Often when we think about Heaven, we think of pearly gates, fluffy clouds and angels strumming harps. To be honest, that description of Heaven doesn’t make me want to be there. For me there is one particular description of Heaven that sets my soul at peace.
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It is one of the most powerful and simple expressions of Heaven that we could ever have:
Home.
The Catechism explains:
769 “The Church . . . will receive its perfection only in the glory of heaven,” at the time of Christ’s glorious return. Until that day, “the Church progresses on her pilgrimage amidst this world’s persecutions and God’s consolations.” Here below she knows that she is in exile far from the Lord, and longs for the full coming of the Kingdom, when she will “be united in glory with her king.” (emphasis added)
We are currently in a state of exile. We do not belong here. We were not made to dwell on this earth forever.
We were made for Heaven.
Sure we live on this earth, but it is not the end-goal. God desires that each of us love Him in return and we spend our entire lives learning how to love in hopes that our hearts will be ready to head back home.
That is why I personally find much comfort in the analogy of the ship.
Our entire lives on earth is spent on this “ship,” always traveling towards a destination. We are the captain and have full control over where it goes. God sends us numerous sign-posts and aids to bring us home, but we have the free-will to accept or reject what he offers to us. That is why every choice we make in life either brings us closer to our final destination in Heaven, or takes us farther away.
The only item we do not have on our ship is an anchor; in other words, we can not stay on earth and somehow “cheat” death.
A great summary of this analogy is found in an ancient commentary describing the symbolism when Christ takes His apostles and travels to the other side of the Lake of Gennesaret, calming a storm while they are at sea.
It reads:
“The sea is the turmoil of the world; the boat in which Christ is embarked is to be understood as the tree of the cross, by the aid of which the faithful having passed the waves of the world, arrive in their heavenly country, as on a safe shore, whither Christ goes with His own.” – Rabanus in Catena Aurea on Mt. 8:23-27
This description of Heaven as our “home” should greatly impact how we approach our day-to-day lives. It means that we do not seek to build-up our earthly kingdoms, but always seek our ultimate reward in Heaven.
“Home” reminds us that Heaven is a place of familiarity, consolation, and peace. “Home” is typically the place where we feel most at “home.” Such is what Heaven will be like.
It may not be the description you were hoping for, but it is the truth.
Heaven is our home.