Fourth Sunday of Easter – Cycle C
Reflecting on John 10: 27-30
What does eternal life mean? Pope Francis left a beautiful testament, to be read after his death, saying, “I ask that my mortal remains rest awaiting the day of resurrection in the Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore.” I haven’t heard many people speak about the resurrection of the body, but our dear Franciscus clearly believed that his body would rise on the last day.
Jesus, in today’s gospel from John 10, assures us when he says, speaking metaphorically about sheep, “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish.” Can we possibly hope that we are counted in that number, that there is truly life after this life?
Let’s lean into Catholic teaching. At death, the immortal soul does not perish. Immediately after death, the soul undergoes a “particular judgment,” based on its life on earth. At the end of time, there will be a final resurrection where all souls will be reunited with their bodies, and the Last Judgment will take place. This is the moment that Pope Francis awaits.
Here’s a beautiful analogy, given to us by Rev. John McKenzie, SJ. When we are in the womb, we can’t know anything but the womb. This is where we get our food, oxygen, warmth, and safety. But if an embryo, already grown into a baby and birthed into a life outside the womb, could talk to the pre-born embryo, think of the confidence she could give that embryo: “You’ll breathe! You’ll eat! You’ll dance! You’ll talk! I know you’re afraid of the unknown. But trust me, you want to be born.”
Trust me, says Jesus. I will give those who embrace me eternal life. You want to be born into that.
What fears do you harbor about being born into eternal life?
Kathy McGovern ©2025