What does it mean that St. Paul was snatched up to the third heaven? What is the third heaven? Are people in varying degrees of “achievement” in heaven?In light of this reflection, discuss this Scripture verse: “no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him” (1 Corinthians 2:9).How can we speak of the mysteries of heaven and at the same time understand that we truly cannot speak of them? Is this a contradiction?What does the ability to see and h
while we are without our bodies (in heaven, before the resurrection of the body) have to do with understanding eternal happiness?
Nearly everyone has an idea of a perfect place of peace and happiness that exists after this life. Where does this idea come from, since much of what we see around us is so flawed in so many ways? Do believers gain a better knowledge of this as they grow in holiness
Feb 15, 7:03 AM
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Feb 15, 7:05 AM
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Newsletter for Lenten Chat Feb 18 | Visitation Spirit
Feb 16, 11:46 PM
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Feb 18, 4:27 PM
Steph (Guest): Good evening all!
Feb 18, 4:27 PM
SrSusan (Guest): Good evening and welcome!
b 18, 4:33 PMSrSusan (Guest): So I guess we can start. Quite a first question! What does it mean that St. Paul was snatched up to the third heaven
eb 18, 4:34 PMSteph (Guest): Yes, such a good question. Could it be as I pondered the closer in prayer the more levels or heavens?
18, 4:35 PM
SrSusan (Guest): Well, I think there are levels of glory-
Feb 18, 4:35 PM
Simone (Guest): I agree Steph.. I wonder if there are some different levels of “consciousness to eternity”.. but that is not a theological answer – just a speculation. I never studied this
eb 18, 4:35 PM
Simone (Guest): levels of glory.. I love that
Feb 18, 4:35 PM
Simone (Guest): Hi Ruth!
Feb 18, 4:36 PM
Dawn (Guest): hi everyone! just catching up on chat..
Feb 18, 4:36 PM
Simone (Guest): oh Dawn.. did not see you.. Hi Dawn!
Feb 18, 4:36 PMJennifer (Guest): I’ll be honest, I feel I knew more about different levels of hell because of Dante but never really heard of levels of heaven. I was thinking it was how we get closer to God.
eb 18, 4:36 PMSteph (Guest): Just like levels of angels dominions etc can’t remember if top of my head
b 18, 4:37 PM
Simone (Guest): Again.. I am just thinking loud here.. if we never stop growing closer to God – and this is what I have been taught.. then it does make sense that there are several levels of glory
Feb 18, 4:37 PM
SrSusan (Guest): I really dont know but it could be a way of saying the place where God is rather than the “heavens” like the sky above or something
Feb 18, 4:37 PM
Steph (Guest): Jesus said they are many rooms in heaven
eb 18, 4:39 PM
Steph (Guest): lol yes but great insights every one
Feb 18, 4:39 PM
Simone (Guest): I would not call it achievement.. but many different qualities of love..
Feb 18, 4:39 PM
Jennifer (Guest): I like that idea of different qualities. That resonates.
eb 18, 4:40 PMSrSusan (Guest): Ive heard people say to others youll have a higher place in heaven,
b 18, 4:40 PM
Simone (Guest): from the desire of being extolled.. deliver us Jesus..
Feb 18, 4:41 PM
SrSusan (Guest): but that is not theological
Feb 18, 4:41 PM
Simone (Guest): I agree.. that this is not theological
Feb 18, 4:41 PM
SrSusan (Guest): so we dont really know but one can check the catechism
eb 18, 4:41 PM
Simone (Guest): good idea.
Feb 18, 4:41 PM
SrSusan (Guest): In light of this reflection, discuss this Scripture verse: “no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him” (1 Corinthians 2:9).How can we speak of the mysteries of heaven and at the same time understand that we truly cannot speak of them? Is this a contradiction?
