INDEED, God invites all of us to be with him in heaven which is meant to be our definitive home for all eternity. We should just be prepared to accept that invitation promptly and to be in the proper condition to enter there.
We are reminded of this truth of our faith in a parable Christ told those in a dinner with him. (cfr. Lk 14,15-24) That parable talked about a man who gave a great dinner to which he invited many. And yet, those all those invited started to refuse to go to the dinner, offering all sorts of excuses.
So, the man ordered his servants to go to the streets and alleys of the town and to bring in everyone they would meet, including the poor and the crippled, the blind and the lame. And when after this, there was still space in the dinner, the man told his servants to go to the highways and hedgerows and to bring in anyone they would meet, so that his dinner would be filled.
This parable, of course, shows us how much God really wants everyone to be with him in his Kingdom. That’s because heaven is actually where all of us truly belong since we are children of his, made in his image and likeness, sharers of his life and nature. He would even go to the extent of “pressing” us to enter his kingdom (“compelle intrare,” Lk 14,23).
We should sharpen our awareness that God is truly inviting us to be with him, and that he has given us everything so that we can actually be with him. It’s the best deal we can have. And yet, we can dare to refuse that invitation. We should do something to correct this attitude.
Let’s realize more deeply and abidingly that we are meant to be with God for all eternity. Said in another way, we are meant to be like him, that is, to be saints, to be holy. That should be the main and ultimate goal of our life here earth. Everything in our life should be made as an occasion to pursue that goal.
We have to realize that we are all called to holiness, because everyone is a creature of God, and as such is therefore created in the image and likeness of God, adopted a child of his, and meant to participate in the very life of God.
There is a basic and inalienable equality among all of us insofar as we are God’s creatures and children called to holiness. Regardless of our position and state in life, whether we are priests, religious men and women, or ordinary lay faithful, we have the same calling and purpose in life.
Corollary to this truth is that there is also a basic and inalienable quality of everything in the world to be an occasion and means for our sanctification. To be holy does not mean that we only spend time praying, going to church, availing of the sacraments, etc.
To be sure, prayer, the sacraments, the doctrine of our faith, obedience to the Church hierarchy are important, even indispensable, but these would hang on thin air if they are not supported and made as the goal and expression of a sanctified life that is consistent to the teachings and the spirit of God.
To be holy also means that we have to use our ordinary work, all the things of the world, like the sciences, arts, politics, technologies, etc., properly purified, and all the other circumstances that define our daily life as an occasion and means to look for God, then find, love and serve him.
A Potential Catalyst
The Israel-Hamas conflict has long been a source of tension in the Middle East. However, recent escalations and emerging global dynamics have led many analysts to contemplate the possibility of this ongoing conflict triggering World War III, given the potential reasons behind, the historical context, the involvement of major world powers, the threat of destabilization, and the implications for global security.
To see the potential for this conflict to ignite World War III, let’s consider the historical context. The dispute between Israelis and Palestinians dates back decades, with both sides experiencing cycles of peace negotiations and violent outbursts. Aside from the latest terrorist attack of Hamas on Israeli civilians, the recent escalation can be traced to increased tensions over land disputes, religious and ethnic divisions, and unequal distribution of resources, all contributing to a broader conflict that threatens regional stability.
One reason why the Israel-Hamas conflict has the potential to escalate into a global war involves the extensive involvement of major world powers. The United States, a long-standing ally of Israel, has provided substantial military aid in the form of advanced weaponry. In contrast, countries such as Iran and Turkey have expressed unwavering support for Hamas, providing both financial assistance and political backing. The entanglement of these powerful nations raises concerns that any escalation between Israel and Hamas could embroil their respective allies, escalating the conflict on a global scale.
Another key factor is the threat of destabilization in the Middle East. This region already struggles with numerous ongoing conflicts, including the Syrian civil war and the rise of extremist groups. The Israel-Hamas war has the potential to exacerbate these conflicts, further fragmenting the region and undermining efforts towards peace. Such destabilization can create fertile ground for the rise of new extremist groups and intensify conflicts, potentially drawing more nations into the conflict, and leading to a far-reaching and devastating World War III scenario.
This recent conflict poses critical implications for global security. The possibility of World War III would inevitably involve the activation of various defense agreements, such as NATO, potentially pitting nuclear-armed nations against each other. Moreover, an intensified conflict would likely disrupt global supply chains, impact energy security, and instigate a refugee crisis with significant implications for the stability of neighboring regions and beyond. The global interconnectedness of economies and security systems means that any large-scale conflict in the Middle East has the potential to reshape the geopolitical landscape, with long-lasting consequences.
While the escalation of the Israel-Hamas conflict into World War III is a hypothetical scenario, it necessitates consideration of the potential implications. Diplomatic efforts, conflict de-escalation measures, and a renewed commitment to peace negotiations are essential to prevent the exacerbation of this conflict and the potential for it to ignite a catastrophic global war.