Published in the bulletin of Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Knoxville, TN, on the 11th Sunday of Ordinary Time.
My dear Parishioners,
Peace! The twelfth article of the Apostle’s Creed is “I believe in everlasting life.” There are ten (10) In Brief passages in the Catechism of the Catholic Church regarding this article of the Creed. The following is a reflection on article 1053.
For the sixth time when treating the Creed, the Catechism again here cites the Solemn Profession of Faith of Pope Paul VI (30 June, 1968), article 29. Eight (8) points are highlighted concerning one of the “last things,” namely, Heaven.
The Saints live in heavenly paradise. The paradise of Heaven makes the Garden of Eden, the paradise of pleasure or luxury, pale in comparison (cf. Genesis 2:15; 3:23; 13:10; Ezekiel 31:8–9; Joel 2:3). This is so, in part, because the devil who is also called Satan, the great dragon and the old serpent, has been cast out (cf. Revelation 12:9).
The Saints make up the Church of Heaven. While we know so many of the canonized Saints with their feast days on the calendar of the Church’s year, it is good to recall here that on 1 November we celebrate the Solemnity of All Saints, those who are canonized and all of the others who live on high with Christ Jesus and His blessed Mother, the Virgin Mary (cf. 2 Timothy 2:10).
The Saints in Heaven enjoy eternal beatitude. There is no suffering, only joy and bliss in Heaven (cf. 1 Peter 3:22; Revelation 21:4). Heaven is the incorruptible, undefiled inheritance prepared for all the Saints (cf. 1 Peter 1:4).
The Saints in Heaven see God as He is, in whose image we have been made in creation and remade by the redemption (cf. 1 John 3:2).
The Saints in Heaven are gathered around the throne of God in diverse degrees. The variation of degrees corresponds to the extent that one or another of the Saints may have been more complete in their obedience to the holy will of the Almighty. Consider, for example the Blessed Virgin Mary who always adhered to God’s plan for her entire life and St. Dismas, the ‘Good Thief’ who corresponded to God’s will for the last hours of his life. Of course, both are Saints in Heaven, but one greater in view of the greater fidelity lived out in this life.
The Saints in Heaven are associated with the holy angels in the divine government. God allows the holy angels some share in the governance of the universe. The Saints too participate in directing the course of events. This is why there are various ‘Patron Saints’ of places, activities, and the like.
The Saints in heavenly glory intercede for us even as they cared for their neighbors during their lives on Earth. The Saints intercede on our behalf with Christ as He intercedes for us with the Eternal Father (cf. Hebrews 9:24).
The Saints in Heaven, who are our brothers and sisters in Christ, in fraternal solicitude, aid us in our weaknesses.
God bless you!
Father John Arthur Orr