Beach House Mansions

In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?
— Jn 14:2 (NRSV)

On The Porch …

We’re blessed! Although we live inland most of the time, we get to spend a considerable amount of time at the coast where we have a little place. It’s so close to the ocean that we fall asleep many nights listening to the waves crash on shore!

It Is Written …

As nice as that sounds, it does not compare with what awaits. The Ascension of our Lord reminds us that he is preparing a place for us in heaven, and he will come back to get us.

In the meantime, we are to be the body of Christ here on earth. We must continue the work He started here. We do this as part of the Church in the everyday circumstances of our lives.

The method for doing this love. We keep our focus on God, loving Him with all that we are and all that we have. And we love our neighbors as we love ourselves (Mt 22:36-40).

It’s simple, but it’s not always easy. The world presents challenges nearly every day. Fortunately, our Lord left the Holy Spirit to be our friend and guide and teacher and counselor. And we have each other.

Life Goes On …

Each of us must prepare ourselves for the challenges that await. The Bible says we must take up our crosses daily (Lk 9:23).

Whatever God has in store for us in heaven will be perfectly fine with us — but a beach house wouldn’t be bad!

Oh, by the way, we actually did see something very much like the cartoon recently. And yes, we did stop to talk to the folks on the porch. Of course, we embellished the scene a little in the cartoon, but there really were four folks sitting on the porch with their feet up on the rails. Not bad!