account of our experienced on the Last actions before God. There will be nowhere to hide. There will be no excus- Day in which the light es or rationalizations. God sees our hearts and knows us better than we of Christ, who is Truth know ourselves. Christ will be our judge: itself, will illuminate everything. Nothing will Christ is Lord of eternal life. Full right to pass definitive judg- remain hidden. We will ment on the works and hearts of men belongs to him as re- see not only all of our deemer of the world. He “acquired” this right by his cross. The own individual choices Father has given “all judgment to the Son”. Yet the Son did not for or against God, but come to judge, but to save and to give the life he has in him- how each one affected everyone else and the self. By rejecting grace in this life, one already judges oneself, whole order of creation. receives according to one’s works, and can even condemn On this, then, we will be oneself for all eternity by rejecting the Spirit of love. (CCC 679) judged and welcomed to This particular judgment occurs at the moment of our death. When eternal life with Christ in we die, each of us will be judged according to our works and our accep- the New Heavens and the New Earth, or banished tance or refusal of grace. Each of us will either enter Heaven immediately, into the eternal torment of enter Hell immediately, or have to be purified in Purgatory before entering Hell. Heaven (CCC 1022). The general (or last) judgment will occur at the end of time, when the dead rise from their graves and Jesus returns in glory. At that time, our souls will be reunited with our bodies, and the just will experience the resurrection of life — they will be like the risen Christ — but the unjust will go forth to the “resurrection of judgment” (Jn. 5:28–29). The fate of each individual is determined at the particular judgment he or she experiences immediately after death, but at the last judgment, God will reveal all things. He will make known the full truth of our actions, our relationship with Him, and His work of creation and salvation (CCC 1038–1041).
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The souls in Purgatory � experience purification of their souls in preparation for the glory of Heaven; they are assured of attaining entrance into Heaven.
The reality of judgment should not make us lose hope, but should in- stead urge us to conversion. It is Jesus himself who will judge us, and this is our reason for hope, because we know that His mission is to save (Jn. 3:17). In Jesus Christ, God offers us forgiveness, grace, and friendship, but we must accept this offer of grace and friendship now, in this life. We The reality of must be ready, for we do not know the hour when we will face death and judgment should judgment (Matt. 25:13). not make us lose hope, but Purgatory should instead Sin not only requires forgiveness, but also satisfaction. For example, if you urge us to break your neighbor’s window, not only do you need to ask for forgive- ness, but you also need to pay for a replacement. This is the reason why conversion. It is the priest gives us a penance to do after we go to Confession. If a faithful Jesus himself person reaches the end of life and dies in the friendship of God but has who will judge not yet made full satisfaction for his sins, the mercy of God embraces him us, and this is in Purgatory. our reason for Purgatory is a state of being of final purification after death and before hope. we enter into Heaven, in which God prepares us for the glory of Heaven. The souls in Purgatory suffer greatly, but they also know that they will ul- timately enjoy beatitude, and so their suffering is infused with a kind of joy. The souls in Purgatory are 100 percent assured of attaining the joy of Heaven. Our prayers can help them in their progress toward Heaven, so the Church has always urged us to pray for the dead, undertake works of penance, and offer the sacrifice of the Mass on their behalf (CCC 1032).
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Lives of Faith St. Teresa of Avila
Have you ever had to prepare a room for a guest One of those intense who was coming to visit you? mystical experiences was a You probably washed the bedsheets and put vision of Hell. out the fancy pillow cases. You vacuumed the One day in prayer, she floor, dusted, and washed the windows and the explained in her autobiogra- mirror. You made sure the temperature would be phy, she found herself trans- right and put an extra blanket on the bed in case ported to Hell. And then she your guest got cold. Maybe you added a special described the scene. The touch like a vase of flowers or a bowl of candy. entrance to Hell was a “long St. Theresa When we are expecting someone to come and narrow tunnel” carved and stay with us, we prepare for them. And so out of rock and covered in of Avila was does God. “foul mud, full of filthy rep- a mystic, or tiles.” It was too short to God has prepared a room for you in Heaven. someone who stand up straight and too Jesus told us, “In my Father’s house there are entered into narrow to lie down. The many rooms. If there were not, would I have darkness was suffocating supernatural told you that I am going to prepare a place for and there was no comfort to communion you?” (Jn. 14:2). be found. The suffering she with God Think about Jesus’ words for a moment. experienced in her vision through Jesus has gone to Heaven to prepare a room es- was greater than “every hu- prayer. pecially for you. You are expected and you are man imagination” and was desired. utterly “indescribable.” However, over the course of our lives, we can Given an experience of prayer like this, it is choose to stay somewhere else, in another room. no surprise St. Teresa devoted her life to serving But this room is one most of us would not want to and loving God. She is perhaps the most well- end up in. St. Teresa of Avila saw that room. known example of mystical prayer we have in St. Teresa of Avila was a Carmelite nun, au- the Church. The sheer volume of her writings on thor, founder of a religious order, and a mystic. the spiritual life earned her the recognition as a Mystics are men and women of deep prayer who Doctor of the Church. enter into a supernatural communion with God St. Teresa saw the room none of us want to through prayer. This prayer is marked by visions, stay in, and she lived her life so she could enter physical signs like tears, hysteria, laughter, and the one Jesus had prepared for her. Which room out of body experiences. St. Teresa endured in- will you live your life for? tense mystical experiences through her prayers.
