HEAVEN

                                HEAVEN

                         (KINGDOM OF GOD)

                    Not up in the sky somewhere

                    Nor miles and miles away,

                    But here in our own little place

                    And here from day to day.

                    Heaven is here in our hearts

                    Or Heaven is not at all;

                    Heaven is perpetual love

                    Answering an inner call.

I wrote this poem (and named it "Heaven"), under inspiration when I was a senior in High School.

When I was a freshman in college it was included in a pamphlet which was made up of original contributions given by students, and edited by my collage English teacher.

When I converted to Catholicism I thought it was not in harmony with Catholic belief until I learned about Luke 17:20-21, (Neither shall they say: Behold here, or behold there, For lo, the kingdom of God is within you.  (Dwuay Rheims version)  Thereafter I titled it "The Kingdom of God" rather than "Heaven."           

On December 9, 2007, "Magnificat" printed:

          "(John's preaching of repentance is not meant to be some  finger-wagging, moralistic ultimatum by which he attempts to "scare" us into holiness.  Rather he preaches to  prepare us for the One our heart has been waiting for,  Repent, for the  kingdom of heaven is at hand."   "The Kingdom of God means Christ Himself."  CCC 2816    For a thing can only be received according to the actual disposition of the one who is to receive it.  So John preaches that "we might have hope" in the One who will come with "the Holy Spirit and fire," who will tame what is savage in wild beasts, who will put a halt to harm and ruin, who will decide aright for the land's afflicted.  With the sure hope of all this, there is nothing more reasonable than repentance."

 On Wednesday, July 9, 2008, "Magnificat" printed: 

     "Alleluia, alleluia, the Kingdom of God is at hand: repent and     believe in the Gospel.  Alleluia, alleluia."