We will experience many of these blessings—both big and small—now, even in the midst of life’s disappointments and challenges.
- Still, the greatest reward for our discipleship will be “eternal life in the age to come.”
- Jesus delights in giving us the free gift of eternal life as we spend ourselves on him.
- We can get so caught up in the here and now
- and the cares of the present day, however,
- *** that we forget this eternal perspective. ***
- And that only leads to discouragement.
- In a sermon, St. Cyprian echoed Jesus’ promise to all who give up whatever might hinder their following him
- —“house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands” (Mark 10:29):
- When the day of our homecoming puts an end to our exile,
- frees us from the bonds of the world,
- and restores us to paradise and to a kingdom,
- we should welcome it.
- What man, stationed in a foreign land, would not want to return to his own country as soon as possible?
- Well, we look upon paradise as our country,
- and a great crowd of our loved ones awaits us there,
- a countless throng of parents, brothers and children longs for us to join them. . . .
- What joy both for them and for us to see one another and embrace!
- O the supreme and endless bliss of everlasting life!
May the hope of heaven inspire all of us to live for Jesus today!
“Thank you, Lord, for the hope of heaven and your promise of eternal life!
Human language falls short of being able
to describe what you have in store for us,
but being with you forever
will be joy beyond imagining!”
