What do we remember in Heaven?

[larry85704]

I thought about this the other day. There seems to be a line of thought that we remember our lives on earth when in heaven. Also seems to be a line of thought that we will be social in heaven, in the sense that we will know people in heaven that we knew on earth. I really don’t know what the Church teaching on this is. An interesting thought arises from this. What if we meet a person in heaven that we really were not very nice to on earth? Could it be that a man would meet the person he murdered in heaven? I suppose it is possible, people can be forgiven. But if you remember it would seem that heaven would be a very interesting place, and not as happy as I thought it might be. Any thoughts on this? Anybody know the Church teaching on the subject?

 

[Snowball]

I believe I will be reunited with all who I have come in contact with during my life here on earth, but most importantly I’ll finally be face to face with God…and do I have some questions for Him …LOL
Also, I wanted to let you know about a book, entitled , I believe its: The Five People You Meet in Heaven, by Mitch Albom…
It’s a wonderful book, and really got me thinking about my own life, and the people in it and about how God works in my life.

 

[rpp]

What a person a person is that they posses three things, intellect, will and memory.

To think that we will not remember our earthly lives in Heaven is to discount one of the very characteristics which make us human, memory.

 

[larry85704]

You must have heard the same things I did. We think of our existence in heaven as somehow being human, sort of. We can talk, as questions. I think the Church teaches we will have perfect bodies. Does that mean we will have human bodies?

Maybe we won’t have to ask, we will just know.

There are things I don’t want some people to know about me.

 

[rpp]

You must have heard the same things I did. We think of our existence in heaven as somehow being human, sort of. We can talk, as questions. I think the Church teaches we will have perfect bodies. Does that mean we will have human bodies?

Maybe we won’t have to ask, we will just know.

There are things I don’t want some people to know about me.

I am not certain what the experience will be like after our death but before the resurrection. I suspect that it will feel like we have some sort of body, but we will be aware of the fact that, until the final resurrection, we only have a spiritual experience, no corporeal existence.

One the other hand, maybe not. Either way, I think it is very hard for my little-bitty brain to conceive of a non-corporeal existence.

 

[Evan]

In order for the Justice and Mercy of God to be revealed at the Last Judgement we will need to know what you have thought and done. So be aware that not only God knows all we have done, but I will know too. !!

Also… remember that eventually we will be living in a new earth and heaven. So we will once again be in time. For we are human, and to be fully human requires a BODY and a SOUL.

 

[StCsDavid]

IMHO, since Heaven is outside of time and space, memory will be irrelevant. Remembering is tied to a past event, but Heaven is eternal so there is no sense of past or future but rather glorious beyond our wildest imagination ever present. That’s just my opinion never having been there, but really, really, hoping to be there eventually.

 

[AHapka]

if we meet a person in heaven that we really were not very nice to on earth? Could it be that a man would meet the person he murdered in heaven? I suppose it is possible, people can be forgiven. But if you remember it would seem that heaven would be a very interesting place, and not as happy as I thought it might be.

Don’t forget we will all love each other in Heaven. With a true love, not the kind of transient “love” or incomplete love that occurs here on earth so often. Both the murderer and murdered would be happy and joyful primarily by being in the presence of God. They would have no reason to be mad at each other, because they would both love each other. And as a result of this love, of course the murderer would have be forgiven.

Don’t forget, in Heaven we will all be happy and fullfilled. It’s not like we’ll be mad that we “missed out” on anything earthly. For we will then know what we missed out on while we were on earth. Rather, we’ll be happy to get there as quick as possible.

Andy

 

[goofyjim]

I will remember all those who judged that I wouldn’t make it and be glad I did anyhow along with all my firends who were judged the same way by humans but judged differently by God. I feel confident through the passion and resurrection of Christ that I will make it as well as all those I have shown mercy to. If I make it, so will all those I have come in contact with during my life here on earth.

 

[larry85704]

In order for the Justice and Mercy of God to be revealed at the Last Judgment we will need to know what you have thought and done. So be aware that not only God knows all we have done, but I will know too. !!

Why do you say that? What is your basis?

I thought about it a bit more and remembered that when God forgives us of our sins He forgets them. He forgets them perfectly. So, if God forgave and forgot, prior to our getting into heaven, why would anybody need to know what we did that was sinful?

Since we do not forget our sins do we know something that God does not?

 

[Hilde89]

And what if not everyone you loved are there in heaven? Can you be sad in heaven?

 

[quiet52]

There is a passage in the book of Revelation telling us that nothing imperfect shall enter Heaven.

Which tells me that Purgatory is such a gift to us – we atone for our sins, we free ourselves from all grudges, we work at conforming our wills to God’s will, which is to be in total communion with Him and with each other.

So – once we make it to Heaven – we cannot sin – we cannot bear grudges – we rejoice together in perfect love and unity as we joyfully partake of the eternal banquet feast.

 

[EB4304]

You can’t really be ‘sad’ in Heaven; even if a family member is in hell, you will not, I am told, be ‘sad’ about it. That would mean that evil would get the last word and not good - that evil can extend its powers and infect even Heaven.

The people in hell chose to be there, and really aren’t even ‘people’ anymore, they’re more like remains (to use C.S. Lewis’ terrifying description).

But there has to be more to it than we could ever try to articulate - it’s like asking a two year old to describe physical laws or something.

 

[rpp]

And what if not everyone you loved are there in heaven? Can you be sad in heaven?

