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Surabaya Sharing
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 HEAVEN ON EARTH
- By Bombet Malinao
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I
was watching a movie on
HBO one afternoon when I was startled by a loud thud that sounded like
thunder gate-crashing into my living room. I quickly ran out to my garden
and saw the plants going crazy over the strong winds that suddenly blew in
our direction. When I looked up, I saw black clouds rapidly moving
towards the east. The wind must be might y
strong up there, I thought. As in similar days when I am awed by God’s
creations, I sat by my porch, unmindful of the cold drizzle and looked at
what nature had in store for me that day. Yes, during those moments,
I would feel heaven descending upon my garden.
Is it really possible…experiencing heaven on earth?
I am reminded of the experience Peter, James and John had
when Jesus took them with Him to Mount Tabor. The Lord had just told them
that He would soon die on the cross and the apostles were saddened and
disappointed by this announcement. But the Lord did not allow them to
wallow in their frustration. “As He was praying, the appearance of His
countenance was altered, and His raiment became dazzling white.” (Luke
9:29) St. Leo the Great said that the principal aim
of the Transfiguration was to banish from the disciples’
souls the scandal of the Cross. It made them understand why Jesus had to
die and gave them a glimpse of what was to come after He accomplishes His
mission. In short, they saw what Heaven would be like.
After seeing the glorified Jesus, Peter wanted to make the
moment last longer. The flash of glory transported the disciples into a
state of immense happiness, making St. Peter exclaim, “Master, it is well
that we are here, let us make three booths.” (Conversation with God)
But this wasn’t what it was supposed to be and St. Peter himself would
later write: What is good, what really matters, is not to be in this
place or that, but always to be with Jesus wherever we are and to be able
to see Him behind all the circumstances in which we may find ourselves.
That is Heaven!
What then, would Heaven be like? When I hear the chirping
of the birds when I wake up each morning…that is heaven. When I kiss my
son goodbye as he leaves for school and he glances at me before
disappearing from my view…that is heaven. When a friend sends an SMS
checking if my headache is gone…that is heaven. When my husband calls in
the middle of the day to ask what I want him to buy for me on his way
home…that is heaven.
God wants us to experience His Kingdom by giving us
glimpses of it while here on earth. Heaven is feeling the goodness of the
Lord through His beautiful creations. It is the taste of success after
having overcome temptation. It is friendship strengthened by time. It is
work well done because it is dedicated to the Lord.
As we celebrate the
Lord’s Resurrection, let us be reminded that Jesus went through all those
sufferings so that we may enjoy the bliss of eternal life…the foretaste of
which we can experience here on earth, right now.
- TELL US LIKE IT IS!
- Has something
wonderful and unique happened in your life lately? Did God answer your
prayer in a very unexpected way? Did you, like Isaiah, meet God’s
whisper?
- Have you felt His
powerful hand working in your life recently?
- Everyday, people are
experiencing God’s mighty Word in their lives and it is a pity that very
few know about it. Do you have a story to tell? Some Good News to
share?
- E-mail us (genesis@catholic.org) or fax us
(021-6627384), and tell us about it. That’s right! You don’t have to be
a great writer to do this. We can help you write it – just tell us like
it is!
- Don’t forget to write
the subject: “Let Me Tell You A
Story”
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IN THIS ISSUE:
HIS Servant
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The Father Speaks
By Fr. Siegfried Binzler, SJ
Surabaya Corner
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Our Faith
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Community Life ~ Here's the Latest
By Leslie Freires
Place of Refuge
By Philip Yuson
The LampLight
By Fr. Agustinus Tupen Belo, PR
God Answers Prayers
By Beth Manibog
Straight from the Heart
By Carolle Bautista
Surabaya Sharing
By Bombet Malinao
G* KIDSPACE
By Tintin Magbitang
Reflections
By Fr. Harry Toledano, OAD
Saint for the Month
Source: Catholic Online
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On Focus
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