In the October Catholic Candle, there was an article on the Sacred Heart which demonstrated the great and loving help that Our Lord gives us so that we can be with Him in Heaven.
Many people have a vague idea that they’d like to go to Heaven. That is, if they even think about it at all. They go about their daily lives and hope that they are somehow conforming to God’s commandments, although without inconveniencing themselves too much.
Other people understand that more is expected of them, that Christ laid down a very specific plan for them to get to Heaven. He came down to earth, established His Church, and suffered and died that we might attain salvation.
But Christ didn’t leave us floundering and rudderless, uncertain what we were to do to get to Heaven. He loves us so much that He gave us multitudinous helps so that we might be forever happy with Him in Heaven. For example, He gave us the Ten Commandments, the Mass, the Sacraments, thousands of examples of heroic Saints, Catholic books, great Doctors of the Church, and one sermon in particular that especially stands out: the Sermon on the Mount.
In Chapter 5 of St. Matthew’s Gospel (part of which is printed below), Our Lord gives us explicit instructions as to how we are to live our daily lives:
And seeing the multitudes, He went up unto a mountain, and when he was set down, His disciples came unto Him.
And opening His mouth, He taught them, saying:
† Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.
† Blessed are the meek: for they shall possess the land.
† Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
† Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice: for they shall have their fill.
† Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
† Blessed are the clean of heart: for they shall see God.
† Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called children of God.
† Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.
These instructions, and the additional ones that followed, were not mere suggestions. They were definite guides for us that, if followed, would lead us to Heaven. Which was Christ’s intention as He so loved us, His creatures, that He wanted us to have eternal peace and happiness with Him forever.
So, it is time to reflect again on all that Our Lord has done for us, and is continuing to do for us. You will see there is no limit to what lengths He has gone to aid us in gaining our salvation. We should love Him and thank Him by living a life according to His will.
Know His will and pray for the courage and strength to follow it. He suffered and died for us. He keeps us in existence. He helps us in so many ways. It’s easy to love Him for all He has done for us, and continues to do!