We Will All Be Changed

In anticipation of making perpetual vows, I was asked to fill out a biographical data sheet for the Mount files. Most of the information requested was straightforward, except for one question: What is your favorite quote from scripture? This quote will appear on my prayer card when I die, so it bears careful consideration. It will reflect what delights me about God and provide a message of sorts for the people I leave behind.

The Bible includes many beautiful and insightful passages I could choose about God’s love, faithfulness, and mercy; our connection to each other through Christ; the wonders of creation; and our call to live with gratitude. The simple verse I kept coming back to, though, was this: “Behold, I make all things new” (Rev 21: 5).

I don’t believe that God’s love for me will come to an end when my body dies. No, my invitation to share in the love between the Source of All Being, Eternal Word, and Holy Spirit is eternal — and thus, my death will lead to new life in Christ. The Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh said, “Thanks to impermanence, everything is possible.” If I didn’t die, I wouldn’t have the possibility of new life, and having seen so much evidence of God’s creativity, I have no doubt that “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no heart has imagined, what God has prepared for those who love God.”

So there you go. You don’t need to wait until I die to take my final message to heart: At death, our life does not end but is made new. Do not fear but trust in the creativity and infinite love of Emmanuel — God who is forever with us.