A Question

Several months ago, a close friend and I were talking about death, heaven, and hell. She inquired, "What if I get to heaven, and one that I love is not there but in hell, will I be sad?"  I was puzzled; I had no idea of how to answer.  I responded, "Well, I don't know, but I'll see if I can find out.  That's an interesting question."

I forgot about the question but was reading a book by my favorite saint, St. Catherine of Siena, The Dialogue of St. Catherine.  This book was basically a dictation from God to St. Catherine.  She had many questions and these were the answers.  St. Catherine had the same question for God.  She was told that when a person in heaven, in the pure vision of God, sees in hell one that he or she loves, there will be no sadness, because they realize the JUSTICE of God.  

In reality, WE OURSELVES put ourselves into heaven or hell after death.  I wish there was a different word other than "death," because, in reality, we don't disappear into nothingness.  We are always aware, we know what is going on.  But, of course, when we die, these bodies of ours die, and we go on to the eternal joy in heaven or eternal condemnation in hell, based on the choices we have made during our lives.

Perhaps "transformation" or "metamorphosis" would be more appropriate words, but "death" is what will be used, at least in the English language.  We are actually more alive after death than we are presently because our eternal life will be forever!  Think about this sometime: in heaven there will be no pain, no sadness, but eternal love!

Lord, we hardly ever think of death, but it is our reality.  Please help us all make the wise choices, to follow your commands, so we are with You forever.  Please help us unfailingly and untiringly give a good example, pray more and more each day, and bring everyone we know and encounter also to be with you forever!