Returning Home
Tuesday, November 20, 2018

I ask . . . that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You. . . . I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity. . . . Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given Me, be with Me where I am. . . . —John 17:20-24

At present we see indistinctly, as in a mirror, but then face to face. At present I know partially; then I shall know fully, as I am fully known. —1 Corinthians 13:12

Two dear friends, Fathers Thomas Keating (1923–2018) and Joseph Boyle (1941–2018), lived many years in community at St. Benedict’s Monastery in Snowmass, Colorado, where they welcomed guests for contemplative retreats. A couple years ago, Lucette Verboven interviewed both of them. She asked Father Joseph if he expected at death to be transformed:

Yes, I expect death to be a transition. I think it is a movement into a space that is not limited by our body and our senses that are quite limited now. I like the phrase in St. Paul, that we will “see God face to face” [1 Corinthians 13:12] and we’ll relate to people and the beauty of who they are without the ego-agendas we have right now.

I see [life after death] as infinite love, as if the whole atmosphere of heaven is filled with God as a kind of vibration going through us. I think that we are going to see and know each other in God, whatever that word means. It strikes me as a homecoming, us returning home to where we come from. . . and all of our brothers and sisters are coming home as well. . . . I certainly have a very deep hope that it is a transition into an incredible related life. [1]

Similarly, Keating wrote:

Death is only a part of the process of living. If the Communion of Saints has become real for us, then every funeral is a celebration of eternal life. That is the great insight of the Mass of the Resurrection, the new funeral rite. Death is not an occasion only for sorrow, but an occasion of rejoicing that our friends or relatives have moved to a deeper level of union and that we will be with them again. [2]

We are all always connected to God and each other and every living being. Most of us just don’t realize it. Jesus prays that we could see things in their unity and wholeness.

Either we learn how to live in communion with others, or, quite simply, we’re not ready for heaven and are already in hell. We have been invited—even now, even today, even this moment—to live in the Communion of Saints, in the Presence, in the Body, in the Life of the eternal and eternally Risen Christ.

There is only One Love that will lead and carry us across when we die. If we are already at home with Love here, we will quite readily move into heaven, Love’s eternal home. Death is not a changing of worlds, as most imagine, as much as the walls of this world infinitely expanding.

Journal DJR

Good Morning Lord,
It’s been a long time since I wrote out my perception of our dialogue together. It was previously rich for a season, but then it seemed to dry up ??? I have missed it. But many things are changing in my life and it seems like it may be time to be with You this way again.

I am always there for you and in you. (John 14:20) In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. But I don’t want you to develop dogma. You say, Blessed are the flexible and it’s true. I want my sons and daughters to be flexible and to experience my Love in many ways. Both giving and receiving. Stay flexible, and curious. My love will astound you.

It is. Like you have been showing JD and me… it is easiest and sometimes only seen in the rear view mirror. But as we dive deeper we are learning to walk in and feel your love and see it everywhere.

Good, keep on coming.

Some things you are showing me are deeper levels of what I’ve known before … Like that I can be OK just knowing and experiencing You… and that I don’t need to evangelize or convert those who don’t see things the same way. Everything belongs, Let it be, and all things work together… as Richard Rohr, the Beatles, and St Paul said. It is such a freedom. It opens up new possibilities. I feel so free, I didn’t realize the constriction I had been walking in. Wow! Thanks!

This is the freedom I want for all my kids. But don’t jump out there and start selling a new Freedom Pack. I’ve been teaching you what I had your elder brother Francis say… Preach the gospel always, but only if absolutely necessary, use words. So live free and walk with me. We’ll have a good time. And when you cross over, like Reba, we’ll have an even better time. And in a few cases, (Holy Spirit will let you know) I’ll have you share. If you’re really attentive, I’ll even give you the words.

Crossing over is easier if you’ve been walking close with me all along. Not just with obedience and checklists but heart to heart like you are learning.

Thanks for all the blessings. I have self identified as post-denominational and have enjoyed walking free of the the hierarchy and bureaucracy of denominations (and also political parties) Now my new opportunity, possibility is to walk in love and acceptance with people who see core issues differently than you’ve shown me. (Agree on the main things and agree to disagree on a few things and walk together sharing the Love)

You’ve said it well. Just go walk it out and my Spirit will lead you.

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