So I must admit, I am a fan of the TV series “Once Upon a Time.” For
those who haven’t heard of it (and without going into much detail), it is a
show where the fairy tale world and our world interact with one another. Lately,
I have noticed that a lot of popular movies and TV shows are about fairy tales.
For example, the new movie “Into the Woods” (which I haven’t seen yet) includes
characters from popular Disney fairy tales. There is also a new “Cinderella”
movie coming out. This got me thinking, “Why are people so drawn to these
movies and shows?” And then I believe I figured it out: because we either
believe in, or want to believe in, happily ever after. We are drawn to hope,
true love, strength, heroism, and faith. We believe (or for those who don’t,
they want to), that the challenges and struggles of life will lead to something
greater. We know we were made for joy. In other words, we want a happily ever
after, an end to suffering, a life of hope, peace, joy, and love.
Here’s the part where we forget something really important: that desire
isn’t a fairy tale. Happily ever after is real and we were all designed to
desire it and all made for it. Where we go wrong, is that we think we find it
only in this world, or not at all. Yes, our world is beautiful, but it’s not
the end all, be all. There is so much more than this. Happily ever after (the
one we are made for and called to) is heaven.
God sent His only son Jesus into our brokenness, into our world, so
that we could have abundant life. He sent His son to save us and lead us to
eternal life. That is what our hearts long for. God made all of us for more. He
wants the best for each of us. He wanted it so badly, that He gave His only son
to die, so that we could be united with Him and experience the joy of heaven.
He doesn’t want any of us to be lost or to miss out.
Heaven is real, and God wants all of us to be there with Him. So,
believe in happily ever after with Christ, and believe it with your whole
heart. Then, live your life for Him, commit your heart to Him, and seek to love
Him and others. Let Him love you. We can experience heaven here on earth. He
has given us so many graces, including His own body and blood in the Eucharist,
the holy Mass, in which heaven and earth meet, and He has given us one another,
to bless each other, care for one another, and experience relationships and
friendships with Him at the center.
This new year, don’t lose sight
of who you belong to. You are His, and He is always the answer to your happily
ever after. God bless you and Happy New Year.
