Easter 3 (C) + The Infinite Future + 5.5.19

M. Campbell-Langdell

All Santos, Oxnard

(Acts 9:1–6, (7–20); Ps. 30; Revelation 5:11–14; John 21:1–19)

In the book The Infinite Future by Tim Wirkus, there is a story within a story of two nuns in space who worship not our Christian faith but the teachings of a space captain who interacted with the mystical. They are on a space ship that is awaiting a possible attack on their lives. But they attempt to distract themselves. While playing cards, one asks another:

“Do you think there’s an afterlife?” And this is what the other sister, whose name is Ursula, thinks:

“… There was a plaintive quality to it, a distinct vulnerability opening up in its wake.
I wasn’t sure how to respond, so I reminded Sister Beatriz that among Sertôrian’s followers, various concepts of the afterlife exist.” She goes on to describe those concepts rather than her own beliefs.

“That’s an impressive abstract of the field,” said Sister Beatriz, laying a card down on the table. “But what do you believe?”

And Sister Ursula goes on to say that she is a bit of an agnostic on the question. That she has led an ethical life and wishes to avoid hell.

Sister Beatriz then asks “Do you find any comfort in the possibility of a post-mortal paradise?”

And she goes on to explain that she is worried that heaven or paradise will fall short of her expectations. She also says “once we arrive in the afterlife, if it exists, we will never cease to be. Our post-mortal existence will stretch on forever. I don’t know. The thought of such an infinite future leaves me feeling claustrophobic.” [1]

Although in a totally secular context, this passage struck me as interesting. As humans we often fear death because paradise might not exist, but this concept of fearing eternal life is interesting to me. And I think in today’s passages we see that an infinite future is not a trap of eternal existence without growth. Because somehow we see that change can and will occur even into eternal life. That the adventure does not end.

We meet Jesus today on the beach. Two weeks ago we heard the astonishing news that Jesus had risen, and last week we heard about Jesus appearing to the disciples and breathing on them, and speaking with Thomas, allaying doubts. But here is Jesus on a beach. And first the story begins with frustration. The disciples are fishing and it isn’t going well. The Lord has risen but we still can’t catch a stinking fish! How many of us have been through that moment? Maybe not literally, but metaphorically? I am a Christian, I believe in God, but I still can’t seem to get a break!

Secondly, Jesus appears, and they don’t know it is Jesus. I have run into that, too. Been in a situation where someone offered aid or a suggestion. And I just knew I had to go with it, even if it didn’t make sense at the time why I should do so. And they follow his suggestion, and what happens? They get a boatload of fish! Because where abundance is, Jesus is not far behind. The specific number of fish is not actually key here.[2] It is the fact that it is so many fish you can hardly count them so you just say a bit more than 150, or so. Like when the pews fill up and you can’t count everyone. You say, about 100 or about 150. Maybe give or take a few. And this is also true.
Sometimes we are going about our lives, frustrated that things aren’t going our way, and we need to be willing to hear God’s guidance from unexpected places. Like Saul who gets knocked down on the road. And then people had to hear about God from him, talk about unexpected places and people! And of course we must be careful not to confuse Jesus’ guidance with other convincing voices. But if we use discernment and hear Jesus’ voice, speaking through another chances are that encounter will lead to abundance. Because that is Jesus’ trademark.

If you ever wonder about our infinite future, about what is promised to us as Christians, I think we do well to look to the section in Revelation today. It is not a glimpse of the future. It is a glimpse of the worship that happens constantly in the heavens, wherever and however that might be, and that waits for us. Not a stagnant future, but one full of joy and worship.

And looking at Jesus today, it is also one of change. The adventure does not end. As scholar NT Wright states, “Everything is different in the light of Easter, even God. ‘To him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, be blessing and honour and glory and might.’ Jewish monotheistic worship has been transformed from within, and so the one God is now known in terms of the Lamb and his victory.”[3] And Jesus is different, too. They can’t quite place him at first. But they know he is their Savior. And they know that he is somehow renewed in his divine nature, having died and resurrected, he lives forever.
Somehow it is important to me that this passage includes food and eating together. They feast together. Even in resurrected form, Jesus enjoys a good meal. Enjoys being in creation, in all the wonder of this world he created.
And we, too, as Christians are called to follow Jesus here. We see this in Peter’s story. Peter, once a faithful sheep, is now called to be the shepherd. And we are called to find ways to both follow the shepherd and shepherd others. To share the good news. And sometimes this will come with challenges. We know it certainly did for Peter. But we also know that life and this creation is to be enjoyed. And that the infinite future is an ongoing adventure, one to which we can truly look forward in hope!

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[1] Tim Wirkus, The Infinite Future (NY: Penguin Random House, 2018), 269-273.

[2] With thanks to Karoline Lewis, “Video on the Gospel of John in the Year of Luke,” transmitted as part of the Working Preacher conference in February, 2019.

[3] NT Wright, Twelve Months of Sundays, (New York: Morehouse, 2012), 319.