Bishop John Noonan | Diocese of Orland website

Bishop John Noonan of the Diocese of Orlando has released a letter to parishioners reflecting on the question, "Where do you want to go?" He explains that while most people respond with "I want to go to heaven," he encourages deeper thought about the relationship between heaven and life on earth.

In his letter, Bishop Noonan writes, "God created the earth and all within it, the sea and the dry land, the sky and the soil, the sun and the moon and the stars, and the creatures who live upon the earth. God created you to flourish His garden. God offers us Jesus the Eucharist to sustain our spiritual heart, as He provides us with physical nourishment to sustain our human heart. Each time we pray The Lord’s Prayer, we pray, 'Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.'"

He continues by suggesting that although many believe heaven and earth are separate, God calls people to begin their heavenly journey during their lives on earth. "He calls us to care for everything and everyone in it. He asks us to be tender and merciful to one another. He offers us a spirit of fortitude to consider heavenly possibilities during all our days. He colors the earth, that we might know the beauty of heaven and help flourish that beauty by our thought, word, and deed. As St. Paul tells us, 'Proclaim the Word; be persistent whether it is convenient or inconvenient; convince, reprimand, encourage through all patience and teaching (2 Tim 4:2).'"

Bishop Noonan references Pope Leo XIV’s observations about the presence of discord and hatred in the world, stating, "we still see too much discord, too many wounds caused by hatred, violence, prejudice, the fear of difference." He emphasizes St. Paul’s message that persistence in faithfulness can lead to heavenly results on earth.

He explains the importance of Baptism and Scripture in guiding Catholics: "At Baptism, we or our godparents on our behalf, profess our belief in the triune God and the gift of salvation history and our participation in salvation history. We come to understand that all Scripture is inspired by God so that one who belongs to God may be competent, equipped for every good work (2 Tim 3:16,17). As God’s Word, the Scriptures share His divine authority."

The bishop encourages parishioners to recognize God's gifts: "You see, God did leave us heaven on earth. He gave us the Scriptures, our guiding light. He gave us Jesus the Eucharist, God with us. He gave us one another to love as God loves. He gave us the earth and all within it to flourish as His garden."

He adds that Catholics can help bring forth heaven on earth through faithfulness: "We have the ability as God’s own to bring forth heaven on earth. God is not waiting for us to die in order to meet Him. God is with us always and in all ways if we are faithful to Him. To be received then into Heaven after death is a continuation of our heavenly pilgrimage."

Bishop Noonan also notes the significance of prayer during October: "During the month of October, our Holy Father asks us to pray the Rosary every day, a devotion leading toward eternal Peace. Our Blessed Mother who bore the Word within her womb and offered the Word through, with and in God to each one of us remains our advocate as we seek and live the redemption of her Son."

He concludes by encouraging persistence in prayer and faith: "Yes, we have a lot to do. Jesus told his disciples about the necessity for them to pray always without becoming weary. May our prayer be the embodiment of God all our days that the heavenly pilgrimage will lose the bonds of heaven upon the earth. May we come to understand living as God calls. Jesus asks us, 'When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on earth?'"

The Diocese of Orlando was established in 1968 and serves Brevard, Lake, Marion, Orange, Osceola, Polk, Seminole, Sumter, and Volusia Counties. It is home to 79 parishes, 11 missions, two basilicas, and 43 Catholic schools. The diocese is currently led by Bishop John Noonan. More information can be found at https://www.orlandodiocese.org/.