There’s a Beautiful World Ahead

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” (John 14:1-7)

“There’s a new world coming
And it’s just around the bend
There’s a new world coming
This one’s coming to an end.”

“New World Coming” Cass Elliot

Benedictine College’s semester begins today with the annual meeting of all faculty and staff; an unofficial end to summer, for us anyway — and beginning of the future.

I had the opportunity this summer to witness a beautiful wedding in a small Midwest town, to to embrace and visit with long-time friends, recognizing our time in this world may be short, to pray and reflect while being immersed in God’s gifts high atop a ridge overlooking the Mississippi River. It has been a series of faith filled journeys for me and for my wife, Cheri. We were blessed to share so much with those important to us, and, even with the promise to meet again, “same time next year”, well, there are no guarantees, save for the promise Our Lord has given us about what awaits us in Our Father’s House.

The song “New World Coming”, written by the married duo of Barry Mann and Cynthia Weill, was the last pop recording released by Cass Elliot; she died a few years later at age 33. It’s a pop song, to be sure, and I am confident in stating the writers, and everyone involved in the production of the song, had no illusions of it being a statement of faith.

The lyrics, as is the case in many songs, can be interpreted many ways. Finding it again on YouTube in the early morning darkness, I remember the changing landscape, the rolling hills, the cities in the distance growing in size as we come closer, beautiful sunrises and sunsets. The old passes away, and the “new” of God’s promise, is ours to behold when our time in this life passes away. I choose to interpret as words to guide me to be the faithful servant, the believer, the person on whom those I come in contact with, whenever that happens, can say “I can depend on him. He listens with compassion and with patience”.

Given the toxic brew our secular world is immersed in, we are joyful in saying that “new world” just around the bend is, indeed full of peace, love, and joy. God promised it throughout the ages. Jesus affirmed it. We live each day in anticipation of that joyous eternity, that “new world comin.’”

One semester at a time.