FIFTY-FOURTH LESSON
On Heaven.
"Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His justice." (MATT. VI. 33.)
Vain would be any attempt to describe the happiness of heaven: for this would be no less than an attempt to describe the divine attributes—the infinite perfections of the Deity, wherein that happiness consists. As material things, which are the only objects that can be perceived by our limited senses, and and are the only ones therefore from which our ideas are formed —as these material things constitute no portion of the felicity of the blessed in heaven; we must necessarily be incapable, not only of describing, but even of conceiving what that happiness really is: "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither hath it entered into the heart of man, what things God hath prepared for them that love Him." (1 Cor. ii. 9.)
In order, however, to form some faint idea of the happiness of heaven, consider that it is the glorious kingdom which our great Creator has prepared, in order to display to His beloved servants the riches of His mercy, and the bounteous effects of His power and goodness; and in which He communicates to them Himself in all His Majesty, and with all the charms of His infinite sweetness! Now, if the punishments which He has prepared for the wicked in hell are so very severe and intense, that it is beyond the power of man to conceive them—if the divine justice is so terrible, as to effect so much in punishing; what will not His love, His mercy, and His bounty, which (wherever man is concerned) are the dearest of the Attributes of God—what will not these effect in rewarding? If the divine love towards us could even induce God to become Man, in order to purchase the redemption of sinners; what will not that same love prompt Him to do for His faithful and beloved servants, in manifesting to them the excess of His goodness, and in heaping upon them the riches of His bounty!
Although, material objects form no portion of the happiness of heaven; yet the Holy Ghost, condescending to the weakness of our limited conception, represents to us the glory of heaven under the figure of such things as we admire the most in this world.
Speaking of the heavenly Jerusalem, the sacred Text says, that its walls are of precious stones, and its streets of pure and transparent gold; that these streets are watered with the bright crystal streams of the river of the water of life, flowing from the throne of God; and that, on the banks of this river, on both sides, grows the tree of life, yielding its fruits every month; that there shall be no night, nor any want of sun or moon; for, that the glory of God hath enlightened it; that the Saints who dwell in this city shall be the sons of God, who will wipe away all tears from their eyes; and death shall be no more, nor mourning, nor crying, nor sorrow shall be any more; but that they shall reign for ever and ever. (Apoc. xxi., xxii.) In this picture, which is taken from the twenty-first and twenty-second chapters of the Apocalypse, we cannot but be struck with admiration at such an assemblage of happiness, grandeur, and magnificence. Yet, however splendid, however desirable all this may appear, the happiness of the Elect does not consist in it; for the kingdom of heaven possesses something infinitely more precious than all this. For there it is given to the Angels and Saints to contemplate, in the very presence of the Deity, His infinite perfections, where whatever can give them delight is presented before them all together in one assemblage of glories! and by this blissful contemplation they are absorbed perpetually in ecstacies of delight!
Oh! should we, be so happy as to arrive hereafter at that blissful abode; we shall there be associated for ever with all these blessed spirits and saints of God, with them to enjoy this unspeakable happiness! Yes, we shall there be associated with the Angels and Archangels, with the Cherubim and Seraphim, who are all to be our companions in glory; with that innumerable host of sacred virgins who follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth; of generous martyrs, who, having sealed their faith with their blood, are now crowned with honor and glory by him who sitteth upon the throne; of holy patriarchs, prophets, apostles, and other saints, all bearing the emblems of their victories, and with exultation singing hymns of praise to the divine Bounty; and, above all, the Blessed Mother of the world's Redeemer—the glorious Queen of the heavenly Sion, seated on a throne of glory, exalted above the Cherubim and Seraphim.
Oh! what an additional joy will this glorious society be to our felicity, all rejoicing at, and participating in each other's happiness as their own! If our heart will not then be able to contain its own joy, what overwhelming delight must we feel under such an accumulation of felicity!
But that which is the completion of the beatitude of the blessed in heaven, that in which their happiness essentially consists, is the sight and possession of God Himself For although heaven abounds with every good, yet it possesses but one Sovereign Good, which is TO SEE GOD INCESSANTLY—TO BEHOLD HIM FACE TO FACE!
In this beatific vision is comprised the whole felicity of the heavenly paradise; from it, as from an inexhaustible source, every enjoyment proceeds. For, "to see the face of the living God," exclaims St. Augustine, is the supreme good, the joy of the angels and of all the saints; the everlasting source of bliss, the internal and external joy that delighteth the paradise of God; the plenitude of happiness, the peace of God which surpasseth all understanding," (SOLIL. xxxvii.)
As soon, therefore, as a soul is secured in the possession and enjoyment of her God, she is sovereignly happy; and that insatiable thirst, which, in this life, was ever hurrying her forward in pursuit of happiness, is perfectly satisfied; she has obtained the object of ALL her desires.
Our delightful occupation will then be to contemplate eternally the perfections of the Almighty, whereby our souls will be overwhelmed continually with new raptures of divine love, and will be quite lost in the immensity and the incomprehensibility of their God. Oh! when will that happy moment come, which, closing our eyes for ever to this world, will open them to see God face to face, to behold Him arrayed in all the charms of His infinite perfections!
But, "our sojourning is prolonged " (Ps. cxix. 5); we must labor yet a little while in this land of misery, in which, however, we should always consider ourselves as pilgrims making the best of our way to our true country. We should imitate the conduct of the Jews in the longing desire which they had, during their Babylonish captivity, to return to Jerusalem. For when, sitting by the rivers of Babylon, they were asked by their conquerors to sing for them the Canticles of Sion they wept, and exclaimed:
"How can we sing the Canticles of the Lord in a foreign land?" (Ps. cxxxvi.) Such ought to be our longing desire after the heavenly Jerusalem; for which we should consider the present life as merely a preparation. For this life is only a state of trial —a few days granted to us for the purpose of preparing our-selves to be admitted into the joys of the heavenly Jerusalem.
It depends, therefore, upon ourselves, with the help of God's grace (which will not be wanting), to obtain that eternal happiness intended for us.
This is a work which each of us has it in his power to accomplish; but for the accomplishment of which, vigorous and persevering endeavors to walk in the path of virtue are required from us. And can you esteem this too much, when you look forward and behold that eternal weight of glory, which is to be your recompense?
But, were even the splendor and delights of Paradise insufficient to awaken your exertions; can you be inactive, or indifferent, when you reflect that you are placed between the two extremes of being either infinitely happy, or infinitely miserable, for an endless eternity? Oh! this reflection ought to call forth your most strenuous exertions in an affair of so great importance!
Pursue then, the path of virtue with redoubled vigor; endeavoring so to run, that you may obtain the prize. (I COR. IX. 24.).Seek the kingdom of God before all things (MT. VI. 33); and labor with your utmost diligence and perseverance, while you continue here, to secure to yourselves its future and eternal enjoyment.
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