Do You Really Want To Get To Heaven?
Do you really want to get to Heaven? Is Heaven important? Is it so important that you think about getting to Heaven, even in the middle of a busy day at work? Is the very thought of getting to Heaven such a joy, so compelling, that it helps you to sanctify your work each day?
We Catholic men should all know that we'd be better off if we develop the habit of thinking of Our Lord from time to time during our busy days. Of course it would benefit us if we could say an occasional prayer during the day - never mind get to daily Mass either before work or at lunch.
But we need to go even further. We need to think, from time to time, about Heaven. In fact, the Church recommends we meditate, from time to time about the "four last things": Death, Judgment, Heaven, Hell.
Have you been thinking about Heaven lately? Do you occasionally see sanctifying your work as one way to prepare yourself for the joy of Heaven?
Look, I've got enough to deal with in my work life. I'm pressed from start to finish some days. Yes, I know that I'm supposed to get to Heaven - that's the goal of life. It's what God wants for me. But do I want it? Do I really want to get to Heaven?
This is important. It's not optional. It's not frivolous. It's not something we can maybe think about when we get some free time.
You know, you don't just waltz into heaven simply by not murdering people or committing adultery. Jesus isn't going to pat you on the head just because you were a "nice guy" rather than an obnoxious, selfish jerk.
The point is, at some point in our lives, right here, right now, while we're alive and kicking, we've got to not only know and understand our faith, we've got to live it - to live like it's the most important thing. And living our faith includes really wanting to get into Heaven.
Heaven can't just be some vague place in the sky. It can't be just something that's better to get to instead of Hell. You can't be thinking: well, better I should be in Heaven after I die rather than suffer eternally in Hell. Who likes to suffer? Not me.
Of course, it's OK to fear eternal damnation. But do you really want to be with God in Heaven? Is the very thought of being in His Blessed Presence exciting to you? Is it so compelling, so important?
Or is Heaven a nice thought - something you'll think more about when you're about to die?
Look at it this way: If heaven isn't attractive to us now, why should it be then?
If we're attached to this world, spend most of our waking moments focused on our material, earthly goals, more concerned with pleasure or personal comfort, thinking about making money - for the sake of having a bigger house, a new car, more stuff, etc. - if that's what makes us tick today, what's going to make things different when we die?
Cardinal Newman (recently beatified) says this:
A careless, a sensual, an unbelieving mind, a mind destitute of the the love and fear of God, with narrow views and earthly aims, a low standard of duty, and a benighted conscience, a mind contented with itself, and unresigned to God's will, would feel as little pleasure, at the last day, at the words, "Enter into the joy of thy Lord," as it does now at the words, "Let us pray."
Read these words carefully. You can see how well the great Newman understands us. He knows the human heart.
There's an expression: "Home is where the heart is." If your heart's not in Heaven now, how is it going to get into your heart when you die?
It's time to spend some time meditating on Heaven. Maybe today, even if just for a few minutes, you can read these words of Cardinal Newman. If you're anything like what he describes, then it's time to wake up and start thinking about Heaven - NOW.
We Catholic men should all know that we'd be better off if we develop the habit of thinking of Our Lord from time to time during our busy days. Of course it would benefit us if we could say an occasional prayer during the day - never mind get to daily Mass either before work or at lunch.
But we need to go even further. We need to think, from time to time, about Heaven. In fact, the Church recommends we meditate, from time to time about the "four last things": Death, Judgment, Heaven, Hell.
Have you been thinking about Heaven lately? Do you occasionally see sanctifying your work as one way to prepare yourself for the joy of Heaven?
Look, I've got enough to deal with in my work life. I'm pressed from start to finish some days. Yes, I know that I'm supposed to get to Heaven - that's the goal of life. It's what God wants for me. But do I want it? Do I really want to get to Heaven?
This is important. It's not optional. It's not frivolous. It's not something we can maybe think about when we get some free time.
You know, you don't just waltz into heaven simply by not murdering people or committing adultery. Jesus isn't going to pat you on the head just because you were a "nice guy" rather than an obnoxious, selfish jerk.
The point is, at some point in our lives, right here, right now, while we're alive and kicking, we've got to not only know and understand our faith, we've got to live it - to live like it's the most important thing. And living our faith includes really wanting to get into Heaven.
Heaven can't just be some vague place in the sky. It can't be just something that's better to get to instead of Hell. You can't be thinking: well, better I should be in Heaven after I die rather than suffer eternally in Hell. Who likes to suffer? Not me.
Of course, it's OK to fear eternal damnation. But do you really want to be with God in Heaven? Is the very thought of being in His Blessed Presence exciting to you? Is it so compelling, so important?
Or is Heaven a nice thought - something you'll think more about when you're about to die?
Look at it this way: If heaven isn't attractive to us now, why should it be then?
If we're attached to this world, spend most of our waking moments focused on our material, earthly goals, more concerned with pleasure or personal comfort, thinking about making money - for the sake of having a bigger house, a new car, more stuff, etc. - if that's what makes us tick today, what's going to make things different when we die?
Cardinal Newman (recently beatified) says this:
A careless, a sensual, an unbelieving mind, a mind destitute of the the love and fear of God, with narrow views and earthly aims, a low standard of duty, and a benighted conscience, a mind contented with itself, and unresigned to God's will, would feel as little pleasure, at the last day, at the words, "Enter into the joy of thy Lord," as it does now at the words, "Let us pray."
Read these words carefully. You can see how well the great Newman understands us. He knows the human heart.
There's an expression: "Home is where the heart is." If your heart's not in Heaven now, how is it going to get into your heart when you die?
It's time to spend some time meditating on Heaven. Maybe today, even if just for a few minutes, you can read these words of Cardinal Newman. If you're anything like what he describes, then it's time to wake up and start thinking about Heaven - NOW.
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