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Question
My friend believes in the Rapture and asked if we, Catholics did. I told her that to my knowledge it was not mentioned in the Bible and therefore, we did not believe in it. But I would like a little more info so my answer will have more impact.
Thank You
Hi, Barbara:
Happy Easter!
The 1st Thessalonians 4:13-18 verse seems to play big into this protestant rapture idea:
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (NKJV) But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. 15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.
The basic word "rapture" is derived from the Latin "Rapiemur" (we shall be caught up) in verse 17 of this pericope...
Of course, there is no historical teaching of the Church on this matter, and no mention is made of it at all until around the mid-1800s by certain protestant Biblical scholars.
When I read the passage, I can see that it clearly indicates there is a day, the last day of the world, when Christ will come again in glory. Those who are in the graves, those who have died over the past centuries and millennia, will be raised up to resurrection. There seems to be an implied question St. Paul is answering to his audience: "What about those who are still alive upon the earth when Jesus comes again; those who have not died yet, and have not been buried? What will happen to them?"
Well, St. Paul goes on to describe that they will simply be "caught up together" into the life of the resurrection, without first undergoing the natural process of death, and without being buried in the grave. Apparently, St. Paul is further saying that those who are alive on earth when Jesus comes again will not enter into the resurrection before those in the grave... It would seem that they will all be caught up together at the same instant - in the same moment of time.
How certain protestants get the whole elborate idea of some sort of "left-behind" rapture from this whole scenario is well beyond me; and, as I stated above, is completely absent from Church teaching throughout the centuries until it was proposed in the mid-1800s.
Have a great day, and a very blessed Easter!
Fr. Timothy Johnson
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Answers by Expert:
Fr. Timothy Johnson
Expertise
A Traditional Catholic Priest, validly and licitly ordained, incardinated legally and canonically in the Diocese of Fargo, and in good-standing with my Local Ordinary (Bishop) on active assignment at a rural Tri-Parish. I can provide honest and balanced answers to questions on topics pertaining to Traditional Roman Catholicism of the Latin Church (Councils of Trent and Vatican II)and a lot about the Eastern Catholic Churches, including the Sacred Liturgy, Sacred Scripture, Church History, the use of the Latin language, the tradition of Sacred Music, and current events in the Catholic Church from a traditional, historical and balanced perspective.
Experience
I have been ordained a Roman Catholic Priest since June 2001.
Organizations
Knights of Columbus; Church Music Association of America (CMAA)
Education/Credentials
Ordained Priest, 02 JUN 2001; Ordained Deacon, 27 JAN 2001; MA - Dogmatic/Systematic Theology;
MDiv - Professional Degree from Seminary;
2-Years formation with Canons Regular of Premontre including studies and experience in Sacred Liturgy, Chant, Latin, Sacraments, Spirituality.
BA - Scholastic/Thomistic Philosophy;
BA - Liberal Arts;
AA - General Studies.
Past/Present Clients
I serve 3-small, rural Parish Communities in Easter North Dakota
I converted to the Roman Catholic Church in 1981, at the age of 15.
Over the years I have done work as an organist, cantor, and choir director for the Latin Rite (English & Latin) Mass (Liturgy of the Eucharist), and even for the Hours of the Divine Office.
I have worked as a cantor for a Melkite Byzantine Catholic Church.
Presently my pastoral and administrative duties as a Catholic Priest do not allow me as much time as I used to have to devote to Sacred Music; but for my weekend Masses and Solemnities within my Tri-Parish, I offer High Sung Mass in English. Weekday Mass is typically Low Mass (recited Mass) in English, though on occasion I will offer the "Tridentine Mass" in Latin, which I usually offer on my "Day Off", as well. And now, in light of the "Motu Proprio" by his Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI placing the extraordinary usage of the Roman Rite back into the mainstream of the Catholic Church, I have been offering a regularly scheduled SUN, 2:00 PM Tridentine Latin Mass with a community of the faithful that has a stable existence.
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