by Brandon Jubar

It seemed like an eternity -- yet even with the interruptions, I had only been speaking for a minute or two. This Christian Rock guitar player had been amused at times, vehement at others, but seemed unconcerned as the next line rolled off my tongue...

"We look for the resurrection of the dead..."

I was sure this was something with which he, as a fundamentalist bible Christian, would seemingly agree. And I was also certain that he did not know the full Catholic understanding of those words.

No Mere Shell

It is very common among Christian writings to find references to this "mortal shell". For it is common among Protestants to believe that the resurrection refers to our souls returning in some other form. Unfortunately many Catholics believe the same thing.

As Catholics, we should understand that God created man in total -- both body and soul. This mortal body is something very special. It is not just a suit being worn by our soul. It is an integral part of our being -- not only now, but throughout eternity. Our souls will be separated from our bodies at the moment of our death, but the two shall be reunited on the last day.

Death Was Not in the Plan

We look at the world around us and see that death is part of the natural cycle of things. What we don't see is that it was not God's intention to have mankind die, as do other creatures. Man's sin caused death to enter the equation. If not for mankind's sin, God would not have let us die, though we are mortal beings. In essence, the wages of sin is death.

Christ, however, transformed the meaning of death. By suffering and dying on the cross, Jesus led the way to new life. Suddenly, death was not the end, but the beginning.

Dying in Christ

When we die, it is merely the end of our life on earth. Our lives here are measured in time, as we know it, which is linear. We are born, we grow up, we grow old, and we die. But as we've said, that's not the end for a Christian.

When we are baptized, we have died with Christ, sacramentally. For we have died to sin and begun a new life as a Christian. We live our lives in order to fulfill the vows we made at baptism, and the death of our mortal body is the completion of our dying with Christ.

Upon our death the Father will call us to Himself, for we shall only die one earthly death. There is no reincarnation, or taking on of another earthly form. We have one chance to get it right. One life with which to determine our eternal destiny.

The Resurrection of the Body

The Catholic Church teaches that, upon the last day, the dead shall rise. In rising, our souls will again be reunited with our bodies. People ask how this can be if our bodies have decayed or been destroyed? Frankly, it is beyond our comprehension. It is something that must be seen with our eyes of faith.

Just as the bread and wine become body and blood through the sacrament of the Eucharist, so shall our earthly bodies become something more. On the last day, our souls shall be united with our glorified bodies, just as Jesus arose from the dead in body and soul. "See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself." (Luke 24:39)

Our bodies, though flesh and blood, are sacred -- and they must be treated as such. They are more than mere shells; they are gifts from our Father. And though their current form may be likened to a seed, which shall grow into a new, glorified existence, still the seed must be cared for.

"We look for the resurrection of the dead..."

Life Applications:

What has been your understanding of death and resurrection?

Do you treat your body as if it is sacred?

Knowing that you will be reunited with your glorified body, does it make you feel different about the way you take care of yourself?

Copyright 2002 by Brandon Jubar
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