Glimpses of Heaven – Luke 17:20-25 Reflection
If you ask your friends to describe Heaven, often it will be a future existence with a distinct entry point. However, the reality is that Jesus has already entered us, and He is also in Heaven watching us. That must mean that, at minimum, Heaven is within our spiritual view. We do not need to be in a specific physical place; instead, we can believe we already have glimpses of heaven. When we consume Jesus in any way, we immerse ourselves in the deep peace and love of everyone participating in heaven in the past, present, and future. For now, we may have lightning-flash glimpses of Heaven lasting only for moments, but through a glass, darkly, the view provides a perspective of its enormity.
Personal note: The painting “Jesus Looking through a Lattice” below is my favorite biblical painting by James Tissot. He got the idea from Song of Songs 2:9, “Look, there he stands behind our wall, gazing in at the windows, looking through the lattice.” Spiritual masters such as St. John of the Cross have written significant canticles using the Song of Songs.
Jesus Looking through a Lattice by James Tissot (full-resolution painting)
More details are available on the Brooklyn Museum website.
St. John of the Cross, online translation of A SPIRITUAL CANTICLE OF THE SOUL AND THE BRIDEGROOM CHRIST
Additional Ordinary Time Reflections
Luke 17:20-25 – Scripture*
The Coming of the Kingdom
20 Once Jesus was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God was coming, and he answered, “The kingdom of God is not coming with things that can be observed; 21 nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘There it is!’ For, in fact, the kingdom of God is among you.”
22 Then he said to the disciples, “The days are coming when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and you will not see it. 23 They will say to you, ‘Look there!’ or ‘Look here!’ Do not go, do not set off in pursuit. 24 For as the lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one side to the other, so will the Son of Man be in his day. 25 But first he must endure much suffering and be rejected by this generation.
Additional Thoughts
Thank you for meditating on this Gospel and reading this Lectio Divina on Luke 17:20-25 Reflection – Glimpses of Heaven.
Would you like to contribute related thoughts to these Lectio reflections on the Gospel readings? Since Lectio is not the only contemplative payer style, others might appreciate these types of expressions in this ministry. Do you see God’s grandeur everywhere and unconditionally enjoy sharing the love of Christ that you have inside? Are you willing to be anonymous in what you would share? If so, email me.
Prayer for young families:
Lord, let the young families of our communities experience your joy, peace, comfort, and love despite worldly distractions.
Attributions
*This site has permission to use the New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE) Bible Luke 17 passage.
The Immersive Prayer website follows the guidelines for image web use at the Brooklyn Museum and the Jewish Museum websites.
Primary Lectio Divina word or phrase: Glimpses of Heaven
Page and discussion group on these Lectio Divina daily Gospel Readings.
Discussion group on St. John of the Cross.