Can we only imagine?

Dear Friends,

​Today's Scripture readings show us that our human curiosity is nothing new. Even in Old Testament times, people were wondering if there was an afterlife, and what it was like for those in it. The seven brothers in today’s reading from 2 Maccabees were convinced that there was and that it would be good. Their trust in God’s faithfulness was strong enough that they willingly endured torture and death rather than betray God’s law — in the hope that life, limb and more would be restored to them in the Resurrection.

But even for faithful Jews, the question was not yet settled in Jesus’ time. The Sadducees, those who deny that there is a Resurrection, tried to trap Jesus into making some kind of foolish statement in contradiction of settled doctrine by asking him whose wife a widow who married seven brothers in succession would be once they were all in heaven. I can imagine Jesus putting his hand to his forehead, shaking his head, sighing and thinking, “Oi vey — they just don't get it,” and going on to explain that everything is different in the Resurrection. So different, in fact, that we can’t even picture what it would be like. But Jesus assures us, and our faith tells us, that all will be well because we will be with him forever, and with those who have gone before us, in a place that he has prepared for us in his Father’s house. He further promises that we can get there through him — “I am the way, the truth and the life." Some may think that this means they’ve got a guaranteed spot in heaven, and that therefore there’s no need to do anything in this life to prepare except enjoy ourselves. I see it differently. I think that the promise of eternal life means that everything we do in this life matters greatly — that every choice we make has cosmic significance. St. Paul tells the community at Thessalonica in today’s second reading that his hope is that the Lord may “... encourage your hearts and strengthen them in every good deed and word.” And then there is that image in Matthew’s Gospel of Jesus the judge separating sheep and goats according to how they treated one another (and therefore treated him) on earth. It seems that what we do matters very much indeed.

​Still, speculating about what heaven may be like can be a beautiful prayer. You may be familiar with Bart Millard’s song, “I Can Only Imagine.” The refrain lyrics say: 

“Surrounded by your glory, what will my heart feel?
Will I dance for you, Jesus, or in awe of you be still?
Will I stand in your presence, or to my knees will I fall? Will I sing ‘Hallelujah’?
​Will I be able to speak at all? I can only imagine, I can only imagine.” 

​Siempre Adelante,


Dominic MacAller
Director of Liturgy and Music 

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