The Ressurection of the Dead

“And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom; and the earth shook, and the rocks were split; the tombs also were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many. When the centurion and those who were with him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe, and said, “Truly this was the Son of God!” ( Matthew 27:51-54 )

These events are difficult for anyone to fully understand. The great Church writers have some possible explanations for this. One explanation is that the dead rose like Lazarus and later on died a natural death. St Augustine and St Thomas lean toward this explanation because they feel it fits with sacred scripture and does not give many theological difficulties compared to other explanations. In any case what is important is that we believe that Jesus rose on the third day so that we may also rise with him to eternal life.