The Holy Realm of God and Heaven

The Holy Realm of God and Heaven

As we all should have the life after death on our minds it can become too difficult to place this as a priority when most are busy with secular problems.   Yet, after all the trials and efforts of man’s work on earth there must be something better than all the emptiness that is left with no conclusion for labor he has dome.  Is it possible to find a reason for this entity that promises a better life?

Scripture and Tradition never cease to reach and celebrate this fundamental truth: “The world was  made for the glory of God.”  St. Bonaventure explains that God created all things “not to increase his glory, but to show it forth and to communicate it,” for God has no other reason for creating than his love and goodness.”  Creatures came into existence when the key of love opened his hand.    (CCC 293).  The First Vatican Council explains:

This one, true God, of his own goodness and “almighty power,” not for increasing his own beatitude,  nor for attaining his perfection, but in order to manifest this perfection through the benefits which he bestows on creatures, with absolute freedom of counsel :and from the beginning of time, made out of nothing both orders of creatures, the spiritual and the corporal.”  (Lateran Council IV).

The thought of closing our eyes for the last time and entering an existence unknown for many and frightening for most leaves man in a quandary of what to expect.  

The Christian who unites his own death to that of Jesus views it as a step towards him and an entrance into everlasting life.  When the Church for the last time speaks Christ’s words of pardon and absolution over the dying  Christian, seals him for the last time with a strengthening anointing, and gives his Christ in viaticum as nourishment for the journey, she speaks with gentle assurance:  (CCC 1020).

Go forth, Christian soul, from this world in the name of God the almighty Father, who created you, in the name of Jesus Christ , the Son of the living God, who suffered for you, in the name of the Holy Spirit, who was poured out upon you.  Go forth, faithful Christian!

May you live in peace this day, may your home be with God in Zion, with Mary, the Virgin Mother of God, with Joseph , and all the angels and saints;

May you return to your Creator who formed you from the dust of the earth.  May holy Mary, the angels and all the saints come to meet you as you go forth from this life , Mat you see your Redeemer face to face.  (Prayer of Commendation).

This perfect life with the Most Holy Trinity - this communion of life and love with the Trinity, with the Virgin Mary, the angels and all the blessed - is called “heaven.”  Heaven is the ultimate end and fulfillment of the deepest human longings, the state of supreme, definitive happiness.  (CCC 1024).  

All of us must die, that is the final step before entering into eternity with Christ.  It should be the one thought of our final journey on earth before our eternal life with the Holy Trinity.  For each one this will become the perfect end of a life’s work for yourself and your loved ones.  

Then the angel showed me the river of life-giving water, sparkling like crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of its street.  On either side of the river grew the tree of life that produces fruit twelve times a year, once for each month:  the leaves of the trees serve as medicine for the nations.  Nothing accursed will be found there anymore.  The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him.  They will look upon his face, and his name will be on their foreheads.  Night will be no more, nor will they need light  from lamp or sun, for the Lord God shall give them light, and they shall reign forever and ever.  (Rv 22: 1 - 5).

A perfect beginning of eternal life with God and all those who already went before us; our family and friends.  

Ralph B. Hathaway