In the science of Zoology, as an example, there are many sub-specializations: entomology (the study of insects), herpetology (the study of reptiles) and mammalogy (the study of mammals). Similarly, in the study of Theology (the study of God), there are sub-specializations: protology (the study of first things; Adam and Eve; original sin), Christology (the study of the person of Jesus the Christ), soteriology (the study of salvation), etc. But my favorite sub-specialization of Theology is Eschatology (the study of the Last Things)!
In the month of November, which begins with the celebration of All Saints Day and All Souls Day, Nov 1st and 2nd, the Catholic Church asks her children to reflect on the Last Things, traditionally described as death, judgment, heaven and hell. The mass readings are about these things. But eschatology also includes topics such as the Individual Judgment vs the Last Judgment, purgatory, the Beatific Vision, new heavens and a new earth, the heavenly Communion of Saints, the lumen gloria, the resurrection of the body, etc.! A million more questions come to mind:
In what exactly does the infinite happiness of heaven consist? Why is purgatory necessary for most people? Will people wear clothes in heaven? Do we eat in heaven? Will I know and have a special bond with my family in heaven? If a person dies as an infant, will they still be an infant in heaven? Will my dog be in heaven with me?
Beginning today, for the next two Sundays, I will give a teaching homily on the questions of Catholic eschatology. Today, I will talk more about what has to happen now (in this life) such that I will be ready for the next life, the real life of heaven. I will talk about union with God, death and judgment, purgatory, Communion of saints, etc. Next Sunday, I will talk about the happiness of Heaven, and what we all have to look forward to as we near eternal life!
I wrote my master’s thesis in the seminary on the Beatific Vision, the “face to face vision” of God. I really want to go to Heaven! And I really want you to go there as well. Why? Well, because I love you. Love is to will good to the other and to provide that good if one is able. And there is no “Good” like Heaven. There is no “Good” like Jesus!
I recommend to you one of my favorite books to read during the month of November: “Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about Heaven…but Never Dreamed of Asking” by Dr. Peter Kreeft. I will reference that book in these homilies.
As a priest friend used to always say to me, when I had done some good for him: “You go straight to Heaven!”