Different degrees of "closeness" to God in heaven

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-- (), October 21, 2001

Answers

Hi, Ed,

I was taught in Catholic school that there are different levels in Heaven, I rember something but it is hard to put a face on it. Did you ever read anywhere that Jesus said, "That I need lillys in my garden to"? I took this to mean that being a lilly flower is not the top place you could be in Heaven.

Each time we look at The Most Blessed Sacrament our place in Heaven is Raised forever. (revealed by Our Lord to St. Gertrude the Great).

Each tome we recieve Communion our place in Heaven is raised forever, our stay in purgatory shortened.

God Bless.

David S

-- David S (asdzxc8176@aol.com), October 21, 2001.




-- anonymously answered, October 21, 2001

Dear Friends,
With complete humility in the presence of Jesus Christ, it's only right to confess our own short-sighted understanding of the verse ''Many mansions.''

I mentioned a recall of the traditional Catholic thoughts. A small soul is for the smaller glory-- a mansion of comparatively lesser glory. A saint in the ''calendar'' has all the greater mansion in the scheme of things. Let's remember Jesus spoke in parables. These are necessarily poetical presentations. --But, they illustrate a truth. WHY, indeed, should I-- a negligent and unworthy Christian-- come to inhabit a mansion in heaven that towers over the mansion of, say-- Saint Paul, or Saint Francis? Yet, we are all to be named ''saints''. Each with a crown and a mansion, certainly very glorious.

It isn't impossible even, that Ed's own notion may have some truth to it. People of another faith might attain a place in the glory of God. Let's at least hope so. In accordance with the infinite mercy of Jesus Christ, God-- who wishes that ALL men be saved. With God, nothing is impossible.

-- eugene c. chavez (chavezec@pacbell.net), October 22, 2001.


Sorry David, I don't recall the passage about the lillies.

Chris, thanks for an excellent reply. I was very troubled and struggling with your explanation until I came to the part where you describe two differently-sized full glasses of water. It answered my doubts and apprehensions about souls feeling "emptier" who are positioned “further” (for lack of a better words) away from God. The subject of different rooms in the Father’s house also helps to answer the question we often here, “Why do I have to get involved, do good works, etc.? God loves me and if I lead the life of a good Christian life and follow His commandments, then I will get to Heaven.” God is telling us He wants us to have a “fire” in our belly for our faith, not just a lukewarm love. He is telling us He wants a burning passion, a more clearly defined and focussed mission while here on earth like all the great saints had.

Now the hard part begins. I have to apply what I have learned to my own personal walk of faith for, as you have shown, it can have far- reaching consequences. There now exists a more centered purpose and challenge to my walk than ever before; but I guess that is what “growing in faith” is all about, isn’t it?

St. James and Mary Our Blessed Mother pray for us!

Ed

-- Ed Lauzon (grader@accglobal.net), October 22, 2001.




-- anonymously answered, October 22, 2001


[From a page within the Carmelite site (http://www.carmelite.com)]

"Thérèse asked Pauline about fairness in heaven: is glory distributed evenly or do the spiritual giants get more. Pauline's masterful answer is recalled years later by Thérèse:
'You sent me off to fetch one of Father's big glasses and had me put my little thimble by the side of it; then you filled them both up with water and asked me which I thought was the fuller. I had to admit that one was just as full as the other because neither of them would hold any more. That was the way you helped me to grasp how it was that in Heaven the least have no cause to envy the greatest.'"
[From "Story of a Soul" (1976, translated by Fr. John Clarke, OCD)]

-- (jfgecik@hotmail.com), October 22, 2001.


What a coincidence! The relics of Ste. Thérèse are on tour of North America presently and are scheduled to be in our town on Thursday of this week. They are being venerated all day Thursday at a local parish and a Mass is being said at Noon. Hundreds plan to attend! I have been looking forward to this for many weeks now. Hmmm... I wonder if Ste. Thérèse is trying to tell me something?

Ste. Thérèse pray for us!

Ed

-- Ed Lauzon (grader@accglobal.net), October 22, 2001.


Hi, Ed,

I hope you enjoy yourself with the relics of the Saint coming to your town. I am very Blessed in that way to! I only live about 50 miles from the Seton Shrine. I do go to about 2-4 Masses their a month, and I get to sit next to her earthly remains and Pray at Mass. Saint Seton has 2 daughters that were Nuns that are buried on the grounds as well as her sister in law. I pray to them all!

I am reading a little book now about St. Gertrude the Great. St Gertrude the Great is one of the gratest and most wonderful Saints in the Church of God. Our Holy Church distinguished her from all others of her sex by adding to her nane the honorable title,"the Great." I am telling you about this book Ed, because their are several instances where Our Lord talks about the different rewards people will get in Heaven, and I thought you might find it iteresting! If you are interested the book is called Saint Gertrude the Great. You can get it from tan books for about 1 dollar.

God Bless You.

David S

-- David S (asdzxc8176@aol.com), October 25, 2001.


Hi, Glenn.

I have not read any of your great posts to the forum in a week or so. I look forward to reading some REAL soon. Hope everything is going well with your Family and yourself.

God Bless You.

David S

-- David S (asdzxc8176@aol.com), October 25, 2001.


Thank you David! Peace! Ed

-- Ed Lauzon (grader@accglobal.net), October 26, 2001.


David S,

Thank you for your kind words. I have been keeping up with the latest posts, but usually a few days behind. A couple times I would have contributed, but my thoughts were already expressed or the thread had moved on.

But I do have a question for you, you have mentioned tan books twice on this forum (that I have seen), what exactly is this?

Thanks in advance, Glenn

-- Glenn (glenn@excite.com), October 26, 2001.


Glenn,

Tan books is a Catholic publishing Company. Their bussiness name, [Tan Books and Publishers,Inc]. They are located in Rockford, Illinois. 1-800-437-5876.

The publisher, Thomas A. Nelson feels he was lead by Our Lord to start this Catholic publishing company.

I have read some great Catholic books from there Glenn. Right now there is a Introductory offer- over 67 percent off. Buy now 10 Powerful Bestselling Catholic Books for only 22 dollars. It is a 66.75 Value.

David S

-- David S (asdzxc8176@aol.com), October 26, 2001.


Thanks David S.

Is their only access through the 800 number? Do they have a web site so I could review their books?

Thanks in advance, Glenn

-- Glenn (glenn@excite.com), October 27, 2001.


Glenn, WWW.TANBOOKS.COM

David S

-- David S (asdzxc8176@aol.com), October 27, 2001.


Thanks again David S. I actually performed a few searches and couldn't find it. Didn't think to simply try it as a web site!

-- Glenn (glenn@excite.com), October 28, 2001.


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