DeathDeath

Chapter 25Chapter 25

Lesson 1Lesson 1

Read Genesis 3Read Genesis 3

Death and decay are consequences of original sin. Death and decay are consequences of original sin. In Creation, God breathed into the man he formed In Creation, God breathed into the man he formed from dirt.from dirt.

Dirt – represents bodyDirt – represents body Breath – represents the eternal soulBreath – represents the eternal soul

Man was created for eternal life. Had he not sinned, Man was created for eternal life. Had he not sinned, man would live forever and never experience man would live forever and never experience sickness or suffering. Since man has sinned he sickness or suffering. Since man has sinned he now must experience death.now must experience death.

Define deathDefine death

Death is the separation of the finite body from Death is the separation of the finite body from the eternal soul.the eternal soul.

How do you view death and how do How do you view death and how do you feel about it?you feel about it?

Mt 4: 12-17,16:18Mt 4: 12-17,16:18 Mt 19:16-21, 28: 1-9Mt 19:16-21, 28: 1-9 Jn 3:15-16, 5:24Jn 3:15-16, 5:24 Jn 6:35-54, 68Jn 6:35-54, 68 Jn 11:17-44Jn 11:17-44

Christian death is a positive event.Christian death is a positive event.

In death, God calls man to himself.In death, God calls man to himself. Christ can transform our death into an act of Christ can transform our death into an act of

obedience and love for the Father.obedience and love for the Father. To rise with Christ, we must die with Christ.To rise with Christ, we must die with Christ. Christ transformed death from a curse to a Christ transformed death from a curse to a

blessing by his self-sacrifice.blessing by his self-sacrifice. We can joyfully anticipate the eternal glories We can joyfully anticipate the eternal glories

to come.to come.

Communion of SaintsCommunion of Saints

We can pray for the intercession of the We can pray for the intercession of the saints in heaven and the holy souls in saints in heaven and the holy souls in purgatory.purgatory.

In communion we are closely bound to the In communion we are closely bound to the Mystical Body of Christ, of which Christ is Mystical Body of Christ, of which Christ is the head.the head.

Séances, occult practices and Séances, occult practices and reincarnationreincarnation

Catholics are not to communicate with the Catholics are not to communicate with the dead in these practicesdead in these practices

Participation is a mortal sinParticipation is a mortal sin At the end of our earthly lives, we shall not At the end of our earthly lives, we shall not

return to our earthly lives. return to our earthly lives. Our life does not end- it is changed and Our life does not end- it is changed and

glorified.glorified.

Saint Thomas More on DeathSaint Thomas More on Death

These quotes are from a play These quotes are from a play A Man for all Seasons A Man for all Seasons by Robert Bolt about the life and martyrdom of by Robert Bolt about the life and martyrdom of Saint Thomas More. It is historically accurate.Saint Thomas More. It is historically accurate.

““For our own deaths… dare we for shame enter the For our own deaths… dare we for shame enter the kingdom with ease when Our Lord himself entered kingdom with ease when Our Lord himself entered with so much pain?”with so much pain?”

““Death comes for us all; even at our birth, death Death comes for us all; even at our birth, death does but stand aside a little. And every day he does but stand aside a little. And every day he looks towards us and muses to himself whether looks towards us and muses to himself whether that day or the next he will draw nigh. It is the law that day or the next he will draw nigh. It is the law of nature and the will of God.”of nature and the will of God.”