Where Is Heaven?

In a story called “The Fugitive” by the famous Indian writer Tagore, a father returns home from the funeral rites. His boy of seven is standing at the window with eyes wide open and a golden amulet hanging from his neck. The boy is full of thoughts, too difficult for his age. His father takes him in his arms and the boy asks him, “Where is mother?” The father answers, “In heaven,” pointing to the sky. The boy raises his eyes to the sky and long gazes in silence. His bewildered mind sends out into the night the question, “Where is heaven?” No answer comes and the stars seem like the burning tears of that ignorant darkness.

In the fourteenth chapter of John, apparently the disciples of Jesus have asked the same question. Jesus replies, saying that in His Father’s house there are many mansions, or more accurately, “resting places.” Jesus adds, “And when I go and prepare a place for you, I will…