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Those who are in Heaven Heaven behold the face of God and share in the eternal If you had to describe Heaven with one word, it would be “joy.” This is bliss of His love. The because in Heaven, you are with the source of all joy. Popular pictures greatest joy we can of Heaven always fall short of depicting this. Many can even distort our attain in this life is only image of joy, confusing us about it or preventing us from seeing the true a passing glimpse of the peace, happiness, beauty, and love that awaits us there. 1 Corinthians 2:9 kind of joy that exists in Heaven. calls what awaits us in Heaven: “What eye has not seen, and ear has not heard, and what has not entered the human heart, what God has prepared for those who love him.” This helps us remember that our anal- ogies and ideas about our eternal lives in the presence of God cannot help but fall short. We cannot imagine what it will be like to be in the presence of the Trinity. We can only anticipate the great surprise that Heaven will be. As we learned above, God created us as both body and soul, and death was not His original plan for us. We are not really complete without our bodies, and so the final act of God’s plan is the resurrection of the dead. In the resurrection, all people will rise from the dead, our souls will be reunited with our bodies, and the just will take their place co-ruling with Christ over a new creation (Wis. 3:1–9). This marvelous message of hope for creation is often overlooked and forgotten, but in reality it is the most thrilling doctrine of Christian eschatology. God bringing about the marriage
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of Heaven and earth in the new creation (Rev. 21:1–5) is a marvelously hopeful and exciting finale to the plan of salvation. Jesus saves not only souls, but bodies, and all of creation! And, (hopefully) each of us will get to enjoy that salvific act for all eternity in a physical Heaven!
Hell Many people do not believe in Hell because they cannot see how a good God could ever send someone to such a place. They are right that God would never send someone to Hell. They are wrong, however, that this means no one goes to Hell. The truth is that God does not send anyone to Hell. If you are a friend of God in life, you are a friend of God in death. But if you are not a friend of God in life, you are not forced to be a friend of God in death. God respects our freedom, and if you have chosen to be separated from God, if you have chosen not to love Him and not to enter into a relationship with Him, Hell is the eternal place where you can contin- ue this separation from God. God respects our freedom, The Gospels record Jesus speaking of the fires of Hell on numerous occasions. The Church understands that state of being after death that we and if you have call Hell to be a place where the souls of the wicked will be punished by chosen to be suffering the eternal fire of Hell. It is the eternal separation from God that separated from is the chief punishment of Hell. God, Hell is the Hell is an unfortunate reality that teaches us about the justice of God eternal place and His gift of free will. Heaven is a communion of love, and love, by its where you can very nature, is given freely. God loves us. If we love Him back, we can go continue this to Heaven. If we do not return His love, we will experience existence with- separation from out God. And an eternity without God is Hell. Of course, God desires all to be saved: “This is good, and it is acceptable in the sight of God our Him. Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowl- edge of the truth” (1 Tim. 2:3–4); and Christ died “once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God” (1 Pet. 3:18), but salvation is a gift freely given, and we are just as free to reject it.
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The Truth Is…
We all want to go to Heaven. We grow up believing Heaven is where everyone goes when they die, that one day, we will “get our wings” and join hosts of angels in Heaven. More than simply being bad theology (we do not become angels when we die, any more than we can become giraffes in this life), this view of the afterlife can dangerously delude us into thinking we cannot lose Heaven, and perhaps, Hell is not even real. Why would God send someone to Hell anyway, if He is all good and loving? However, we know that not only is Heaven real, but also Purgatory, and even Hell. Jesus told us so. And we know God does not just send souls to Hell, He permits them to forever turn away from Him and reject His love. Therefore, we must live not only as if Heaven is real, but also as if Hell is real. This knowledge should inform our choices, motivate our love, and always spur us to choose the good.
