Are loved ones and friends looking down on us?

[johnnyjones]

Can our friends and relatives see us in our earthly life? If they can’t see us do they know our struggles and successes? I’m asking for a friend because I really couldn’t give a satisfactory answer to her (especially as I was former Fundamentalist in which this would be almost equal to witchcraft-but now a Catholic revert.)

 

[GEddie]

Can our friends and relatives see us in our earthly life? If they can’t see us do they know our struggles and successes? I’m asking for a friend because I really couldn’t give a satisfactory answer to her (especially as I was former Fundamentalist in which this would be almost equal to witchcraft-but now a Catholic revert.)

The Church does indeed teach that there is a fellowship “between lives”. This is called the communion of saints.

As to physical seeing, there has been no formal pronouncement on that.

ICXC NIKA

 

[ExCatholicGuy]

It’s an interesting question because if those in heaven can see their loved ones on earth, they will likely see things that would cause them sadness, which would be contrary to the state of perfect happiness promised in heaven.

 

[Phemie]

It’s an interesting question because if those in heaven can see their loved ones on earth, they will likely see things that would cause them sadness, which would be contrary to the state of perfect happiness promised in heaven.

That has always been my thought too. If my father is in heaven, he would be no happier there than he was on earth if he could see my brothers shunning the Church and his grandchildren doing the same.

 

[Waiting]

Can our friends and relatives see us in our earthly life? If they can’t see us do they know our struggles and successes? I’m asking for a friend because I really couldn’t give a satisfactory answer to her (especially as I was former Fundamentalist in which this would be almost equal to witchcraft-but now a Catholic revert.)

I talk to my deceased relatives all the time – and I get answers – not in words, but in the help that I request. The answers have been immediate, so there can’t possibly be that many coincidences. Just not possible.

 

[ExCatholicGuy]

That has always been my thought too. If my father is in heaven, he would be no happier there than he was on earth if he could see my brothers shunning the Church and his grandchildren doing the same.

Yes, exactly - they would either be sad because of things their loved ones are doing (or not doing), or because of bad things happening to their loved ones.

 

[Sky_Pilot]

I’ve wondered this ever since an eight year old boy looked at me curiously and said “Aren’t they in purgatory for a hundred years or something?” and I had to pass the buck to the Padre for an answer.

 

[Giggly_Giraffe]

I believe they see everything THROUGH God’s eyes as they have been purified like gold.

 

[Boulder257]

They would be outside of time, so ultimately, they wouldn’t see things in the chronological order that we experience them now. Right?

 

[johnnyjones]

They would be outside of time, so ultimately, they wouldn’t see things in the chronological order that we experience them now. Right?

Thats my logic as well, but there are other views I suppose.

 

[Sky_Pilot]

Giggly Giraffe’s post that,
“I believe they see everything THROUGH God’s eyes as they have been purified like gold”
and
Boulder257’s comment about
existing outside of time
are both concise, accurate, and helpful.
Thank you both.
I was satisfied that wiser heads than my own could help me figure this out!

 

[A_G]

Yes, our loved ones in Heaven and purgatory can “see” us, if God allows them to. For the souls in purgatory, we should pray for to help them get into Heaven sooner. For those in Heaven as well as in purgatory, we can ask for their intercession (we can ask them to pray for us). The Communion of Saints means the union which exists between the members of the Church on earth with one another, and with the blessed in Heaven and with the suffering souls in purgatory.

The website, therealpresence.org/essentials/creed/acc10.htm , says the following about the Communion of Saints:

"The Church founded by Christ has three levels of existence. She is the Church Militant on earth, the Church Suffering in purgatory, and the Church Triumphant in heaven. After the last day, there will be only the Church Triumphant in heavenly glory.

It is understood that there is communication among these three levels of the Mystical Body. Those on earth invoke the saints in heaven and pray for the souls in purgatory. Those in heaven pray for the Church Militant and the Church Suffering; they obtain graces for us on earth and an alleviation of suffering for the poor souls. Those in purgatory can invoke the saints on high and pray for us struggling with the world, the flesh, and the evil spirit.

We might, then, describe the Communion of Saints as the unity and cooperation of the whole Church. Together, we all form one Mystical Body. We share our merits and prayers with one another for the greater glory of God and the upbuilding of Christ’s Body which is His Church."

 

[doormouse73]

It’s an interesting question because if those in heaven can see their loved ones on earth, they will likely see things that would cause them sadness, which would be contrary to the state of perfect happiness promised in heaven.

i dont like saying this,but i must.

who says they are in heaven??

they might be in purgatory…

nobody knows if their past ones are in heaven,we pray they are,or will get there.there is no guarantee they will get there on the first go.

pray for them,their souls so they will get there …

i do this for my mother and father,brother and all my past family and friends,the lost souls and everybody…

 

[johnnyjones]

i dont like saying this,but i must.

who says they are in heaven??

they might be in purgatory…

nobody knows if their past ones are in heaven,we pray they are,or will get there.there is no guarantee they will get there on the first go.

pray for them,their souls so they will get there …

i do this for my mother and father,brother and all my past family and friends,the lost souls and everybody…

And if they are somewhere other than puratory or heaven, they will never see us or hear us on earth. That is a possibility we are unaware of as well. I pray that will not be me.

 

[Waiting]

It’s an interesting question because if those in heaven can see their loved ones on earth, they will likely see things that would cause them sadness, which would be contrary to the state of perfect happiness promised in heaven.

If God says that those in heaven are eternally happy, then they’re happy. God allowed me on one occasion to see my deceased sister. It was not a dream. It happened during Mass when I was praying for her. At the Consecration, when the priest elevated the host, on the right of the priest, was a huge bubble. In the middle of that bubble sat my sister, who was so radiant with joy, that she looked as though she couldn’t hold more happiness. The vision lasted only a few seconds. Maybe the Lord was reassuring me that my sister was happy. I had been her caretaker, and worried that I couldn’t accompany her to heaven and make things easier for her. He did reassure me. I’m sure that she will be present to make my final trip easier.

 

[BasiaGirl]

It’s an interesting question because if those in heaven can see their loved ones on earth, they will likely see things that would cause them sadness, which would be contrary to the state of perfect happiness promised in heaven.

Here’s what I’m thinking. Yes, they can see us, but they see the whole picture, so when something bad happens, they can see that it’s actually going to be for the good down the road. For example, if you had a small child and the doctor said, “We have to remove your child’s hand,” you would be devastated and beg to allow the child to keep the hand. You would think this to be the most horrible thing that could happen. However, if the doctor said, “If we don’t remove the hand, your child will die,” you would beg them to remove the hand, right? So when bad things happen to you, your loved up there sees that whatever happens is designed by God to save your soul (like bad tasting medicine or an operation), so they’re up there saying, “Yes, God. Let that bad/sad thing happen b/c that’s what will push them to you Lord, and they’ll be saved!!!” So they’re happy because “all things work together to good to them that love God.”