Feb 18, 4:43 PMSteph (Guest): We can ask the Holy Ghost for guidance and understanding. We are always learning scripture daily
b 18, 4:43 PMSteph (Guest): We just have faith. We believe but not see
eb 18, 4:44 PM
Ruth (Guest): Hi Everyone. Love trying to think about heaven! We are, indeed a lot Iike that poor child raised in a dungeon.
Feb 18, 4:44 PM
Jennifer (Guest): I think we can envision that God’s love is bigger and more expansive than our comprehension and know that is good.
Feb 18, 4:44 PM
Victoria_br: Hey everyone, hop you are doing well
eb 18, 4:44 PM
Simone (Guest): I remember reading Dr. Eben Alexander’s testimony. He is a neurosurgeon who was brain dead..
Feb 18, 4:44 PM
Jennifer (Guest): Hi Victoria!
Feb 18, 4:44 PM
Simone (Guest): he experienced Afterlife
eb 18, 4:45 PM
Dawn (Guest): individuals experience heaven differently based on what they did in life and how mch they opened themselves to Gods love ( Catholic Answers)
Feb 18, 4:45 PM
Simone (Guest): one of his interesting comments were – the brain activity is actually what separates us from heaven
Feb 18, 4:45 PM
Ruth (Guest): what did you get from it Simone?
eb 18, 4:46 PMJennifer (Guest): Interesting Simone
Feb 18, 4:46 PMSimone (Guest): that our senses, that are linked with our brain – are in a way hindering to have these insights into the realm of heaven – we will be given new senses- maybe building on those we have.. but in a way totally different
eb 18, 4:47 PM
Simone (Guest): or the story of the two embryos in the womb
Feb 18, 4:47 PM
SrSusan (Guest): Thanks Dawn for your answer too
b 18, 4:47 PM
Dawn (Guest): interesting topic, and replies
Feb 18, 4:48 PM
Simone (Guest): the one saying – that there is life after the womb.. the other one saying ” Mother? I have never seen a mother” – and then the one saying.. but why would we have arms and legs developed if we never need them?
eb 18, 4:48 PM
Dawn (Guest): where is this from Simone?
Feb 18, 4:48 PM
Simone (Guest): but it shows.. how we are reduced to our senses.. like an embryo in the womb.. who cannot fathom life outside of the womb.. until it is born
eb 18, 4:49 PMSimone (Guest): sorry Dawn.. I do not know.. I have heard it several times.. but never seen who wrote it
b 18, 4:49 PM
Ruth (Guest): We believe in the resurrection of the BODY —
Feb 18, 4:49 PM
Simone (Guest): AMEN
b 18, 4:50 PMSimone (Guest): however God makes that happen
Feb 18, 4:51 PMSrSusan (Guest): while we cant really have knowledge it is good to meditate on heaven
b 18, 4:51 PM
Simone (Guest): totally agree
Feb 18, 4:51 PM
SrSusan (Guest): or any of the 4 last things
b 18, 4:51 PM
SrSusan (Guest): or any of the 4 last things
Feb 18, 4:52 PM
Simone (Guest): My husband loves that. I have to make sure I am not neglecting it.
Feb 18, 4:52 PM
Dawn (Guest): I agree. its beautiful and hopeful to meditate on
Feb 18, 4:52 PM
Steph (Guest): Makes me think of transfiguration and how it was to prepare apostles but now thinking to prepare us of how glorious He is
Feb 18, 4:52 PM
SrSusan (Guest): is it peaceful amidst the praise, for ex and what is it like to be with an angel
Feb 18, 4:52 PM
Steph (Guest): How glorious heaven is
eb 18, 4:53 PMSrSusan (Guest): and it balances out and goes far beyond the difficult things we often have our minds on
eb 18, 4:53 PM
Dawn (Guest): StFdeSales letter was thought provoking, spiritually provoking Ill say
Feb 18, 4:53 PM
SrSusan (Guest): St Francis de Sales has a meditation on heaven in the introduction to the devout life
Feb 18, 4:54 PM
Dawn (Guest): I’ll go back to it!
