The Clarity of Risen Bodies

The risen body in glory will have a measure oflightsomeness and splendor, according to the soul’s degree of glory. Says scripture (Matt. 13:43): “The just shall shine asthe sun in the kingdom of their Father.” This shining and splendid quality of the risen body is called its clarity.

The clarity of the blessed in heaven will be visible tothe non-glorified eye of the damned. For clarity is naturally visible, as it was to the eyes of the three apostles who beheld itin our Lord’s body at the time of the Transfiguration.

Yet the glorified body is not necessarily visible; it will appear or disappear as the soul wills. It will belike our Lord’s glorified body at Emmaus, that is, capable ofbeing seen, but also capable of being withdrawn from the sight of men.