What is the repose of the soul?

Answer

The expression “repose of the soul” is utilized in Catholicism to denote the eternal rest an individual encounters upon entering heaven to be with God. A customary blessing given by Catholic priests to a dying individual includes these words: “When, therefore, your soul shall depart from your body, may the resplendent multitude of the angels meet you: may the court of the apostles receive you: may the triumphant army of glorious martyrs come out to welcome you: may the splendid company of confessors clad in their white robes encompass you: may the choir of joyful virgins receive you: and may you find blessed repose in the bosom of the patriarchs.”

Roman Catholics pray for the deceased so that their souls may discover repose. Prayers for the departed are rooted in the Catholic belief that most individuals do not proceed directly to heaven or hell but to purgatory, where they undergo purification for their unforgiven sins. Once a person is cleansed of all sins, they are permitted to enter heaven, where they experience the repose of the soul. Prayers for a departed loved one to find repose of the soul are commonly offered during Sunday Masses, at the wake for the deceased, and at the funeral Mass.

The concept of repose of the soul, when taken literally, does align with biblical truth. The term “repose” signifies “to lie or be at rest” or “to be peacefully calm or still.” Indeed, heaven is a place of repose—Lazarus was “comforted” in paradise «But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. », (Luke 16:25). Where Catholic doctrine deviates is in asserting that the repose of the soul must be earned after death. The Bible teaches that Jesus has already atoned for our sins and there is no condemnation for those in Christ « There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk after the flesh, but after the Spirit. », (Romans 8:1). According to Scripture, we are saved by grace and are secure in our position in Christ: “Because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:4-6).

A true Christian—someone who trusts in Christ alone for salvation—already has peace of the soul; they are at peace with God before reaching heaven, before the death of the body. Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. . . . Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” «Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world gives, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. », (John 14:27). In Romans 5:1 we are promised that, “since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

The Catholic teaching of purgatory and prayer for the dead is not biblical. Peace of the soul, the result of saving faith in Christ, is something to be sought on this side of death. Once a person is dead, there is nothing more that can be done for that soul. Either that deceased person is in eternal judgment or experiencing eternal life with the Lord. Our prayers or actions will not change the situation of a person once they die.