The French playwright, Jean Anouilh, wrote a play in which a group of people were gathered just outside the gates of heaven. They were impatient, knowing that they had reserved places inside. Suddenly, a rumor began to spread that God was going to forgive those other people, too. They were stunned and started grumbling, “After all the work it took to get here.” Then, they grew angry and began to curse God. And, in that instant, they were damned. That was the last judgment.
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
Early in my priesthood, an older confrere told me that the best way to respond to compliments was to simply say, “Thank you.” If you are curious, he said, you could perhaps ask, “Was it something specific that moved you?” Anything else would be taking the compliment as if it were ours alone, and not from the abundance of God’s grace.
We are servants, or, we are supposed to be. That is why St. John’s gospel has Jesus holding a basin and towel at the Last Supper instead of a chalice and paten. If we are to follow Jesus, then servanthood must be our way, too.
I think we will be surprised at who we will meet in heaven. Why? Because most of heaven’s population will be made up of people who did not garner headlines in life. They were quietly working behind the scenes making life better for the rest of us.
The last shall be first and the first shall be last.
Are there reserved places awaiting us in heaven? Perhaps, but then why did St. Paul say that he still had to run the race, that he had not reached the finish line? We hope that God is preparing an everlasting home for us and for those we love, but we know that there is more for us to do. Prayers need to be said, sacrifices made, lessons still need to be taught - and learned. It is not our gifts and talents that pave our way to gates of heaven. It is God’s love and mercy that opens all doors.
Blessings,
Fr. Kevin MacDonald, C.Ss.R.
POWERED BY BLUBRRY
