Fr. Benedict Groeschel's Angel Comes to the Aid
Embarking on a journey into the enigmatic realm of heaven, our chatroom conversation ignites a captivating exploration of the afterlife's mysteries. From biblical interpretations to personal reflections, participants delve into the concept of heavenly realms, contemplating the possibility of different levels of glory and the nature of eternal happiness. With each insightful comment, the dialogue humbly approaches theological speculation, acknowledging the inherent limitations of human comprehension while embracing the profound hope that heaven promises.
Join us as we venture into the realm of faith, of seeking understanding amidst the mysteries of heaven.
And check out our Living Jesus Chat Room of the Visitation Sisters. We read a passage of St. Francis de Sales and then gather great insights and sharing.
Question: What does it mean that St. Paul was snatched up to the third heaven?
Stacy: Yes, such a good question. Could it be as I pondered the closer in prayer the more levels or heavens?
Sherry: I agree, Stacy. I wonder if there are some different levels of “consciousness to eternity.” But that is not a theological answer – just a speculation. I never studied this.
Visitation Sister: Well, I think there are levels of glory.
Sherry: Levels of glory. I love that.
Jillian: I’ll be honest, I feel I knew more about different levels of hell because of Dante but never really heard of levels of heaven. I was thinking it was how we get closer to God.
Stacy: Just like levels of angels, dominions, etc. Can’t remember it off the top of my head.
Sherry: Again... I am just thinking out loud here. If we never stop growing closer to God – and this is what I have been taught. Then it does make sense that there are several levels of glory.
Visitation Sister: I really don’t know but it could be a way of saying the place where God is rather than the “heavens” like the sky above or something.
Stacy: Jesus said there are many rooms in heaven. Yes, but great insights everyone.
Sherry: I would not call it achievement. But many different qualities of love.
Jillian: I like that idea of different qualities. That resonates.
Visitation Sister: I’ve heard people say to others you’ll have a higher place in heaven.
Sherry: From the desire of being extolled. Deliver us, Jesus.
Visitation Sister: But that is not theological.
Sherry: I agree. That this is not theological.
Visitation Sister: So, we don’t really know but one can check the catechism.
Sherry: good idea.
Question: In light of this reflection, discuss this Scripture verse: “no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him” (1 Corinthians 2:9). How can we speak of the mysteries of heaven and at the same time understand that we truly cannot speak of them? Is this a contradiction?
Stacy: We can ask the Holy Ghost for guidance and understanding. We are always learning scripture daily. We just have faith. We believe but not see.
Rebecca: Hi everyone. Love trying to think about heaven! We are, indeed, much like that poor child raised in a dungeon.
Jillian: I think we can envision that God’s love is bigger and more expansive than our comprehension and know what is good.
Denise: Individuals experience heaven differently based on what they did in life and how much they opened themselves to God's love (Catholic Answers).
Sherry: I remember reading Dr. Eben Alexander’s testimony. He is a neurosurgeon who was brain dead. He experienced the Afterlife. One of his interesting comments were – the brain activity is actually what separates us from heaven.
Jillian: Interesting, Sherry.
Rebecca: What did you get from it, Sherry?
Sherry: That our senses, that are linked with our brain – are in a way hindering to have these insights into the realm of heaven – we will be given new senses, maybe building on those we have. But in a totally different way. Or the story of the two embryos in the womb.
Visitation Sister: Thanks, Denise, for your answer too.
Denise: Interesting topic, and replies.
Sherry: The one saying – that there is life after the womb. The other one saying “Mother? I have never seen a mother” – and then the one saying. But why would we have arms and legs developed if we never need them? But it shows how we are reduced to our senses. Like an embryo in the womb. Who cannot fathom life outside of the womb. Until we are born.
Denise: Where is this from, Sherry?
Sherry: Sorry, Denise. I do not know. I have heard it several times. But I never saw who wrote it.
Rebecca: We believe in the resurrection of the BODY.
Sherry: AMEN. However, God makes that happen.
Visitation Sister: While we can’t really have knowledge, it is good to meditate on heaven.
Sherry: Totally agree.
Visitation Sister: Or any of the four last things.
Sherry: My husband loves that. I have to make sure I am not neglecting it.
Denise: I agree. It’s beautiful and hopeful to meditate on.
Stacy: Makes me think of transfiguration and how it was to prepare apostles but now thinking to prepare us of how glorious He is.
Visitation Sister: It is peaceful amidst the praise, for example, and what is it like to be with an angel.
Stacy: How glorious heaven is.
Visitation Sister: And it balances out and goes far beyond the difficult things we often have our minds on.
Denise: St Francis de Sales letter was thought provoking, spiritually provoking I’ll say.
Visitation Sister: St Francis de Sales has a meditation on heaven in the introduction to the devout life.
Denise: I’ll go back to it!
Stacy: I will too and reread.
Rebecca: Sister, what are the four last things? Are we not NOW with angels? And Saints?
Visitation Sister: Heaven, hell, death, judgment.
Stacy: So, sister, we are not part of the community of saints yet?
Visitation Sister: St. Paul would say we are of the community of saints.
Question: What does the ability to see and hear while we are without our bodies (in heaven, before the resurrection of the body) have to do with understanding eternal happiness?
Sherry: I think the ability to see and hear while we are without our bodies (in heaven, before the resurrection of the body) – speaks in a way that there is some form of connection offered – otherwise we would not need these “senses.”
Stacy: Interesting Sherry like spiritually connected but depending on earthly tasks.
Sherry: Stacy, I meant if it would be just an individual internal experience – we would not need senses that connect us with the “outer.”
Jillian: I think it speaks to the power of God in that God has created us for heaven.
Sherry: Good point, Jillian. Why would we not have the means to BE in heaven, when this is exactly the place we were created for?
Stacy: True, Jillian.
Visitation Sister: With these “heavenly senses” we might feel more like ourselves, as heaven will be so different perhaps that it is good to know something will be familiar.
Rose: God seems to want us to have a glimpse of heaven while we are on earth.
Question: Nearly everyone has an idea of a perfect place of peace and happiness that exists after this life. Where does this idea come from, since much of what we see around us is so flawed in so many ways?
Denise: Jesus speaks of heaven….
Sherry: Well... This idea comes from moments of genuine peace and happiness. Which is, on earth, continuously interrupted with moments of pain and worry and temptations…heaven will be without these interruptions.
Jillian: My idea has certainly changed over time. I know it’s influenced by the love I have for my family. Heaven is an exponential experience of love in my perception.
Sherry: YES, Jillian.
Stacy: Nice, Jillian, yes! Faith and hope and love. Jesus called heaven paradise. We are broken and the world is broken so we have hope that being in heaven gives us this idea of peace.
Jillian: I look forward to not being full of worry! It’s a daily battle.
Sherry: So sorry to hear that, Jillian. Worry is a real joy-robber.
Jillian: I’m working on worry and impatience this Lent.
Denise: I’m thinking of beautiful Cathedrals, reaching up high into …heaven! Represents this. I also see this in God’s creation, high mountain tops, high tall trees.
Rose: In moments of consolation when God gives us the grace of profound peace, we understand that with God this will be much more than what He gives us here on earth.
Stacy: Rose, totally agree. I could spend hours in adoration if I had the option and time, so cannot fathom heaven!
If you enjoyed this article, why not join us at our Living Jesus Chat Room of the Visitation Sisters. Join us at 7:30 p.m. ET each Sunday! We read a passage of St. Francis de Sales and then gather great insights and sharing!