October 20, 2026—The Life God Offers Us

Copy of the Anastasis fresco painted between 1315-1321. Christ takes Adam and Eve firmly by the wrists and draws them from their tombs. His victory over death is our hope: through Baptism, we are joined to his death and Resurrection, called to live in him now and share in his risen life, body and soul, forever.

This week we continue our Hope in Christ: Life Everlasting series by looking more closely at what the Church teaches about death and what comes after it. We’ll explore the Four Last Things: death, particular judgment, heaven and hell.

At the heart of all of this is Christian hope! Jesus has entered death and risen again, and He's made a way back to perfect communion with God, and calls us to live our present lives in the light of eternity. We’ll also look at how this hope appears in the Creed and practice a simple examination of conscience together.

Before Tuesday evening, spend 5 or 10 minutes a day reading the Receive the Church’s Wisdom section in this Gathering Guide so you'll be ready for these big topics! If you divide it up it won't take much time. And bring any questions or thoughts it raises for you. There is no separate Journey Through the Catechism reading for this gathering.

Gathering Guide

Watch these great videos to prepare for the conversation. Fr. Gregory Pine brings his Dominican wisdom about the necessity of Hell, and Fr. Mike Schmitz explains how, as the Catechism teaches, in the Last Judgment “the ultimate meaning of the whole work of creation and of the entire economy of salvation” will be made known to us (CCC 1040). All the good and evil you and I have done will also become known.

https://youtu.be/T0nlDbouOIo?si=HnUCY_9e85KNzvxk

https://youtu.be/7FMgVbcLagM?si=cwdXpZ7seyTUxJAk