What is God's will for us on Earth? Who does He say will be welcomed into heaven, who will be turned away?

What is God’s will for us on Earth? Who does He say will be welcomed into heaven, and who will be turned away? 

Eileen Renders

At the end of our days here on Earth, we all desire to be welcomed into the Kingdom of God. Understanding what God desires from each of us during our lifetime is essential to realizing that goal. What does the Catholic Church say about God’s will for us on Earth, and how can we best follow His desire?

Second Grade Study and Teaching for receiving the sacraments of Reconciliation and Holy Communion by the Catholic Nuns, “God made us to know Him, to love Him, and to serve Him in this world so that one day we can be happy with Him in heaven.” That has not changed.

Here are a few of Jesus’ responses to the disciples when they questioned Him regarding what was necessary for God’s people to do so that they would be welcomed into heaven at the end of their days.

Matthew Chapter 18: “At that time the disciples approached Jesus and said, 'Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” Jesus called a child over, placed it in their midst, and said, “Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.” “Whomever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” “And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me.”

We cannot deny that small children are pure, trusting, and in need of protection.

Jesus said, “Amen, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

Again, quoting Jesus, “Amen, I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything for which they are to pray, it shall be granted to them by my heavenly Father.”

Again, quoting Jesus, “For where two, or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”

The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant

Peter approached Jesus and asked, “Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus answered, “I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times. That is why the kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who decided to settle accounts with his servants. When he began the accounting, the debtor was brought before him, who owed him a huge amount. Since he had no way of paying it back, his master ordered him to be sold, along with his wife, his children, and all his property in payment of his debt. At that time, the servant fell down, did him homage, and said, “Be patient with me, and I will pay you back in full.

Moved with compassion, the master of that servant let him go and forgave him the loan.

When the servant had left, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a much smaller amount.” He seized his fellow servant and started to choke him, demanding, “Pay back what you owe.”

Falling to his knees, his fellow servant begged him, “Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.” But he refused, and instead, he had him put in prison until he paid back the debt.

Now, when his fellow servants saw what had happened, they were deeply disturbed and went to their master and reported the whole affair.

His master summoned him and said to him, “You wicked servant! I forgave you your entire debt because you begged me to. Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant, as I had pity on you? Then in anger, his master handed him over to the torturers until he should pay back the whole debt.”

Jesus said, “So will my heavenly Father do to you, unless each of you forgives his brother from his heart.”

We must live and practice from the example Jesus left with us: Mercy, love, forgiveness, and humility.

Pride, resentment, revenge, and hate do not come from God, but from Satan!