Heaven is like a wedding

The Kingdom of Heaven is like...

Pearl, Treasure in a field, a dragnet, a flock of sheep, a Church...

But a wedding, I get that!

But why?

Because its lovely, and life slows down, and you relax, so much work and anticipation, so much waiting, and the couple can consummate finally, dancing is kinda fun? Its a slice of heaven? It is heaven. This is my favorite image of what heaven will be like!

And you are the wedding guest, but more than that, as Church, you are the bride!

And the Bride wears?!

Revelation 19:8 (NABRE)

She was allowed to wear

a bright, clean linen garment.”

(The linen represents the righteous deeds of the holy ones.)

New Revised Standard Version: Catholic Edition The Character of Judith

4 Judith remained as a widow for three years and four months 5 at home where she set up a tent for herself on the roof of her house. She put sackcloth around her waist and dressed in widow’s clothing.

What shouldn’t you wear?

Gym clothes, shorts, casual clothes. We live in a very casual culture. If the Mass is the feast that God prepares on the mountain, then this is a reality and yet also only a foretaste of the heavenly wedding banquet. Dress appropriately!

Men, a tie wasn’t just for your wedding day and your funeral. Its ok to wear a suit, I’ll permit it.

Women, you are beautiful, a reminder though, in modesty dress in a way that no one should notice but a part of you, but see you, in all your beauty, be drawn to your face, and especially at Church that everyone around you be edified and led to prayer, not distracted.

My cousin Vinny...

But more than that, prepare for Mass and prepare for heaven. Revelation 19:8 (NABRE)

(The linen represents the righteous deeds of the holy ones.)

It was said in your baptism that your white garment represents Christ’s clothing, you have been clothed in Christ, now bring it unstained into eternal life.

Have you been covered in His righteousness? Yes, if You’d have Him.

But you are also expected to perform acts of Charity.

Works of Mercy, Spiritual and Corporal.

Also prepare yourself for Mass with Pre-mass preparation prayers as well as prayers of thanksgiving afterward. Also, if you have committed a mortal sin or not kept the precepts of the Church, prepare your heart for Mass and heaven by going to Confession.

But you aren’t Mother Teresa! So, you only have your little lives to live. Cloth all your actions with Christ. Your Sunday isn’t the only day to put on Christ, but if you wash the dishes, do it for Christ, if you are putting gas in your car and traveling, travel with Christ. One way is to try and insert a decade of the rosary here and there. Pray more rosaries in your day! Russia/Ukraine, Israel/Hamas. Praise and worship music? Pray a rosary. If you pray a rosary already, good, try and work up to another one.

Haggai 1:5–6 NABRE

Now thus says the Lord of hosts: Reflect on your experience! You have sown much, but have brought in little; you have eaten, but have not been satisfied; You have drunk, but have not become intoxicated; you have clothed yourselves, but have not been warmed; And the hired worker labors for a bag full of holes.

Because there are people who reject the wedding,

who busy themselves with normal things, good things, but haven’t prioritized correctly.

Like sports on a Saturday...

Nah, I’m busy with my life. If the early Jews said it, God’s chosen people, guess what, its possible for us to say it! If Jesus tells us that it is possible to murder his ambassadors, then we are not incorruptible yet, we don’t like it when we are told to do something that we don’t want to do or corrects us. We are capable of saying, “No, God,” I’m good. I got work to do, I just don’t have time for your Son’s wedding. Good bye…forever.

We are the Riff Raff!!!!

Because the invited ones were found unworthy to come… the prophets went out to the roads and called the poor, the riff-raff, you and I, aren’t here on our own, we were called, and by your decision to come and everyday to love, your are chosen.

Many are called, few are chosen.

Your choices likewise determine heaven or hell. We are always deciding. We can say no. But we have even come here, been open to God’s secondary call, look what Haggai the prophet says!

Haggai 2:7–9 (NABRE)

I will shake all the nations,

so that the treasures of all the nations will come in.

And I will fill this house with glory—

says the Lord of hosts.

Greater will be the glory of this house

the latter more than the former—says the Lord of hosts;

And so, get prepared for the wedding banquet of heaven

Philippians 4:13 “I have the strength for everything through him who empowers me.”

Philippians 4:19 NABRE

My God will fully supply whatever you need, in accord with his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.