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Chapter 14 Focus and Reflection Questions
1 Who makes up the Communion of Saints?
2 What does Scripture tell us about what Heaven will be like?
3 What is the role of saints in our journey toward salvation?
4 What are the Four Last Things?
5 As Christians, what contributes to our belief that “death cannot be the end”?
6 How does Jesus “solve” the “riddle of death”?
7 What will happen to our soul immediately after death?
8 When our soul is put on “trial” how will it be judged?
9 What are the three possible outcomes of our particular judgment?
10 What does God offer during this life in Jesus?
11 What two elements are required to purify a soul of the stain of sin?
12 What happens in Purgatory?
13 In what way is Heaven a mystery?
14 What is the most thrilling part of the Christian beliefs about the final destiny of the soul and humankind?
15 How is Hell connected to one’s choices?
16 How do we go to Heaven?
17 How did St. Teresa of Avila describe Hell as seen in her mystical visions?
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Straight to the Source ADDITIONAL READINGS FROM PRIMARY SOURCES
Excerpt from The Life of Teresa of Jesus, Chapter 32, St. Teresa of Avila, 1611 A long time after the Lord had granted me many of the favours which I have described, together with other very great ones, I was at prayer one day when suddenly, without knowing how, I found myself, as I thought, plunged right into hell. I realized that it was the Lord’s will that I should see the place which the devils had prepared for me there and which I had merited for my sins. This happened in the briefest space of time, but, even if I were to live for many years, I believe it would be impossible for me to forget it. The entrance, I thought, resembled a very long, narrow passage, like a furnace, very low, dark and closely confined; the ground seemed to be full of water which looked like filthy, evil-smelling mud, and in it were many wicked-looking reptiles. At the end there was a hollow place scooped out of a wall, like a cupboard, and it was here that I found myself in close confinement. But the sight of all this was pleasant by comparison with what I felt there. What I have said is in no way an exaggeration. My feelings, I think, could not possibly be exaggerated, nor can anyone understand them. I felt a fire within my soul the nature of which I am utterly incapable of describing. My bodily sufferings were so intolerable that, though in my life I have endured the severest sufferings of this kind — the worst it is possible to en- dure, the doctors say, such as the shrinking of the nerves during my paralysis and many and divers more, some of them, as I have said, caused by the devil — none of them is of the smallest account by compari- son with what I felt then, to say nothing of the knowledge that they would be endless and never-ceasing. And even these are nothing by comparison with the agony of my soul, an oppression, a suffocation and an affliction so deeply felt, and accompanied by such hopeless and distressing misery, that I cannot too forcibly describe it. To say that it is as if the soul were continually being torn from the body is very little, for that would mean that one’s life was being taken by another; whereas in this case it is the soul itself that is tearing itself to pieces. The fact is that I cannot find words to describe that interior fire and that despair, which is greater than the most grievous tortures and pains. I could not see who was the cause of them, but I felt, I think, as if I were being both burned and dismembered; and I repeat that that interior fire and despair are the worst things of all. In that pestilential spot, where I was quite powerless to hope for comfort, it was impossible to sit or lie, for there was no room to do so. I had been put in this place which looked like a hole in the wall, and those very walls, so terrible to the sight, bore down upon me and completely stifled me. There was no light and everything was in the blackest darkness. I do not understand how this can be, but, although there was no light, it was possible to see everything the sight of which can cause affliction. At that time it was not the Lord’s will that I should see more of hell itself, but I have since seen another vision of frightful things, which are the punishment of certain vices. To look at, they seemed to me much more dreadful; but, as I felt no pain, they caused me less fear. In the earlier vision the Lord was pleased that I should really feel those torments and that affliction of spirit, just as if my body had been suffering them. I do not know how
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Straight to the Source ADDITIONAL READINGS FROM PRIMARY SOURCES
it was, but I realized quite clearly that it was a great favour and that it was the Lord’s will that I should see with my own eyes the place from which His mercy had delivered me. It is nothing to read a description of it, or to think of different kinds of torture (as I have sometimes done, though rarely, as my soul made little progress by the road of fear): of how the devils tear the flesh with their pincers or of the various oth- er tortures that I have read about — none of these are anything by comparison with this affliction, which is quite another matter. In fact, it is like a picture set against reality, and any burning on earth is a small matter compared with that fire.
1 How do you think St. Teresa felt after experiencing this vision of Hell? Why do you think it was important to her to share this vision with the faithful?
