LO QUE SUFRE EL ALMA DESPUÉS DE LA CREMACIÓN — POCOS LO RESISTEN | PADRE FORTEA

Understanding the Sacredness of the Body

The Church's Silent Truths

• The Church has kept certain truths hidden in prayer and reverence, believing that the world is not ready to receive them.

• Today, a message from the Holy Spirit aims to transform our understanding of life, death, and eternity.

The Body as a Divine Creation

• Our bodies are sacred temples formed by God, not mere accidents or prisons; they are living sacraments infused with divine breath.

• Genesis describes how God created man from dust and breathed life into him, emphasizing that our physical form is integral to our identity.

The Importance of Respecting the Body

• St. Paul reminds us that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit and should be treated with honor since we were bought at a price.

• Death is viewed not as an end but as a transition; it’s essential to treat our bodies with respect even after death because they will be resurrected.

Resurrection: A Core Belief

• The Catechism teaches that resurrection involves separation of soul and body; while the body decays, the soul awaits reunion with a glorified body.

• This belief in bodily resurrection is affirmed in Christian creeds, highlighting that it’s not just spiritual but also physical—our flesh will rise again.

Historical Context on Cremation

• Historically, cremation was prohibited by the Church out of respect for human dignity and belief in resurrection; early Christians refused cremation despite societal norms.

• Early Christians understood that treating the body with reverence reflects their beliefs about resurrection—bodies are temples deserving veneration rather than destruction through fire.

Cremation and Christian Doctrine

The Church's Stance on Burial and Cremation

• The Church strongly advises maintaining the practice of burying the deceased, while not outright prohibiting cremation unless chosen for reasons contrary to Christian doctrine.

• In 2016, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith emphasized that while cremation is permissible, it should be done with respect to sacred traditions.

Concerns Regarding Ashes

• Keeping ashes in a sacred place helps prevent forgetting or disrespecting the deceased, which can lead to inappropriate practices over time.

• The Church firmly prohibits scattering ashes in nature or converting them into memorial items like jewelry, as this contradicts Christian beliefs about resurrection.

Implications of Dispersing Ashes

• If a deceased person requested their ashes be scattered for reasons against faith, they would be denied a Christian funeral. This highlights the seriousness of such requests within church teachings.

• Scattering ashes is viewed as a denial of bodily resurrection and reflects disbelief in Christ’s promise of eternal life.

Spiritual Suffering Related to Cremation

• The discussion shifts to what happens spiritually when a body is cremated; it's noted that doctrinal rules differ from spiritual experiences at this moment.

• Saints and theologians have testified that souls may suffer when their bodies are treated without respect post-death, particularly through cremation. Santa Catalina de Siena had visions indicating such suffering exists due to disrespectful treatment of bodies.

Nature of Soul's Pain After Death

• While God can resurrect any body regardless of its state (cremated or buried), the soul experiences pain from witnessing its former body being violently destroyed by fire rather than naturally decomposing. This pain stems from love and attachment between soul and body rather than fear of resurrection impossibility.

• The union between soul and body persists even after death; thus, an unceremonious destruction causes profound spiritual anguish for the soul awaiting resurrection. Saint Teresa of Ávila noted this connection in her writings on spirituality.

Understanding Cremation's Impact on Souls

• Souls perceive violent destruction differently than natural decomposition; cremation is rapid and industrial compared to gradual decay, leading to unique suffering for those who loved their physical form during life. This suffering isn't seen as divine punishment but rather emotional pain stemming from loss and separation from what was once cherished.

• Exorcists report that demons take pleasure in cremations not because they condemn souls but because they inflict emotional distress upon them and undermine faith in bodily resurrection among survivors left behind.

The Significance of the Human Body in Faith

The Power of Mary and the Human Body

• The speaker emphasizes that God took on a human body, highlighting the significance of physical existence. Mary, as a woman of flesh and blood, is portrayed as more powerful than Satan because she gave birth to the Savior.

• The degradation of the human body is linked to Satan's influence, particularly through practices like cremation when done out of contempt or disbelief in resurrection.

Understanding Cremation and Its Implications

• Not all who are cremated face condemnation; various reasons such as economic factors or cultural practices may lead families to choose cremation without malice.

