Paradise! But do we think about it? Do we realize that this earth is not the place where we make ourselves ever more comfortable, in an existence as free as possible from disturbances, but that every instant of our life is a step toward another kingdom, another land, another country in which the pure and complete happiness for which we yearn will be ours forever? (Essential Writings p. 162)…

Have we not become like materialists who believe in only what they can see and touch? “My kingdom is not of this world” (Jn. 18:36), Jesus said to Pilate precisely to let him know he need not fear that Jesus had come to take away his earthly throne.

No! Death comes, but then follows Life, a fullness of life that will never end. And if to arrive at that point we have to pay a small price, or even a heavy price, how great the reward! St. Francis, who saw things clearly, speaking in the style of his times put it this way: “So great the good I have in sight that in every pain I take delight.”

During its transformation the chrysalis is an ugly thing, but it is followed by the butterfly.

It is the same with us human beings. As much as something seems to speak of ending and death—we must remember this—still more it announces life.

This is pure truth

I think many of us still need to be converted to that way of thinking, so we can joyfully and cheerfully spread through the world good sense and wisdom, the fruit of our experience.

When our departure, the day of our birth into heaven,” draws near and we can repeat only the words of the apostle John in his venerable old age: “Let us love one another” (see 1 Jn 4:7), we will have spoken more eloquently and said much more than in all the passionate discourses of our life, when we were young and strong. We will have rendered to the rest of humanity still on its journey a great and splendid service.

Chiara Lubich

(from Essential Writings, p. 163)