An All Saints Day reflection: Did you ever wonder what the saints do in heaven? Do they sit around on a cloud and play a harp? (Boring!) Do they rest, like on a vacation - eternally? (Even a vacation, after so long, gets old.) So what do they do in heaven?
I think the plan devised by the architect Antonio Gaudi for the Sagrada Familia is stunning in its capturing a sense of heaven.
Its other-worldly design includes a design for the interior of the church where figures of angels and saints are to be suspended in a way that depicts them as ascending and descending upon those gathered in worship. Gaudi's vision is that what happens at Mass is a window into heaven.
The Scriptures and our Catholic Church teach us that in heaven there is "a great multitude, which no one could count, from every nation, race, people, and tongue." And what do they do? They stand "before the throne and before the Lamb, wearing white robes and holding palm branches in their hands." And they cry out in a loud voice: “Salvation comes from our God, who is seated on the throne, and from the Lamb.” In other words, they worship! (And so, what about people who don't want to worship in this life? Well, it will be quite an adjustment when they get to heaven, won't it!)
We also know from our faith that the saints intercede for humanity. So, heaven is no lollygagging affair. When we get there, we will see the Lord Jesus face to face and will know for the first time what it's really like to be in the presence of Absolute Love. Worship will flow naturally, just as awe rises up naturally in the heart of someone looking at stunning beauty. And That Love will evoke in us a zealous love for others, with a particular love that exercises concern and attention to those who have yet to make their way through what sometimes can be described as a "valley of tears," those still in their earthly life, wending their way towards the Kingdom of Heaven.
Comments