Saint Michael the Archangel Parish

21 Manning St

Hudson, MA 01749

Heaven

"In my Father's house there are many dwelling places... And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be."  John 14:2-3

The Lord himself, with a word of command, with the voice of an archangel and with the trumpet of God, will come down from heaven, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Thus we shall always be with the Lord.

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

What is Heaven?


I also saw the holy city, a new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold, God's dwelling is with the human race. He will dwell with them and they will be his people and God himself will always be with them [as their God]. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there shall be no more death or mourning, wailing or pain, [for] the old order has passed away."
Revelations 21:2-40


Heaven is the state of eternal happiness and everlasting life with God. In Heaven we will share completely in the divine life of God and enjoy perfect happiness and complete fulfillment beyond human imagination.  "What eye has not seen, and ear has not heard, / and what has not entered the human heart, / what God has prepared for those who love him." (1 Corinthians 2:9)


In Scripture the word Heaven designates the dwelling-place of God, his angels, and the saints.


The blessed in Heaven behold the immediate vision of God and remain in perfect communion with him and with one another; they become like God in glory and enjoy eternal happiness. Each person receives the full measure of happiness that he or she can desire. (Cf. CCC 1023-1027)

The essential happiness of Heaven consists in the Beatific Vision—the immediate vision of God—in the vision of creatures in God, and in the infinite joy of their vision. (Cf. CCC 1028,1045) The blessed possess all that is good in a union of perfect love, and sharing in one another's happiness only increases their own (cf. The Catechetical Instructions of St. Thomas Aquinas, pp.74--76). Meeting those whom we loved while on earth will give a special joy. (Cf. CCC 1022,1038)

The Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraphs 1024 and 1027 addresses this question.

-The Didache Bible

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