Two of us were exposed to COVID and were subsequently tested. My friends tested negative. It was a cause of great rejoicing for him! He was not infected nor infectious! It was like Lazarus risen from the grave. Perhaps too much so. After all, Lazarus would still have to face life with all its bumps and scratches and once more struggle with death. Similarly, because of a negative diagnosis, there was still the mandate to quarantine, and after, there remained the possibility of contracting COVID and facing quarantine again.
Bearing in mind all analogies limp, then there is my positive report. I too went into a “tomb” of sorts but I will not walk out like Lazarus back from the dead, but more like the resurrection. No longer will I have to worry (for 12 weeks supposedly) about contracting illness or passing illness along to others (at least COVID.) No longer will there be a fear of going back into isolation. It will be a great freeing. A new life with a new freedom.
All of this had me thinking about heaven. If I found the fountain of youth, I don’t think I would want to try it. I am enjoying this life even with its hardships, but I only want to do it once. No matter how rich you are, how powerful, how independent you will not escape such things as COVID in this life. If you could live forever, the government upon which you rely will not remain the same. The grand buildings that were built may not last. There will still be forest fires, temptations, sickness and death, bad movies, mean people and tofu burgers.
With a fountain of youth one has reanimation which is a renewal of one’s body. Resurrection is a renewal of the whole of creation. It is new wine in a new wine skin. Ultimately it is the only fitting container. It is that for which we were created and toward which Christ came to steer us and in which He desired to form us. We were created for this and should want nothing less. We are given an appetite for heaven that mere extending of life will eventually fail to satisfy.
I do not want to drink from the fountain of youth, either, Father. I am far happier now than when I was 20. Although I have to say, I miss some things from that time - O'Neil's and Polsky's, Lou & Hy's, and some friends and family I have lost.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, we all know someone who seems eternally young. When he or she walks into the room, the sun comes out and everyone feels better. I think Our Lady and my good St. Francis were like that. *That* is how I would rather be, rather than young and probably proportionally stupid.
Sue from St. B
Continue to keep you in thought & prayer, Fr. V. Hang in there!
ReplyDeleteTofu burgers!!!! That does it for me.
ReplyDelete