THREE PERSONS YOU MEET IN HEAVEN

The Most Holy Trinity       

            Mitch Albom, author of the best-selling book, Tuesdays with Morrie, has written another book entitled, Five People You Meet in Heaven. The book speculates that when we die, we enter into the perfect happiness and joy of heaven by passing through encounters with five people. These five people might have been total strangers to us on earth, but their lives were intertwined with our own life, often in surprising ways. The book is somehow telling us that in heaven we learn that all lives are mutually related. And we come to understand the full meaning of our own life by learning the meaning of the lives of those Five People we meet in heaven.

            When you read Mitch Albom’s book, you cannot help but wonder, “Who are the five people I will meet in heaven?” Just for fun, give five names of persons you want to meet in heaven…

            However, even that intriguing question is incomplete. Our Christian faith offers us, on this Trinity Sunday, a further, a deeper, a theological reflection. Today’s Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity talks about, not “Five People You Meet in Heaven,” but “Three Persons you meet in Heaven.”

            In his homily on today’s feast, Fr. Earl Meyer, says, “The ultimate gladness and joy of Heaven will be entering into life with God.” “Our God is a Triune God, the Three Persons of the Most Holy Trinity.” God the Father, who created you. God the Son, who redeemed you. And God the Holy Spirit, who sanctifies you. These are the Three Persons you meet in heaven.

            Yet, we need not go first to heaven before we open ourselves to the realization of how our earthly life was related not only to other people, but to each Person of the Trinity: God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit. It is something that we have to start realizing in the here and now. As we celebrate the Three Divine Persons of God, it is important to remind ourselves that we are connected to the Triune God, and to ask important and relevant questions to deepen our realization of this connection.

            What did God the Father intend when he created me? Scripture says, “You formed my inmost being; you knit me in my mother’s womb.” “I praise you, because I am wonderfully made.” (Psalm 139) As a response to the love of the Father who created me, I should live my life for him, not for myself and according to what he had in mind when he created me. I should be mindful of God’s plan and purpose for my life, and I should live accordingly. The thoughts of my mind, the words of my lips, the works of my hands, the steps of my feet, my attitudes, behaviors, and actions should give honor to the Father who created me.

            What did God the Son, Jesus Christ, have in mind when he came to earth for my salvation? Scripture says, “I came that you may have life and have it more abundantly.” I have to start realizing how my own life is enriched by the life of Christ. Jesus suffered, died, and rose to redeem and save me – that I may share in the fullness of God’s life. That is Jesus’ big plan for me. And I should live my life in view of that big plan. It is something that will define my purpose and direction, that will give my life meaning and fulfillment, that will help me experience the fullness of life.

            And how does the Holy Spirit guide my life? Scripture says, “When he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth.” I need the Spirit of Truth to guide me as I listen to God’ voice, in spite of and in the midst of the many noises that disturb me. I need to hear the truth that my worth and dignity as a person lie on my being God’s child, created in his own image, not on wealth, power, fame, prestige, social status. I need to hear the truth that my true happiness is in the presence of God, in communion with God – not in worldly entertainments and pleasures. I need to hear the truth that my life’s meaning is in the generous sharing of myself – not in getting, hoarding, and accumulating things for myself.

            These are the three Persons we need to meet, not just in heaven, but here on earth, every moment of our lives: God the Father, who created us, God the Son, who redeemed us, and God the Holy Spirit, who sanctifies us.