Episode 2425: Our Heavenly Hope - Nightly Episode

“O my God, at the end of this day I thank You most heartily for all the graces I have received from You. I am sorry that I have not made better use of them. I am sorry for all the sins I have committed against You. Forgive me, O my God, and graciously protect me this night. Blessed Virgin Mary, my dear heavenly mother, take me under your protection. St. Joseph, my dear Guardian Angel, and all you saints in heaven, pray for me. Sweet Jesus, have pity on all poor sinners, and save them from hell. Have mercy on the suffering souls in purgatory. Amen”
Our Heavenly Hope
Welcome to today's episode, where we will explore two profound teachings that illuminate our Christian hope and heavenly calling. We will discuss the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, as taught by the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and the spiritual longing for God's Kingdom as reflected in the Lord's Prayer and the writings of Scott Hahn. These teachings remind us that our ultimate destination is not of this world, but with God in heaven, where we are called to share in His glory.

The Assumption of Mary - Our Hope in Heaven
The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches us:
"When the course of her earthly life was finished, [Mary] was taken up body and soul into heavenly glory, and exalted by the Lord as Queen over all things."
This dogma of the Assumption of Mary is a powerful testament to our Christian hope. Mary, the Mother of God, was preserved from corruption and assumed into heaven, where she reigns as Queen over all creation. Her Assumption is a sign of the destiny that awaits all who follow Christ faithfully—resurrection and glorification with God.
Mary’s Assumption is not just a privilege granted to her alone, but a foretaste of what God has prepared for all who love Him. It is a reminder that our lives on earth are temporary, and our true home is in heaven. The Assumption invites us to lift our hearts and minds above the concerns of this world and to focus on our eternal destiny. Just as Mary was taken up to heaven, we too are called to share in the glory of the resurrection.

The Longing for God's Kingdom
Scott Hahn reflects on the Lord's Prayer, particularly the petition "Thy kingdom come" (Matthew 6:10):
"This, too, is the language of a right-minded child of God, not to be attached to things that are seen, nor to account present things as some great matter, but to hasten to our Father and to long for the things to come. This petition springs from a good conscience and a soul set free from earthly things. Paul himself, for instance, was longing after this every day. Therefore, he also said that 'we ourselves who have the first fruits of the Spirit groan inwardly as we wait for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies' (Romans 8:23). For he who has this desire can neither be puffed up by the good things of this life nor abashed by its sorrows. As though dwelling in the very heavens, such a man is freed from all kinds of unreasonable desires."
This longing for God's Kingdom is at the heart of our Christian faith. It is a desire to be united with God, to experience the fullness of His love, and to be free from the limitations and sufferings of this world. As Scott Hahn explains, this longing is a sign of a soul that is detached from earthly things and is focused on the ultimate goal of union with God.
St. Paul, in his letter to the Romans, echoes this sentiment when he speaks of the "groaning" of creation and our own hearts as we await the fulfillment of God's promises. This groaning is not one of despair, but of hope—a hope that looks forward to the day when we will be fully adopted as children of God and share in the glory of the resurrection.
Living with a Heavenly Perspective
As Christians, we are called to live with a perspective that is always oriented toward heaven. This does not mean we disregard the responsibilities and joys of our earthly life, but rather that we approach them with the understanding that they are temporary and that our true fulfillment lies beyond this world.
The Assumption of Mary and the longing for God's Kingdom remind us that our lives should be a pilgrimage toward heaven. We are to strive for holiness, to detach ourselves from the fleeting pleasures and pains of this world, and to fix our eyes on Jesus, who is the author and perfecter of our faith.

In practical terms, this means cultivating a life of prayer, sacraments, and charity. It means allowing the teachings of the Church to shape our decisions and actions, and it means living each day with the hope and expectation of eternal life with God.
Conclusion
In today's episode, we have reflected on the profound truths of our faith as expressed in the Assumption of Mary and the longing for God's Kingdom. The Assumption of Mary gives us a glimpse of the glory that awaits all who are faithful to God, and Scott Hahn's reflection on "Thy kingdom come" challenges us to live with our hearts set on heaven.
Let us be inspired by Mary’s example and Scott Hahn's teachings to live our lives with a heavenly perspective, always striving to grow in holiness and love for God. As we go about our daily lives, let us remember that our true home is in heaven, where we hope to be united with God and all the saints in eternal glory.