Explanations of heaven with help from our students: Daily Mass Homily--Thursday, May 21st, 2015 (School Mass)

(Listen to this homily here).

            It is great to be with you all this morning!  I was out last week and we had to change our usual school Mass this week, but here we are.

            I have a joke for you this morning…can I tell a joke?  What is the difference between a Pharisee and a Sadducee?  [Blank stares].  I’ll give you a hint—they’re two different sects of ancient Judaism.  [Blank stares].  Ok, I’ll just tell you.  The difference between a Pharisee and a Sadducee is that a Sadducee doesn’t believe in the resurrection.  That’s why they are sad, you see?

            Wow, tough crowd this morning!  I thought that was funny!

            Anyway, when we talk about the resurrection, what are we talking about?  Jesus.  And what about Jesus?  What did he do when he rose from the dead?  He went to heaven.  Yes, exactly.

            Tell me something about heaven.  It’s a place where no one gets hurt anymore.  Wow, what a powerful definition of heaven.  You are exactly right—in heaven there are no tears, sadness or pain.  What else?  Heaven is where we are with Jesus.  Again, what a perfect definition of heaven!  We get to be with Jesus in heaven forever. 

            Here’s a question—do we become angels in heaven?  Raise your hands if you think we become an angel in heaven…raise your hand if you think we do not become angels in heaven.  The fact is, we do not become angels in heaven—angels are completely different from us!  We become saints!

            And who is the greatest saint of all time?  I’ll give you a hint, I’m wearing an image of her today.  Mary!  Yes—Mary is the greatest saint because she followed Jesus the best.  In fact, she was Jesus’ mother!  In the month of May we celebrate Mary—the greatest of saints.

            Let us stand now and offer our prayers to our heavenly Father.