ACC ~ 1 Corinthians 15 v54

DESPISING WHAT IS NATURALLY FEARFUL. ATHANASIUS: For man is by nature afraid of death and of the dissolution of the body. But there is this most startling fact, that he who has put on the faith of the cross despises even what is naturally fearful and for Christ’s sake is not afraid of death. ON THE INCARNATION 28.

NOTHING CORRUPT LEFT. CHRYSOSTOM: Incorruption will swallow up corruption, leaving nothing of the former life behind. HOMILIES ON THE EPISTLES OF PAUL TO THE CORINTHIANS 42.4.

THE CURE FOR HERESY. AUGUSTINE: Were our heretics capable of grasping this one truth, they would surrender their pride and become reconciled and would never again worship God anywhere but in the church. THE WAY OF LIFE OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH 30.64.

DEATH EXISTS NO LONGER. AUGUSTINE: Where is death? Seek it in Christ, for it exists no longer. It did exist, and now death is dead. O Life, O Death of death! Be of good heart, death will die in us also. What has taken place in our Head will also take place in his members. Death will die in us also. But when? At the end of the world, at the resurrection of the dead in which we believe and about which we have no doubt. … These are words given to those who triumph, that you may have something to think about, something to sing about in your heart, something to hope for in your heart, something to seek with faith and good works. EASTER SERMON 233.4.

THIS CORRUPTIBLE. AUGUSTINE: The apostle Paul seems to have directly pointed his finger at the flesh when he wrote: “this corruptible must put on incorruption.” When he says this, he as good as points with his finger. That which is visible can be pointed at in this way. The soul cannot be pointed at, though it can be called corruptible, because it is corrupted by moral biases. FAITH AND THE CREED 10.22.

IMMORTALITY REMOVES EARTHLY DESIRES. AUGUSTINE: There are many desires of the sick which health takes away. In just the same way as physical health undercuts those desires, so immortality does remove all other desires because immortality is our health. EASTER SERMON 55.8.

NO ENTICEMENTS TO SIN IN HEAVEN. AUGUSTINE: Then not only shall we not obey any enticement of sin, but there will be no such enticements of the kind we are commanded not to obey. LETTER 196, TO ASELLICUS.

MADE YOUNG BY ETERNAL INCORRUPTIBILITY. AUGUSTINE: Because of the necessary activities of this life, health is not to be despised until “this mortal shall put on immortality.” This is the true and perfect and unending health which is not refreshed by corruptible pleasure when it fails through earthly weakness but is maintained by heavenly strength and made young by eternal incorruptibility. LETTER 130, TO PROBA.

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