HappyMama

Well, we made an important discovery Saturday night - that we can hear the tornado sirens when they go off.  It’s the first time they’ve needed to since we moved here.  I was spooked more than usual because of the previous night’s tragedy in that small town in Kansas that was obliterated by a level 5 tornado.  I couldn’t imagine being in that situation - having our house blown away from us - but I was so thankful to have a basement.  We carried the 3 sleeping ones downstairs, and I was also thankful to have a guest-bed to put them on.  I am indeed surrounded by blessings.

I keep thinking about the families in Kansas who lost a loved one Friday night in that unexpected, terrifying way.  Were those 10 people who died praying?  Was someone praying for them?  I think of St. John Vianney’s response to the question about unanswered prayers: “It is not a refusal but a test that prepares us to receive more abundantly what we desire.” 

There’s the general idea that every human being dies at the point in time when they are closest to God.  (I’m still here, so that means I’ve still got some growing ahead of me.)

Certainly I was filled with comfort during Mass on Sunday, after driving there and viewing flooded fields and thinking of this tragic event, when I heard the second reading:

Reading II
Rev 21:1-5a

Then I, John, saw a new heaven and a new earth.
The former heaven and the former earth had passed away,
and the sea was no more.
I also saw the holy city, a new Jerusalem,
coming down out of heaven from God,
prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
I heard a loud voice from the throne saying,
“Behold, God’s dwelling is with the human race.
He will dwell with them and they will be his people
and God himself will always be with them as their God.
He will wipe every tear from their eyes,
and there shall be no more death or mourning, wailing or pain,
for the old order has passed away.”The One who sat on the throne said,
“Behold, I make all things new.”

“There shall be no more death or mourning, wailing or pain…”  Scripture never denies that life is full of suffering.  I think everyone suffers a lot.  Some big things, countless little things that add up.  That’s why I’m surprised that people don’t spend more time thinking about heaven.  It’s where we want to go; it’s the goal.  I think about it every day.