Wow!

Wow!

By REV. JOHN YANAS- | Comments: 0 | Leave a comment

In the English language, one word -- two consonants and a vowel -- never fails to elicit a smile from those who hear it. Often, the word is spoken spontaneously, with no forethought -- a sudden reaction to an unexpected and amazing moment of some consequence.

The meaning of the word is, "an exclamation of surprise and wonder." Are you familiar with it? In all likelihood, you have uttered the word countless times. The word is, "Wow!"

Advances in technology seem to have dulled our senses to the marvelous and the miraculous in life. How sad! Perhaps we need to be reminded daily of the wonders of life, all of which speak of God's benevolence. As human beings created in the image and likeness of God, we have more than enough reasons to blurt out the word, "Wow!" whenever the situation warrants it.

Life affords us many, many such opportunities:

1. The wonder of human existence. Repeatedly in the Bible, the sacred authors express their wonder and awe in poetry and prose. Here is one example from the Book of Psalms: "You created my inmost self, knit me together in my mother's womb for so many marvels: I thank you. A wonder am I, and all your works are wonders" (Ps 139).

In his book, "What is God Like?" noted Jesuit author Rev. James Vincent Schall, SJ, writes: "The great mystery is not why does God exist, but why does anything other than God exist. Among the things that are not God which do exist, are, astonishingly, ourselves. We may or may not be surprised that God exists, but we have only a half a heart if we our not surprised that we ourselves exist."

2. The wonder of discovery. In the Book of Genesis, an amazing moment in the life of Adam occurs once he is awakened from a deep sleep. He sees Eve for the first time and is certain that they are created for each other. He cries, "This one at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh" (Gen 2:23).

It is as if Adam had said, "How wonderful that you are here. How marvelous that you exist. It is good that you are in the world. You are a blessing!" At the first sight of Eve, a new world opened to him.

On a wedding anniversary, a couple may recall the moment they discovered each other, the day they walked into the one another's lives. Perhaps that is why the question is often asked of them, "Where did you two meet?" It must have been a timeless moment, a suspension in time.

3. The wonder of communion. It's the overriding desire to remain forever united with those whom we love. Communion is irresistible and is fueled by the power of divine grace.

Surely, it has its origin in the life of God Himself, a mystery of communion: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The God of Christianity is not solitary; nor is He isolated. He is love, and the source of the mystery of communion is His innermost life.

4. The wonder of birth. Even in a culture accepting "abortion on demand" for all nine months of a woman's pregnancy, the birth of a child can truly be spellbinding. When my younger sister gave birth to her first child, my brother-in-law told me he was overcome with emotion upon seeing a baby emerge from his wife's body. It was an unforgettable event.

5. The wonder of the Eucharist. In this sacrament, Christ draws near to us in the sacrament of His body and blood. Perhaps, for many of us, receiving our Lord in holy communion is all too routine. In truth, it should inspire in us a profound sense of wonder and awe.

Each time the Mass is celebrated, there is an opportunity for a "Wow!" moment. Christ makes His appearance known to us. He comes to us in a unexpected and even shocking manner. His sacramental presence at Mass brings us to our knees following the reception of He who is "the bread of life." Quite frankly, it is the most astonishing teaching of all, and truly one that should elicit a cry of wonder and joy, It is truly a "Wow!" moment.

When you hear yourself cry out, "Wow!" remind yourself of the wonders of human life. Even the skeptics and cynics among us simply can't avoid expressing in colorful language their astonishment and wonder. Even they are prone to utter the word, "Wow!"

At least it is a good start, and may lead them to the source of all wonder: the creator and redeemer of all.

(Father Yanas is pastor of Sacred Heart parish in Troy.)[[In-content Ad]]