Eternity

We remember the times when Arthur Stace wrote the word Eternity all over Sydney. This reminded people that their lives have eternal worth and value. In a world where human life is valued more by its utility rather than by its ultimate worth people's dignity can be greatly diminished. As we read in the beatitudes people tend to be valued by what they own, the happiness they enjoy or their ability to be healthy and well. We seek to possess more, to be entertained and to be well nourished. These are good except where they are lived out at the expense of others. Where we value things more than people. 

Yet we can become numb to what the Beatitudes tell us about our own society and who we are becoming. When we start to value people by what they possess, how healthy they are and whether they can make us laugh we can create false distinctions between material and eternal values. I believe that in this weekend's Gospel we are called to recognise how keeping our eyes on eternal values changes the way we see the fundamental human dignity of each person. People are created in the image and likeness of God. When we adopt this as our fundamental principle of life it changes the way we view the world but also the way we act for the good of others and not just ourselves. It allows us to be present to a love which recreates us and sustains us. It allows us to recognise that the life Jesus shares with us allows us to live in the light of God's Kingdom in our current age by the way we treat each other and respect every human life.