THE PROMISE OF HEAVEN | KAIROS GLOBAL | SEPTEMBER 2021

Author: Angela Thomas, Dubai, UAE

The Promise of Heaven

It is not easy to love the Catholic Church! Well, at least that was what I thought growing up. As years passed by and I progressed in my turtle-paced growth in spirituality, I learnt to unravel the beauty of the mighty Church I was part of and I could not stop thinking about the countless reasons I encountered, that magnified the love I felt towards our Church. 

While my list could go endless, I’m going to ponder on one aspect that has been a pivotal reason for my gradually increasing love – the promise of heaven. I remember as a child how our catechism teachers painted pictures of a castle set amidst the cotton clouds, with a golden door and cute little angels dressed in white, flying around. My concept of heaven was such a beautiful painting! 

Growing into my teenage years, I came to realise that heaven was probably not what I’d pictured it to be but a place where I would find happiness. Probably a meeting place of everyone I knew, who had passed away after having lived good lives on earth. Took quite a while for me to then grow into an understanding that being in heaven is a state of ourselves. A state which fulfils the innermost longings of my heart, as I live to be united in perfect harmony with the most Holy Trinity. Simply put, to be one in Christ. To be perpetually reminded that whatever I experience on earth is just fleeting and what awaits me after my brief tenure here, fills me with hope and a renewed spirit to live my life in accordance with the teachings of the Church. 

What would man be, if not for principles to follow and certainty of destination? And while the Church does its best to explain in layman terms what heaven would feel like, reinstating the tangibility of our faith and the Lord in our lives, the Church also maintains the depth of the unfathomable mystery reiterating the Lord’s transcendence. The Church also speaks about how blessed, glorious, honoured and joyful one must be, to be granted an experience of the same.  And I for certain, would want to experience that.  If that doesn’t inspire me to lead a better life, I’m going to try and think what will. I’m pretty sure I will never get an answer to that. 

House of Joy

I still remember the days I went to church holding the hands of my grandfather. A beautiful tradition passed on from generation to generation, the Church today. But I lost this grace when I grew up. Being part of a government residential school, I lost this treasure. Later I had a great encounter with my creator which brought me back to life. I now enjoy life being part of this big family. 

Pope Francis says, ‘Church is not the refuge for sad people. The church is a house of joy’. The energy and enthusiasm of the Catholic Church is what I love. The privilege of being part of a great family, called to live the sainthood. No matter what persecution, no matter what criticism, together the Church stands for truth, following Christ the Saviour. There are many joyful young hearts that beat for Jesus, who lived the life of love. 

The joy I receive after participating in Holy Mass is immense, the comfort I receive after every confession is great. There’s nothing that leaves you in bondage, everything has a solution in the Church. Sins are nothing compared to the graces you receive from the Church. As Saint Catherine of Siena says, what a marvellous thing. That even while we are in darkness we should know light, that in finite things, we should know infinite. That even while we exist in death, we should know life. What else should stop you from being a joyful Catholic?

Malu Jones, New Zealand