2 St. Teresa’s description of Hell brings to our imaginations a vivid portrait of the literal worst experiences a soul could endure. Recall the description of Heaven from the Lectio Divina activity at the beginning of this chapter (Revelation 21:10–27). How do these descriptions of Heaven and Hell complement each other?
3 Rather than make us fearful (though, perhaps it does), how is Teresa’s vision inspiring for our Christian journey of life?
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Adam (n.): Hebrew for “man,” as in mankind Beatitude (n.): Supreme blessedness or happi- or the entire human race. Also, in Scripture, the ness. (pg. 195) name given to the first man. (pg. 118) The Beatitudes (n.): The teachings of Jesus in Annunciation (n.): The visit of the angel Gabriel the Sermon on the Mount on the meaning and to Mary to inform her that she was to be the moth- way to true happiness or fulfillment. (pg. 197) er of the Savior. After giving her consent to God’s Begotten (adj.): Born from. The second Person Word, Mary became the mother of Jesus by the of the Holy Trinity, God the Son, is eternally be- power of the Holy Spirit. (pg. 150) gotten of the Father. (pg. 115) Apostles (n.): A term meaning “one who is sent,” as Bible (n.): The written record of God’s revela- Jesus was sent by His Father, and as He sent His tion of Himself contained in the Old and New chosen disciples to preach the Gospel to the whole Testaments. It was composed by human authors world. He called Twelve to become His Apostles, inspired by the Holy Spirit. The Word of God. chosen witnesses of His Resurrection and the foun- (pg. 7) dation on which the Church is built. (pg. 55) Bishops (n.): A successor to the Apostles, who Apostolic Succession (n.): The handing on has received the fullness of the Sacrament of of apostolic preaching and authority from the Holy Orders. He is the leader of a particular Apostles to their successors, the bishops, through church, or diocese, entrusted to him. (pg. 55) the laying on of hands, as a permanent office in the Church. (pg. 55) Body of Christ (n.): Another name for the Church. Just as a body has many parts, so too Arianism (n.): An influential heresy of the early does the Church have many members. Each of Church that taught that Jesus, the Son of God, was us plays a specific and important role in the Body created by God the Father, and therefore not truly of Christ. Together we continue Christ’s work in equal to Him or of the same substance. (pg. 138) the world as His hands and feet. (pg. 45) Assumption of Mary (n.): The dogma which rec- Christological Heresies (n.): The collective ognizes Mary’s unique participation in her Son’s name for the various heresies of the early Church Resurrection by which, at the end of her earthly life, about the divine and human natures of Jesus she was taken body and soul into Heaven where Christ. (pg. 137) she is crowned Queen of Heaven and sits at the right hand of her Son, Jesus Christ. (pg. 153) Church (n.): The name given to the assembly of the People of God whom He has called together Baptism (n.): The first Sacrament of Initiation, from all the ends of the earth. It is both the earthly which makes us members of the Church, forgives institution established by Christ during His earthly sins, and gives new life in Christ. It is necessary life to mediate the gift of salvation on earth, and for salvation. The celebration of Baptism involves the heavenly communion of all the saints together being immersed in water, or having water poured with God and His angels. (pg. 39) over one’s head three times, in the name of the Holy Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (pg. 40)
© Sophia Institute for Teachers Glossary 229
Church Fathers (n.): The bishops and teachers Discipleship (n.): The process of growing in re- of the early Church. (pg. 132) lationship with Jesus, learning from His teachings and example, and journeying on the path of life Communion of Saints (n.): The unity in Christ as His disciple. (pg. 80) of all the redeemed, those souls in Heaven who enjoy the Beatific Vision, those souls in Purgatory Divine Revelation (n.): God’s communication of enduring purification, and those souls on earth Himself by which He makes known the mystery still working out their salvation. (pg. 216) of His divine plan through deeds and words over time, and most fully by sending His Son, Jesus Consubstantial (adj.): Of the same substance. Christ. (pg. 54) This word is used to describe how God the Father and God the Son are both fully God, or of the Doctrine (n.): Something we believe as Christians same divine substance. This teaching was de- that is defined and taught by the Magisterium of finitively set forth in the Nicene Creed to combat the Catholic Church. (pg. 130) false teachings about Jesus and affirm the Truth Dogma (n.): A doctrine of the Church that has of His human and divine natures. (pg. 114) been divinely revealed to us. (pg. 130) Conversion (n.): A radical reorientation of one’s Dulia (n.): Veneration or honor given to the whole life away from sin and evil