It is not surprising that there is confusion about the issue. There is a difference between judgment and resurrection, even though they are obviously connected. Some people think of these two things occurring at the same time. Our Catholic teaching separates them, to some extent.

The teaching says there are two kinds of judgment. The first is that which occurs at our death and is called "the particular judgment." In this judgment, we may go to heaven, hell, or purgatory. The Catechism of the Catholic Church puts it this way: "Each man receives his eternal retribution in his immortal soul at the very moment of his death, in a particular judgment that refers to his life to Christ" (CCC 1022).

The second judgment is the general judgment that occurs at the end of the world. The resurrection of the body will take place at this judgment when our particular judgment is confirmed and our soul and body are reunited.

The hymns that say we will be raised on the last day refer to the general judgment, as do most of the Scripture passages about judgment. 

The Redemptorists
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