What is the Kingdom of Heaven like?
It transforms the small into the great. It makes the seemingly insignificant indispensible. A joy, delicious, Heaven is all things in this material life upon which we trust: shade from an indifferent sun and our daily bread.
Of course, human language is not able to describe that which the mind cannot know. The Buddha described 'heaven' and 'God' as something that must be individually experienced to know, and having been there, no description with words from a mortal can translate it. It must be known. But so few make the sustained effort to approach the only worthwhile goal in a man's existence.
Can we know Heaven?
Perhaps, perhaps not. But simply and earnestly working for a heaven on Earth, like a simple seed that grows to provide shelter for many beings, is worthwhile. Or transforming what is inedible into the delicious and nutritious food that can feed many beings, is worthwhile. By selflessly helping others, again and again and again, we can get closer to God. And by getting closer, we might even get a glimpse of Heaven.
Oremus:
I'd like to pray today for a psychiatric patient who has lost the way once again: the sickness possesses her reason, her ability to care for herself, drives her into extreme selfishness, rage, she is not the person she once was. I pray for her recovery, for her doctors and care-givers, that her demon shall be driven away. Amen.
Deo gratias.
It transforms the small into the great. It makes the seemingly insignificant indispensible. A joy, delicious, Heaven is all things in this material life upon which we trust: shade from an indifferent sun and our daily bread.
Of course, human language is not able to describe that which the mind cannot know. The Buddha described 'heaven' and 'God' as something that must be individually experienced to know, and having been there, no description with words from a mortal can translate it. It must be known. But so few make the sustained effort to approach the only worthwhile goal in a man's existence.
Can we know Heaven?
Perhaps, perhaps not. But simply and earnestly working for a heaven on Earth, like a simple seed that grows to provide shelter for many beings, is worthwhile. Or transforming what is inedible into the delicious and nutritious food that can feed many beings, is worthwhile. By selflessly helping others, again and again and again, we can get closer to God. And by getting closer, we might even get a glimpse of Heaven.
Oremus:
I'd like to pray today for a psychiatric patient who has lost the way once again: the sickness possesses her reason, her ability to care for herself, drives her into extreme selfishness, rage, she is not the person she once was. I pray for her recovery, for her doctors and care-givers, that her demon shall be driven away. Amen.
Deo gratias.
No comments:
Post a Comment