Christian life here on earth, which is called “the way” in the Acts of the Apostles, is directed toward a transcendent goal which is represented by the heavenly and glorious city of Jerusalem. There, death, mourning, crying, and pain will disappear because “[God] will wipe away every tear from their eyes” (Rev. 21:4).
Through His resurrection and glorification, Jesus has opened up this glory for us, the members of His Mystical Body. The glorified Lord doesn’t want to be without us in His glory: “Holy brethren, who share in a heavenly call” (Heb. 3:1). We are His chosen people on the way to glory, but walking in the obscurity of faith. Eternal glory is meant for us.
We may participate in this immense reality, and we can give glory to God in Jesus already now, thanks to the gift of Baptism. To be saved means to return to our real existence as adorers and glorifiers of God. We cannot really know what God’s glory is, but still in our deepest heart we know that we were made for this glory alone.
Cardinal Anders Arborelius, O.C.D.
Chapter 1, Pilgrim on the way to eternity
Arborelius OCD, A. 2020, Carmelite Spirituality: The Way of Carmelite Prayer and Contemplation, EWTN Publishing, Irondale, Alabama.
Featured image: This illumination is a detail from Le pèlerinage de la vie humaine, a French manuscript from the second quarter of the 14th century in the Medieval and Renaissance Manuscripts collection of The Morgan Library and Museum in New York City. In this image, Saint Peter, holding a key in his right hand, “stands before small door in wall of Heavenly Jerusalem and with left hand gestures toward three pilgrims, one holding walking stick.” Learn more about this image on the museum website. Image credit: © The Morgan Library & Museum.
Carmelite Quotes 
Blessed to baptize my first grandchild today. Thank you for this gift.
What a lovely positive image, in the passage and in the painting!