Thought for the Day – 31 October – Meditations with Saint Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787) Bishop, Confessor, Most Zealous Doctor of the Church

“Preparation for Death”
By St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (1696-1787)

CONSIDERATION XXIX

On Heaven
“But your sorrow shall be turned into joy.”
(John xvi: 20)

FIRST POINT:
LET us now endeavour to endure patiently the afflictions of this life, offering them to God in union with the pains which Jesus Christ endured for our sakes and. let us encourage ourselves with the hope of Paradise.
All these afflictions, sorrows, persecutions and fears, will one day come to an end and when we are saved, they will become joys and pleasures for us in the Kingdom of the blessed.
Even thus does the Lord encourage us: “Your sorrow shall be turned into joy.”

Let us, therefore, reflect today somewhat upon Paradise. But what can we say of this Paradise, if the Saints who had more knowledge than we, were unable to make us understand the joys which God has in store for His faithful servants and David could only express his praise of it by saying, that Paradise is a rest which is very desirable: “Oh, how amiable are Thy dwellings, Thou Lord of Hosts.” (Ps Ixxxiv: I)
But thou, at least, our holy Paul, thou who hadst the happy chance of being ravished at the sight of heaven, “caught up into Paradise, tell us something of what thou hast seen. No, says the Apostle, it is not possible to explain that which I have seen. The delights of Paradise are “unspeakable words which it is not lawful for a man to utter.” (2 Cor xii: 4).
They are so great that they cannot be described unless they are enjoyed. I can tell you nothing more, says the Apostle, than “eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for those who love Him.” (i Cor ii: 9).

We are unable to understand the joys of Paradise because we have no conception except of the joys of this earth. … Even thus do we form notions of the joys of Paradise. It is beautiful to see, on a summer’s night, the sky all glittering with stars and how delightful, in the time of spring, to stand on the sea-coast when the sea is calm, so that the rocks within can be seen all covered with seaweed, and the fishes which glide nimbly by and, it is very delightful to be in a garden full of fruit trees and flowers, surrounded by running fountains and with birds which fly about and sing as they fly. Some might say: “Oh, what a paradise!”
What a paradise? Do you say, What a paradise?
Very different are the joys of Paradise.

In order to understand something, although obscurely, of Paradise, let us remember that the Omnipotent God is there, Who is ever engaged in delighting the souls who love Hun.
St Bernard says: “Dost thou wish to know what there is in Paradise? There is nothing which thou wouldst not have but everything that thou wouldst have, there.”

O God, what will the soul say upon entering into that blessed Kingdom?
Let us imagine that some young girl and youth, who, having consecrated themselves to the love of Jesus Christ, are dying; the hour of death having arrived, the spirit quits this earth. The soul is presented before the Judgment Seat, the Judge embraces her and makes known to her that she is saved. Her Guardian Angel comes to meet her and rejoices with her; she thanks the Angel for the assistance given to her and the Angel then says: “Take courage, beautiful soul, rejoice, for thou art now saved. Come and see the Face of thy Lord.”
Behold, the soul now passes through the clouds, the heavens
and the stars. She enters Heaven. O God, what will she say when she enters for the first time that blessed country and when she looks for the first time upon that City of delights?
The Angels and the Saints will come to meet her and they will welcome her with shouts of joy. What consolation she will have in meeting again those relations or friends, who entered Paradise before her. The soul will then wish to kneel before them and to worship them but they will say to her: “See thou do it not, for I am thy fellow-servant.” (Apoc xxii: 9). Then the soul will be led to Jesus, Who will receive her as His spouse and will say to her: “Come with Me from Lebanon, My spouse.” (Cant iv: 8). Rejoice greatly, My spouse, all thy tears, griefs and fears are now forever ended, receive the everlasting crown which I have obtained for thee by My Blood. Jesus Himself will then lead her to receive the
blessing of His Divine Father, Who, embracing her, will bless her, saying: “Enter thou into the joy of Thy Lord.” (Matt xxv: 21) and He will bless her with the same beatitude which He Himself enjoys.

Affections andPrayers

Behold, my God, at Thy Feet one ungrateful, who was created by Thee for Heaven but who, often for miserable pleasures, has renounced it to Thy Face and has chosen to be condemned to hell!
But I hope even now, Thou hast forgiven all the injuries I have committed, of which I repent endlessly and will continue to repent until death. I desire that Thou ever wouldst renew my pardon.

But, O my God, although Thou hast already pardoned me, it will yet be ever true that I had no disposition to embitter Thee, my Redeemer, Who, to bring me to Thy Kingdom, hadst given Thine Life. But may Thy compassion, O my Jesus, be ever praised and blessed, for with so great patience Thou hast borne with me and in place of chastisements, Thou
hast increased graces, lights and calls.
I see, my dear Saviour, that Thou didst will my special salvation and in Thy country to love Thee eternally but Thou desirest firsly that I should love Thee on earth. Yes, I will love Thee, and this, even were there no Heaven, while I live, with all my soul and with all my might.
It is enough for me to know that Thou, my God, desirest to be loved by me! My Jesus, assist me with Thy grace and do not abandon me.

… My Jesus, Thy merits are my hope. I place all my trust in Thy intercession. Thou didst deliver me from hell when I was in sin; now that I desire Thee, do Thou save me and make me
holy.