September 27, 2026
Twenty Sixth Sunday of Ordinary Time
by Fr. Jonah, O.P.
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Let’s continue reflecting on the Our Father: “Our Father, who art in heaven . . .”
Who art in heaven . . . It doesn’t mean that he’s literally up in the sky. Birds aren’t closer to God than we are. “[This] expression does not mean a place . . . but a way of being” (CCC 2794). Heaven is a way of being.
I don’t think we’re good at thinking about heaven. On the one hand, that’s fair: “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him” (1 Cor 2:9). On the other hand, though, it’s easy to slip into the mistake of thinking of heaven as boring, just bright light and white space . . . forever.
Here’s an image. This summer I presided at the wedding of two parishioners. At the reception, when they got up for their first dance, here’s what we heard as the song began:
Heaven, I’m in Heaven,
And my heart beats so that I can hardly speak;
And I seem to find the happiness I seek
When we’re out together dancing, cheek to cheek.
Heaven is being with the one you love, who loves you too.
That first-dance-at-the-reception moment, though, is just an image. It’s not human love that we’re made for ultimately, it’s the love of God, his eternal friendship, the offer of which is extended to us in Christ Jesus our Lord. That is the offer of being united in love with the One who knows us to the core of our being (he’s our Creator), loves us unconditionally and infinitely (he’s our Redeemer), and pours grace into our hearts so that we turn to him, believing in him, trusting in him, loving him back (he’s our Sanctifier).
So “[w]hen the Church prays ‘our Father who art in heaven,’ she is professing that we are the People of God, already seated ‘with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus’ and ‘hidden with Christ in God;’ yet at the same time, ‘here indeed we groan, and long to put on our heavenly dwelling’” (CCC 2796). We can say that we are “already seated” with God in Christ Jesus because of the sanctifying grace given to us in Baptism (Baptism is so important). Already, but not yet—we’re still traveling through this world below, making our way upwards to be united with the One who loves us best, in heaven.
Know of my prayers for all of you.
In Christ,
Fr. Jonah, O.P.
