What shall we expect when we become citizens of Heaven?

Perhaps this is just one of the questions any of us may have as we await our call from this life. It isn’t as though we will have the opportunity to look at a brochure listing the many choices we might want to experience that will suit our new position. And it certainly will not provide us with a place because of our list of Ph’d’s, BA or degrees in Theological premises. One may try to discern what all their efforts that their human life meant; if that does not follow them into heaven.

Let us take a look at just what the Lord used our abilities for. The one purpose that each one was endowed with to accomplish would have a positive result that needed our individual talents to give to others in order to extend the kingdom God was preparing for all of us.

There are some individuals that might decide they no longer need doctors since their report with one or more was less than appropriate to their way of thinking. “So, the Holy Spirit didn’t need to create that entity,” according to them. However, it isn’t our selfish attitude that would imply whether some humans just might need to have a professional expert to diagnose a medical procedure and guide you or I to get an x-ray or a progressive manner of treating a disease.

How about a construction engineer who is in charge of a major highway with bridges and tunnels. If one of these did not exist, travelling would become a disaster. The Holy Spirit designates each one of us to fulfill many different positions with the abilities to make this human life something like clockwork with the ultimate goal of preparing our next move to be holy and complete. But when we reach our new home it won’t have all of the attributes of our human abilities but new positions of an eternal kingdom.

Death puts an end to human life as the time open to either accepting or rejecting the divine grace manifested in Christ. The New Testament speaks of judgment primarily in its aspect of the final encounter with Christ in his second coming, but also repeatedly affirms that each will be rewarded immediately after death in accordance with his works and faith. The parable of the poor man Lazarus and the words of Christ on the cross to the good thief, as well as other New Testament texts speak of a final destiny of the soul-a destiny which can be different for some and for others. (CCC 1021).

How great will your glory and happiness be, to be allowed to see God, to be honored with sharing the joy of salvation and eternal light with Christ your Lord and God…to delight in the joy of immortality in the Kingdom of heaven with the righteous and God’s friends. (St. Cyprian).

Most people do not ponder what they shall be or accomplish once they close their eyes for the last time. But it is through the very expression of our willingness to follow Christ in a way that is not controversial but instead becomes an entity of grace that the Holy Spirit hands to each one as we please God by accepting our role in life.

Our acceptance of what the Holy Spirit hands us is not whether we can accomplish it, rather how much we use the grace given to bring souls to Christ through his Passion which is paramount to the Cross; his and ours.

Ralph B. Hathaway