HEAVEN IN FAITH- A MAJOR WORK

 

"Heaven in Faith" is the first of Bl. Elizabeth's major works. It was written in August 1906 with barely 3 months left before her death in November 1906. It was conceived as a surprise gift for her sister Marguerite whom she had a very close relationship. This work is a great exposition of Elizabeth's own faith even amidst darkness. It reminds us that heaven is a reality which begins here on earth, not something we can only experience after we die, for someone who knows how to search for it in the dark night of faith.

The entirety of the work "Heaven In Faith" will be presented here in parts. The source is from ICS Publications of Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity's "Complete Works- Volume I."

1. "Father, I will that where I am they also whom You have given Me may be with Me, in order that they may behold my glory which You have given Me, because You have loved Me before the creation of the world."
Such is Christ's last wish, His supreme prayer before returning to His Father. He wills that where He is we should be also, not only for eternity, but already in time, which is eternity begun and still in progress. It is important then to know where we must live with Him in order to realize this divine dream. "The place where the Son of God is hidden is the bosom of the Father, or the divine Essence, invisible to every mortal eye, unattainable by every human intellect." as Isaiah said: "Truly You are a hidden God." And yet His will is that we should be established in Him, that we should live where He lives, in the unity of love; that we should be , so to speak, His own shadow.

2. By baptism, says St. Paul, we have been united to Jesus Christ. And again: "God seated us together in heaven in Christ Jesus, that He might show in the ages to come the riches of His grace." And further on: "You are no longer guests or strangers, but you belong to the city of saints and the House of God." The Trinity, this is our dwelling, our "home," the Father's house that we must never leave. The Master said one day: "The slave does not remain with the household forever, but the son remains there forever." (St. John).

to be continued....