and toward God. saints. (pg. 155) (pg. 195) Economy of Salvation (n.): God’s revelation Covenant (n.): A sacred permanent bond of and communication of Himself to the world, by family relationship. God entered into a series of His words and deeds, for the sake of the salva- covenants with His People throughout Salvation tion of the world in the Person and work of Jesus History to invite us to be part of His divine family Christ. (pg. 59) and to prepare us gradually and in stages, words and deeds to receive the gift of salvation. (pg. 39) Ecumenical Council (n.): A meeting of all the world’s bishops together in union with the pope. Development of Doctrine (n.): The process of (pg. 132) how, over time, the Church reflects on who Jesus is, trying to understand more about Him so she Emmanuel (n.): The name given to God’s prom- can better communicate the Truth to the people ised Savior in the book of Isaiah. Hebrew for of a particular age. Guided by the Holy Spirit, “God-with-us”. (pg. 98) the Church’s understanding of her own teaching deepens but does not change. (pg. 58) Enlightenment (n.): A philosophical movement of the eighteenth century that denied the value Dignity (n.): The quality of being worthy of honor of faith and maintained that reason alone leads or respect; possessing great value or worth. (pg. us to truth and holds the potential to solve the 67) problem of evil. (pg. 43)
Disciple (n.): Student. The disciples were follow- Ethics (n.): A branch of philosophy that studies ers, or students, of Jesus. Jesus had thousands the moral quality of human nature, inquiring into of disciples. All Christians are His disciples today. what leads to human happiness and flourishing, (pg. 39) and what harms us. (pg. 26)
© Sophia Institute for Teachers 230 Encountering Christ
Evangelization (n.): The act of sharing the Good Gifts of the Holy Spirit (n.): Seven gifts of grace News of the Gospel message of salvation. At the given to us by God at our Baptism and again in command of Jesus, the Church’s mission is to Confirmation that help us respond to the prompt- evangelize the whole world. (pg. 86) ings of the Holy Spirit in our lives. They are wis- dom, knowledge, understanding, counsel, forti- Faith (n.): A gift from God and a human act by tude, piety, and fear of the Lord. (pg. 121) which a person comes to know God and conform their minds, hearts, and wills to Him and the Truth Gnosticism (n.): The name given to a heresy of He has revealed. (pg. 7) the early Church that taught, among other things, that Jesus was not fully human, the material world Fiat (n.): Mary’s “yes”, or consent to God’s will for was evil, and salvation was achieved through se- her at the Annunciation and all throughout her life. cret knowledge, or gnosis. (pg. 134) Latin for “let it be done”. (pg. 150) Gospel (n.): One of the first four books of the New Four Last Things (n.): The name given to the Testament. They are the heart of the Scriptures collective events and states of being of death and and proclaim the Good News of salvation won the afterlife. They are: death, judgment, Heaven, for us by the Passion, Death, and Resurrection and Hell. (pg. 217) of Jesus Christ. The Gospels are our primary Free Will (n.): One of the faculties of the human source of knowledge of life of Jesus Christ. The soul; a person’s ability to choose and act based word Gospel means “Good News.” (pg. 56) upon knowledge and understanding. (pg. 181) Grace (n.): The free and undeserved gift of His Fruits of the Holy Spirit (n.): Twelve perfections own life that God gives us to respond to our vo- formed in us by living a holy life in cooperation cation and become His adopted children. (pg. 80) with the Holy Spirit. They are: charity, joy, peace, Heaven (n.): The state of being after death in patience, kindness, goodness, generosity, gen- which “those who die in God’s grace and friend- tleness, faithfulness, modesty, self-control, and ship and are perfectly purified live forever with chastity. (pg. 122) Christ” (CCC 1023). The souls in Heaven enjoy General/Last Judgment (n.): The judgment ex- perfect communion and relationship with God, perienced on the Last Day in which the light of His angels, and all of the saints. In Heaven we Christ, who is Truth itself, will illuminate every- will see God face-to-face, as He is. This is called thing. Nothing will remain hidden. We will see the Beatific Vision. (pg. 216) not only all of our own individual choices for or Hell (n.): The state of being after death in which against God, but how each one affected every- those who die unrepentant of mortal sin and re- one else and the whole order of creation. On this, fuse the love and mercy of God to the end ex- then, we will be judged and welcomed to eter- perience eternal separation from God and the nal life with Christ in the New Heavens and the Communion of Saints. The primary punishment New Earth, or banished into the eternal torment in Hell is the eternal separation from God while of Hell. (pg. 219) continually thirsting for Him. (pg. 217)
© Sophia Institute for Teachers Glossary 231
