On that day

I was inspired by FP3M commenter J. Thorp's post, "Contentment." Therein, he describes the tension between satisfaction with what he has and the capacity that the desire for more has to drive him forward. This dichotomy, it seems to me, is an inherent element of the Christian life. We are a people with an eye always toward the something more.

On Wednesday, in the readings for Mass, Isaiah will describe a time when suffering, fear, hunger, and distress will be no more. On that day we will rejoice in the God who saves us. On that day . . . We are always waiting for that day.

For some, I suppose, there is a sense of disappointment that accompanies their waiting for "that day." Paul seems to have alluded to this when writing to some of the Early Christian Churches who could not comprehend why that day had not yet arrived. They asked themselves if their hope was in vain. At times, waiting for that day is coupled with impatience. "I will not wait for that day," we say. "I will bring it about myself by voting for the right person, boycotting the right companies, and resisting certain political and social structures." For others, there is a sense of despair. "That day is a myth. This day is all there is, and we do not deserve nor can we hope for something more." For the remainder of us, that day is something for which we have little description to offer. "That day is the time when finally I will have overcome my habitual sin. That day is the day when my questions will have answers. That day is the day when everything that seems to be pulling me in opposite directions within myself suddenly and obviously becomes that which has been drawing me deeper into Christ. That day - the culmination of all that I have longed for, all that is good, all that is true. That day . . . "

That day seems to serve a dual purpose. It impels us to move forward, to become better, to live our lives as a means of preparation for that day. Similarly, that day gives us hope for this day. This day makes sense only because it anticipates the day still to come. How sad it would be if what we have today is all that we can hope for. How beautiful that what we do know today makes sense in light of that day.