‘Guide me, Lord, along the everlasting way’

By Fr. Roy Cimagala

THAT’S from the Book of Psalms (Ps 139,24) which can be used as a frequent ejaculatory prayer as we go through our usual daily affairs. It definitely would help us to have a proper focus on life, encouraging us to think about what really awaits us in heaven so that we can live our life here on earth with unshakeable hope.

By regularly meditating on heaven, we can aspire to achieve spiritual growth and a deeper relationship with God. By focusing on the promise of eternal life and the joy that awaits us there, we can develop a sense of hope that can permeate our daily lives as we immerse ourselves in our temporal affairs without being trapped in them.

We have to realize that heaven is more than just a distant promise. It is a present reality that can transform our lives. When we meditate on heaven, we are reminded of God’s love and his plan for our salvation. We would be encouraged to distinguish between what is of relative value and of absolute value in our daily affairs. We would be encouraged to persevere through life’s challenges and to trust in God’s goodness.

Indeed, meditating on heaven regularly can have a profound impact on our lives. It gives us the proper priorities in life. It would give us comfort and meaning to any difficulty, challenge, trial and suffering in our life here on earth. We would know that all these negative things in life are just temporary and that eternal joy actually awaits us. More than that, all these negative things can be converted into a means for our salvation.

By regularly meditating on heaven, we can find ourselves grateful for everything that God through Christ in the Spirit has given us. And we would be encouraged to spread his gift of faith and love. Indeed, it would fuel our apostolic duty.

It is important therefore that we set aside time each day to pray and reflect on heaven, begging God to deepen our hope and trust in him. Regular reading and meditation on Scriptural passages that speak of heaven and eternal life, such as the Beatitudes and the Book of Revelation, can truly be helpful. Also spending time in Eucharistic adoration, reflecting on Christ’s real presence and the promise of heaven.

We should really sharpen our desire and hunger for heaven. We should always remember that while we are in this world, which plays a crucial role in the over-all scheme of our entire life, we should avoid allowing ourselves to be trapped by them such that we would forget that we are meant for a life beyond this world.

We are meant for heaven, for life in eternity, hopefully with God our Creator and Father in whose image and likeness we have been created. And so, we should sharpen our constant awareness of our heavenly destination, and the ways by which this awareness can be kept.

Christ said it very clearly. “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Mt 6,19-21)

And St. Paul echoes the same sentiment. “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” (Col 3,2) We should do everything to avoid getting entangled with our earthly and temporal affairs.

Yes, let’s often repeat that beautiful psalm: “Guide me, Lord, along the everlasting way.”

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com