As I write this, I am sitting on a beach in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, with a beautiful view of paradise – the ocean in front of me, and sand at my feet. By the time this is published, though, I will be back in the harsh cold of Chicago. Reality will have definitely set back in.
The very first evening we arrived, my wife and I enjoyed a beautiful sunset from our balcony. It was the kind of scene that you would find in a picturesque painting or on a postcard somewhere. However, it didn’t take long for reality to set in here, as well.
Immediately, we had a variety of problems: a toilet that leaks, WiFi that continually comes and goes, and less-than-stellar food. I got into a disagreement with a local over a towel, and the concierge seemed more interested in selling us a timeshare than actually helping us.
Our first reaction was to be somewhat disappointed in the resort we chose. For the money we spent, we felt as if we did not get what we paid for. Where was the perfect view of paradise that we saw in all of the brochures?
Of course, this is not paradise (but it may be as close as you will find on this Earth). Even in one of the most beautiful places on Earth, the flaws of this world come through.
One of the most beautiful sites that we have seen here is the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe. We enjoyed a mix of culture in the Spanish and English Mass, as we joined in fellowship with Catholics from all over the world.
Then, it hit me. At this beautiful cathedral, we saw a glimpse of true paradise: being in communion with God. Man’s idea of paradise can never compare to the awesome reality of what awaits us in Heaven.
Despite the issues that we have faced, this has been a great time for reflection. We have admired the beauty of God’s creation, taken time to get away from the stresses of life, and enjoyed celebrating the gift of our marriage. This is the real view of paradise.
The world is flawed. Not because God made it that way, but because of the flaws of man. We have tried to recreate paradise here on Earth, but it will never equal the glories of Heaven in full communion with the Trinity.
As we get ready to return to our normal life back in Chicago, we can take paradise with us. We can continue to embrace our marital vows; we can celebrate Mass with our fellow Catholics; we can make time each week to let go of the stresses of the world and see the beauty that surrounds us.
I hope that we will make it back to these beautiful beaches someday, but even more so, I hope to take this tiny glimpse of the real paradise with me for the rest of my days.
Copyright © 2013, Chad R. Torgerson
Chad R. Torgerson
Chad R. Torgerson works as an IT Analyst for a Catholic publishing group. In his spare time, he enjoys writing and sharing his faith on his website, Waking Up Catholic, a guide to the Catholic RCIA process. and is also the Co-Founder of Assisi Media, a new Catholic publishing company focused on using new media to reach everyday Catholics. His new book, Waking Up Catholic, is available in eBook and paperback formats.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.