Sunday, April 15, 2012
216. What is the hope of the new heavens and the new earth? (part 2) (continuation)
(Comp
216 repetition) After the final judgment the universe itself, freed from its
bondage to decay, will share in the glory of Christ with the beginning of “the
new heavens” and a “new earth” (2 Peter 3:13). Thus, the fullness of the
Kingdom of God will come about, that is to say, the definitive realization of
the salvific plan of God to “unite all things in Christ, things in heaven and
things on earth” (Ephesians 1:10). God will then be “all in all” (1 Corinthians
15:28) in eternal life.
“In brief”
(CCC 1047) The visible universe, then, is itself destined to
be transformed, "so that the world itself, restored to its original state,
facing no further obstacles, should be at the service of the just,"
sharing their glorification in the risen Jesus Christ (St. Irenaeus, Adv. haeres. 5, 32, 1 PG 7/2, 210).
To deepen and explain
(CCC 1048) "We
know neither the moment of the consummation of the earth and of man, nor
the way in which the universe will be transformed. The form of this world, distorted
by sin, is passing away, and we are taught that God is preparing a new dwelling
and a new earth in which righteousness dwells, in which happiness will fill and
surpass all the desires of peace arising in the hearts of men" (GS 39 §
1). (CCC 1049) "Far from diminishing our concern to develop this earth,
the expectancy of a new earth should spur us on, for it is here that the body
of a new human family grows, foreshadowing in some way the age which is to
come. That is why, although we must be careful to distinguish earthly progress
clearly from the increase of the kingdom of Christ, such progress is of vital
concern to the kingdom of God, insofar as it can contribute to the better
ordering of human society"
(GS 39 § 2).
On reflection
(CCC 1050) "When we have spread on earth the fruits of
our nature and our enterprise… according to the command of the Lord and in his
Spirit, we will find them once again, cleansed this time from the stain of sin,
illuminated and transfigured, when Christ presents to his Father an eternal and
universal kingdom" (GS 39 § 3). God will then be "all in all" in
eternal life (1 Cor 5:28): True and subsistent life consists in this: the
Father, through the Son and in the Holy Spirit, pouring out his heavenly gifts
on all things without exception. Thanks to his mercy, we too, men that we are,
have received the inalienable promise of eternal life (St. Cyril of Jerusalem, Catech. illum. 18, 29: PG 33, 1049).
[END]
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