Wk 05*** The Gates of Heaven

The Gates of Heaven

An elderly gentleman of our congregation, who I call 'Joseph', asked for a Stephen's Minister. His health was in a downward spiral and he suffered a diminished capacity to remain active. I accepted the assignment. My job was to listen to Joseph express his feelings, to help him cope with a diminished capacity, and to express Christ’s love to him. I ministered to Joseph for a little more than a year, visiting several times a month.

Joseph was a private person, but more than willing to share the obvious. So for a year we talked about his aches and pains, his loss of eyesight and hearing, and about the constant barrage of blood tests ordered by his physicians. Our conversations were largely superficial, seldom reaching deeper than the surface of his bruised skin. At prayer time, Joseph never asked for any specific needs, but left me to petition Our Lord at my discretion. When our visit was over he always thanked me.

The listening skills developed through course-work in the Stephen’s Ministry allowed me to hear what many people could not hear, and even some things Joseph could not talk about. For example, if Joseph said: “Mary, bring me something to drink," I could hear: “Mary, only you bring me comfort.” Or if Joseph was reading the obituaries and joked: “I was looking for my name," I could hear: “I’m afraid I might die, soon.” During one visit Joseph complained: “I didn’t think I was going to make it through the night!” I asked: “What about death causes you fear?” Joseph whispered his reply: “I don’t know what Heaven is like. I’ve never been there.” I offered to research the subject in the Scriptures and to bring my findings to our next meeting.

The following Saturday I arrived with my Bible in hand and a list of verses I hoped to share with Joseph. My plans were changed when I found Joseph’s family gathered at his bedside. He had spent several days in the hospital and had been sent home to be with his family for his final days. I briefly spoke with the grown children and with his wife, then sat on the bed at Joseph’s side. He didn’t seem to notice me. Maybe he was asleep or even unconscious. But I spoke to him as if he could hear, showing him my Bible and suggesting that I save the readings for another time. I asked him about his health, but the children answered for him.

After a few minutes, I felt I should leave, and I moved to the foot of the bed. Joseph appeared to become uncomfortable and began to grumble and to fidget. I felt somewhat unsatisfied with our short visit, and it occurred to me that Joseph wanted prayer. I voiced my feelings: “I think Joseph wants me to pray, and I should do that now.” Again moving close to Joseph’s side and holding his hands, I asked if he had any special needs. He did not answer. As I began to pray he seemed to come to attention, like a soldier receiving orders to march. I had to look closely at Joseph to determine if he was still breathing. I don’t recall the exact words of my prayer, but I communicated all the good things Scripture says about Heaven, and I prayed that Joseph find comfort there.

During prayer I had a vision of my prayers. Joseph and I became like children, walking along and holding hands as we explored a new neighborhood. Excited and apprehensive, we searched for a grand house where one of us would soon live. We paused outside a pair of large majestic gates, knowing that this was the place. Joseph approached the gates and turned to me, and without speaking said everything. The bright Glory of Heaven fell across Joseph’s shoulders from inside the gates. I blinked my eyes and tried to understand this scene, for in the bed I could see Joseph’s mouth and eyes, sunken with age, and his ribcage protruding across a hollow stomach, but in the vision I only saw beauty and peace, and Joseph in perfect health. More glorious and miraculous than a newborn child was this sight of my Christian brother receiving the robe of Eternal Life.

Behind me, suddenly I could hear the tears of Joseph’s children. I knew I had to go back to be with them, so I quickly prayed that our sorrow would be comforted and I ended my prayer. I apologized to the children for bringing on their tears and I asked Joseph if my prayers were all right. Clearly I heard his reply: “Thank you.” He always thanked me when our visit was over. Joseph died about ten hours later.

This vision has been the defining moment of my life. It has changed my life. Since that day, my prayer life has moved to a higher level. The realm of the Divine has been opened to me. The Presence of Our Lord, Jesus, visits with me in visions, dreams, and routine prayers. He has revealed my purpose. I have seen my future. When I have fulfilled my time on earth, I, too, will enter the Gates of Heaven.