Catechism of the Catholic Church

Glossary 877 ESCHATOLOGY: From the Greek word eschaton, meaning “last.” Eschatology refers to the area of Christian faith which is concerned about “the last things,” and the coming of Jesus on “the last day”: our human destiny, death, judgment, resurrection of the body, heaven, purgatory, and hell—all of which are contained in the final articles of the Creed (1001, 1020-1050; cf. 2771). ETERNAL LIFE: Living forever with God in the happiness of heaven, entered after death by the souls of those who die in the grace and friendship of God (988, 1020). In preaching the kingdom of heaven, Jesus called all people to eternal life, which is anticipated in the grace of union with Christ: “This is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent” ( Jn 17:3). EUCHARIST: The ritual, sacramental action of thanksgiving to God which constitutes the principal Christian liturgical celebration of and communion in the paschal mystery of Christ. The liturgical action called the Eucharist is also traditionally known as the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. It is one of the seven sacraments of the Church; the Holy Eucharist completes Christian initiation (1322 ff.). The Sunday celebration of the Eucharist is at the heart of the Church’s life (2177). See Mass. EUCHARISTIC PRAYER: See Canon of the Mass. EUTHANASIA: An action or an omission which, of itself or by intention, causes the death of handicapped, sick, or dying persons—sometimes with an attempt to justify the act as a means of eliminating suffering. Euthanasia violates the fifth commandment of the law of God (2277). EVANGELICAL COUNSELS: In general, the teachings of the New Law proposed by Jesus to his disciples which lead to the perfection of Christian life. In the New Law, the precepts are intended to remove whatever is incompatible with charity; the evangelical counsels are to remove whatever might hinder the development of charity, even if not contrary to it (1973). The public profession of the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity, and obedience is a constitutive element of state of consecrated life in the Church (915). EVANGELIST: One of the four authors to whom is ascribed the writing of the Gospels, i.e., Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John (125, 120). The term is also used for one who works actively to spread and promote the Christian faith. EVANGELIZATION: The proclamation of Christ and his Gospel (Greek: evangelion ) by word and the testimony of life, in fulfillment of Christ’s command (905; cf. 861). EVE: According to the creation story in Genesis, the first woman; wife of Adam. God did not create man a solitary being; from the beginning, “male and female he created them” ( Gen 1:29) (369, 375). Because she is the mother of the eternal Son of God made man, Jesus Christ the “new Adam,” Mary is called the “new Eve,” the