What will heaven be like? Our society does not really deal with death well. How many commercials do we see or hear every day that are geared to promoting ways of having us look and feel young? The fact is that our life span is relatively short. Our earthly life will come to an end. People around us including family members are dying. As we get closer to the end of our life, we begin to wonder more about what will follow when we die. We might even speculate with Peggy Lee in her famous song, “Is this all there is?” As we grow older, our experience of death becomes more vivid and cannot be avoided.
Belief in Jesus, the Christ, brings us hope of a future glory. Many days in the liturgical year are devoted to recalling the real faith of martyrs. Men and women were and are willing to give up their lives here on earth in order to experience the beatific vision of God in the next life. “I have come that they might have life and have it abundantly” The kingdom of God, Jesus’ prayer tells us, begins on earth “as it is in heaven.” This helps us agree with St. Augustine when he proclaims, “Our hearts were made for thee, O God, and they will not rest until they rest in Thee.”
- Do you think about death often?
- Is your relationship with Jesus a consolation when you experience a death of a loved one?
- Do thoughts of a limited life help you to appreciate the preciousness of each day?
O God, help me be consoled by your promise of a glorious life in the life to come.