But there’s not much in the Gospel about the afterlife—John is the only one who talks about it. And doesn’t that seem strange? If the afterlife is so important? When the rich young man asks Jesus how he might have eternal life, Jesus doesn’t give him a straight answer… But I’ve read those verses a hundred times. The rich young man asks about eternity, and Jesus tells him to give away his money. He says what to do in the present—as if the present is where you find eternity—and I think that’s right. Eternity is a mystery to us, just like God is a mystery. It doesn’t have to mean rejoicing in heaven or burning in hell. It could be a timeless state of grace or bottomless despair. I think there’s eternity in every second we’re alive.
— Jonathan Franzen, Crossroads: A Novel (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, October 5, 2021)
i so agree, eternity is found in each moment
That it is. I’m coming to learn.
I forget who it was that said, “Time is God’s way of keeping everything from happening at once.”
… and as Iris DeMent puts it, “Let The Mystery Be.”
Love Ms DeMent’s thinking!
“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard..” or “You will be with me this very day..” is pretty mysterious, too, timewise. Yes, eternity begins with conception, perhaps. And, I think that just as we once couldn’t fathom life beyond the womb (and now would never desire to return to that uber-limited life!), the most unimaginable surprises await us.
I hope you are right!!!
Wow. I best get to reading… This one is moved to the top of the queue.
Did I not say a Classic?
You did. Methinks, with the few excerpts you have shared, that you are correct.
Love this! 🧡