Hello,

at their resurrection, the deceased will regain their bodies, with the same flesh and bones they had while living, but without defects; those bodies will need no food. So, which purpose would a digestive system serve in such a body? It would seem useless.

Do phenomena, which hint to demonic possession (speaking unknown languages, knowing hidden things, having exceptional strength), occur only during exorcism or at other times as well?

Thanks

Marco

The Priest’s answer

Dear Marco,

1. The first reason why Jesus Christ wants to resurrect bodies is this: He took incarnation to save humanity.

As a matter of fact, humans are composed of one soul and one body.

Only when this composite is present, we can say that there is a person, that there is a human being.

About disembodied souls, we cannot speak of persons or even of humans, but simply of souls.

For this reason, the Church prays for the souls of the deceased.

If Jesus had only saved the souls, He would not have saved humanity.

2. The second reason, which requires the resurrection of the body, is this: Jesus accomplished the redemption and atonement of sins by suffering of His body.

Therefore rightly, that body, which suffered so much and was so humiliated, shall also be glorified.

In my opinion, the same thing should likely and appropriately happen to us as well: the bodies of the martyrs will be eternally glorified and exalted, the sanctified bodies which received the sacraments will be crowned with glory and honor.

3. Coming to your specific question: truly, we will no longer need our digestive system. But truly, eternity is not an infinite time. It is an instant that never passes.

Eternal life does not return to a previous life, as the only difference is its never ending. It is another state of life in which there is no longer any need to do either this or that because you enjoy everything in the same instant.

Now rightly, anything, which God created, shall last eternally as it is good.

4. Furthermore, it is necessary to distinguish between vital organs and their functions.

Certainly, the vital organs will neither nourish nor procreate. Therefore, their functions cease.

But rightly, the body and its organs as well will resurrect, otherwise man would not be resurrected.

5. Speaking of the resurrection of the body, we should remember that it is not just the body that is resurrected, but the whole life. Nothing is lost by God. All tears are gathered. No joy fades forever. No event fades into nothingness.

For that reason, not only the human body is resurrected, but his or her whole history.

6. The resurrection of the body is certainly one of the brightest works accomplished by God.

And just as everything came perfect from God’s hands at the creation, so everything will turn to perfection in the final resurrection.

7. About your second question: the phenomena accompanying demonic possession manifest themselves outside of exorcism as well.

The finest testimony comes by the Gospel about a man who was possessed by a legion of demons. The sacred book reports: “The man had been dwelling among the tombs, and no one could restrain him any longer, even with a chain. In fact, he had frequently been bound with shackles and chains, but the chains had been pulled apart by him and the shackles smashed, and no one was strong enough to subdue him. Night and day among the tombs and on the hillsides he was always crying out and bruising himself with stones.” (Mc 5,3-5).

In the hope of rising from the dead to eternal life, I bless you.

Father Angelo

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