You can’t really be ‘sad’ in Heaven; even if a family member is in hell, you will not, I am told, be ‘sad’ about it. That would mean that evil would get the last word and not good - that evil can extend its powers and infect even Heaven.

The people in hell chose to be there, and really aren’t even ‘people’ anymore, they’re more like remains (to use C.S. Lewis’ terrifying description).

But there has to be more to it than we could ever try to articulate - it’s like asking a two year old to describe physical laws or something.

In C.S. Lewis’s book, The Great Divorce, this specific issue is addressed. It is the issue of pity. His explanation is wonderful and I cannot do it justice by repeating it here.

 

[tm30]

IMHO, since Heaven is outside of time and space, memory will be irrelevant.

Close… but I would say that the “past” will be irrelevant. You can experience a memory in the NOW, as part of your intellect, so I think memories will still exist in our intellect in Heaven. However, all that we experience emotionally will be in the NOW. i.e., you may have a memory of a loved one who, God forbid, is condemned to hell, but your constant “NOW” experience of the beatific vision of our just God will prevent you from sorrowing over them. You may run into an old girlfriend who broke your heart, and you may remember that event (because it’s part of all that you know about this soul), but you will not sorrow over it – you will rejoice in that person’s salvation and she will rejoice in yours!

 

[Evan]

Why do you say that? What is your basis?

I thought about it a bit more and remembered that when God forgives us of our sins He forgets them. He forgets them perfectly. So, if God forgave and forgot, prior to our getting into heaven, why would anybody need to know what we did that was sinful?

Since we do not forget our sins do we know something that God does not?

1. God can never forget anything. God does not change. Forgetting involves change. God is eternal, unchanging.
2. The Roman Catechism explains why, besides the particular judgment of each individual, a general one should also be passed on the assembled world:

The first reason is founded on the circumstances that most augment the rewards or aggravate the punishments of the dead. Those who depart this life sometimes leave behind them children who imitate the conduct of their parents, descendants, followers; and others who adhere to and advocate the example, the language, the conduct of those on whom they depend, and whose example they follow; and as the good or bad influence or example, affecting as it does the conduct of many, is to terminate only with this world; justice demands that, in order to form a proper estimate of the good or bad actions of all, a general judgment should take place. . . . Finally, it was important to prove, that in prosperity and adversity, which are sometimes the promiscuous lot of the good and of the bad, everything is ordered by an all-wise, all-just, and all-ruling Providence: it was therefore necessary not only that rewards and punishments should await us in the next life but that they should be awarded by a public and general judgment.

 

[rpp]

1. God can never forget anything. God does not change. Forgetting involves change. God is eternal, unchanging.

I agree. The scripture passages that say that God “forgets” our sins is not using the word in it’s literal sense, I believe. Instead, such passages try to convey the completeness of God’s forgiveness.

1. The Roman Catechism explains why, besides the particular judgment of each individual, a general one should also be passed on the assembled world:

I realize the Church teaches that there are two judgments. I guess I am a little unclear as to how they differ.

 

[Evan]

I thought the reason for the general judgement was to show to all men that God is both infinitely Just and Merciful. So we can see how the two aspects of God work as part of a unity of being.

In me, I am sometimes just, sometimes merciful, and only on the rare occasion can I be both.

So we will see how God deals with the unborn.

They were not baptized, they never made a single choice for the Good nor did anyone else do it for them. Therefore, by justice, they cannot enter heaven.

They never made a choice for evil, therefore, by mercy, they cannot enter hell.

We will see how God deals with repentant sinners (like Hitler). He cause extensive harm to people, nations, the earth, etc. Therefore he goes to hell.

But he repented at the end, he goes to heaven. Justice? Mercy? In God, one does not supercede the other, but they work together.

Justice and mercy must be maintained. How? God knows and will show us at the final judgement when we see both the actions of men, the consequences of these actions on others, and how God is able to give a just and merciful consequence to the sinner.

 

[rpp]

I thought the reason for the general judgement was to show to all men that God is both infinitely Just and Merciful. So we can see how the two aspects of God work as part of a unity of being.

In me, I am sometimes just, sometimes merciful, and only on the rare occasion can I be both.

So we will see how God deals with the unborn.

They were not baptized, they never made a single choice for the Good nor did anyone else do it for them. Therefore, by justice, they cannot enter heaven.

They never made a choice for evil, therefore, by mercy, they cannot enter hell.

We will see how God deals with repentant sinners (like Hitler). He cause extensive harm to people, nations, the earth, etc. Therefore he goes to hell.

But he repented at the end, he goes to heaven. Justice? Mercy? In God, one does not supercede the other, but they work together.

Justice and mercy must be maintained. How? God knows and will show us at the final judgement when we see both the actions of men, the consequences of these actions on others, and how God is able to give a just and merciful consequence to the sinner.

If Hitler did somehow repent as the bullet passed through his brain and the cyanide was coursing through his body, then it would not surprise me if he was the one who turned out the lights as he is leaving Purgatory. However, I doubt that that he did repent. From my extensive reading about history and WWII, that would have been out of character for him. He had really gotten caught-up in the ancient Germanic pagan myths of Nibelungenlied (Which includes the charaters of Woton, Frieda, Siegfried, Hildegaard and others familiar to Opera fans of Wagner’s Ring Cycle.)

Still, I imagine there will be many surprises. Surprised or not, I do not think there will be any disappointment in Heaven.

 

[Evan]

But he repented at the end, he goes to heaven. Justice? Mercy? In God, one does not supercede the other, but they work together.

Sorry. I meant “**had **he repented at the end.”