O God, You make the minds of Your faithful to be of one will. Grant that we may love what You have commanded and desire what You promise, that among the many changes of this world our hearts may be fixed where true joys are found; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
I make no claims to special insight in this regard, but I find myself sometimes wondering what heaven will be like. Will I be able to remember these days on earth? Would that compromise my eternal joy if I could? If I were able to remember these days and compare them to those eternal days of heaven, what would be the greatest change I notice? Would it be a world freed from pollution? Will I see flocks of passenger pigeons or other extinct species? Will I notice that people are just nicer, and no one is afraid? Right now, I often shop at a Fred Meyer grocery store in a somewhat rough part of town. There are eight parking places reserved for the police by the entrances. I am afraid to ask how often they are used or what metric was used to determine that this was enough for that store.
I think, however, that there will be a bigger change I will notice, and that one will be inside me. I will be a completely different sort of person in heaven. No more fear, jealousy, pride, or greed; instead, the Ten Commandments will perfectly describe me. They will no longer accuse me. They will describe me. I will be utterly devoted to God. I will honor his name, keep his sabbath, and love my neighbor perfectly. If you get a chance, read a little in Psalm 119. The psalmist seems to be there in some ways.
The prayer asks God to give us the gift that we may love God’s commands and love the things God commands us to love. I find some people difficult to love. I need his help to do that. There is still that old man clinging tightly to me. He does not desire the promises of God but would make for himself a sham paradise, twisted and corrupt. He needs to be drowned daily in Baptism and left in a grave. I need God help for this. I cannot shed him.
Of course, the world does not help me. It casts me back and forth in many changes. We are experiencing some of those changes right now in these days of pandemic. The world would confuse and bewilder me, leading me to take my eye off the promise which can deliver the true joy which God has in mind for me. Help me God. Keep my mind and heart and life fixed on that truly solid ground.