Heresy (n.): The obstinate denial after Baptism Intelligible (adj.): Knowable and understand- of a truth which must be believed with divine and able. (pg. 28) Catholic faith. (pg. 131) Intuition (n.): The ability to immediately under- Holy Communion (n.): A title for the Eucharist that stand something, often by “gut feeling” or instinct, refers to how all who receive the Body and Blood of without needing to think about it. (pg. 25) Jesus are united to Christ and each other. (pg. 88) Knowledge (n.): True understanding of a certain Holy Family (n.): The earthly family of Jesus reality or realities. When what we think with our which includes His Blessed Mother Mary, and His mind corresponds to what is real, we possess foster father Joseph. (pg. 165) knowledge. (pg. 22)
Homo Sapien (n.): The scientific term for our hu- Latria (n.): Adoration or worship that is due to man species. Latin for “wise man”. (pg. 66) God alone. (pg. 155)
Homoousios (adj.): Greek for “of the same being,” Logos (n.): The Divine Word of God. Logos is or “of the same substance”. The Latin word con- Greek for “word.” (pg. 99) substantial is a translation of this word. (pg. 139) Lord (n.): A title given to someone who has au- Hyperdulia (n.): The greatest of honor or vener- thority over others. Jesus is the Lord of all be- ation reserved specifically for the Blessed Virgin cause He is God and has authority over all things. Mary. (pg. 155) (pg. 39)
Hypostatic Union (n.): The union of the divine Magisterium (n.): The living teaching authority and human natures in the one divine Person of of the Catholic Church whose task it is to give the Son of God, Jesus Christ. (pg. 138) authentic interpretation of the Word of God found in Scripture and Tradition, and to ensure the Hypothesis (n.): A proposed explanation of faithfulness of the Church to the teachings of the some observed reality that forms the basis for Apostles in matters of faith and morals. This au- further investigation and experimentation to either thority is exercised by all of the world’s bishops in prove or falsify the claim. (pg. 23) union with the pope, and by the pope alone when Idol (n.): A representation of a false god. (pg. he defines infallibly a doctrine of faith or morals. 130) (pg. 56)
Idolatry (n.): The worship of false gods. (pg. 132) Marxism (n.): The political, economic, and social theory of Karl Marx which holds that all history Incarnation (n.): The fact that the Son of God is the history of class struggle. The perfect so- assumed human nature and became man in or- ciety to Marx is one where the workers control der to accomplish our salvation. Jesus Christ, the the means of production, all property is held in Son of God, the second Person of the Trinity, is common, with each contributing according to both true God and true man. (pg. 72) his ability, and receiving according to his need. Communists later claimed to base their actions Inductive Reasoning (n.): A logical process that begins with certain known premises to that draws on Marxist thought. (pg. 43) a probable conclusion based on the particular ev- idence. (pg. 23)
© Sophia Institute for Teachers 232 Encountering Christ
Monarchianism/Modalism (n.): The name giv- Parables (n.): Short stories that convey unfamil- en to a heresy of the early Church that taught iar or complex truths in a simple and easy to un- that the three Persons of the Trinity were not dis- derstand way by using characters and situations tinct in themselves and there was only one divine that are familiar, or in a mysterious way hidden Person who appeared in different ways. (pg. 135) in layers of metaphor and symbolism. (pg. 198)
Natural Revelation (n.): God’s communication of Particular Judgment (n.): The judgment ex- Himself to us through the created order. (pg. 54) perienced immediately after death in which the sum total of our life’s choices for or against Nestorianism (n.): The name given to a heresy God are revealed. Based on our own decisions of the early Church that divided Jesus into two throughout the course of our lives, we will be persons, an eternal divine Person and a created given entrance to Heaven (or Purgatory) or will human person who were closely connected but be sent to Hell. (pg. 219) not one and the same. (pg. 140) Perpetual Virginity (n.): The dogma which rec- New Creation (n.): The mysterious renewal of ognizes Mary’s virginity before, during, and after all things that will occur at the end of time when the birth of Christ. (pg. 154) Jesus returns to usher in the reign of God. It will be the definitive realization of God’s plan to bring Person (n.): Someone, rather than something, the universe under the rule of His Son. God will with the inherent capability of self-knowledge, dwell among men and there will be no suffering, self-possession, and of freely giving themself in pain, or death. Human beings will be filled forever love to another person. (pg. 68) with happiness, peace, and mutual communion Philosophy (n.): From the Greek word philoso- with each other and with God. The world will be phia, which means “love of wisdom.” It