Heaven is an intimate relationship

Early morning on the Prairies

"Heaven is not a place, but an intimate relationship with G-d
that can be experienced partially on earth."   Pope John-Paul II   

My photo of an early morning on the Prairies inspired me to reflect upon these words of the late Pope. I remembered the outcry from the world when he had said them. It seemed to many that the Pope was not speaking well of heaven. He spoke of heaven neither as an abstraction nor a physical place amidst the clouds. He described heaven as "a living and personal relationship with the Holy Trinity." This appealed to me immediately but I knew it would not please everyone. John-Paul was focusing on G-d's judgment and mercy which, he said, is so great that the only people who will be condemned to hell are those who actively turn away from G-d.

    "When this world has passed away," he continued, "those who accepted G-d in their lives and were sincerely open to his love, at least at the moment of death, will enjoy the fullness of communion with the Infinite One which is the goal of human existence."

I like this explanation because it shows that it is possible to have a taste of heaven on earth. Where do we experience such a taste of heaven?  In every kind action, in every just moment, in every instant when we go the extra mile! I think his words frightened many and the Pope himself had to retract his philosophical thinking.Obviously one cannot explain away heaven but I do sincerely believe we experience a taste, a touch of it in our lives. What we experience so finitely here on earth, we will experience infinitely in the life yet come: love, compassion, tolerance, peace and a host of virtues we all strive after. Perhaps the late Pope is experiencing what he himself described. We wait to be surprised!