Photo by John Brundage

My five year old godson recently had an intriguing theological discourse with his mother. Will we wear shoes or sandals in heaven? He opted for sandals, because that’s what Jesus wore when he was on Earth. That led to another question: where will we live after we rise from the dead? Will we be in heaven? Or on the New Earth? Or both? 

I was excited to answer this question. In my Easter post I said that if we believe in the resurrection it will change the way we live. One of the biggest ways it has changed my life is my attitude toward my body and toward Earth. Many are unaware that we will one day live in a new, glorified Earth. The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains:

“The Visible universe, then, is itself destined to be transformed, “so that the world itself, restored to its original state, facing no further obstacles, should be at the service of the just,” sharing their glorification in the risen Jesus Christ. “We know neither the moment of the consummation of earth and of man, nor the way in which the universe will be transformed. The form of this world, distorted by sin, is passing away, and we are taught that God is preparing a new dwelling and a new earth in which righteousness dwells, in which happiness will fill and surpass all the desires of peace arising in the hearts of men” (CCC 1047-1048).

Here’s my response:

“Great questions!

When you die you won’t have your body. But that’s not how things are supposed to be. God didn’t create you to be a spooky ghost! You were meant to have your body. You will get it back at the resurrection. 

And just like you were meant to have your body, we were meant to live on Earth. Earth is God’s special gift to us. We will not leave it behind forever. When we return it will be more beautiful than you could ever imagine. Earth and Heaven aren’t the same place, but one day they will be perfectly united.

Since we will live on Earth, we will want to cover our feet so we can stay clean and comfortable, and because shoes look good! Jesus wore sandals because that’s what was comfortable where he was. If he visited the eskimos, he’d dress like an eskimo, so he’d probably have boots.” 

I’m brushing up on my theology to give this answer. I came across a video by Catholic Answers Apologist Tim Staples, who said that our comparing our current bodies with our glorified body will be like comparing an acorn to an oak tree. Like many people, I used to think that life after death would be me playing a harp on a cloud forever. I now understand that everything incredible and beautiful about our world and our bodies awaits us in heaven times a hundred.

Have you ever thought about how we will live on a New Earth, and not just in heaven? Do you have a sense of wonder when you think about what that would be like? Take some time today to think of three incredible things about the world, and about your body. Then imagine what it would be like if they were even more incredible. This is what awaits us.

John Brundage is a seminarian with the Companions of the Cross. He also writes a Substack Newsletter called Integrated Prayer.