One kind of immortality at least is possible in this world. I will not argue about it; I will demonstrate it. A man might pray as follows:
“Oh Lord God, who am I that I should love you? You are so good,
can my praise move you? Yet your goodness condescends to my
poor frailty. For when I would serve you, I find my service is
acceptable; when I would pray, my prayer is heard; lovable as
you are, I find that I can love you. So how should I excuse myself
by pleading my deficiency.
“You, who raise us all above our mortal frailty, be pleased with
the devotion of your children's modesty. We bless you for life
and the richness of your creation; but much more we bless you
that you are yourself, and not another. Who else in their magnanimity
would command us to be bold to love you?
“Father of Heaven, we are you; and thou beloved art us!”.
can my praise move you? Yet your goodness condescends to my
poor frailty. For when I would serve you, I find my service is
acceptable; when I would pray, my prayer is heard; lovable as
you are, I find that I can love you. So how should I excuse myself
by pleading my deficiency.
“You, who raise us all above our mortal frailty, be pleased with
the devotion of your children's modesty. We bless you for life
and the richness of your creation; but much more we bless you
that you are yourself, and not another. Who else in their magnanimity
would command us to be bold to love you?
“Father of Heaven, we are you; and thou beloved art us!”.
God might reply:
“I love you with my heart, as you love me. It may be that
you love me by my grace, whereas I love you by my prerogative;
but how can that matter if we are one. Rejoice rather, that through
your frailty, there is no impediment to our communion.
How could I have visited my people, except through my Word
Incarnate? How could I visit my people now, through your witness,
unless you shared my nature briefly”.
you love me by my grace, whereas I love you by my prerogative;
but how can that matter if we are one. Rejoice rather, that through
your frailty, there is no impediment to our communion.
How could I have visited my people, except through my Word
Incarnate? How could I visit my people now, through your witness,
unless you shared my nature briefly”.