Eschatology Flashcards
What is the Paschal candle
What happens
A candle which is lit - represents one of the most important and meaningful symbols in the Easter vigil.
What happens:
Service takes place during hours of darkness and the priest lights a fire. This symbolises the light of Christ rising from the grave and breaking the darkness.
Then the priest lights and blesses the Paschal candle. This large candle represents the
risen Christ.
Symbolisms of the Paschal candle
The Alpha and Omega: represents the beginning and the end – Jesus Christ
Five holders are inserted into the candle – this is to represent the five wounds Christ received at the crucifixion.
During the procession – a light from the candle is taken and given to everyone – we all share in the light of the Christ
The candle lasts all year – until the next Easter vigil. It is lit at every Mass at Eastertide and every baptism – the lit candle shows the presence of Christ throughout our lives
Imagery and symbolism that is used in Michelangelo’s The Last Judgement and how does it reflect catholic teachings of judgement/afterlife
Jesus in the centre (powerful-Son of God) - still carries his wounds duringhis crucifixion. This highlights his obedience to God and suffering.
Everyone naked except Jesus and Mary - everyone is equal in the eyes of God during the Last Judgement
Saints are presented with perfect bodies despite being killed gruesomely with weapons they are holding . This reflects the belief that all will made new in resurrection
People leaving their graves - all will be judged
People express despair in hell - Hell has no light (light of christ can’t support those who reject God)
7 angles blow trumpets signifies the end of the world
Catholic beliefs of burial for ressurection
Catholics believe that the resurrection of the body will be a full bodily resurrection. The body must always be treated with respect and dignity for kingdom (last judgement)
What are tombstones and how does this express faith
Tombtsones: Early burial place of a person contains info of name/death/birth. Many catholics have their tombstone in shape of a cross – this is to identify the person as a believer in Christ.
What are monuments and how does this express faith
Monuments: erected over the grave of a very important person. The catholic church allows important people to be buried inside church. Sometimes monuments are erected over a saints grave where catholics pilgrim towards
What are rememberance gardens and how does this express faith
Rememberance gardens: catholics cremated than buried. Many people scatter the ashes in a remembrance garden – this reflects the beauty of what heaven will be like.
What is Eschatology
Eschatology- the study of what will take place at the end of time
How has Jesus influenced Eschatology and ressurection
Eschatology:
Jesus talks about the end of time in some passages – and they are often a warning about the devastation that will take place.
Resurrection:
Jesus’s resurrection was power of God at work in a new way on earth; it was the beginning of the end of the reign of sin and death.
It transform the way Christians think about life and death – it makes eternal life possible
What does St Paul say about resurrection
St Paul ,in his letters, deals with the subject of the resurrected life:
He compares the relationship of the earthly body and the heavenly body to a seed and plant that grows from it.
The resemblance between the two is hard/ impossible to identify – but it did grow from it
Importance of the four last rites and how it espresses God’s love
Death: A transition to eternal life where the earthly body will die (physical) however the soul passes onto to God until the end of time where the body reunites.
Judgement: In the presence of total love – people have to take responsibility for their actions. Judgement will be merciful – god is all loving and Christ died so that all might be saved
Heaven: Eternal happiness for believers however hell is an option for the rejecters. If sins are forgiven they can have a place in heaven offered
Hell: Seperated from God - beyond point of redemption - for those who totally rejected God
Catholics beliefs about purgatory
Purgatory: a state of cleansing to
Catholics believe it is a process rather than a place where sins are removed so people can face God.
Different christian beliefs about the afterlife
Catholics:
Catholcis believe when a person dies they are judges on a personal basis – this will decide whether they go to heaven or hell
Additionally, Christ comes again to judge everyone – the Kingdom of God will be established and belivers will be accepted
Other christians:
ALL Christians believe in the resurrection and afterlife
Some do not believe in purgatory – but that individual judgement is final – you go straight to heaven or hell
Some believe that we will wait for the 2nd coming and until then everyone is waiting in their graves
What is the parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus
Luke 16:19-31
The rich man had everything he wanted but he is hard hearted – this is a warning that wealth can destroy people lives. The lack of empathy for others is what condemns him to hades ( hell)
Hoes does the parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus tells christians about the afterlife
Luke 16:19-31
The parable teaches that an awareness of the value and the needs of others results in a closeness to God in the afterlife. In contrast a lack of this awareness leads to eternal separation from God ( hell).
Hell is descried as a place of suffering - Luke 16:24 “cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.”
Heaven – a place of happiness and comfort- Luke 16:25 “Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here”
Abraham was rewarded for his faith and trust in God - and those who have also been faithful will share in his reward _ Luke 16:31 “If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.”
