Question 7.125

7.125 The Church speaks about supernatural happiness. What does this expression mean?

For theologians, beatitude consists of seeing and possessing God. On earth we do not see God; we know that he exists, but we do not see him. According to Saint Thomas, the vision of God in heaven will be immediate.

On earth, we would like to love with all our heart, but we do not succeed. Why? Because we do not see God. In heaven, our souls will be silent, perfectly docile, and transparent to the light. The soul will be immobile. Man’s perpetual restlessness on earth leads him to pursue fleeting appearances. In heaven we will possess being.

The promise of a transformation and a resurrection does not cease to astonish even after more than two thousand years. It is certainly difficult to prepare on this earth for the true happiness of heaven. The only sure method is to remain united with God, who is present in our hearts. The vision of eternity is not given to us during our present life, but we have faith, which is a way of possessing in the darkness.

In this world, certainty about God’s perfection has to be enough for us. Saint Augustine is said to have expressed this sentiment in a famous, paradoxical formula: “My God, if you were to offer to change places, so that I would become God and You Augustine, I would say: No! I prefer that you be God and that I be Augustine or whatever, what does it matter? You are my happiness, and not me.”

Christians know that at the end of time Christ will come again in glory.

According to the Bible, he will be escorted by all the angels, and all peoples will assemble before him. He will separate men as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place some on his right, to live with him in eternity, and the rest, who have chosen their position, will remain separated from his light. The earthly city is not our true homeland; it is a transitory moment. We are born to take a great journey toward the city of God and to become “fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God” (Eph 2:19).

Despite this sublime destination, we are called to be God’s artisans here below, so that some drops of eternity might descend even in this world. The vision of heaven cannot make us forget that we have to combat the powers of evil that search relentlessly to corrupt mankind, God’s creation. The kingdom of God must begin hic et nunc (here and now).

On earth we have the treasure of prayer, which is the language of heaven.

In this language, all the words translate only one thought, one truth that soon invades the soul and thoroughly imbues it so as to direct and ennoble it; Christ himself proclaims this truth: I am infinite love; all that is mine I give to you so that we may be one as the Father and the Son are one (see Jn 17:22-23).