is the restored to its original state. (pg. 181) study of immaterial realities not directly knowable New Eve (n.): A title for Mary that describes how by the human senses, such as reality itself, exis- eternal life became possible through her obedi- tence, morality, the human mind, and others. It ence to God. Just as sin and death entered the is the study of ultimate reality and its causes by world through the disobedience of Eve, Mary’s human reason alone. (pg. 26) obedience to God led to the birth of God’s Son, Protoevangelium (n.): The name given to Genesis Jesus Christ, who died on the Cross and rose 3:15 in which God promises to send a Savior to from the dead to save us from sin. (pg. 150) crush the head of the serpent (Satan), defeating Objective Reality (n.): The reality that truth de- sin and death. It is the first announcement of the scribes. It is a reality that exists independent and Gospel, the Good News of salvation won by Jesus regardless of one’s own thoughts, feelings, pref- Christ. Latin for “first Gospel”.(pg. 99) erences, or even knowledge of it. (pg. 20) Purgatory (n.): The state of being after death in Omnipotent (adj.): All-powerful. (pg. 181) which those who “die in God’s grace and friend- ship, but [are] still imperfectly purified, are indeed Omniscient (adj.): All-knowing. (pg. 181) assured of their eternal salvation; but after death Orthodox (adj.): Correct teaching about the they undergo purification, so as to achieve the Christian Faith. Not to be confused with a mem- holiness necessary to enter the joy of Heaven” ber of the Eastern Orthodox church. (pg. 133) (CCC 1030). (pg. 216)
© Sophia Institute for Teachers Glossary 233
Rational Soul (n.): The philosophical name for Salvation History (n.): The story of God’s love the human soul, referring to the human powers of and mercy revealed to us throughout human his- intellect or reason, and free will. (pg. 67) tory, culminating in Christ’s sacrifice on the Cross and Resurrection from the Dead which won for us Reason (n.): The powers of the mind, or intellect, salvation from sin and death. (pg. 9) to know and understand through the process of logic. (pg. 23) Science (n.): The process of investigation into reality through observation and experiment. (pg. Redeemer (n.): A person who saves or frees 22) others from slavery or oppression. Jesus is our Redeemer because He saved us from the slavery Sensible Reality (n.): Something we can grasp and oppression of sin and death. (pg. 119) by use of our five senses. (pg. 23)
Religion (n.): From the Latin, meaning “to bind Subjective Opinion (n.): A point of view arising together.” It is our human way of submitting our- from one’s own thoughts, feelings, perceptions, selves to God and seeking and being in relation- and knowledge. (pg. 20) ship with Him. (pg. 7) Subordinationism (n.): The name given to a Resurrection of the Dead (n.): The raising from heresy of the early Church that denied the divinity the dead of the righteous, who will live forever of the Son and the Holy Spirit, arguing that only with the Risen Christ on the last day. (pg. 153) the Father was fully divine. (pg. 135)
Sacraments (n.): Signs of God’s grace that Theological (Supernatural) Virtues (n.): Gifts actually gives the grace they signify. Jesus infused by God into the souls of the faithful to founded seven: Baptism, Confirmation, Holy make them capable of acting as His children and Eucharist, Penance and Reconciliation, of meriting eternal life. They are Faith, Hope, and Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Holy Charity (or love). (pg. 12) Matrimony. (pg. 80) Theology (n.): The study of God based on divine Sacred Tradition (n.): The living transmission of revelation. (pg. 26) the Gospel message in the Church. (pg. 55) Truth (n.): That which corresponds to what is Saints (n.): A holy person who leads a life in real. (pg. 20) union with God through the grace of Christ and Virtue (n.): An habitual and firm disposition to receives the reward of eternal life, or Heaven. do the good. Moral virtues are acquired through (pg. 81) human effort. The infused moral virtues and the Salvation (n.): Deliverance from the power and theological virtues are gifts from God. (pg. 12) effects of sin. From the beginning, God prom- Word of God (n.): The entire content of divine rev- ised us freedom from sin. He revealed His plan elation contained in Scripture and proclaimed in to save us from sin throughout Salvation History. the Church. The Word of God is also Jesus Christ Jesus Christ completed the plan of salvation by Himself, God’s only-begotten Son, who is the full- His sacrifice on the Cross and Resurrection from ness of God’s revelation and who took flesh and the dead. (pg. 45) became man for the sake of salvation. (pg. 56)
© Sophia Institute for Teachers
Chapter 14
The Four Last Things 112 The Revelation of Christ in Scripture
Death and Judgment ______/ 15 pts.
Directions: Read the excerpts from the Catechism of the Catholic Church about death, the particular judgment, and the Last Judgment and then answer the focus questions.
