Tuesday of the
Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time
(Romans 8:18-25; Luke 13:18-21)
Once before the trend against apartheid in South Africa gained
momentum, a Christian minister was asked if Nelson Mandela would ever be
released from prison. The minister did
not hesitate a second to say of course he would be “even if it is ten years
after his death.” Then he explained that
the Blacks of South Africa equated their freedom with Mandela’s release. And they were absolutely sure that one day
they would be liberated. Such is the
hope of which St. Paul writes in today’s first reading.
Paul is certain that his fellow Christians will experience
the glory of the resurrected Christ. But
he is not sure when and how this revelation will come about nor even what it
will look like. This is akin to saying
that heaven is an unknown quantity still to be revealed. But Paul is not troubled by the wait in
darkness. He realizes that true hope
does not involve things that can be seen, but mysteries of which humans can
only imagine.
What will heaven be like?
A city with roads paved in gold? A
telephone that translates our thoughts into words without our having to say or
write anything? These kinds of commodities
could hardly approach the glory of Christ.
Let us dream some more. Heaven is
where everyone treats us like we want to be treated, and we treat everyone with
equal attention. It is feeling so secure
about being loved that we are kind to everyone.
It is the peace of being surrounded by friends and enjoying a hearty
meal. Heaven is worth waiting for with
endurance.
