Meditation Devotion: Heaven
A Silesian Monastic Meditation based upon
the Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sale
Preparation
1. Remind yourself of God’s presence.
2. Open your mind and heart to God.
Considerations
Consider a beautiful, crisp and clear night.
Reflect how delightful it is to behold the sky adorned with a multitude and variety of stars.
Join to this beautiful night the sight of a fine day, so that the brightness of the sun may not prevent the clear view of the stars or of the moon.
They say boldly that all this beauty put together is nothing when compared with the indescribable excellence of paradise. How precious, indeed, is this eternal city!
Consider the glory, the beauty and the number of citizens and inhabitants of this happy place.
Millions of angels, cherubim and seraphim.
The apostles, prophets, martyrs, confessors, holy men, women, and children of every age and every place. Their number is beyond measure!
How beautiful is this company. The least of them is more beautiful to behold than the whole world. What a sight, then to behold them all at one time, all in one place!
They enjoy perpetual happiness.
They give to one another the unspeakable contentment, joy and peace of a happy and indissoluble fellowship.
Consider how happy are the blessed to be in the presence of God forever.
God shines on them eternally and infuses them with the depths of divine delights.
They are like happy birds who fly and sing perpetually in the air of God’s divine love.
Here everyone does their utmost and sing without envy the praises of their Creator., Redeemer and Guide.
Blessed forever are the Creator, Savior and Spirit!
God communicates generously to this great assembly the everlasting treasures of Divine glory! God says: “Blessed are you forever, my beloved sons and daughters. You have served me and will praise me eternally with great love and zeal.”
Affections and Resolutions
Admire and long for the heavenly city.
Happy is this place.
Happy are all who live there.
Admit that you have not always walked the path that leads to this beautiful place of eternal happiness and peace.
Consider how, why and when you have strayed from the path of salvation.
Consider how, why and when you have strayed from the path of justice. Consider how, why and when you have strayed from the path of love.
Aspire with all your strength to dwell in this heavenly city.
Ask God to redirect your feet to the path of righteousness and truth.
Resolve that you will endeavor to never again stray from the path of beauty and peace. Resolve to set aside anything that may cause you to stumble or fall as you walk the path of goodness.
Resolve to walk this path in the company of others who seek to gain the same eternal destination with their brothers and sisters.
Conclusion
Give thanks to God.
Bless God.
Let all that is within you bless and honor God’s holy name.
Let all that is within you bless and honor God’s creative, redeeming and sustaining love for you.
Dedicate and consecrate to God all of who you are and all that you have.
Ask for the grace to use your time, talent and treasure in ways that give glory to God, that serve others and that lead to everlasting joy and peace.
Pray to God. Ask for the strength to put your affections and resolutions into practice.
Ask for the grace to put your change of mind and heart into action.
Walk in the ways of heaven.
A Silesian Monastic Meditation based upon
the Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sale
Preparation
1. Remind yourself of God’s presence.
2. Open your mind and heart to God.
Considerations
Consider a beautiful, crisp and clear night.
Reflect how delightful it is to behold the sky adorned with a multitude and variety of stars.
Join to this beautiful night the sight of a fine day, so that the brightness of the sun may not prevent the clear view of the stars or of the moon.
They say boldly that all this beauty put together is nothing when compared with the indescribable excellence of paradise. How precious, indeed, is this eternal city!
Consider the glory, the beauty and the number of citizens and inhabitants of this happy place.
Millions of angels, cherubim and seraphim.
The apostles, prophets, martyrs, confessors, holy men, women, and children of every age and every place. Their number is beyond measure!
How beautiful is this company. The least of them is more beautiful to behold than the whole world. What a sight, then to behold them all at one time, all in one place!
They enjoy perpetual happiness.
They give to one another the unspeakable contentment, joy and peace of a happy and indissoluble fellowship.
Consider how happy are the blessed to be in the presence of God forever.
God shines on them eternally and infuses them with the depths of divine delights.
They are like happy birds who fly and sing perpetually in the air of God’s divine love.
Here everyone does their utmost and sing without envy the praises of their Creator., Redeemer and Guide.
Blessed forever are the Creator, Savior and Spirit!
God communicates generously to this great assembly the everlasting treasures of Divine glory! God says: “Blessed are you forever, my beloved sons and daughters. You have served me and will praise me eternally with great love and zeal.”
Affections and Resolutions
Admire and long for the heavenly city.
Happy is this place.
Happy are all who live there.
Admit that you have not always walked the path that leads to this beautiful place of eternal happiness and peace.
Consider how, why and when you have strayed from the path of salvation.
Consider how, why and when you have strayed from the path of justice. Consider how, why and when you have strayed from the path of love.
Aspire with all your strength to dwell in this heavenly city.
Ask God to redirect your feet to the path of righteousness and truth.
Resolve that you will endeavor to never again stray from the path of beauty and peace. Resolve to set aside anything that may cause you to stumble or fall as you walk the path of goodness.
Resolve to walk this path in the company of others who seek to gain the same eternal destination with their brothers and sisters.
Conclusion
Give thanks to God.
Bless God.
Let all that is within you bless and honor God’s holy name.
Let all that is within you bless and honor God’s creative, redeeming and sustaining love for you.
Dedicate and consecrate to God all of who you are and all that you have.
Ask for the grace to use your time, talent and treasure in ways that give glory to God, that serve others and that lead to everlasting joy and peace.
Pray to God. Ask for the strength to put your affections and resolutions into practice.
Ask for the grace to put your change of mind and heart into action.
Walk in the ways of heaven.