The Particular Judgment 1021 Death puts an end to human life as the time open to either accepting or rejecting the divine grace manifest- ed in Christ. The New Testament speaks of judgment primarily in its aspect of the final encounter with Christ in his second coming, but also repeatedly affirms that each will be rewarded immediately after death in accordance with his works and faith. The parable of the poor man Lazarus and the words of Christ on the cross to the good thief, as well as other New Testament texts speak of a final destiny of the soul—a destiny which can be different for some and for others.
Focus Questions
1 When is the time for either accepting or rejecting the divine grace given to us by Christ? ______
______
2 Which judgment does the New Testament primarily speak of? ______
3 Which Gospel stories affirm the existence of the particular judgment immediately after death? ______
______
© Sophia Institute for Teachers Unit 4, Chapter 14: The Four Last Things 113
1022 Each man receives his eternal retribution in his immortal soul at the very moment of his death, in a particular judgment that refers his life to Christ: either entrance into the blessedness of heaven—through a purification or immediately—or immediate and everlasting damnation. At the evening of life, we shall be judged on our love
Focus Questions
4 What happens in the particular judgment at the very moment of our death? ______
______
5 Upon what will we be judged? ______
The Last Judgment 1038 The resurrection of all the dead, “of both the just and the unjust,” will precede the Last Judgment. This will be “the hour when all who are in the tombs will hear [the Son of man’s] voice and come forth, those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of judgment.” Then Christ will come “in his glory, and all the angels with him. …Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate them one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will place the sheep at his right hand, but the goats at the left. …And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
Focus Questions
6 What will come before the Last Judgment? ______
______
7 Who will be gathered before Christ at His second coming? What will He do with them? ______
______
______
© Sophia Institute for Teachers 114 The Revelation of Christ in Scripture
1039 In the presence of Christ, who is Truth itself, the truth of each man’s relationship with God will be laid bare. The Last Judgment will reveal even to its furthest consequences the good each person has done or failed to do during his earthly life.
Focus Questions
8 Who is Truth itself? ______
9 What will be revealed in the presence of Christ? ______
______
10 What will be revealed even to its furthest consequences? ______
______
1040 The Last Judgment will come when Christ returns in glory. Only the Father knows the day and the hour; only he determines the moment of its coming. Then through his Son Jesus Christ he will pronounce the final word on all history. We shall know the ultimate meaning of the whole work of creation and of the entire economy of salva- tion and understand the marvelous ways by which his Providence led everything towards its final end. The Last Judgment will reveal that God’s justice triumphs over all the injustices committed by his creatures and that God’s love is stronger than death.
Focus Questions
11 When will the Last Judgment occur? Who knows when this will be? ______
12 What will we know when the Father pronounces the final word on all history? ______
______
13 What will triumph in the end? What is stronger than death? ______
______
© Sophia Institute for Teachers Unit 4, Chapter 14: The Four Last Things 115
Heaven, Hell, and Purgatory ______/ 15 pts.
Directions: Using the chapter text and the Catechism references listed below, complete the graphic organizer about Heaven, Hell, and Purgatory.
■■ Heaven: 1023–1029 ■■ Purgatory: 1030–1032 ■■ Hell: 1033–1037
Heaven Hell Purgatory
What is it?
How does one “go” there?
What happens there?
Who is there?
What are other important things to know about it?
© Sophia Institute for Teachers 116 The Revelation of Christ in Scripture
The Last Things Scripture Scavenger Hunt _____ / 15 pts.
Directions: Read about Heaven, Hell, and Purgatory in the given Scripture passages. Then determine and record what each passage teaches us about Heaven, Hell, or Purgatory. Think about what each passage teaches about what it is, who “goes” there, what happens there, who is there, and anything else important that the passage might teach us.
Scripture What does this passage teach us about Heaven?
John 14:2-3
John 3:16
Luke 23:42-43
Matthew 25:45-46
1 John 3:2
1 Corinthians 13:12
© Sophia Institute for Teachers Unit 4, Chapter 14: The Four Last Things 117
Scripture What does this passage teach us about Hell?
Matthew 10:28
Matthew 13:49-50
Matthew 25:46
2 Thessalonians 1:6, 9
Job 10:21-22
Matthew 16:18
© Sophia Institute for Teachers 118 The Revelation of Christ in Scripture
Scripture What does this passage teach us about Purgatory?
Matthew 12:32
Luke 12:58-59
2 Maccabees 12:39-46
1 Peter 1:6-7
Isaiah 4:4
1 Corinthians 3:15
© Sophia Institute for Teachers