Feb 18, 4:54 PM
Steph (Guest): I will too and re read
b 18, 4:54 PM
Ruth (Guest): Sister what are the four last things? Are we not NOW with angels? and Saints?
Feb 18, 4:55 PM
SrSusan (Guest): heaven hell death judgement
Feb 18, 4:56 PM
SrSusan (Guest): q What does the ability to see and hear while we are without our bodies (in heaven, before the resurrection of the body) have to do with understanding eternal happiness?
Feb 18, 4:56 PM
Rhodylyn (Guest): Sorry just came back from visiting a friend in the hospital.
Feb 18, 4:56 PM
SrSusan (Guest): Glad you made it How is your friend doing
Feb 18, 4:56 PM
Simone (Guest): Hi Rhodylyn
Feb 18, 4:56 PM
Steph (Guest): So sister we are not part of community of saints yet?
eb 18, 4:56 PM
Steph (Guest): So sister we are not part of community of saints yet?
Feb 18, 4:57 PM
SrSusan (Guest): St Paul would say we are of the community of saints
eb 18, 4:57 PMSimone (Guest): I think the ability to see and hear while we are without our bodies (in heaven, before the resurrection of the body) – speaks in a way that there is some form of connection offered – otherwise we would not need these “senses”
18, 4:59 PM
Rhodylyn (Guest): Thank you for asking about my friend. She is at Rehab now. Had a bad fall. Fractured something
Feb 18, 4:59 PM
Steph (Guest): Interesting Simone like spiritually connected but depending on earthly tasks
Feb 18, 4:59 PM
Jennifer (Guest): I think it speaks to the power of God in that God has created us for heaven.
Feb 18, 5:00 PMSimone (Guest): Steph.. I meant.. if it would be just an individual internal experience – we would not need senses that connect us with the “outer”.
eb 18, 5:01 PM
Simone (Guest): good point Jennifer.. why would we not have the means to BE in heaven.. when this is exactly the place we were created for
Feb 18, 5:01 PM
Steph (Guest): True Jennifer.
Feb 18, 5:01 PM
Jennifer (Guest): Prayers for your friend Rhodylyn.
Feb 18, 5:01 PM
SrSusan (Guest): With these “heavenly senses” we might feel more like ourselves as heaven will be so different perhaps that it is good to know something will be familiar
Feb 18, 5:02 PMRhodylyn (Guest): God seems to want us to have a glimpse of heaven while we are on earth.
Feb 18, 5:04 PMSrSusan (Guest): Nearly everyone has an idea of a perfect place of peace and happiness that exists after this life. Where does this idea come from, since much of what we see around us is so flawed in so many ways?
eb 18, 5:06 PM
Dawn (Guest): Jesus speaks of heaven…
Feb 18, 5:06 PM
Simone (Guest): well.. this idea comes from moments of genuine peace and happiness. which is on earth continuously interrupted with moments of pain and worry and temptations…… Heaven will be without these interruptions.
Feb 18, 5:06 PM
Jennifer (Guest): My idea has certainly changed over time. I know it’s influenced by the love I have for my family. Heaven is an exponential experience of love in my perception.
Feb 18, 5:06 PM
Simone (Guest): YES, Jennifer
Feb 18, 5:07 PM
Steph (Guest): Faith and hope and love. Jesus called heaven paradise. We are broken and world is broken so we have hope that bring in heaven gives us this idea of peace.
Feb 18, 5:07 PMSteph (Guest): Nice Jennifer, yes!
eb 18, 5:08 PMJennifer (Guest): I look forward to not being full of worry! It’s a daily battle.
eb 18, 5:08 PMSimone (Guest): so sorry to hear that Jennifer. Worry is a real joy robber
eb 18, 5:08 PMRhodylyn (Guest): In moments of consolation when God gives us the grace of profound peace , we understand that with God this will be much more than what He gives us here on earth.
eb 18, 5:09 PMJennifer (Guest): I’m working on worry and impatience this Lent.
