What does the church say about near-death experiences? (The Patrick Madrid Show)

So Patrick jumps into a question from Bonnie, who is curious about these fascinating near-death experiences where people claim to have seen heaven or even Jesus himself. 🕊️✨ The big question she asks: What does the Catholic Church think about these experiences?

Patrick begins by acknowledging that there have been countless accounts of near-death experiences (NDEs) throughout history. People often describe floating above their bodies, seeing a bright light, or even meeting Jesus. While these stories are fascinating, Patrick reminds us that the Church approaches them with cautious curiosity.

He divides the possibilities into three “buckets” 🪣:

Imagination at work: Patrick notes that our brains are powerful and can produce vivid experiences, especially when we are unconscious or close to death. Some near-death experiences may simply be the result of our brains running at full speed.

Separation of body and soul: The Church teaches that death occurs when the soul leaves the body. Patrick speculates that some near-death experiences may be a glimpse of the soul just before it completely separates from the body. This could explain the heightened senses or out-of-body perspectives some people report.

Real encounters in the afterlife: Then there's the possibility that some people may actually get a glimpse of the afterlife. Patrick mentions biblical examples like Lazarus, who was really dead before Jesus brought him back to life. However, he also warns that not all of these experiences are heavenly. Saint Teresa of Avila, for example, had a terrifying vision in which she was sliding down a slimy tunnel toward hell – a wake-up call for her to change her life.

Finally, Patrick would like to offer a word of caution: If a person's near-death experience contradicts the teachings of the Church or the Bible – such as the claim that everyone goes to heaven regardless of their faith – it could be a warning sign that the experience is demonic rather than divine in nature.

While some near-death experiences may be real, many may just be a product of the imagination or even spiritual delusion. The ultimate litmus test? Always check to see if these experiences are consistent with what Jesus and the Church teach. If not, it's probably best to approach them with a healthy dose of skepticism.

The preferably The best way to hear the best of the week is with our #1 free Catholic app. It's free and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, click here.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: