At Mass the priest spoke about the four qualities of the resurrected body of Jesus. He told us that the same will happen for us too. For those receiving and Eternal Reward, what will their bodies look like? St Thomas highlights four characteristics which will mark the glorified bodies of the saints (which, please God, we hope to be): impassibility, subtlety, agility, and clarity. Each of these characteristics will increase the happiness of persons in Heaven. Impassibility: the body of a saint will be free from every sort of suffering, ailment, or death. In a word, no evil will touch a gloried body–arthritis no more! Subtlety: the complete control of the body by the soul. As Our Lord was able pass into a locked room, so will the bodies of the saints. The etymology of this word suggests the ability to penetrate. St Paul uses the word “spiritual” to describe this characteristic of the body (1 Corinthians 15:44). Agility: the characteristic refers to the soul’s control of the body with regards to movement. The body of a resurrected saint will be able to move as quick as his mind is able to think. The obligatory use of mobility aids, with which many are intimately acquainted, will be no more! Clarity: the bodies of the saints will have a brightness which shows forth their glory. I cannot help but think of the way the stained glass images of saints illumine on a sunny day. Likewise, the holier a person is, and the more merit they accumulate, the brighter they will shine. No imperfection will mar the resurrected body of a saint. We can think of the Transfiguration of Our Lord! Next time you profess the Creed, think of great blessings in store for you in you die in God’s friendship. Also, the characteristics of the glorified bodies of the saints should increase our hope and strengthen our resolve over any of the present difficulties we face. We must have a proper respect for our bodies and those of others because souls and bodies will be reunited before the Last Judgment. One of the best virtues we can practice in order to prepare ourselves for our bodily resurrection is chastity. Remember: each time we receive one of the Seven Sacraments we are put into contact with the Resurrected body of Jesus.
Posted on: Thu, 24 Apr 2014 12:45:55 +0000