Mum attended daily Mass whenever possible, taking my sister and me along with her during school holidays. She loved praying the Rosary and had a beautiful statue of Mary, Queen of Heaven, in her bedroom. So I certainly agreed with my dad when he said, “Well, darling, she is with the Lord.”

Back then, I believed heaven existed, but beyond that, I didn’t really know what to expect. At my convent school, the sisters had taught me that God created me “to know, love, and serve him in this world and to be happy with him forever in the next.” But, I wondered, what was “the next” going to be like?

Now, years later, I have a greater knowledge of heaven, as well as a visual image in my mind of what it will be like. This has come both from my deepening relationship with the Lord and a greater familiarity with the Scriptures and the teachings of the Church. I have come to believe, as the children’s song goes, that “heaven is a wonderful place, filled with glory and grace.”

The Glories of Heaven. In this issue, I want to explore with you the glories of heaven. The Catechism of the Catholic Church describes heaven as “the ultimate end and fulfillment of the deepest human longings, the state of supreme, definitive happiness” (1024). The more we reflect on our heavenly destiny, the more hope we can have as we live our earthly lives. So let’s look at what Scripture teaches us about eternal life and develop a heavenly vision for ourselves.

In my work in prison ministry over the years, I have met many incarcerated men and women and have received letters from many more. And for the past twenty years, I’ve corresponded with Mario, who is serving a life sentence in a Texas prison. He wrote recently, “As I’m going to be seventy-nine on my next birthday, I’m going to think more about heaven!” Mario was responding so beautifully to what St. Paul said: “Think of what is above, not of what is on earth” (Colossians 3:2)!

For our incarcerated sisters and brothers, meditating on heaven can lift their minds above their present circumstances. They often experience a mixture of various emotions like fear, boredom, guilt, or shame. But the truth is, we all have experienced such emotions at times. Reflecting on the life to come, especially when we are enduring difficulties, can replace our fears with peace and hope.

I’ve seen this happen with the residents of Gift of Peace, Mother Teresa’s home for the aged and dying in Washington, DC, where I also volunteer. We’ve had some fun times over the years talking about our vision of what heaven will be like and what we will do there. One resident—also a tennis buff like me—wants to partner with me for mixed doubles. We’ve even assigned some of the other residents to be our ball fetchers. Of course, in heaven all hits will be winners!

Questions for Reflection: When did you first begin to think about heaven? Who has shared their vision of eternal life with you?

A Place Prepared for You. Have you ever seen pictures designed for children in which God the Father has a long white beard and is sitting on his throne surrounded by angels? We, too, can have a mental picture of heaven that draws us closer to the Lord throughout our days, and we can rely on biblical passages to help us. Even when we say the first verse of the Lord’s Prayer, “Our Father, who art in heaven,” we can be reminded that one day we will have the awesome privilege of being with the Lord forever.

It’s important to realize, of course, that heaven is ultimately beyond words and images, and that the authors of the Bible use descriptions that rely principally on metaphors and analogies. They are meant to give us some idea of what we can look forward to, and they can be a springboard for our own prayerful reflections and imaginings. As you consider the following passages, ask the Holy Spirit to help you imagine yourself smiling and laughing with God in heaven, fully accepted and loved eternally!

• Jesus tells us, “In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be” (John 14:2-3). I must admit to hoping that my “dwelling place” will be a little cottage with a thatched roof and a garden full of flowers—and no weeds!
• In the Book of Revelation, St. John described this vision: “A throne was there in heaven, and on the throne sat one whose appearance sparkled like jasper and carnelian. Around the throne was a halo as brilliant as an emerald. Surrounding the throne I saw twenty-four other thrones on which twenty-four elders sat, dressed in white garments and with gold crowns on their heads” (4:2-4). It’s hard to conceive of such glory and brilliance in this life, but it will certainly be part of the next!
• St. John also wrote that God himself “will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there shall be no more death or mourning, wailing or pain” (Revelation 21:4). What comfort this can give us, even now! We know that in heaven, there will be no more sickness or suffering. Despair, loneliness, poverty, broken relationships, language barriers, and prejudices won’t exist. Whatever difficulty we have in our lives right now will be gone, and we will be close to God’s loving heart for all eternity. This surely is a beautiful, reassuring truth to share with a friend, relative, or neighbor who needs to hear this good news—maybe even today.
• Jesus described heaven as an eternal banquet when he said, “Many will come from the east and the west, and will recline with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at the banquet in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 8:11). How blessed we are to know that we take part in this “banquet” every time we attend Mass, receive the Eucharist, or make a spiritual communion.
• Jesus also said, “There will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance” (Luke 15:7). In my prison ministry work, I have witnessed men and women surrendering their sins, bitterness, and unforgiveness to the Lord and experiencing in a powerful way his great love and mercy. What rejoicing this must cause the saints and angels!
• Jesus gave us another insight into heaven when he told the Pharisees, “He is not the God of the dead but of the living” (Matthew 22:32). This gives us hope that our deceased loved ones are still alive in Christ and that we will be reunited with them one day in heaven.
• Let’s look at one more passage. In Revelation 4, John describes the saints and angels gathered around God’s throne, worshipping and praising him for his love and goodness. Take a moment to picture yourself and your loved ones praising and thanking God for all he has done to save us. Take heart that every song you sing will be in tune and in perfect harmony with everyone else!

Question for Reflection: Which of the above Scripture passages are most meaningful to you? Why?

A Prayer of Heavenly Worship. Before you turn to the next article, take a few minutes to pray the following prayers from the Book of Revelation. Have in your mind a picture of heaven. Consider, too, what God might be thinking as he hears you offering this prayer:

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God almighty, who was, and who is, and who is to come.
“Worthy are you, Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things; because of your will they came to be and were created.
“Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches, wisdom and strength, honor and glory and blessing.
“Salvation comes from our God, who is seated on the throne.
“Blessing and glory, wisdom and thanksgiving, honor, power, and might be to our God forever and ever. Amen.” (Revelation 4:8, 11; 5:12; 7:10, 12)

Angela M. Burrin is director of prison ministry for The Word Among Us Partners. She writes the Special Inmate Edition of The Word Among Us, which is distributed for free to more than 90,000 men and women who are incarcerated. She has also volunteered for many years in several area prisons, offering Eucharistic services and participating in Kairos retreats.