Bound for heaven

St. Paul praises the Colossians: “we have heard of the love that you have for the holy ones because of the hope reserved for you in heaven.” The love is based on a hope. The hope is that, no matter what our differences, we share a common destiny: heaven.

Paul is speaking of the love within the early faith communities, but with your permission I would like to extend the meaning of that passage to everyone, because it is God’s will that everyone be saved through the knowledge of the truth (1 Tim 2:4). All of us share a common destiny. All of us are bound for heaven. We don’t necessarily know how God is going to bring this about, and it really isn’t necessary for us to know. That’s his job and his concern, and we cannot place any limits whatsoever on the scope and power of his mercy.

But consider the ramifications, if we are all bound for heaven:

The people we disagree with: they are bound for heaven.

The people we do not like: they are bound for heaven.

The people who do not share our faith: they are bound for heaven.  (See the Catechism of the Catholic Church, # 836-845)

The people who are struggling with various sins and difficulties: they are bound for heaven.

The people who seem to be defeated by evil: they are bound for heaven.

The people whom we are prone to condemn: they are bound for heaven.

Think about that concerning each and every person you see or encounter today: they are bound for heaven.