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At_His_Feet
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| Posted: Dec 17 2009 at 3:40am | IP Logged
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Today my son asked why God didn't allow us to go straight to Heaven when our souls were created, and bypass earth. I didn't really know how to respond. Can you help?
Thanks,
Tricia.
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Tricia
Mum to 3 boys 17, 15, and 10.
Do whatever He tells you
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stellamaris
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| Posted: Dec 17 2009 at 7:06am | IP Logged
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God created man to be a unique creation...a composite of both spirit and body. In order for us to be human, our souls are united to our bodies. If we never had bodies, we would in fact not be human, but angels.
Now, it is God's plan that we should enjoy a place in even greater and more glorious than all the angels. The angels sinned, but there was no redemption for them because they had no bodies. For us, however, God Himself became man and took on our nature, uniting it to His divinity. The result of this is that we shall one day become one with God in eternal glory. This is a destiny so high that even the angels tremble to look upon it!
So, if our souls went straight to Heaven, we would avoid the temptations and sufferings of this world, but at loss of a wonderful, unimaginable relationship with God Himself. Remember, God never allows suffering unless some greater good will come out of it, and with this earthly life we would never gain the "crown of righteousness" of which St. Paul speaks (2 Tim 4:8). It is because we DO live here on this earth that Christ was able to come down and, uniting His divinity to our humanity, he was able to redeem us be undergoing the suffering of the Cross. The angels were not redeemed because they could not die, and so no offering was possible in their stead. Those of us who successfully (I mean in a spiritual sense)undergo the struggles of temptation and the difficulties of this world will not only be more gloriously rewarded in Heaven, but also will have the joy of seeing the many people our prayers have helped there with us. Without this earthly struggle, we would never be able to become one with God in eternal glory. This destiny is so high and awesome, that the sufferings of this world will look like nothing in its light. It will be as if someone asked you to stub your toe to get a million dollars...would you hesitate to do that? Of course not, and that is how it will seem to us in Heaven. We will gladly say to ourselves, "Wow, that tiny bit of suffering and that very short time on earth was NOTHING at all compared to the glory of Heaven...well worth it!"
(Romans 8:18)
Of course, some babies do go straight to Heaven, and while we all consider this to be a sad thing, really it is a great gift to them. However, God alone knows for what purpose he has created us, and the best way to fulfill that purpose. So some remain here, while some go straight to Heaven, and this is BEST... Here's the point to emphasize...God knows what He is doing!
I'm wondering what circumstances raised this question in his mind. Sometimes, when children first become really aware of suffering in this world, it can be very difficult for them to understand the ultimate reason why God allows it. You might discuss with him the importance of offering our sufferings up in union with Christ's passion for the salvation of the world, or for some particular intention of his. He can come to see that, even in troubles, God's purpose for his life will be fulfilled and there will be a reason why he didn't go straight to Heaven!
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In Christ,
Caroline
Wife to  dh 30+ yrs,ds's 83,85,89,dd's 91,95,ds's 01,01,02,grammy to 4
Flowing Streams
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amarytbc
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In answer to that type of question, I just tell younger children that our life is our opportunity to voluntarily love God. If we went straight to heaven we would be overpowered with the majesty and glory of God and really incapable of not loving Him. I like to use the analogy of the candy man who freely gave candy to children. The children all thought they loved him, but they never knew him because they were immediately drawn to the pleasure of the candy. As the children get older, I take it to a higher level. We use Baltimore Catechism 4 because the explanations are so well done.
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Chris V
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| Posted: Dec 17 2009 at 10:13am | IP Logged
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amarytbc wrote:
| I like to use the analogy of the candy man who freely gave candy to children. The children all thought they loved him, but they never knew him because they were immediately drawn to the pleasure of the candy. |
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Thank you for this. I have young children and this will resonate with them.
On another note, my 5 year old girl is very spiritual. She often, often asks me why we cannot "see" God (she has portraits of Mother Mary and Jesus in her bedroom...but often asks of God Himself). I find this very, very difficult to articulate in a manner that she can grasp (without dumbing it down or being dismissive). We talk about how Jesus is God, here on Earth. But she wants to know why, when she prays (and I say that God is with her), she cannot "see" him...
Maybe some of you, with much more experience, can help guide me?
Blessings,
Chris
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Marcia
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| Posted: Dec 17 2009 at 11:16am | IP Logged
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Maybe I'm a cop-out but I always ask them the same question back. Sometimes the mind of child sees more than this adult mind does.
"I don't know, what do you think?"
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Marcia
Mom to six and wife to one
Homeschooling 10th, 7th, 5th, 2nd, PreK and a toddler in tow.
I wonder why
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4Real Forums : Domestic Church
Topic: What should I say?
