And have a little heaven right here.
“Time to be happy is now,
Place to be happy is here,
And the way to be happy is to make someone happy And have a little heaven right here.”
The rhyme concludes with the lovely image of “a little heaven right here.” While heaven is our ultimate destiny, we are called to reflect God’s kingdom here and now.
In the midst of our busy lives, it is easy to think of heaven as something distant, a place beyond this world that we will one day reach after our earthly journey is complete. While our faith certainly points us toward the promise of eternal life with God, Jesus also teaches us that the Kingdom of God is already present among us.
Throughout the Gospels, Jesus showed us what heaven looks like. He fed the hungry, comforted the sorrowful, welcomed the outcast, forgave sinners, and healed the broken-hearted. Wherever Jesus went, people experienced the love of God in a tangible way. As His disciples, we are called to continue that mission. Every time we choose compassion over indifference, forgiveness over resentment, or hope over despair, we bring a little bit of heaven into our world.
St. Dominic parish is often a beautiful example of this reality. Heaven shines through when parishioners gather to celebrate the Eucharist, support one another in times of need, and work together in service to others. It is present in the faith of those who pray quietly before Mass, in the dedication of volunteers, in the joyful laughter and cry of children, and in the wisdom shared by our seniors. These moments remind us that God is alive and active among His people.
The greatest way we experience “a little heaven right here” is through the Eucharist. At every Mass, heaven and earth meet. We gather as a community, hear God’s Word, and receive Christ Himself. Strengthened by His presence, we are sent forth to bring His light into the world. The Eucharist reminds us that heaven is not far away. God is with us, nourishing us, guiding us, and inviting us into deeper communion with Him and with one another.
May we open our hearts to God’s presence each day. May we recognize the countless ways He blesses us through faith, family, friendship, and community. And may our lives become a reflection of His love, helping others experience what the Gospel promises: a little heaven right here, right now.
“The kingdom of God is among you.” (Luke 17:21)