(Plain Text Version)
The Fall of Adam and Eve Brought Death
In the beginning, God gave each of us a body united with a soul. It was God’s plan that the body and soul would always stay together. When Adam and Eve chose evil, they and their descendants became subject to death. When death occurs, the soul leaves the body.
God Makes a Greater Good
Although God’s plan was upset, He repaired this wrong by making a much better plan. Through the merits of Christ’s death and resurrection, our death is only temporary. At the end of time, our bodies will be reconstructed and reunited with our souls. The death of our body is simply one step in a life which never ends.
Life in Heaven With the New Body
Life in Heaven will be much better than the life Adam and Eve had before the Fall. Our bodies will not have the limitations they have now. We won’t experience any kind of pain or inconvenience. Our bodies will have a bright appearance which varies according to our holiness. We will be able to move instantly wherever we want to go. Our new body will be material, but completely under the control of the soul.
Imagine asking St. Peter what it was like to walk on water. A million people may have the same question, but all would be in his presence without crowding. Everyone will be in the “front row”!
Life in Hell With the Body
For every joy that the new body brings to the friends of God, there will be misery for those in Hell. The condemned soul is tormented by remorse of the ultimate failure. But when rejoined with the body, physical torment will be added.
It is not God’s will that anyone would wind up in Hell. Let us use every opportunity to make sure we love and serve God. He gives us everything we need to get to Heaven!
From Scripture
And do not be afraid those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather be afraid of him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. (Matthew 10:28)
For I know that my Redeemer liveth, and in the last day I shall rise out of the earth. And I shall be clothed again with my skin, and in my flesh I shall see my God… (Job 19: 25-26)
…for the hour is coming in which all who are in the tombs shall hear the voice of the Son of God. And they who have done good shall come forth unto resurrection of life; but they who have done evil unto resurrection of judgement. (John 5:28-29)
Many thanks to:
Fr. John A. Hardon, S.J., Pocket Catholic Catechism, 1989, Doubleday
Scripture: Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, 1954
St. John Bosco News and Notes 