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- Verified Buyer
This is not a theological book; however, it is filled with theology. In the Introduction (or what he calls the "Flight Plan"), Anthony DeStefano tell us that the idea of writing this came to him because of the distorted image people have of heaven. He says, although "the general public believes in heaven, not many people seem bubbling over with excitement about it." Many people seem "not to be thinking about it at all." Or, their ideas have become "stale." He also speaks of having attended fifteen funerals in seven months due to sad circumstances. In the midst of all the sadness and grief, the words preached, he felt, "did not resonate with the mourners who heard them." Basically, he is saying, "Heaven has not been made very attractive to us." This is not far-fetched. Listen to the words of Pope Benedict from his Encyclical, Spe Salvi, speaking about the same subject.-------------------------------------------------------------------------Faith is the substance of hope. But then the question arises: do we really want this--to live eternally? Perhaps many people reject the faith today simply because they do not find the prospect of eternal life attractive. What they desire is not eternal life at all, but this present life, for which faith in eternal life seems something of an impediment. To continue living for ever--endlessly--appears more like a curse than a gift. Death, admittedly, one would wish to postpone for as long as possible. But to live always, without end--this, all things considered, can only be monotonous and ultimately unbearable.-------------------------------------------------------------------------Sometimes, it is the Scriptures that need to be helped along. Saint Paul tells us in his Letter to the Ephesians, that Jesus is now seated at the right hand of the Father. Yes, this is inspired Scripture, but still we have to ask: "Is that all Jesus is doing there?" Or, "Right hand?--the Father does not have a body!" You see what I'm saying? You see, the readings, by themselves, did not present enough information about heaven itself. We something that the we can latch onto. DeStefano provides us with something:-------------------------------------------------------------------------Do you want to understand heaven better than you have in your entire life? Do you want to have a true experience of heaven, right this second? You can without reading another chapter. Simply try this experiment: Take the page you're reading and crinkle the corner. Now listen to the sound it makes. Then grab the chair you're sitting on with your hand and squeeze. Feel how hard it is. Then take a deep breath and let your lungs fill with air. Smell the odors or the room you're sitting in. Finally, look around and see all the various shapes and colors of the objects that are before you.I'll tell you a secret: heaven is going to be like that. Heaven is physical.Don't misunderstand me. That's not all heaven is. Heaven is radically, amazingly, incredibly different from the room you're sitting in. If it weren't, it would hardly be worth the trip. But we have to start with the basics. Before we discuss all the exciting and transcendent spiritual aspects of the place, we need to get straight, once and for all, this fundamental truth: Heaven is, at its core, not only spiritual, but material as well.-------------------------------------------------------------------------He is right! We speak about it too little! Even though we know that we will share in the Resurrection, we forget that we will have our bodies once again. We will recognize each other. We will continue with the relationships that we began here on earth, plus much more! We will enjoy ourselves! Not only will we be with God, we will be with each other--for all eternity! If we can experience the joy and happiness of family and friends here, what about being able to share in this for ever, with no pain, no sickness, no difficulties, no death--nothing at all to worry about--ever! Since we will have our bodies, we will be in a place (although we cannot describe all the characteristics of all of it right now). If we can get attached to this place here on earth, we will have no trouble there. It will not disappoint us in any way, no matter what we have been used to having here.That's the value of DeStefano's book. He allows us or forces us to think outside the box. It makes heaven a place we can long for and get excited about. Very imaginatively, he creates a sparkling picture of the place we call heaven and what life can be there--our life after death. And look at what some of the big reviews say. For EWTN lovers, Raymond Arroyo says, "Here is an airy, whimsical tour of the great beyond with some very serious points of interest along the way. What a trip!" And, Regis Philbin, "This will be the best trip you ever took!" Check it out!