Feb 18, 5:10 PM
Dawn (Guest): Im thinking of beautiful Catherals, reaching up high into …heaven! represents this. I also see this in God creation, high mountain tops, high tall trees.
Feb 18, 5:10 PM
SrSusan (Guest): St. Francis de Sales famously wrote, “Anxiety is the greatest evil that can befall a soul, except sin. God commands you to pray, but He forbids you to worry.” St. Francis points out the danger of anxiety and how it can fracture our spirits and rob our peace of mind.
Feb 18, 5:10 PM
Steph (Guest): Rhodylyn totally agree. I could spend hours in adoration if had the option and time, so cannot fathom heaven!
b 18, 5:11 PM
Dawn (Guest): important quote from St Francis!
Feb 18, 5:11 PM
Jennifer (Guest): Thank you for sharing that Sister Susan. My mother gave me a prayer from St. Francis de Sales about anxiety. I’m adding it to my daily prayer.
Feb 18, 5:11 PM
Rhodylyn (Guest): Yes, Steph. I experience the same during Eucharistic Adoration.
Feb 18, 5:11 PM
Steph (Guest): St padre pio, pray for us! He said pray hope don’t worry!
eb 18, 5:12 PMSimone (Guest): I remember that I reacted very strongly to this quote when I read it the first time.but now I am more reconciled with it. SFDS really wants us to usher into the full trust in God’s goodness
eb 18, 5:12 PM
Rhodylyn (Guest): Hope is the ally of the Holy Spirit.
Feb 18, 5:12 PM
Dawn (Guest): Ive read anxiety is spiritual in nature, a lack . pills do not remedy the root
eb 18, 5:13 PMSimone (Guest): I agree partially Dawn. I know that my father has developed severe anxiety now in his dementia..I do not think that it is spiritual
eb 18, 5:13 PMRuth (Guest): Simone, I am so sorry.
eb 18, 5:14 PM
Steph (Guest): Me too dawn! Sunset, birds chirping. God is amazing
Feb 18, 5:14 PM
Simone (Guest): thanks Ruth… it is hard to watch and hard to handle.. because he does not want to be alone in the room at all anymore
b 18, 5:15 PM
Dawn (Guest): My sister died from alzheimers a few years ago, and I relate to what you observe. she also had anxiety, lessened over time. so that is hopeful maybe
Feb 18, 5:15 PM
Rhodylyn (Guest): My late father also suffered from dementia. He didn’t want to be in the dark. Light is on 24/7
Feb 18, 5:15 PM
Ruth (Guest): Is he still at home with caregivers?
eb 18, 5:15 PMSteph (Guest): Praying for you Simone.
eb 18, 5:16 PM
Simone (Guest): yes Ruth
Feb 18, 5:16 PM
Simone (Guest): and thank you Steph
eb 18, 5:16 PM
Simone (Guest): and Rhodylyn.. yes.. fear of darkness during the night is now also starting
Feb 18, 5:16 PM
Rhodylyn (Guest): Yes, I will include your father and you in my prayer intentions.
Feb 18, 5:17 PM
Dawn (Guest): Im so sorry Simone….prayers for you and him
eb 18, 5:18 PM
Simone (Guest): aww.. I am tearing up. God is showering me with all of your willingness to pray for my Dad and me.. I touches me in a special way tonight.. Thank you everyone
Feb 18, 5:18 PM
Dawn (Guest): is it just me or does it seem these things are much more common now?
b 18, 5:19 PM
Simone (Guest): I think people are generally getting older Dawn.. and these things are happening in aging brains.
