Whether we like it or not, the fact is our existence is limited in time and space. However, we are somehow able to get a glimpse of the infinity. Mathematics is a mind game. It is an enchanting game. In our daily life, our first experiences are digital. We are able to count the number of people, the number of pets and the number of cars etc. Even these humble whole numbers are able to lead us to the fascinating world of infinity. Long ago, man proved that there was no end to the number of whole numbers. That is to say, there are infinite number of whole numbers, 1, 2, 3 ... without end.
When I was in Secondary One, my mathematical mind was not mature enough. I disagreed with my mathematics teacher who said that a point has no length. Of course I was wrong. Today, I appreciate that there are infinite number of points in a very short line between two distinct points. Therefore, infinity does not need to span across an infinite space. Infinity can be enclosed within a finite space! We are able to get a glimpse of the universe in a grain of sand, so to speak and the infinite God is able to reside in our finite humanity.
Today, I am not surprised to know that the set of whole numbers is no bigger than the set of even numbers, even though whole numbers are made up of even numbers and odd numbers. Moreover, there are infinite number of real numbers between two adjacent whole numbers. Intuitively, we know that the set of real numbers must be absolutely bigger than the set of whole numbers etc.
Sorry for so much number talk, but this will definitely help us appreciate the sometimes contradictory claims of Jesus about his relation with the Father (John 10:30 vs. 14:28).
Yes, the Blessed Trinity is a mystery beyond our understanding. It is only through the initiative of self-communication taken by God that we know that God is three in one and one in three. We believe that Jesus is the incarnated Son of God. He lived among us as a human being so that we may know something about the God we believe in. Jesus is the visible sign of the invisible God. In theological jargon, Jesus is a sacrament, a visible sign that conveys the grace/love of God.
In the gospel reading today, he told us that
"I have yet many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now" (16:12).
He would send us the Holy Spirit (14:16-17) to help us understand and to strengthen us to follow his commandment --- to love each other just as he has loved us (13:34).
Last Friday, the Catholic teachers had a Bible sharing during lunch and we touched on the eschatological dimensions of some of the sacraments --- how some of the sacraments we receive are related to the eternal life we will enjoy at the end of time. Matrimony was the most heatedly debated. In this present life, husbands and wives sanctify each other in their married life. It is a preparation for our eternal life after resurrection. But after resurrection, there will no longer be marriages. So, will we remain married to each other after resurrection? The reply Jesus gave to the challenge of the thought experiment put forth by the Sadduccees confirms that we will no longer be married to each other after resurrection. We are freed from our marriage vow. Then, what of our relation we built up on earth when we are husbands and wives? This relation is more intimate with any other relations. Will this relation be transformed in our eternal life? Or how shall it be transformed and yet retaining its intimacy to continue in our next life? On earth, we can only partake in the eternal life of the Blessed Trinity in a symbolic, sacramental way. After resurrection, we will partake fully in the eternal life of the Blessed Trinity. What will it be like? Perhaps we will never know until then. But I strongly believe that we can appreciate infinity/eternity within the finite span of our earthly married existence with the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
Dear Advocate, enlighten us. Console us with the foretaste of the eternal life in the Blessed Trinity. Amen.
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