Eternity is called whole , not because it has parts, but because it is lacking in nothing. —Thomas Aquinas—
We all learn in geometry that the circle is a perfect form, but there is no such thing as a perfect circle. Straight lines aren’t perfectly straight; a flat floor can never be perfectly flat. Perfection is an ideal that can never be realized.
The idea of eternity is beautiful, like the idea of perfection. It expresses the striving of the human spirit for perfect unity; the fulfillment, the perfect satisfaction, of all desire, perfect wholeness, “lacking nothing.”
Of course, eternity is an impossible standard to attain. Civilizations aren’t eternal, nor are laws, nor are works of art. We make ourselves miserable if we try to measure our achievements against such a standard. We invent techniques and gadgets to help us overcome our human weakness and awkwardness. And we cooperate with others, to multiply our efforts many-fold. How much kinder it would be to love the idea, as an expression of longing, and to love ourselves because we do the best we can. It’s because we lack many things that human beings are so creative and ingenious.
My fullest expression of myself is in my reaching out to others.