“And as you go, proclaim that the kingdom of heaven is close at hand”

Have you ever imagined what heaven might be like? Perhaps our imagination is informed by artistic impressions of paradise that are often depicted with the rows and layers of clouds. Angels and saintly people dressed in robes gracefully hovering in a world of their own. I must admit such imagery is beautiful but doesn’t quite capture what the scriptural and biblical descriptions of the kingdom.

“Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out devils.”

Perhaps once all the work of the kingdom of heaven is done the clouds and saintly figures might make more sense to the art critic with the eyes of faith that these holy people are in a state of blissfulness. Heaven is more about participation than a destination. Participating in bringing the dejected and harassed to a state of rejuvenation and welcome. Imperative verbs like cure, raise, cleanse, and cast out are a call to action instead of pleasant imageries of floating figures.

For those who are cured, raised, cleansed, and relieved partially or fully from physical, mental, and spiritual ills, the kingdom of heaven has already arrived for them. Pope Francis echoed the words of scripture from Matthew’s Gospel, by saying early in his ministry as pope, “I prefer a church which is bruised, hurting and dirty because it has been out on the streets.”

The kingdom is truly at hand when the instructions are followed through to those most in need.

By Fr Hoang Dinh