DAILY DEVOTIONAL
Thursday, April 19, 2018

Where exactly is Heaven?

Jesus answered, “My Realm is not from this world. If my Realm were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the governing authorities. But as it is, my Realm is not from here.” – John 18:36

I used to think that Heaven and earth were geographically distant from each other. In ancient times, they pictured Heaven just above the sky. And then among the stars. And even later by a few, mystically far away. We tend to think about life spatially and temporally. Something is either here in this or there in another place. Something is either in this point in Time or in some earlier or later point of Time. Our brains think this way. But with my reading about the scientific exploration of dimensions beyond height, width, depth, and duration … I began thinking of Christ’s words about His Realm in a certain possibility.

To explain, let me paraphrase those words of Christ as He spoke to Pilate, the Roman governor …

“My Realm, Governor Pilate, is not of this world of politics, either yours or the Sanhedrin’s. If my Realm used the worldly understandings of power, why those crowds out there would have risen up and defended me by wielding swords and political dissension. But, Governor Pilate, my Realm is not one of political power or military might … but my Realm is where spiritual integrity and the power of Merciful Love are the norm.”

I believe that this worldly realm and Christ’s Heavenly Realm are mingled together yet still separated into their own set of values and their own ways of accomplishment. Yes, I believe that Heaven is not that far away at all … but is rather a spiritual dimension within our midst.

In His Service always,
Fr. Charitas de la Cruz