In Festo Omnium Sanctorum - The Four Last Things (Heaven)

PRESENTATION: Considering the Four Last Things

As St. John gazed upward at his vision, he tells us that:

Douay-Rheims Bible Chapter 7

I saw a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations and tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and in sight of the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands.

These elect of God which are too numerous to count are the ones we honour today, the saints who have gone before us into the heavenly kingdom.

As we enter into the month of November, the last month of the liturgical year, and the month dedicated to the Souls of the Faithful Departed, it is an excellent time to consider the end of our own time here on this earth.

The saints unanimously tells us that we should constantly have before our minds our ultimate destiny, to have the goal in mind so that we take the right road to get there. For this month then, I would like to start a new four-part sermon series on our final destination, on what the Church calls the Four Last Things, Death, Judgement, Heaven, and Hell, in order to keep our eyes firmly fixed on not just what is here and now, but on what is to come to each one of us at the end of our earthly existence.

Since we only have three Sunday’s between now and the start of Advent, we will take advantage of today’s feast to consider one of these important truths, and on the Feast of All the Saints, it is most fitting that we reflect on the eternal reward of the Blessed, the Kindom of Heaven.

EXPLANATION: The joys of heaven

The reward of the saints in heaven is far beyond anything that we could possibly imagine here on earth, and they are in such great abundance that one scarcely knows where to begin or where to end. If we recall all of the favours and blessings, the ectasies, visions, interior lights, and divine consolations afforded to the saints during their earthly lives, they are but a drop in the ocean of the celestial sweetness.

The saints in heaven drink straight from the fountainhead of God’s grace, the inexhaustible source of His life and joy. All the powers of the mind , the understanding, the memory, the will, the imagination, every thought, every desire is elevated and perfected by God Himself, giving greater fulfillment than we could ever think possible.

God’s divine plan of salvation will be revealed and layed bare to us, the wisest of earthly men will look like a mere child compared with the divine light revealed to the blessed in heaven. The saints also find fullness and joy as they perceive by what a marvellous way God led them to their eternal goal, the depth of His mercy as He pardoned their transgressions, the great care he provided them in their hours of temptation, and how He made all things work together for their good.

The hearts of the saints are stirred to such gratitude towards God that they desire to praise Him unceasingly, and so God will enflame their hearts with such great charity, that they will burn with love for Him. There is no greater happiness on earth than to love and be loved, but the love of heaven is infinite and boundless, and a source of unspeakable joy.

On one occasion, when the devil spoke through the mouth of a possessed person, he admitted, “If the whole heavens were a sheet of parchment, if the whole ocean were ink, if every blade of grass were a pen, and every man on earth a scribe, it would not suffice to discribe the intense, immeasurable delight which the vision of God affords to the blessed.”

To gaze upon God’s divine countenance for one passing moment is a joy beyond all of the pleasures the world could ever offer, and it is a joy that the blessed ones in heaven will sustain for all eternity.

IMPLICATION: Striving for eternal blessedness

If we wish to participate in these heavenly joys, then we cannot be complacent, we must set our sights on our goal, and strive with all our might to get there. Our Mass today thankfully provides us with some insight into what is necessary to one day be numbered among the saints in heaven. In today’s Gospel, we hear the beginning of Our Lord’s Sermon on the Mount, where He outlines what might be called the summary of the New Law, the Beatitudes, eight promises of Blessedness and reward to those who strive for righteousness and holiness.

Whenever the Church considers a case for Canonization, one of the first steps is to discern whether the individual lived a life of holiness and heroic virtue. An investigation takes place, examining any writings, and speaking to those who may have known the candidate. Considering some of the questions the Church asks in such a case might help us to identify whether we are on the path to eternal beatitude.

I won’t have time to go through the entire questionnaire, but I will pose some of the questions for our reflection, and I can provide the full questionnaire to anyone who might find it a useful self-examination.

Under the virtue of Temperance, the Church asks:

Was denial of his own will and mortification characteristic of the servant of God? Did he restrain the motions of anger? Did he bear persecutions with meekness and patience? Was he unduly tenacious of his own opinion? Was he sparing in the use of food and drink? Did he observe the fasts of the church? Did he indulge in long hours of sleep? Was his bed comfortable or uncomfortable? Was he anxious to be well clothed and well housed? Did he neglect the comforts of life? Did he mortify the senses?

Under the virtue of Fortitude, the Church asks:

Was he strong and faithful in the duties of his office; tireless in work; patient in persecution, injury, calumny, and trouble of mind? Has he borne all these in a cheerful spirit? Was he always himself not elated by prosperity or depressed by adversity? Did he despise the honors, riches, and pleasures of the world? Did he constantly defend the rights of the church and restrain the immorality of wicked men?

Under the virtue of Justice, the Church asks:

Was he affable and friendly toward others? Was he subject to his parents and superiors? Did he show himself thankful for favours received? And strive to excite gratitude in others? Did he discharge with justice the office committed to him avoiding all favoritism? Did he so temper the severity of justice with kindness the no one could ever have just cause of complaint against him? Did he render unto God due reverence and obedience? Did he pay venerations to the Saints? Did he accept the decrees of the Supreme Pontiffs with proper respect and reverence? Was he exact in the observance of the sacred rites and ceremonies of the Church? Did he endeavor to promote the worship of God?

Under the virtue of Prudence, the Church asks:

Did he direct all of his actions to the attainment of eternal glory as his last end, and select the necessary and useful means? Did he love simplicity, and was he sincere and true in thought and word, and did he hate all duplicity and falsehood? Did he seek the advice of prudent men and act on it? Were all his acts good, and did he first invoke diving aid for their due performance?

The questionnaire continues with the Virtues of Faith, Hope, and Charity, but I think this gives us a sense of what it means to live true holiness, and heroic virtue.

The Kindom of Heaven is the promised inheritance of all of God’s faithful children, and pledges joys beyond imagining, today, when Our Lord comes to us in Holy Communion, let us ask of Him the grace to lead truly saintly lives, so that we too may one day enjoy eternal blessedness in His presence.