To be a friend of the Church of Heaven means to rejoice with the Church of Heaven. Jesus specifically tells us something about the rejoicing of the Church of Heaven and of the angels:
‘And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbours, saying to them, “Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.” Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who need no repentance.
‘Or what woman having ten silver coins, if she loses one of them, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbours, saying, “Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.” Just so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.’ (Lk 15:6–10)
And then in the parable of the prodigal son (Lk 15:32), Jesus tells us of a celebration that “must” be had for the son who returns home.
Offering any prayers, which our state and charism allows us, for the conversion of sinners or the beautiful graces offered to anyone in the world to turn from mortal sin to God’s loving embrace, opens the door to the Church of Heaven. We pray for something that makes the angels and the saints of Heaven so happy, so joyful, so glad!
If we are one in will with the Church of Heaven and with Jesus, these kinds of prayers – offered throughout the day and at those moments after Holy Communion where Jesus, as Saint Teresa says, is as if asking, “What would you like me to do for you?” – are a great blessing, both for ourselves and for others, being knit by Jesus into one Body.
If we go through this world as companions of the Church of Heaven, then we know, from the Gospel, one thing that will make those companions of ours very happy indeed. What an opportunity to take!
Some related posts:
Contemplative in the Mud 