In these hours in which we accompany Benedict XVI with our prayers and ascetic practices, we find ourselves contemplating eternal life. Earthly life will end but our soul continues and we believe that each of us will be given a new mission by God. Benedict was asked the question in 2016 interview:
Q: The believer trusts that ‘eternal life’ is a life fulfilled.
Benedict: Definitely! Then he is truly at home.
Q: What are you expecting?
Benedict: There are various dimensions. Some are more theological. St. Augustine says something which is a great thought and a great comfort here. He interprets the passage from the Psalms ‘seek his face always’ as saying: this applies ‘for ever’; to all eternity. God is so great that we never finish our searching. He is always new. With God there is perpetual, unending encounter, with new discoveries and new joy. Such things are theological matters. At the same time, in an entirely human perspective, I look forward to being reunited with my parents, my siblings, my friends, and I imagine it will be as lovely as it was at our family home.
An extract from The Last Testament – In His Own Words – Benedict XVI with Peter Seewald (2016).