Let me tell you what the Book of God says. John 14:1-3 states:
Let not your heart be troubled: you believe in God, believe also in Me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I (Jesus) go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there you may be also. – John 14:1-3
Even though we may not have much on this earth, we can be comforted by the thought that God is building a wonderful house in heaven for us.
Because mankind has done a lot of damage to this earth, God is going to make a new one.
For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come to mind. And they shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them. They shall not build, and another inhabit; (no one will take it from them) they shall not plant, and another eat: for as the days of a tree are the days of my people, and mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands. The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust shall be the serpent’s meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain, so says the Lord. – Isaiah 65:17, 21, 22, 25
For thus saith the Lord that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; He hath established it, He created it not in vain, He formed it to be inhabited: I am the Lord; and there is none else. Look unto Me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else. – Isaiah 45:18, 22
God will give us new bodies.
For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ: who shall change our vile body, that it might be made like His glorious body. – Philippians 4:20-21
Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as a deer, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert. – Isaiah 35:5-7
The last book in the Bible states:
And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with them, and be their God.
And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And He that sat upon the throne said, behold, I make all things new. And He said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. And He said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is thirsty of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. – Revelation 21:1-7
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. – Revelation 22:21
What is our action plan? What can you do as an individual?
(1) Seek ways of staying close to Jesus Christ, Our Savior, by frequenting the Sacraments and leading a life of prayer and goodness.
(2) Be compassionate and reach out to those who are addicted, encouraging them to lead a drug-free life.
(3) Decide, with God’s help, to avoid serious sin. Stop using drugs or abusing alcohol, and seek help.
(4) Develop your personal “anti-drug” (for example, volunteer, get involved in sports, hobbies, church, civic activities, join a support group, bible reading, caring for others, etc.)
What can you do as a young person?
(1) Educate yourself on the physical and emotional harm that illegal drugs and alcohol abuse can do to you.
(2) Choose your friends wisely and avoid those persons who abuse illegal drugs and alcohol.
(3) Be involved in youth activities in your parish and stay close to the Lord through Sunday Mass, the Sacraments and prayer.
What can you do as a family?
(1) Stay involved in your children’s lives; eat together, do things together and when children go out from home, ask the questions: Who? What? When? Where? and Why?.
(2) Model good behavior and how to have fun without alcohol and drugs. Forbid illegal drugs in the home or at any family celebration. Use alcohol moderately or not at all.
(3) Live your faith in Jesus Christ as a family; develop a family spirituality through prayer, Sunday Mass, the Sacraments, and parish activities.
What can you do as a parish?
(1) Parish Council members and parish leaders must study and implement this pastoral letter.
(2) Offer spiritual support and speak about the drug abuse issue in homilies and in sacramental preparation.
(3) Provide professional counseling at the parish level, when possible. Initiate a support group in the parish to help those addicted to develop a deep prayer life and relationship with Jesus and Mary to give them strength to stay clean.
(4) Open parish facilities for use by drug counselors and by support groups, such as Alanon, Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous.
(5) Keep a list of treatment centers and their phone numbers handy for referral purposes when the need arises.
(6) Make young people and youth activities a priority in the parish by providing a youth minister, opportunities and space for young people to be together in healthy ways.
By Beverley Carter
