Who Art in Heaven
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The Greatest Prayer is the Our Father. Today we reflect on the truth of Our Father, Who art in Heaven.
Our home is with our Father. Our Fatherland is Heaven.
Speaking about the Patriarchs who lived and died with faith, Paul writes: All these died in faith, before receiving any of the things that had been promised, but they saw them in the far distance and welcomed them, recognizing that they were only strangers and sojourners on earth. People who use such terms about themselves make it quite plain that they are in search of their real homeland…in fact, they were longing for a better homeland, their heavenly homeland. That is why God is not ashamed to be called their God, since he has founded the city for them. Hebrews 11
For there is no permanent city for us in this life but we look for one in the life to come. Hebrews 13:14
The business of life is about going Home, getting to heaven and getting the most people there.
So, rise my friend, pack your things. This place is not your home, nor was it ever.
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Once we are in Heaven, how will we think of the things we are dealing with now?
Will we look back and see and feel the same way about things then as we do now?
Do you think we will feel justified in our pride, vain ambition, envy, aversion for the things of God, anger, greed, gluttony, lust, gossip and hatred?
Certainly not.
I think we will be embarrassed by these things, if there is such a thing as embarrassment in heaven.
Well, if we are sure we will think and feel differently about all those things in heaven, then why not live that way now!
Jesus, I beg for the grace to see everything now as I will in heaven.
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Ok, it may be too much to change from an earthly to a heavenly view about everything all at once.
So pick one thing you really have difficulty with now: one vice, one person, one situation.
When you are in heaven, how will you think and feel about that thing?
You will feel disgust for that vice, and you won’t desire it in heaven. In fact, in heaven you will hate the vice that you are so attracted to now, because you will see and feel how badly it messed you up.
Think and act that way now.
Then think of the person you have difficulty with now.
In heaven you will love that person. And they will not be a threat, nor a disappointment or even an annoyance to you then.
Think and act that way now.
Think of the situation that is very hard now. When you are in heaven and that situation has long passed, you will see how God worked it in your favor.
Think and act that way now.
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You see, by directing our eyes to heaven, it makes it possible for us to live the present moment the best.
Imagine trying to drive with your eyes fixed on the front of your car, you’d find yourself weaving all over the road.
Instead, when you look at the road far ahead of you, surprisingly, it allows you to stay on track and drive straight almost without effort.
Well, look ahead while you drive.
Keep your eyes on eternity.
Then you will be able to live the present moment well.
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Pope St. John XIII knew it can be overwhelming to make life changes. But he knew we can handle one day at a time.
"The daily decalogue of Pope John XXIII":
1) Only for today, I will seek to live positively without wishing to solve the problems of my life all at once.
2) Only for today, I will not raise my voice; I will be courteous in my behavior; I will not criticize anyone; I will not claim to improve or to discipline anyone except myself.
3) Only for today, I will be happy in the certainty that I was created to be happy, not only in the other world but also in this one.
4) Only for today, I will adapt to circumstances, without requiring all circumstances to be adapted to my own wishes.
5) Only for today, I will devote 10 minutes of my time to some good reading, remembering that just as food is necessary to the life of the body, so good reading is necessary to the life of the soul.
6) Only for today, I will do one good deed and not tell anyone about it.
7) Only for today, I will do at least one thing I do not like doing; and if my feelings are hurt, I will make sure that no one notices.
8) Only for today, I will make a plan for myself: I may not follow it to the letter, but I will make it. And I will be on guard against two evils: hastiness and indecision.
9) Only for today, I will firmly believe, despite appearances, that the good Providence of God cares for me as no one else who exists in this world.
10) Only for today, I will have no fears. In particular, I will not be afraid to enjoy what is beautiful and to believe in goodness.
Indeed, for 12 hours I can certainly do what might cause me dread were I to believe I had to do it all my life.