Reflecting on the afterlife can help motivate us in progressing toward our heavenly goal through the sacraments and the Twelve Steps. As we begin to accept our dignity as children of God, as our true selves re-emerge after years of destructive and abusive living, we realize that caring for our bodies and souls is paramount. Because our Lord has picked us out of the dung heap of addiction and dusted us off, we begin to desire the Kingdom of Heaven in a new way. In Luke 17:21 we read that “the kingdom of God is within,” meaning that heaven is primarily a state of communion with Christ Jesus. And reaching heaven is the fulfillment of this communion—of our marriage to the eternal bridegroom. Unlike earthly marriages, this marriage will endure forever, as we proclaim every Sunday at Mass with the Nicene Creed: “I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.”
Today we also honor Saint Charles Lwanga and his 21 young companions who were martyred for refusing to renounce their Christian faith and for protecting young pages from a king’s immoral demands. In some sense, they performed a very heroic Step 12! They remind us that, while this life is a gift to be cherished, we should ultimately keep our hearts set on our heavenly marriage with God in the next life. Unlike the Sadducees who seem overly concerned with the way things are in this life, the martyrs remind us of our ultimate purpose of being in union with God forever in heaven.
Therefore, let us prepare our souls for heaven today by contemplating the face of our ultimate love, Christ Jesus, which Saint Josemaría Escrivá beautifully captures: “Those in love try to see each other. People in love have eyes only for their love. That’s logical, isn’t it? The human heart feels this need. I would be lying if I denied my eagerness to contemplate the face of Jesus Christ. ‘Vultumtuum, Domine, requiram!’ I will seek your countenance, O Lord.”
Reflection Questions
- The Second Vatican Council states: “Man is obliged to regard his body as good, and to hold it in honor, since God has created it and will raise it up on the last day.” How do you honor this obligation, both with respect to yourself and others?
- How do you daily nourish your love for our heavenly bridegroom, Jesus Christ? How can you do this today?
Daily Mass Readings
First Reading: 2 Timothy 1:1-3, 6-12
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 123:1b-2ab, 2cdef
Gospel: Mark 12:18-27
Reflection by Marcia G.