It Is of a New Order By Fr. John Bostwick, O. Praem. Homilies and Reflections by the Norbertines in De Pere, WI

It Is of a New Order

By Fr. John Bostwick, O. Praem.

Lord, when your glory appears, my joy will be full.

The Sadducees present two problems here: first, they are trying to trap Jesus. The questions about life beyond death do not come from sincere hearts. The Sadducees don't believe in the resurrection; they simply want Jesus to take sides in a dispute in a no-win situation. Secondly, their question with its complicated puzzle of relationships totally misses the point. In their lack of understanding they assume that the life of resurrection is merely "afterlife", basically a continuing of what is - more of the same, life as we know it, just going on forever and ever.

That just exposes their cluelessness. Unfortunately, it's likely that many of us have a similar misunderstanding of the resurrected life... as an unending (but "happy") continuation of life as we know it, extending in time forever and ever.

Somewhere - and honestly, I can't locate the reference - C. S. Lewis uses an analogy along these lines and I find it compelling and enlightening. He says that we humans can no more understand and appreciate the joys of heaven than a child can appreciate the joys of adulthood. When we are children we delight to running around, playing with balls and boxes and whatever kind of toys, exploring nature, annoying our siblings...and whatever it is that grown-ups do for fun seems a mystery to us: having a quiet meal with a friend, reading a good book, enjoying an Americano at Luna, engrossed, up to our ears in research at Café Mulva, or simply sitting and contemplating the sunset - all "joys" totally outside a typical child's realm of experience.

The reality and joy of heaven is totally beyond our present experience and understanding. It is not life "as we know it", just extended forever and ever. There is no marriage or giving in marriage, as good as that is in our present life - as Jesus says - it is of a new order. Life, yes! Joy, yes! - In the immediate presence of the God who loved us into being.

Jesus doesn't get caught in the Sadducees' trap. Their question is absurd. Rather Jesus pulls them beyond anything they - and we - can hope for or imagine into the reality of God who is Himself Life and Love.

Fr. John Bostwick, O. Praem.,

was ordained in 1976. He is a graduate of St. Norbert College (theology) and pursued graduate studies at St. John's University, Catholic Theological Union, St. Mary's College(M.A. Counseling) and the Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley. Notre Dame Academy (Premontre High School) was home for Fr. John for almost twenty years where he served as a teacher, counselor and director of counseling. Since joining the St. Norbert College community, Fr. John has served as director of campus ministry and parish administrator and currently teaches courses in religious studies. His involvement within the Order is extensive, having been a member of the Abbey's Liturgical Commission and Vision and Strategic Planning Committee as well as the director of the Norbertine Center for Spirituality where he currently serves as a spiritual director.