Earth, With Sprinkles
I was talking to a non-churched friend the other day and as we talked religion, the reality of heaven came up. At one point, he looked at me and said, “But heaven is simply just earth, with a little sprinkles on top! What good is that?!” Ever since that conversation I haven’t stopped thinking about how this couldn’t be further from the truth.
As Catholics, November is a month where we remember all the faithful departed. We began the month with All Souls Day, but that same solemnity and prayerfulness should be carried out throughout the entire month. As we go about our lives this month, we are called to pray for those who have died, remember them, and pray that God may open the gates of paradise for them. This time of year is also a great reminder for all of us of the most important belief of our faith– the resurrection of the dead and life with God in heaven. As Catholics we know that we will be with our God, in a perfect harmony when our earthly existence is done. The prayers of the Funeral liturgy reminds us of this reality when we pray, “Indeed for your faithful Lord, life has changed, not ended, and when this earthly dwelling turns to dust, an eternal reward is made ready for them in heaven”
The readings today reminds us again of the promise of the resurrection for all who have loved God, been faithful to his will, and have answered his voice. We are given the hope of the resurrection of the dead, the resurrection that lets us reside with him in heaven. Heaven is that place where we, in the presence of God, “reach the ultimate end and fulfillment of our deepest human longings; the state of supreme, definitive happiness (CCC 1024). As believers in the resurrection, we have a certain hope of our own resurrection with God, as the seven brothers had done in the first reading. We are convinced of the “king of the universe will raise us up to an everlasting renewal of life….”
May we never lose hope in that heavenly reunion we will one day have with our heavenly king. May we come to find peace, love, and completeness in Christ, who offers us not eternal sprinkles, but our true selves, our longest desires, complete happiness. In coming to Christ, may we come to know that a life lived with him, and a life in heaven is more than sprinkles, but is indeed a fulfillment of who we are called to be– Children of God.
As Catholics, November is a month where we remember all the faithful departed. We began the month with All Souls Day, but that same solemnity and prayerfulness should be carried out throughout the entire month. As we go about our lives this month, we are called to pray for those who have died, remember them, and pray that God may open the gates of paradise for them. This time of year is also a great reminder for all of us of the most important belief of our faith– the resurrection of the dead and life with God in heaven. As Catholics we know that we will be with our God, in a perfect harmony when our earthly existence is done. The prayers of the Funeral liturgy reminds us of this reality when we pray, “Indeed for your faithful Lord, life has changed, not ended, and when this earthly dwelling turns to dust, an eternal reward is made ready for them in heaven”
The readings today reminds us again of the promise of the resurrection for all who have loved God, been faithful to his will, and have answered his voice. We are given the hope of the resurrection of the dead, the resurrection that lets us reside with him in heaven. Heaven is that place where we, in the presence of God, “reach the ultimate end and fulfillment of our deepest human longings; the state of supreme, definitive happiness (CCC 1024). As believers in the resurrection, we have a certain hope of our own resurrection with God, as the seven brothers had done in the first reading. We are convinced of the “king of the universe will raise us up to an everlasting renewal of life….”
May we never lose hope in that heavenly reunion we will one day have with our heavenly king. May we come to find peace, love, and completeness in Christ, who offers us not eternal sprinkles, but our true selves, our longest desires, complete happiness. In coming to Christ, may we come to know that a life lived with him, and a life in heaven is more than sprinkles, but is indeed a fulfillment of who we are called to be– Children of God.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
who has conquered death so that all things may be unified with you in eternity.
Help me to never lose that true authentic hope which you have secured for us through your passion and Resurrection.
Guide me on this life, to a live a life molded by authentic hope, never loosing sight of the power of your Resurrection.
Grow within me a desire to attain heaven and to be with you as my true self and where all things are overwhelmed with your glory and eternal happiness.
When this earthly dwelling turns to dust, guide me to the gates of paradise, so that I may one day join you and the company of saints in heaven.
AMEN
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