What about the next world's wonders?

November 19, 2006 -- 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

By Bishop Robert Morneau

	Bishop Robert Morneau
	Questions for reflection: 1. What is your understanding of the next world? 2. List the wonders of your world. 3. What does eternity mean to you?

What are the wonders of this world? And are there more than seven? Here is an e-mail's response to these questions.

According to a group of students at one school, they offered this list as the present "Seven Wonders of the World:" 1) Egypt's Great Pyramids; 2) Taj Mahal; 3) Grand Canyon; 4) Panama Canal; 5) Empire State Building; 6) St. Peter's Basilica; and, 7) China's Great Wall.

One lone student offered her own "seven wonders of the world:" 1) to see; 2) to hear; 3) to touch; 4) to taste; 5) to feel; 6) to laugh; and, 7) to love. How's that for creativity?

But what about the wonders of the "next" world, the world we hear about in scripture?

One "wonder" is that of eternity. In the book of the prophet Daniel, we hear about the great prince, Michael, who is the guardian of the people. More, we are told that we shall all live forever. In other words, we are made for eternity and "this life is not conclusion." But the prophet Daniel points out that there are two types of existence after this earthly life is over - everlasting horror and disgrace for those who turn from God and God's way, and everlasting splendor and light for those who do God's will. Those who do God's bidding will be like the stars and shine forever.

In Thorton Wilder's classic play, "Our Town," we read: "Now there are some things we all know, but we don't take'm out and look at'm very often. We all know that something is eternal. And it ain't houses and it ain't names, and it ain't earth, and it ain't even the stars . . . everybody knows in their bones that something is eternal, and that something has to do with human beings. All the greatest people ever lived have been telling us that for five thousand years and yet you'd be surprised how people are always losing hold of it. There's something way down deep that's eternal about every human being." Surely, we have here one of the wonders of our spiritual life: eternity!

A second wonder of the "next" world is the Lord Jesus. In the book of Hebrews, the author tells how Jesus offered one sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins. And now He sits at God's right hand and, we are told elsewhere, He intercedes for us, those who are still on our pilgrim journey. What a consolation it is to have the certitude that at every moment Christ is sustaining, supporting, and encouraging us as we struggle with our daily concerns. That same Christ longs to dwell within us and act through us in the ongoing redemption of the world. Truly, this is a wonder.

A third wonder of the "next" world: glory! Mark's gospel relates how the Son of Man will come with great power and glory at the end this world. In what does that wonder of "glory" consist? It would seem to be the fullness of light, life, and love, that is, the mystery of grace. Already on our earthly journey we experience patches of glory: the light in the eye of a newborn baby; the life we experience in using our gifts; the love that expands our hearts. But it is always piecemeal; there are always patches here on earth of darkness, death, and indifference.

And to round out our "seven wonders" how about "the communion of saints," "silent music," "freedom from fear," and "the grace of presence." Perhaps the lone student was right. Both the seven wonders of this world and the next are the same: seeing, hearing, touching, tasting, feeling, laughing, and loving.

(Bp. Morneau is the auxiliary bishop of the Green Bay Diocese and pastor of Resurrection Parish in Allouez.)