Dear father Angelo,

I would like to understand the difference between the garden of Eden and Paradise. They seem very similar to me; however, in the first one sin was possible and in the latter we won’t be able to sin anymore. 

Isn’t man equally close to God in both of these places?

Didn’t our forefather in Eden have a relationship with God which is equal to the one that we will have in Heaven?

How can we not sin anymore, even in Paradise, given that we are so weak?

The knowledge and relationship with God didn’t prevent them from making mistakes. Maybe being his sons in Christ, his Incarnation, His very life bestowed upon us will keep us in a state of Grace?

Thank you for your time and for your loving guidance.

Francesca

The answer from Father Angelo

Dear Francesca,

1.  The first place you mentioned was paradise on earth. The second one is the heavenly paradise. The first one was immersed in time, the second one is eternal.

2. In the first one God was known by faith, even though faith itself was incredibly luminous. In the second one there will be no faith, but only the clear vision of God. In the first one there was the risk of abusing freedom, and this is exactly what happened with original sin. This won’t be a possibility in Heaven because we will be out of time, in eternity.

3. The first one was the age of merit, the second one is the age of reward. In time man is driven by many needs, but every necessity will be completely fulfilled in Heaven.

4.  Happiness in Eden was imperfect because our knowledge of who God is wasn’t complete, because it still proceeded through faith. Therefore the condition of man can be defined as perfectible. In Heaven happiness will be perfect, with no room for further improvement.

5. In Eden sin was possible because we were in time. In Heaven all this won’t be possible because we will be in eternity. In the former man was friend with God, in the latter we will be one thing with God, even though the distinction between the Creator and his creatures will remain.

6. In Eden man had all the goods of earth at his disposal. In Heaven man will have all the goods of God. In the first one, he could still be won by Satan, but he can’t be in the latter. In fact, Satan will be at his feet.

7.  In the first one man could enjoy familiarity with all of those in a state of grace. In the second one, he has familiarity with angels and enjoys the perfect friendship with Jesus Christ, God made man, and the blessed virgin Mary, whose sanctity exceeds all saints and angels.

8.  We can foretaste the reality of Heaven right here, through faith, by living in God’s Grace.

I wish that you’lI foretaste all this in an ever growing crescendo. I bless you and will remember you in my prayers.

Father Angelo

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