from The Passion and the Death of Jesus Christ by St. Alphonsus de Liguori
Oh, happy are we if we suffer with patience on earth the troubles of this present life! Distress of circumstances, fears, bodily infirmities, persecutions, and crosses of every kind, will one day all come to an end; and if we be saved, they will all become for us subjects of joy and glory in paradise: Your sorrow (says the Saviour, to encourage us) shall be turned into joy. So great are the delights of paradise, that they can neither be explained nor understood by us mortals: Eye hath not seen (says the Apostle) nor ear heard, neither hath it entered into the heart of man, what things God hath prepared for those who love Him. Beauties like the beauties of paradise, eye hath never seen; harmonies like unto the harmonies of paradise, ear hath never heard; nor hath ever human heart gained the comprehension of the joys which God had prepared for those that love him. Beautiful is the sight of a landscape adorned with hills, plains, woods, and views of the sea. Beautiful is the sight of a garden abounding with fruit, flowers, and fountains. Oh, how much more beautiful is paradise!
…It is enough to know that in that blessed realm resides a God omnipotent, whose care is to render happy his beloved souls. St Bernard says that paradise is a place where “there is nothing that thou wouldst not, and everything there that thou wouldst.” There shalt thou not find anything displeasing to Thyself, and everything thou dost desire thou shalt find.
…What consolation will it not feel in meeting there with relatives and friends of its own who have previously entered into heaven! …
