Eternal Reward Without Rebuke 

Rev. Marcel Divine Emeka Okwara, CSsR

Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord, Year B

St. Gerard Majella Parish, Baton Rouge, LA, USA

Sunday, May 17, 2015

As we celebrate the Lord’s Ascension into heaven, three points may be considered: One, Jesus returns to heaven but not exactly as he came. He came as the Son of God but now returns as the Son of God and also the Son of Mary. He came to earth as the only begotten Son of God, but now returns as our Brother and Redeemer. In one sense, he is the only begotten Son of God, but in another sense, he is not, for through his redemption, he has ransomed and begotten each of us as sons and daughters of God. Two, Jesus ascends to heaven without really leaving us. He stays with us as the Risen Lord. He is present with us through Spirit who he sent to us. He also continues to be with us supremely in the Eucharist, in common and private prayer, in our neighbor, in the poor and in those who evangelize for the Lord. In Matthew 21:20, Jesus promises us “And behold I am with you always until the end of time.” As we celebrate the Ascension of the Lord, we should avoid the mistake of boxing Jesus into heaven, away from us. After all, heaven is living in God’s presence, a presence which begins here and now with the grace of God and then climaxes and culminates in the glory of heaven. Jesus knew this all too well and that’s why in John 17:3 he says: “…eternal life means to know you, the only true God, and to know Jesus Christ who you sent.” 

The third point to consider as we celebrate the Lord’s Ascension is that his Ascension into heaven reminds us of the destiny of his followers. A Christian is a pilgrim. We are on a journey, and when someone begins a journey, he or she wants to get to the destination. The hope of the Christian pilgrim is the destination of heaven. 

Heaven is our destination. But discussions about heaven, some say, are oftentimes shrouded in mystery. No living person among us can say with certitude how heaven is like. We don’t really know the things that are in heaven. None of our departed relatives and friends has come back to narrate and describe to us how heaven is like. While some scholars argue about whether heaven is a place or a state, some of us wonder if there is food or drink in heaven; if heaven is going to be fun or boring. 

I read the story of a doctor and his terminally ill patient, who was very scared of dying. Out of fear of death, the patient asked his doctor: “What is there in heaven?” The doctor answered: “I don’t know.” In amazement, the patient said: “You don’t know? But you are a devout Catholic and attend Mass daily, yet you don’t know what is there in heaven?” At that time, there was a big noise produced by someone who wanted to force the door of the clinic open. It was a big dog, the doctor’s dog. Entering the clinic, the dog runs, jumps, and kisses the doctor. The entrance of the dog provided a teaching opportunity for the doctor. The doctor said to his patient: “Do you see my dog? He did not know what was in this room, but he knew that someone, his master was here, and that was enough for him. I don’t know what is in heaven, but I know one thing: God my Father is there, Jesus my Redeemer is there, and that is enough for me.”

Beloved in Christ, I don’t have a perfect knowledge of heaven. I don’t know if heaven is a place or a state. I don’t know if there is food or drink in heaven. I can only guess! But I can categorically, emphatically and certainly say that heaven is the reward of righteousness. Heaven is the reward of compassion. It is the reward of love- love of God and neighbor. Heaven is the reward of holiness and purity. It is the reward for feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, sheltering the homeless, welcoming the strangers, visiting the sick, the shut-in and the imprisoned for the sake of Jesus. Heaven is the reward of forgiveness and tolerance. It is the reward of not getting tired of doing what is good. It is the reward of working for justice and peace for the sake of Jesus, the Prince of peace. Heaven is the reward of simplicity and humility. It is the reward of not giving up on God even in the face of suffering and hardship. Heaven is the reward of keeping the Lord's commandments. It is the reward of working for God wholeheartedly with no regrets. Heaven is the reward of joy drawn from a profound relationship with God. Heaven is the reward obedience- God's centered obedience. It is the reward of being a faithful witness of God. It is the reward of not clinging too much on the things of this world. Heaven is the reward of depending and relying on God. Heaven is the reward of following Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. Heaven is the reward of honest living devoid of hypocrisy. Heaven is the reward of saying yes to God on a daily basis. It is the reward for those who spend their earthly life storing up treasures in heaven. It is the reward for those who spent their lives on earth “proclaiming the gospel to every creature.”

Heaven is our goal and our target! In 1 Corinthians 2:9, St. Paul writes, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and it has not entered into the heart of anyone what God has prepared for those who love him.” We may not know with certitude the things that are in heaven, but Revelation 21:4 tells us that in heaven, “God will wipe away all tears from our eyes; there will be no more death, no sorrow or crying or pain, because old things have passed away.” This tells us that heaven is peace without interruption; joy without interruption, fellowship with God and with the people of God without interruption. Heaven is perfect health and strength without interruption of any sickness or weakness. It is perfection without limitation, wholeness without blemish or wrinkle.