At last we shall be with the Lord!

The very words we will pronounce as soon as the end of life finds us ready to leave this world. But the question is; “when will we know if it is time for us to leave? Are there any positive signs that our passage has accomplished what God sent us to do? There may be a myriad of queries going through the avenues of memories that sometimes clutter the many visions, disappointments, and of course a lot of successful encounters with those we didn’t know. That scenario will wait until the last flutter of light has ceased to lighten our path.

Death, the last frontier of human environments that has always confronted us with the inquisitiveness of the human heart asking the Lord is this enough? No one can legitimately answer with a positive response the long list we will present to God at the opening of our eyes and viewing the sight that as Paul exclaimed; “But eye has not seen, and ear has not heard, and what has not entered the human heart, what God has prepared for those who love him,” this God has revealed to us through the Spirit.” (1 Cor 2: 9 -10).

Yes, it is a narrative of words that touches the senses of the heart and prepares everyone for the final glimpse of what man has longed to experience. But when will the constant peering into an unknown future become like a child savoring the sight of endless rows of candy unable to reach what he desires until those he trusts tells him “now pick your favorite”.

To the poor who never could reach beyond degradation of body, the sinner that seemed to be swallowed in the mire of filth, and the proud who always made others know of his power to belittle the many that he owned through wealth of meanness. These will be the souls that will yearn for mercy, and in the end God will certainly lift up the words from Mary’s Magnificat: ; “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord: my spirit rejoices in God my savior. For he has looked upon his handmaid’s lowliness; behold, from now on will the ages call me blessed. The Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. His mercy is from age to age to those who fear him. He has shown might with his arm, dispersed the arrogant of mind and heart. He has thrown down the rulers from their thrones but lifted up the lowly. The hungry he has filled with good things; the rich he has sent away empty. He has helped Israel his servant, remembering his mercy, according to his promise to our fathers, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.” (Lk 1: 46 - 55).

St. Luke had a way of narrating the very pronouncements of different characters in his Gospel. Mary’s magnificat, Zecariah’s canticle after the birth of John, his son, and the theme towards Jesus and the poor. We sometimes ponder the manner in which we may fit the characterizations we read in scripture and understand the need for.personal penance. The thought of purgatory comes up often with some regarding the need for Christians that have been forgiven to still find their way there before entering heaven.

Purgatory is not a place of punishment for our sins. Jesus dying on the cross already did that. It is the penance that may be missing which we use to completely burn off any dross still hanging onto our cleansed soul. To be with God we must be completely free of anything that still holds our lack of removing this unnecessary clutter that blocks our closeness to Almighty God. Some people may have already gone through enough suffering in life that would account for the burning off of that dross.

Otherwise, the way to heaven is not carrying the weight of scrap metal, like in producing good steel, it is finding that narrow road which so few are finding; as Jesus told his disciples; “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and those who enter through it are many. How narrow the gate and constricted the road that leads to life. And those who find it are few.” (Mt 7: 13 - 14).

Then we can say; “At last we shall be with the Lord.”

Ralph B. Hathaway