6th Sunday of Easter
Acts 15: 1-2, 22-29; Re 21: 10-14, 22-23; John 14: 23-29
Deacon Larry Brockman
Just what is heaven like? Well, the Book of Revelation tells us something about that. Amongst all the unfamiliar symbolism that John uses a good portion of the book of Revelation describes the indescribable transcendental state of heaven in the only words that John could muster that somehow did it justice. Part of that description is in our second reading.
I invite you to reflect for a moment without distraction on what we just heard. First, John sees the holy city of Jerusalem, which descends down from heaven. Later on John says that God will make his dwelling place with us, so the holy city of Jerusalem is our heaven. Next, John says that the city gleams with the splendor of God. He describes the splendor of that gleaming in terms of the reflection we see from a precious stone, like jasper; and he says that it is clear as crystal. The glory of God is dazzling, sparkling, clear as crystal, and bright. It will be captivating!
Then, John describes four walls. The walls are sturdy, built on stone foundations; and they are tall. This means that heaven is protected; that it is isolated from darkness and outside influences; that it is impregnable. There is no devil; there is no war or bickering; there is no pain, no deception, no misery in heaven; only peace, joy, and the glory of God.
But the walls also mean that entry to heaven is limited. One has to enter through one of the 12 gates guarded by angels, with 3 gates on each of the four sides. John identifies the twelve tribes of Israel and the 12 Apostles with each of the gates, signifying that both the chosen people, Israel, and the converts of the New Testament may enter. One has to be a believer and must have survived a period of trial and judgment.
Next we find out there is no temple in this city, no church within it. There is no need for a temple, because God himself is there. And there is no need for the light of the moon or the sun or the stars because the glory of God illuminates the place.
How do we get there, to heaven? Jesus tells us in today’s Gospel that “Whoever loves me will keep my word and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him”. That is how we get to heaven- by loving God and keeping His word. For then God will come to us, like the holy city Jerusalem descending from heaven.
Jesus then goes on to offer us the help of the Holy Spirit in our crusade. He calls the Holy Spirit the “Advocate”. He says the Spirit will teach us everything we need to know. Indeed, those who love God and sincerely desire to follow him will be moved by God’s advocate, the Spirit. He will inspire us to know and serve God.
Then Jesus offers us peace. But it is not the peace of this world. Rather, it is peace in the heart. It is the kind of peace one has when they are totally reconciled with God- satisfied that they are doing the right thing, satisfied that they have resisted the temptations of self-gratification when they are called to serve; feeling in harmony with God’s will for them no matter what might be going on around them in a tumultuous world. That is the kind of peace that Jesus wishes on us. It is the kind of peace that circumstances and time cannot take away from us.
Easter is still upon us. We first experience the Easter joy of knowing that the resurrection is real; and that we have the opportunity to be resurrected just like Jesus. In its wisdom, the Church uses the later part of the Easter season to describe the coming joy in the Kingdom of God.
We have all experienced just a little bit of that today
