Is bodily incorruption of the saints biblical?

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I was just skimming through the Bible on the USCCB ( :eek: ) website and came across this footnote:

“The principles of qualitative difference before and after death (1 Cor 15:36-38) and of diversity on different levels of creation (1 Cor 15:39-41) are now applied to the human body. Before: a body animated by a lower, natural life-principle (psyche) and endowed with the properties of natural existence (corruptibility, lack of glory, weakness). After: a body animated by a higher life-principle (pneuma; cf 1 Cor 15:45) and endowed with other qualities (incorruptibility, glory, power, spirituality), which are properties of God himself.”

Does this have anything to do with saints whose bodies did not corrupt? Is it because they had become so Christ-like and united with God?
 
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JSmitty2005:
I was just skimming through the Bible on the USCCB ( :eek: ) website and came across this footnote:

“The principles of qualitative difference before and after death (1 Cor 15:36-38) and of diversity on different levels of creation (1 Cor 15:39-41) are now applied to the human body. Before: a body animated by a lower, natural life-principle (psyche) and endowed with the properties of natural existence (corruptibility, lack of glory, weakness). After: a body animated by a higher life-principle (pneuma; cf 1 Cor 15:45) and endowed with other qualities (incorruptibility, glory, power, spirituality), which are properties of God himself.”

Does this have anything to do with saints whose bodies did not corrupt? Is it because they had become so Christ-like and united with God?
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Basically. It is like when St. John was cast into a vat of boiling oil and emerged unscathed. The natural power of the oil to damage the flesh is made impotent by the presence of the Holy Spirit in him which cannot be harmed by temporal afflictions.

Consider also, for instance, the “residual” effect of the Holy Spirit in the robe of St.Paul which affected miraculous cures. Sometimes this “residual” effect of great holiness preserves the body of the deceased saint which, throughout their life, was a temple to God.

Thal59
 
Although I am unaware of any instance in the Old or New Testament where a dead body remained incorrpt for any significant amount of time, Scripture does say:
10Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; nor wilt thou give thy holy one to see corruption. (Psalm 15:10 Douay-Rheims Version or Psalm 16:10 King James Version)
Supernatural incorrpution of the body, is rare, even among saints, and so it seems to me that it must be looked upon not as an ordinary consequence of sanctity but as a special favor from God.
 
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Anonymous_1:
does it matter if its Biblical? It happens.
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I’m just asking the question b/c I’m looking for an answer. This *is * Catholic Answers, y’know? :rolleyes:
 
The question is not so much whether it’s biblical as whether it’s physical, i.e.–does it happen. Not all instances of alleged incorruptibility of saints are well documented.
 
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JSmitty2005:
I was just skimming through the Bible on the USCCB ( :eek: ) website and came across this footnote:

“The principles of qualitative difference before and after death (1 Cor 15:36-38) and of diversity on different levels of creation (1 Cor 15:39-41) are now applied to the human body. Before: a body animated by a lower, natural life-principle (psyche) and endowed with the properties of natural existence (corruptibility, lack of glory, weakness). After: a body animated by a higher life-principle (pneuma; cf 1 Cor 15:45) and endowed with other qualities (incorruptibility, glory, power, spirituality), which are properties of God himself.”

Does this have anything to do with saints whose bodies did not corrupt? Is it because they had become so Christ-like and united with God?
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That is a very interesting and thought provoking question. Although I don’t know the answer, I recall reading recently, in the book The Mystical City of God, by Ven. Mary of Agreda (a book I would highly recommend), of the process of the sanctification of the soul, as revealed to her.

It speaks of the various degrees of sanctification. Although I cannot recall the exact words used, it does seem as though what you asked could be a result of a very high degree of sanctity, for it speaks of the final stage of sanctification, which is a degree of union with God in which the person - body and soul - undergoes a total transformation in God.

I am going to have to locate that section of the book and re-read it to see if it would give a clue as to your question.
 
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