Basic Catholic Q and A's

The numbers in parenthese that follow the questions refer to related paragraphs in the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

1. Did Jesus die for all people?
2. Did Jesus really die?
3. What do we call the sufferings of Jesus before his death?
4. What is Good Friday?
5. Why do we say that Jesus descended into hell?
6. Did Jesus truly rise to life again?
7. What was the new life of the resurrected Christ?
8. Why is the resurrection of Jesus important?
9. What does Jesus' resurrection tell us about our future resurrection?
10. What followed Jesus' resurrection?
11. What is Jesus' visible departure from this world called?
12. What do we call the passion, death, resurrection, and ascension of
Jesus? 
13. How is Jesus present in our world today?
14. When will Christ come again?
15. What is the last judgment?

1. Did Jesus die for all people?
As the Redeemer of the human race, Jesus died for all people without exception. (605)

He is the expiation for our sins, and not only for ours but for the sins of the whole world (1 Jn 2:2).

2. Did Jesus really die?
Jesus really did die. This means that his human soul separated from his human body. To remove any doubt, the Gospels tell us clearly that when the soldier pierced Jesus' heart with a lance he was already dead (cf. Jn 19:33-34). (626)

Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures (1 Cor 15:3).

3. What do we call the sufferings of Jesus before his death?
The sufferings of Jesus before his death are called his passion.(610)

4. What is Good Friday?
Good Friday is the Friday before Easter, on which we remember in a special way our Savior's sufferings and death for us on Calvary.

5. Why do we say that Jesus descended into hell?
"Hell" here refers to the abode of the just who died before Jesus' coming. After his death, Jesus descended there in his soul to free those who had been awaiting deliverance. (631-635)

An hour is coming, and is now, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who listen to it will live (Jn 5:25).

6. Did Jesus truly rise to life again?
The Gospels clearly tell us that Jesus did truly rise to life again. The reuniting of Jesus' body and soul, called the resurrection, was brought about by God's power, which the Father, Son and Holy Spirit each possess. (639)

Why are you looking for he who lives among the dead? He is not here-he is risen (Lk 24:5-6).

7. What was the new life of the resurrected Christ?
At the resurrection the same Jesus who had died came back to life, but in a glorious and empowered state, never to die again. Jesus' new life was that of heaven, no longer bound to the limits of time and space. (645-647)

After this he appeared in a different form to two of them as they were walking into the countryside... (Mk 16:12).

8. Why is the resurrection of Jesus important?
Jesus' resurrection shows that he truly is God as he said and, therefore, that his death really saved us. (651-655)

And if Christ was not raised then everything we proclaimed is in vain, and so is your faith.... As it is, Christ was raised from the dead... (1 Cor 15:14, 20).

9. What does Jesus' resurrection tell us about our future resurrection?
Jesus' resurrection shows us what our resurrection will be like at the end of the world. Just as God's power united Jesus' body and soul, so will our own bodies and souls be reunited by God's power at the end of time. (655)

Just as in Adam all men die, so too in Christ they will also come to life again (1 Cor 15:22).

10. What followed Jesus' resurrection?
After his resurrection, Jesus appeared to his followers a number of times to show that he had truly risen and to prepare them for their mission. Then he ascended to his Father. (659)

He also provided them with many proofs that he was still alive after his sufferings... (Acts 1:3).

11. What is Jesus' visible departure from this world called?
Jesus' visible departure from the world is called the ascension. This important event is commemorated each year on the feast of the Ascension. (660)

I am ascending to my Father and your Father, and to my God and your God (Jn 20:17).

12. What do we call the passion, death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus?
The passion, death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus are called the Paschal Mystery." Paschal" refers to Passover and Easter; "mystery" here means event. (571)

13. How is Jesus present in our world today?
The risen and glorified Jesus "dwells on earth in his Church" (669). He is completely present (as both God and man) in the Eucharist. He is also present in the other sacraments, his actions that give us the Holy Spirit and grace. Also, by his power as God, he speaks to us through the Bible and the Church, especially the Pope.

I will be with you all the days until the end of the age (Mt 28:20).

14. When will Christ come again?
Christ is the Lord of history and head of the Church, yet not all the earth is subject to him. At a future time known only to God, Christ will return in glory to fully establish his kingdom. (671-672)

"Lord, is this when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?" But he told them, "It is not for you to know the dates and times my Father has decided upon from his own authority" (Acts 1:6-7).

15. What is the last judgment?
The last judgment will be the day of God's justice and mercy when good will finally triumph over evil. The heart of each person who ever lived will be revealed. We will receive eternal reward or eternal punishment according to our works and our acceptance of God's grace. (678-679)

The Son of Man will sit on the throne of his glory, and all the nations will be gathered before him, and he  will separate them from each other... (Mt 25:31-32).

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