WHAT DO CATHOLICS BELIEVE ABOUT LIFE AFTER DEATH?

This question points to the very core of the Catholic Faith. In essence, we believe Christ came upon this earth (took human form) and freely accepted his suffering and death on the Cross to restore humankind to a communion with God our Father in heaven. ‘Christ offered himself for our salvation’. (Luke 22:19) Through His resurrection and ascension into heaven, we were given the promise of salvation – that is eternal life with Him in heaven. Hence, in our profession of faith – a prayer that is part of our celebration of Mass, we say, ‘I believe in life everlasting’.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church states:

By his death and Resurrection, Jesus Christ has ‘opened heaven to us. The life of the blessed consists in the full and perfect possession of the fruits of the redemption accomplished by Christ. He makes partners in his heavenly glorification those who have believed in him and remained faithful to his will. Heaven is the blessed community of all who are perfectly incorporated into Christ. (CCC 1026)      

While the concept of heaven was revealed to us through Christ’s teachings that are presented in Holy Scripture, the New Testament also ‘repeatedly affirms that each will be rewarded immediately after death in accordance with his works and faith.’ (CCC 1021)  The Catechism elaborates as follows:

Every 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 [in purgatory] or immediately, -or immediate and everlasting damnation [in Hell]. (CCC 1022)

In other words, Christ not only lived his life here on earth as a model for each of us but he also forged for us a way to eternal life with him in heaven. Given that each one of us has been given the gift of free choice, we can freely choose to be united with Him in heaven or to be separated from Him forever in hell.  As well, some will be assured of heaven but will need purification beforehand.

I want to make clear that our understanding of life after death is not at all sad or depressing. In fact, the expectation of eternal life in heaven is a source of great hope. Moreover, we also know that throughout his public life Christ forgave sinners. As human beings, we sometimes turn away from God and elect not to follow his example. However, a person who is truly sorry can be reconciled to the Father through the sacrament of Reconciliation or forgiveness for our sins. Moreover, through the celebration of the sacrament of the Eucharist or Mass as it is often referred to, we are reminded of Christ’s promise of heaven.

For further reading on this, I would suggest an excerpt from the book entitled “Fundamentals of our Faith” by a prominent Catholic theologian and scholar, Peter Kreeft, http://catholiceducation.org/articles/religion/re0022.html  Another prominent Catholic writer, Mark Shea has written the following article about purgatory which you may find of interest. http://www.holyspiritinteractive.net/columns/markshea/sheavings/purgatory.asp

On November 1st, we celebrate the Feast of all Saints. We call to mind and cherish the memory of those in heaven. While their earthly lives are models for how we should like our faith in the world, we ask them to intercede on our behalf now that they are with Christ in heaven.