By our baptism we became members of the Church. We are a part of the Church Militant. Those who are in purgatory are a part of the Church Suffering. And finally, those souls who are in heaven and experiencing the beatific vision (utter and perfect happiness) are a part of the Church Triumphant. We are all members of the Church. So often we focus on the beauty of Heaven. We focus on the fact that there is no more suffering, no tears, no sickness, but the fullness of life. It is beautiful to think about, and we do need to think about it. The Saints are in Heaven. They are with God forever! That is eternity. They will never not be in Heaven. But if we examined the lives of those who are in Heaven, the Canonized Saints, what would we find? There is much suffering in their lives. It wasn’t easy, and the trials that they went through were tough. They had to be disciplined in their lives. The Saints on earth lived in the Church Militant. They were soldiers for Christ. They were not focused on what’s in it for me, rather they were God focused in all that they did. They didn’t think what is the minimum that I have to do to get to Heaven, rather they were focused on loving God more and more. They prayed and worked hard to bring the love of God to others. At times they were rebuffed or treated like scum. They endured much for Christ. Think about St. Damien of Molokai, who went to serve the lepers, and he eventually contracted the disease and died serving those in need. He suffered. What about St. Therese of Lisieux, who at the age of 24 died from tuberculosis. We run from discipline and suffering, and yet that is what our Lord Jesus Christ did for us. And, as He showed us the way, we should follow. Our lives are going to be filled with suffering because of sin. Sin is why we suffer. Until all people are centered on Christ, sin and its wages will keep us from happiness. Complete happiness is what the Church Triumphant is experiencing, and we, in the Church Militant, are not there yet. We must discipline our lives. We heard that message last week in the second reading. And it is something we must do to be ready for Heaven.
Fr. Thomas P. Galarneault