The
first reading today from Isaiah obviously points us toward Heaven. Toward the
time when we will walk with the Lord in Paradise and see God clearly face to
face. No more crying, no more death, no more (insert frustrating things here),
just eternal happiness with the God, who wants to “exult in His people.” A land
where there will be no spiritual, physical, or emotional problems, but simply perfection
and happiness.
But
our human nature inclines us to ask “what about now?” Are we just sad and
miserable creatures trying to get by until we go to heaven? Is Our God a
distant god who awaits us in Heaven, and until then we are on our own? NO! God
created us “to be a joy” and when this scripture is read in light of our
resurrected Christ, new meanings begin to stand out. While we are looking
forward to our union with Christ in Heaven, Christ has established His kingdom
here on earth in which we are also able to rejoice in and with Him now! There
are many places that this intimacy with God is apparent within our faith,
especially in two places.
The
first is our Catholic Church. A place where any where in the world
and any day of the week, we are able
to take sanctuary in the loving embrace of God’s grace. Free of any judgment we
are able to approach God and not receive just a sign, but actually receive Him,
who is goodness, physically into our bodies and into our hearts. Within our
Church we can rejoice in the Lord’s presence knowing we are loved and that we
matter. It is within our church that “the fruit of the vineyard [we] plant” is
taken by the priest and through Christ turned into Goodness Himself. It is here
we truly catch a glimpse of Heaven!
Another
place we find joy within our faith is our Blessed Mother. Her whom Jesus gave
to us on the cross. Her whom Jesus enjoyed, so much so, that He felt He must
share Her love and care with us. And we are able to fly to the Virgin Mary
anytime with our troubles, and know she will direct us always toward Her Son.
In her comfort we can trust and rest, knowing, that our God Himself rested in
her arms for the entirety of His childhood.
So
during this time of lent, as we walk with Jesus in the desert, let our hearts
rejoice! While life might be tough at times, or we might struggle with our
Lenten sacrifices, we know it is in these sufferings we are closest to Him.
Jesus is not just our leader, but also our friend. He loves us and in this love
we can truly pray, “I will praise you Lord, for you have rescued me.” While in
Heaven our happiness will be of all kinds, now we can have peace and joy in
Christ as we look forward to eternity.
Thank you Lord for the gift of Your Church and
Your holy Mother!
-Patrick Tunnell
