Q U I C K S C A N

What is heaven?
What will our earthly relationships be like in heaven?
What will we learn in heaven?

Readers reflect on Friar Jack’s musings

by Friar Jim Van Vurst, O.F.M.

What is heaven?

Our earthbound language is very limited when it comes to describing heaven. But the old romantic ballad that Fred Astaire sang in 1938 probably describes it as well as anything: “Heaven, I’m in heaven, and my heart beats so that I can hardly speak…” Astaire was describing the state of being in love. Anyone who has truly fallen deeply in love knows how powerful that experience is. We say love “makes the world go around.” So, if you think of heaven, don’t think of it as a geographical place somewhere beyond the last galaxy. Think of it as a state of existence or state of being.

To be “in” heaven is to be totally and completely united to God, the source of life and of all goodness for eternity. It is to be forever happy in every possible way and in a manner we cannot imagine now on earth. Heaven is not like your best day on earth: It's better. Heaven is happiness without end.

What will our earthly relationships be like in heaven?

One of the elements about God and God’s creation is relationship. In fact, everything about God is relationship. God is Father, Son and Holy Spirit. When the Son of God became man in Jesus Christ, he called Mary, “Mother,” and Joseph, “Father.” Because God made us in his image and likeness, our lives, too, are about relationship.

The worst punishment a person created for relationships can have is to be absolutely alone and isolated. We hunger for loved ones and companionship. I have heard ministers say that in heaven there will be no relationship other than our relationship with God. All attention, they say, is upon God. This is absolutely untrue. What a lonely place that would be. We are all God’s family—husband and wives, parents and children. In fact, we are all brothers and sisters.

Because we are united with God completely and totally, we are also united with one another. While we are on earth we are even now the family of God. But in our heavenly relationship with God, we will relate to every other person with us in heaven in ways we cannot imagine. There will be no strangers, and the deepest relationships on earth with our loved ones will be even more intense.

Some marriages and parent-child relationships are near perfect, though none are totally perfect. Many of our relationships struggle because we are all fragile. But in heaven, in union with God, every relationship will be perfected. There will be no more resentment, hurt or anger. All of those things will be healed once and for all with no residue. Every relationship will be healed. It may be hard to imagine, but a murder victim and his or her murderer will be totally united with one another. Aborted fetuses and their mothers will be united in total and complete love for one another. If we struggle with this idea, it’s because we are not yet in perfect union with God.

What about the marriage relationship? Jesus was asked a question about a woman with seven husbands or a husband who married three times. Now what happens? Jesus gives us a hint of an explanation in his words: “People are not given and taken in marriage” (Mt. 22:23ff). Jesus is not saying that such relationships don’t exist. Rather, he says that the intimacy of a marriage relationship is only a hint of what real love will be in heaven.

With a child who is adopted, who comes first? Is it the birth mother or adoptive mother? They both do. There is no competition in heaven, only total love and total healing. There is no jealousy, rejection and pain. When our souls are reunited with our bodies, they will be “glorified.” Imagine being perfect. Every person with an injury, mental disability or handicap is restored to complete wholeness. There is no imperfection in heaven.

What will we learn in heaven?

I emphasize relationship because this is what gives us the greatest joy even in our earthly existence. But there is so much more. Every question we have had will be answered in heaven. We will see God’s perfect plan for us and know how we were always in his hands even when God seemed a million miles away. How can that happen? Because we will be perfectly united to God who is all knowing, almighty, and—most of all—love itself.

Friar Jack’s Inbox

Readers respond to Friar Jack’s musings on “Iraq: Looking for Hope Amid Ashes” and “Why Did Jesus Come to Dwell Among Us?”

Dear Friar Jack: A huge thank you for remembering us Catholics serving in Iraq this blessed holiday season. I look forward to your messages and read with great interest your take on the situation that I am risking my life for. I appreciated the message you sent and your support for the troops. We are aware of the great sacrifice we are making for the peace and freedom we have in the U.S. I am a U.S. Army nurse for the 47th Combat Support Hospital in Mosul. I work in the ICU where we care for very seriously injured U.S. soldiers, Iraqi nationals and civilians, and an occasional insurgent. I feel blessed to take care of the heroes and honored to show the “bad guys” mercy. We care for all equally, with compassion. Regardless of how others may see your message as political, overall, whether you are “for” or “against” the war in Iraq, you remain supportive of the troops that are here. Thank you for your prayers and the prayers of my brothers and sisters in faith. They have not gone ignored by our Lord, and we have not ignored the messages of support we are receiving here. Again, much thanks for your views on the situation here. Your message was a wonderful reminder of God's love and support, mercy and grace for all people. I am glad to be a vessel of that message by compassionately caring for all who come to my hospital. Kimberly

Dear Kimberly: I think many of our readers will be inspired by your spirit of compassion and care for all people who have been seriously injured in this war—for all who seek healing in your hospital. You give us an “inside look” at what it's like for a Catholic serving in this war as an army nurse. We pray for you and all those risking life and limb out of love for their country and the whole human family. May God bless and protect all of you.
Friar Jack

Dear Friar Jack: Thank you for the E-spiration “Why Did Jesus Come to Dwell Among Us?” It finally answers a question I have had for so long whenever I read the following: “He was destined before the foundation of the world but was made manifest at the end of the times for your sake” (1 Pet 1:20). I always wondered why Christ was destined before the foundation of the world, before man had sinned. Also, his being one of the persons of the Holy Trinity, being God, meant that he always was, from all eternity. How could he have been an afterthought? Your E-spiration answers this. Thank you! Maite

Dear Friar Jack: I write to you because I wanted to let you know how moved I was by your newsletter about the Incarnation. The atonement as a central focus for Christian theology has been a challenge to my faith. To read your reflections on the Franciscan view of creation and Christ’s central place in it was an answer to many prayers for understanding. I look forward to more of your newsletters. Julie

Dear Maite and Julie: Many thanks to you and several others who responded to “Why Did Jesus Come to Dwell Among Us?” For those who wish to read more on this topic, I recommend the following Catholic Update by my good Jesuit friend, Fr. Ken Overberg: “The Incarnation: Why God Wanted to Become Human.” May God give you peace and lead us all into a deeper union with the God of love! Friar Jack

Send your feedback to friarjack@americancatholic.org.

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