Tuesday, May 06, 2008

Two Deep

My deep thought for a Tuesday morning: What if everything is here, now?

Heaven, Hell, God, angels, demons, saints, loved ones, a battlefield, shouts of victory, the seemingly "dead" who have left us grieving, the answers to the questions of every human heart, the hidden meaning of suffering, the reason for it all?

What if it were simply a thin veil that separated you and me from all of That?

How would you live, walk, breathe in the air of today if you could see It? If you could pierce that veil with your eyes, see the Shapes of the Answers moving about in a Great Dance that made everything here in this Room so much clearer, brighter, even joyful, like the giddy surge of the heart on Christmas morning when you were seven years old and the whole universe seemed like a Big Present just for you.

What if it still is, just for you?

"At present we see indistinctly, as in a mirror, but then face to face. At present I know partially; then I shall know fully, as I am fully known."
- 1 Corinthians 13:13

I've heard faith called wishful thinking, theology just pie in the sky intellectualizing. Belief an opiate for the people. But to me this seems to come from a one-eyed view of the world, one that limits our "depth-perception" and ultimately leaves the heart dry and thirsty.

"To me the meanest flower that blows can give thoughts that do often lie too deep for tears."
- William Wordsworth

Why?

C.S. Lewis said the best explanation for the feelings that you feel and the cravings of your heart that can find no completion or absolute fulfillment in this world is.... you are made for Another World. This sentence rings truer than anything for me, in all my years of longing, through all my years of study, through the experiences I've had or borne through the lives of others near and far in this messed up human family. This one truth rings clear as silver. There is More.

"I want eternity. I was made for greater things."
- St. Stanislaus Kostka

This word was spoken by a young Polish nobleman who had all that money could buy, and yet was not satisfied. He gave it all up for a faith in the Unseen, and he was fulfilled, like countless others. And he was given a view of that Unseen Love finally. Love took on a human face and the veil was lifted.

So I think we should live today as if the veil were pulled back. As if all that is "seen and unseen" is visible and woven into one great tapestry. May we see Love behind every atom, eye, and blade of grass, every word, whisper and walk of life. It's preparation.... it's Heaven all the way to Heaven, as St. Catherine said. It's the Practice of the Presence of God... and

"The best is yet to come."

- Van Morrison

4 comments:

duskangel said...

I love your writings so much. Your hope is a bright light in a dark world and reading your words really help me get by.

I found a distant light like you look for in music. My pastor does the same thing at St. Cyril's in Houston.

Listen to the lyrics to "Before the Deluge" by Jackson Browne. I was listening to it yesterday on playlist.com

The Heart of Things said...

Hi Dawn,

Thanks for your words!! I found the Jackson Browne song... wow! Those lyrics were powerful. I love when a popular artist dips his pen into the Bible for inspiration. It reminds me of the Hooters song "All you Zombies" where both Noah and Moses, and even the Pope get a shout-out! And Mr. Mister's "Kyrie Eleison" is similar.

Anonymous said...

Have you read "A Travel Guide to Heaven"? The author postulates that Heaven truly is here on earth, and that we will be able to enjoy the beautiful earth as God created it, with all the powers (flying!!) that were destroyed by original sin restored. We will be able to move from one place to another by simply desiring to do so... we will be able to walk and talk with the saints through sun and shade. The main point being that the beauty of the earth is/was made by God, and He "saw that it was good". He will not destroy that which He has created, but will restore it all for our enjoyment in Paradise. We have a foretaste of Eden here and now in the fresh air and sunlight and flowers of springtime! We should appreciate these little hints of the hereafter.

The Heart of Things said...

Hi Sharon, no, I hadn't heard about the book! Sounds great. Have you ever heard of Peter Kreeft's "Everything You Ever Wanted to know About Heaven" ? Same idea.

Here's a link:
http://www.peterkreeft.com/books.htm

Thanks for the beautiful comment; it makes the heart hungrier than ever for Heaven!

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