When both mind and body assert that you are dying, rejoice if you are in the state of grace. The time to live forever joyfully is at hand.
Heaven is the state of “supreme definitive happiness, the ultimate end and fulfilment of the deepest human longings, (Catechism of the Catholic Church [CCC], 1024). It is the communion of life and love with the Holy Trinity, Mother of God, angels and all the blessed forevermore.
The word forever can only be used to describe heaven. Anything labeled forever on earth is a lie.
A place of perfect love
Heaven is called the New Jerusalem in Christian literature. It will radiate like a precious stone, clear as crystal like jasper (Revelations 21:11).
A majestic place (Revelations 7:15), the things of the past will not be remembered or come to mind (Isiah 65:17), a place of unimagined blessing, this heavenly Jerusalem, (Hebrews 12:23).
The holy people from all nations will behold God in His throne (Psalm 103, 19), and will always be their God (Revelations 21:3). All will live in rejoicing and happiness (Isiah 65:18), with perfect love governing all relationships (Psalm 103 19-21).
Man will be with their angels, and God will change man’s “lowly body to conform with His glorified body by the power that enables Him also to bring all things into subjection to Himself [Philippians 3:21]. In heaven, they are like God forever for they see Him as He is; face to face”(CCC, 1023).
Don’t gamble eternal life
Heaven is all that matters. God the Father even sent His only son, Jesus, on Earth to save men from eternal damnation. Holy Mother Church, like Christ, warns man constantly of the lamented reality of “eternal death—hell.” Pope Francis on Good Friday in 2014 told the faithful: “Convert, there is still time, so that you don’t end up in hell.”
To sanctify man, the sacraments of faith, the Ten Commandments, by virtue of the saving work of Christ, was entrusted to the Church so divine life can be dispensed to man. The graces they signify are efficacious because Christ himself is at work (CCC 1127).
Know, accept, identify and live the Ten Commandments and teachings of the Church. Every problem on Earth has a solution except death. No barrier to a holy life is too great if we focus our eyes on heaven, the fullness of love, joy and beauty.
Indeed, don’t gamble eternal life.
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Damo-Santiago is a former regional director of the Department of Education-National Capital Region. She is currently a faculty member of Mater Redemptoris Collegium in Calauan, Laguna, and of Mater Redemptoris College in San Jose City, Nueva Ecija.