16th November 2014

What’s Heaven Like?
During November we pray for all the Holy Souls; that they may be happy forever in heaven.
But what is heaven like? How do we get there?
There are so many answers to these questions. John Paul I, the smiling Pope, used to love teaching by telling stories. I’ve often wondered how different our Church would be if this jovial and gentle Pope had reigned for more than a month…
This is but one story he told…which gives one answer to these questions.

There was a Korean General who died and found himself before St. Peter. He was delighted to discover that he would be welcomed into the gates of heaven. But the general had a favour to ask of St Peter. “I’ve always wondered what hell was like,” he said. “Is it possible to take a peep, before I go through the pearly gates.” Peter granted his request and so he found himself opening the doors of hell to discover a great hall. In it was a long table covered with a wonderful, tasty feast. The guests on either side of the table eyed it longingly; hungrily gazing at such a spread. Their bowls and mouths however, remained empty. Why? Each guest had chopsticks, but they were useless! They were so long that no matter how they tried they could not pick the food up. It was impossible, to put the delicious food into their bowls or mouths. They remained hungry and tormented. The food was so close…but so far!! This was their hell!
The General had seen enough and was more than relieved to enter the gates of heaven. As he entered, he found himself in another hall, with a similarly long table, covered with a wonderful feast!! They too had the same long chopsticks, but they were laughing and cheerful. How so? Each one as they picked up the food with the chopsticks, fed the person opposite. For them heaven was a perpetual celebration, an eternal feast.
The difference between the two halls was simple. They had learnt on earth to put others before themselves…and so hell was transformed into heaven!