Mtr Mary Trainor

May choirs of angels lead you to Paradise on high, where dwell the white-robed martyrs who now no more can die.*

Dear friend,

“Do you really think those two are in heaven?”

I was stunned. Days before the November 3 election I posted to Facebook a drawing that depicted the late Congressmen John Lewis and Elijah Cummings, standing together in clouds, looking down at election activity. The caption? “Poll Watchers.” (See cartoon here)

Granted, it had a political orientation. But not blatantly so. Yes, the two men were Democrats. And, yes, they each were African American, for those to whom that makes a difference. And, yes, they both were deceased.

Even though I thought someone might take offense politically, I felt it worth the risk because I related to the cartoon in a communion-of-saints sort of way, where those saints who have gone before us continue as part of the lives of saints still living. I never imagined a question about whether Lewis and Cummings went to heaven.

And at your coming thither may you be brought by them into the holy city, God’s true Jerusalem.

When I read today’s Office Gospel from Luke, I immediately revisited the cartoon and the question it provoked. In a memorable parable, Jesus compares two men who “went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.”

The Pharisee, in his rule-oriented righteousness, says, “God, I thank you that I am not like other people...even like this tax collector.” He then itemizes his virtuous practice and piety.

The tax collector can’t even look God in the eye (look up to heaven.) He beats his breast and says, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner.”

Of the two, Jesus says it is the humble tax collector who will go down to his home justified rather than the other.

Returning to the cartoon and the question: It strikes me that one worrying about people getting into heaven might benefit from revisiting today’s Gospel. Getting into heaven, or however you describe the continuing life, is more a matter of heart than the accumulation of religious/moral credits. 

How did I respond to the questioner? I thought of many possibilities, all with an edge to them, clever and indicting. Instead, I chose to pray for insight that I might offer a faithful response. The longer the wait, the more I was convinced that nothing I could say would change the heart of someone who holds up a yardstick to measure eligibility for heaven. I did, however, delete the comment from my feed.

I am convinced that Lewis and Cummings are with their Lord. Their lives were their measure. They don’t need my yardstick--or anyone else’s. In fact, this whole notion of judgment sent me to Matthew 7:1 for the guidance that never fails: “Do not judge, so that you may not be judged…”

As angels gave poor Lazarus from all his ills release, so may they give you welcome to everlasting peace.

Mtr Mary

*May choirs of angels lead you, Number 356, The Hymnal 1982