Topic: What is heaven like?

Source of this posting: Moderator response

Date originally posted: January 8, 2003

Moderator who originally posted this source: Father Robert

Question:  ON NOVEMBER 20TH 2002 STACY BACIGALUPO THE LOVE OF MY LIFE,MY GIRLFRIEND FOR THE PAST 6 YEARS AND MY FUTURE WIFE DIED WITHOUT WARNING AT THE AGE OF 22. THE ONLY THING THAT HAS GOTTEN ME THROUGH THE PAST WEEKS IS THE HOPE THAT THROUGH THE GRACE AND MERCY OF GOD BY THE POWER OF THE DEATH AND RESSURECTION OF JESUS CHRIST I WILL BE ABLE TO BE WITH MY BELOVED STACY SOMEDAY IN HEAVEN.I KNOW THAT THERE IS NO PHYSICAL LOVE IN HEAVEN ,THAT IS TO SAY NO SEX AS THERE IS NO NEED TO PROCREATE, AND THE DESIRE TO DO SO WILL BE REMOVED FROM US ALONG WITH LUST AND THE OTHER IMPERFECTIONS OF THE FLESH. BUT I HAVE HOPE THAT I WILL STILL BE ABLE TO HAVE A LOVING FELLOWSHIP AND A BEAUTIFUL RELATIONSHIP WITH MY GIRLFRIEND IN THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD AND IT WILL BE MADE PURE BECAUSE IT WILL NOT BE IN THIS WORLD. THE HOPE THAT I WILL SEE HER SMILE AND HEAR HE LAUGH AND HOLD HER TIGHT AND WALK HAND IN HAND DOWN THE STREETS OF GOLD ARE THE ONLY THINGS THAT ARE GETTING ME THROUGH THIS TIME.I HAVE HEARD THE VERSE For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven, (Matt. 22: 30)BUT I ALSO KNOW THAT THIS IN REFERENCE TO A QUESTION REGARDING A WOMAN WHO MARRIED HER DEAD HUSBAND’S BROTHER AND WHO’S WIFE WOULD SHE BE IN HEAVEN? THIS WOMAN APPEARED TO HAVE NO BOND OR LOVE TOWARDS ANY OF HER HUSBANDS.SHE WAS JUST PASSED DOWN FROM BROTHER TO BROTHER AS A PIECE OF PROPERTY.AND I KNOW THAT IN THE TIME OF CHRIST A MARRIAGE WAS THOUGHT OF AS A HUSBANDS OWNERSHIP OF HIS WIFE.IT WAS A BUSINESS CONTRACT BETWEEN A BRIDES FATHER AND THE GROOM AND IN MANY CASES THE BRIDE HAD NO SAY IN THE MATTER.THE POINT IS I DON’T WISH TO OWN MY GIRLFRIEND STACY (ALTHOUGH I FEEL IN MY HEART THAT GOD MADE HER JUST FOR ME.)I KNOW THAT WE OWE OURSELVES ONLY TO GOD.BUT THE HOPE THAT THE EMOTIONAL LOVING BOND THAT WE HAVE FOR EACHOTHER AND HAD ON EARTH WILL CARRY OVER INTO ETERNITY IS THE ONLY THING THAT GIVES ME THE STRENGTH TO GO ON. THE BOTTOM LINE IS I KNOW I COULDN’T LIVE IN ANY EARTH OR HEAVEN FOREVER WITHOUT HER.  PLEASE GIVE ME SOME WORDS THAT YOU FEEL MAY COMFORT ME.PATRICK BAGDON

Answer: 

Dear Patrick,

You have my deepest sympathy. Anyone in your position would be grieving deeply. You may want to ask your Church if any grieving support ministries are available. n It often helps to talk with others who are grieving in a group led by a trained facilitator.

No one knows exactly what heaven is like. If we consider Matthew 22:30 in its context, we see that Jesus's purpose was not to give an exact description of heaven. There is nothing wrong with the way you are thinking about heaven now. Honor your feelings about that. I am sure God blesses your thoughts and feelings.

Your hope and comfort rests in the fact that we have a God of love. God brought you and Stacy together for a reason and even though she has died your time with her has helped make you who you are, and she will always affect you in some way. God's love is stronger than death, and it changes death from an ending to a passage into eternal life. One day you will be united with God and with Stacy forever.

Prayers and blessings,
Father Robert