Kategoria szczęścia w opisie życia zbawionych w niebie

Abstract

In his encyclical Spe salvi the Holy Father Benedict XVI noted that there is a mysterious anxiety, even fear of eternal life in the man ‒ the life without end, „The term „eternal life” is intended to give a name to this known „unknown”. Inevitably it is an inadequate term that creates confusion. „Eternal”, in fact, suggests to us the idea of something interminable, and this frightens us; „life” makes us think of the life that we know and love and do not want to lose, even though very often it brings more toil than satisfaction, so that while on the one hand we desire it, on the other hand we do not want it. (No. 12) Therefore, is the man’s situation stripped off any hope? By no means, since Jesus himself overcomes human anxiety and fear, defining the eternal life in the category of joy and happiness: „I will see you again and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you” (John 16:22). This conviction about a close relation between happiness of the saved and their love communion with Christ in heaven has been a constant element of the Church’s teaching and theologians’ reflections over the centuries. Salvation of souls is a happy reward. The grace streaming from the Jesus’ redemption is ultimately aimed at praising God, which at the same time in a perfect manner fills the saved with happiness. Theological reflection being the fruit of cooperation between reason and faith employs a number of terms in order to, at least „in part” bring home the unspoken mystery of all the things that „God has prepared for those who love him” (1 Corinthians 2:9). One of the categories thanks to which this „partial” description of goal is completed, from which the man goes on his way to fulfilling the love commandment is the concept of happiness. This study begins with a brief outline of some philosophical views concerning the essence of human happiness with reference made to the very concept of happiness. Next, the life of the saved in heaven is discussed. Owing to the fact, that the truth about eternal life possesses a very broad thematic range, the reflection focuses around the following four aspects of the happy living of the saved in heaven: the unbroken connection of the saved with the glory of God, the unforfeitable share of the saved in the final victory of Christ over sin, the condition of a perfect relationship of the saved with God Triune and an intimate friendship among the saved – through Christ, with Christ and in Christ.