Feb 18, 5:19 PM
SrSusan (Guest): might not have been identified well yrs ago
eb 18, 5:20 PMSrSusan (Guest): last q Do believers gain a better knowledge of this, eternal happiness, as they grow in holiness
eb 18, 5:21 PM
Simone (Guest): oh.. I definitely think so. I am sure they know.. but they might not always have access to the joy of it during their time on earth.. Dark night of the soul for example
Feb 18, 5:21 PM
Dawn (Guest): I would say yes
Feb 18, 5:21 PM
Jennifer (Guest): I see this as having less barriers. Less fear, less lack of trust so yes, believers grow in their knowledge as they trust more.
Feb 18, 5:21 PM
Rhodylyn (Guest): Yes, because one begins to gain knowledge of God.
Feb 18, 5:22 PM
Ruth (Guest): I wrote but half of what I write does not post. You and your family are in my prayers. The “sandwich” generation — caring for parents and children — have it hard.
eb 18, 5:22 PM
Steph (Guest): I also say yes, more graces as you strive to be closer to God, follow commandments
Feb 18, 5:22 PM
Simone (Guest): thank you Ruth.. for understanding and for prayer
Feb 18, 5:22 PM
Rhodylyn (Guest): In holiness, one becomes intimate with God
b 18, 5:22 PM
Simone (Guest): the word intimacy also came to my mind Rhodylyn
eb 18, 5:23 PM
Steph (Guest): Yes, like St. John, so close to Jesus and could rest his head on His heart.
Feb 18, 5:23 PM
Simone (Guest): Kiss me and kiss me again,
for your love is sweeter than wine
(Song of Solomon 1:2)
b 18, 5:23 PMSimone (Guest): to feel the divine love so close.. oh what joy!
eb 18, 5:24 PM
Steph (Guest): Amen!
Feb 18, 5:24 PM
Rhodylyn (Guest): Yes, that’s when one discovers the Treasures of His Sacred Heart.
b 18, 5:24 PM
Ruth (Guest): Amen
Feb 18, 5:24 PM
Dawn (Guest): everything we experience here is to prepare us , to increase in holiness. Ive been pondering this lately. so, we can be thankful in all things
Feb 18, 5:24 PMSimone (Guest): love it Dawn
eb 18, 5:25 PM
Dawn (Guest): the cross..
Feb 18, 5:25 PM
Ruth (Guest): Yes, Dawn. And Gratitude is a first giant step in prayer.
Feb 18, 5:26 PMDawn (Guest): yes Ruth!
b 18, 5:28 PM
Simone (Guest): I have to go early today ladies.. Thanks for all your beautiful answers. And Sister Susan, I keep praying for you. And all my other precious sisters here.. I keep you and your love for GOD in my prayers too
Feb 18, 5:28 PM
Steph (Guest): Thank you Sister! Goodnight all
Feb 18, 5:28 PM
Jennifer (Guest): Thank you. This was my first chat and I feel enriched by this community.
Feb 18, 5:28 PM
SrSusan (Guest): I hope your Lent has started well- we have many weeks to go but it is such a special time of grace
Feb 18, 5:28 PM
Simone (Guest): I have to go early today ladies.. Thanks for all your beautiful answers. And Sister Susan, I keep praying for you. And all my other precious sisters here.. I keep you and your love for GOD in my prayers too
Feb 18, 5:28 PM
Steph (Guest): Thank you Sister! Goodnight all
Feb 18, 5:28 PM
Jennifer (Guest): Thank you. This was my first chat and I feel enriched by this community.
Feb 18, 5:29 PM
Dawn (Guest): Yours too Sr Susan. thank you for tonight, and all chat sisters here.
Feb 18, 5:29 PM
Rhodylyn (Guest): Thanks everyone.
Feb 18, 5:29 PM
Ruth (Guest): It is mighty hard to Dance with the Devil on your back, but dancing, praise to our God is out piveledge and dut.
Feb 18, 5:29 PM
SrSusan (Guest): Thank you all! You are all so faithful!
Feb 18, 5:29 PM
Jennifer (Guest): Thank you Sr. Susan!
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