Catechism Corner | The Resurrection of the Body

Death entered into this world by sin (Romans 5:12).So, all will die, with the exception that those who are alive at the return of Christ at the end, will never die (1 Thessalonians 4:13-17).In verse 17: "Then [at His return, and after the resurrection of the dead] we the living, will be taken together with them [the risen dead] in the clouds to meet the Lord." (Cf. 1 Cor 15:51)

There will be a resurrection of all, as St. Paul explain the First Corinthians chapter 15.Those who have been faithful to Christ will rise glorious, their bodies transformed on the model of the risen body of Christ, who could travel instantly at will, could ignore closed doors and come through anyway, but yet had real flesh, St. Paul says the risen body is "spiritual." (15:44)It is still flesh, but such that the flesh is completely dominated by the soul, so that it can no longer suffer or die.The Bible tells us that when Jesus returns to earth, he will physically raise all those who have died, giving them back the bodies they lost at death.

These will be the same bodies people had in earthly life –but our resurrection bodies will not die and, for the righteous, they will be transformed into a glorified state, freed from suffering and pain, and enabled to do many of the amazing things Jesus could do with his glorified body (see 1 Cor. 15:35-44, 1 John 3:2).

The resurrection of the body is an essential Christian doctrine, as the apostle Paul declares: "If the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised.If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins.Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished." (1 Cor. 15:13-18)

Because, as Paul tells us, the Christian faith cannot exist without this doctrine, it has been infallibly defined by the Church.It is included in the three infallible professions of faith –the Apostles' Creed, the Nicene Creed, and the Athanasian Creed –and has been solemnly, infallibly taught by ecumenical councils.

All Catholics are invited to once again focus on the ultimate goal, namely Heaven.Knowing that one day our bodies will be resurrected and unite with souls and then live in eternity, then we will direct all things in this world to achieve eternal happiness.This dogma can help us to always be steadfast in living life in this world, persevering in love, and always striving for holiness, so that in the end, we will become new people in Christ and live happily ever after in Heaven forever.The death of Christ opens the door of peace between us and God and through Christ's sacrifice we can gain salvation and eternal life.

Fr. Antonius David Tristianto, O.Carm.