A Foretaste of Heaven

Every once in a while, God gives us glimpses of heaven: a beautiful sunset, the joy of a newlywed couple at their wedding, the birth of a child, etc. For me, this most recent glimpse came unexpectedly at the March for Life in Washington D.C.

It has become a routine for me. Take a bus on a cold day in January from Pittsburgh down to Washington D.C. to peacefully protest and pray for an end to abortion. March for a mile or so, visit some people along the way, and then try to find the bus at Union Station. Yet this year’s trip was a little different. I left the March for Life with a taste of heaven.

Throughout the day, I met people from various phases of my life. On the bus, I talked with a man with whom I went on a mission trip to Oaxaca, Mexico some ten years ago. As we joined the crowd in D.C., I saw various priests who I used to see as a child at Mass before they were transferred elsewhere.

I met my brother Dan, a seminarian in D.C., during the speeches and marched with him. Along the way, we saw a friend from college and his fiancé, who both now live in D.C. We also saw monks and students from our alma mater, St. Vincent College.

The inspiring thing about the March for Life is the sheer number of faithful Catholics who come from all around the country on a pilgrimage to help rebuild a culture of life. It is rather sobering to think of how many children are killed by the evils of abortion. Yet even though the matter for which we marched was heavy, our hearts were made light by the fire of Christ’s love.

There was a great joy that was palpable within the crowd. Songs, chants, and prayers sprung forth melodiously from the crowd.

As we continued to march and see people we knew, I began to associate my experience at he March for Life with heaven. The great crowd of joyful believers foreshadows the songs of the faithful singing praises with the angels to God in heaven. The reunion with friends and family on the march prefigures the glorious reunion we will have with all of our family and friends in heaven.

Yet God had one more treat in store for me that day. At the end of the March, my brother Dan and I were able to find my mom and talk with her as we walked to Union Station. A few minutes after we said goodbye, my mom and brother Dan spotted my younger brother, Br. Stephen Mary TOR.

waruszewski familyThey all came back to see me and we had a few minutes of quality conversation, my happy mother and her three sons. Her face beamed with such a pure joy that we were all together, even if just for a moment. The woman  who had worked so hard to build a culture of life in our home now saw the fruit of her labor.

I imagine heaven will be like that: a reunion of great joy, and a deep sense of satisfaction that comes from God alone. We will be able to look back at all the joys and sorrows of our lives and see how God was at work to guide us to our eternal home.

As we walk life’s path, let us be thankful for the great gifts God has given us and eagerly anticipate the joys he has in store for us in heaven.

Bob Waruszewski

Bob Waruszewski

Bob Waruszewski is a cradle Catholic from Pittsburgh, PA. He graduated from St. Vincent College with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and economics. Currently he works in the energy industry in the Pittsburgh and is enjoying life as a married man and father to his one year old daughter. He enjoys hiking, reading a good book and competing on the athletic field.

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