• The Church encourages informed decisions based on faith regarding cremation. Those who have unknowingly chosen this path should not feel guilt but can offer prayers for their loved ones instead.

Prayers for the Dead: A Biblical Foundation

• The speaker references 2 Maccabees 12:43-46, illustrating that praying for the dead is a biblical practice aimed at aiding souls in purgatory.

• Offering sacrifices for deceased loved ones is presented as an act of love that transcends death, countering claims that such practices are superstitious or pagan.

Dignity After Death

• Mystics within the Church assert that even after death, a body retains dignity and sacramental presence due to its baptismal significance.

• Ritual actions during funerals (like incense blessing) signify respect for the deceased's sacredness as a temple of the Holy Spirit.

Connection Between Living and Deceased

• Burial provides a physical space where living relatives can remember and pray for those who have passed away, creating a sacred connection between life and death.

• In contrast, cremation leaves no tangible place for remembrance or prayer, which could be seen as part of an agenda by evil forces to erase memory and neglect prayers for souls in purgatory.

The Urgency of Prayer for Souls in Purgatory

• The speaker warns against forgetting deceased loved ones; neglecting them means they remain longer in purgatory without prayers offered on their behalf.

• A reference to apparitions at Fatima highlights how many souls suffer because no one prays for them—emphasizing our responsibility towards forgotten ancestors.

Cultural Reflections on Death

• The discussion shifts towards recognizing our ancestors' names; it questions whether anyone remembers them or if they languish forgotten in purgatory awaiting prayers from descendants.

The Importance of the Body in Faith

The Body and Its Significance

• The speaker argues against the notion that the body is unimportant, suggesting this belief leads to views on abortion and euthanasia that devalue human life.

• This mindset extends to pornography and transgenderism, where the body is seen merely as an object or something changeable, reflecting a deep-seated contempt for human embodiment.

Catholic Teachings on the Body

• The Catholic Church asserts that the body is sacred and integral to human identity, emphasizing respect from conception through natural death. San Pablo's teachings highlight this belief in resurrection.

• Christ’s promise of transforming our bodies into glorious forms reinforces the idea that physical existence matters; it should be treated with dignity and love throughout life.

Decisions Regarding Death and Burial

• Individuals are encouraged to reconsider their end-of-life plans (e.g., cremation) in light of these teachings, advocating for burial as a sign of respect for the body as a temple of the Holy Spirit.

• Historical examples illustrate how early Christians prioritized dignified burials over convenience, reinforcing that how we treat our dead reflects our beliefs about eternal life.

Reflections on Life After Death

• The manner in which we handle our deceased loved ones indicates our faith in resurrection; treating bodies with reverence signifies belief in eternal life rather than viewing death as an end.

• At judgment, one's actions while embodied will determine eternal destiny; thus, living morally within one’s body is crucial according to San Pablo's teachings.

Spiritual Discipline Through Bodily Actions

• The Church teaches mortification not because the body is evil but to discipline it so it aligns with spiritual goals; practices like fasting serve this purpose effectively.

• An individual’s memories associated with their bodily actions—both virtuous and sinful—will accompany them after death, influencing their experience in purgatory or heaven. Thus, moral living during one's lifetime holds significant weight for one's soul post-mortem.

The Dignity of the Body and Resurrection

The Treatment of the Body

• The act of cremating a body is likened to an insult, suggesting that it signifies worthlessness. The speaker urges listeners to treat their bodies with reverence as temples of God.

• A reference is made to Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea, who treated Christ's body with care—taking it down from the cross, wrapping it in clean linens, and placing it in a new tomb.

Hope in Resurrection

• The promise of resurrection is emphasized; if one remains faithful to Christ and dies in grace, their body will rise gloriously on the last day despite earthly corruption.

• Living consistently with beliefs about resurrection requires honoring the body both in life and death. This includes rejecting anything that degrades the body while embracing what sanctifies it.

Teaching Future Generations

• There is a call to educate children and grandchildren about these truths amidst societal pressures that promote degradation of the body.

• The speaker asserts that those marked by baptism must live according to truth: every person is created in God's image, deserving respect regardless of physical condition or age.