When two mortal enemies are now in Heaven

[mkdl_v17]

Suppose two men had a heated argument and they fight each other. One has committed a mortal sin by killing the other person. However, the killer undergoes penance for his sins, and both men die in a state of grace.

When in Heaven, can the killer still meet with his victim as friends, the way they were before that brawl, or the victim’s soul (and all those who witnessed the murder) will remain invisible to him? I’m sorry if I asked such a complicated question given the fictional scenario above.

 

[JerryZ]

Nothing in Heaven is hidden, and no, enemies cannot stay together in Heaven either. For the only way anyone enters Heaven is by forgiving even his/her “enemies”.

…

 

[porthos11]

Suppose two men had a heated argument and they fight each other. One has committed a mortal sin by killing the other person. However, the killer undergoes penance for his sins, and both men die in a state of grace.

When in Heaven, can the killer still meet with his victim as friends, the way they were before that brawl, or the victim’s soul (and all those who witnessed the murder) will remain invisible to him? I’m sorry if I asked such a complicated question given the fictional scenario above.

There is no complication at all. Both men are in Christ, and as such, there is only love between the two of them, as well as with all the rest of the saints. There is no more sin or effects of sin. Nothing is hidden in the judgment.

Further, it’s not fictional.This does happen, a key example being St. Stephen and St. Paul.

 

[GEddie]

All in Heaven that was not good has been forgiven, and no-one who does not forgive is there.

ICXC NIKA.

 

[JB_Brother_4446]

There is no complication at all. Both men are in Christ, and as such, there is only love between the two of them, as well as with all the rest of the saints. There is no more sin or effects of sin. Nothing is hidden in the judgment.

Further, it’s not fictional.This does happen, a key example being St. Stephen and St. Paul.

Stephen might have been Paul’s cousin.

 

[fred_conty]

We see people as they really are … like Moses and Elias in the transfiguration… shockingly beautiful and full of love being an image of Jesus.

 

[FractalFire]

Suppose two men had a heated argument and they fight each other. One has committed a mortal sin by killing the other person. However, the killer undergoes penance for his sins, and both men die in a state of grace.

When in Heaven, can the killer still meet with his victim as friends, the way they were before that brawl, or the victim’s soul (and all those who witnessed the murder) will remain invisible to him? I’m sorry if I asked such a complicated question given the fictional scenario above.

Now that you’ve asked this question, you absolutely *must * read C. S. Lewis’ The Great Divorce. It answers this exact question brilliantly!

Long answer short, C. S. Lewis notes that nothing of our old hatreds can remain in heaven – no, not even hatred of our enemies. (Justice, of course, will remain as always, but not the anger we use to fuel our mortal conception of justice. That will pass away.)

 

[Catie59]

I can’t claim to know what Heaven is really like, but as Christians we
believe that nothing bad exists in God’s Kingdom. There are no
“bad feelings”, no conflicts. Since God is Pure Love and Mercy
how can anything but love exist there? When we finally enter
Heaven we will be purified, we will be Saints.

 

[Memaw]

Suppose two men had a heated argument and they fight each other. One has committed a mortal sin by killing the other person. However, the killer undergoes penance for his sins, and both men die in a state of grace.

When in Heaven, can the killer still meet with his victim as friends, the way they were before that brawl, or the victim’s soul (and all those who witnessed the murder) will remain invisible to him? I’m sorry if I asked such a complicated question given the fictional scenario above.

If both are in Heaven, they are no longer mortal enemies. God Bless, Memaw

 

[mommy_k]

The Lord’s Prayer gives instruction to this. We ask God to forgive us our trespasses with the same completeness as we forgive those who trespass against us.

So the people who consider others a mortal enemy will go to purgatory until they can forgive enemies the way Jesus taught us to do.

 

[Dorothy]

Nothing in Heaven is hidden, and no, enemies cannot stay together in Heaven either. For the only way anyone enters Heaven is by forgiving even his/her “enemies”.

…

The OP mentioned, in the scenario, that both men died in the state of grace. So, being in a state of grace they will have found their peace and forgiveness in the Lord.

They will both be praising the Lord and thanking Him forever in Heaven. Of course they can be together in our wonderful Lord!