Pastor’s Pen
We are already in the last few weeks of the Church year. It hardly seems possible that Thanksgiving is in two weeks and Christmas is right around the corner. Time is moving by so quickly and our readings speak of the end times. The readings speak about the days that are coming when we will see all kinds of calamities. In both the first reading and the Gospel, we hear that in spite of all of the terrible earthquakes, famines, plagues and wars of all kinds, God’s faithful ones will be protected and “not a hair of their head will be destroyed.” It is a reminder that no matter what hardship strikes, we will have God’s protection. Even in the calamity of our own death, God will be there to bring us to new life. No one can predict the end of the world by these readings always give me pause to contemplate the end of my days. What if I knew my last day was next week? Would I do anything differently? Would I just go through my daily routines? Would I watch my favorite TV programs and allow the days to go by? Would I spend time in idle chatter and up talking about someone? Would I spend my last week complaining about the heat or the cold or something wrong in my life? Or would I savor these precious days? Would I sit with God a bit longer than usual and ask God for the grace to spend this week wisely? Would I fly to see my family and tell them I love them? Would I try to make peace with some people whom I’ve hurt? Would I get up early each morning to see the sunrise? Would I clean my room so others wouldn’t have to deal with all my stuff after I/m gone? Would I gather people who have always made me laugh and have a night where we’d laugh so hard until we couldn’t breathe? Would I write letters to people and let them know how important they’ve been in my life? Would I go to the symphony or a play or a museum and allow my soul to dance and be nourished by the beauty of the arts? Would I eat at my favorite restaurant with anew close friends and savor my favorite meal? What would I do? I don’t know. I’d probably put off my decision until tomorrow as I usually do. God will protect us from death but will not force us to live our lives thoughtfully, lovingly or with passion. That’s our decision. For someone, in the world, this is their last week and I hope they will not put off until tomorrow what is so important today! So, what’s important in your life? Please, with God’s grace, do the important stuff and let the rest of the nonsense go!
We are already in the last few weeks of the Church year. It hardly seems possible that Thanksgiving is in two weeks and Christmas is right around the corner. Time is moving by so quickly and our readings speak of the end times. The readings speak about the days that are coming when we will see all kinds of calamities. In both the first reading and the Gospel, we hear that in spite of all of the terrible earthquakes, famines, plagues and wars of all kinds, God’s faithful ones will be protected and “not a hair of their head will be destroyed.” It is a reminder that no matter what hardship strikes, we will have God’s protection. Even in the calamity of our own death, God will be there to bring us to new life. No one can predict the end of the world by these readings always give me pause to contemplate the end of my days. What if I knew my last day was next week? Would I do anything differently? Would I just go through my daily routines? Would I watch my favorite TV programs and allow the days to go by? Would I spend time in idle chatter and up talking about someone? Would I spend my last week complaining about the heat or the cold or something wrong in my life? Or would I savor these precious days? Would I sit with God a bit longer than usual and ask God for the grace to spend this week wisely? Would I fly to see my family and tell them I love them? Would I try to make peace with some people whom I’ve hurt? Would I get up early each morning to see the sunrise? Would I clean my room so others wouldn’t have to deal with all my stuff after I/m gone? Would I gather people who have always made me laugh and have a night where we’d laugh so hard until we couldn’t breathe? Would I write letters to people and let them know how important they’ve been in my life? Would I go to the symphony or a play or a museum and allow my soul to dance and be nourished by the beauty of the arts? Would I eat at my favorite restaurant with anew close friends and savor my favorite meal? What would I do? I don’t know. I’d probably put off my decision until tomorrow as I usually do. God will protect us from death but will not force us to live our lives thoughtfully, lovingly or with passion. That’s our decision. For someone, in the world, this is their last week and I hope they will not put off until tomorrow what is so important today! So, what’s important in your life? Please, with God’s grace, do the important stuff and let the rest of the nonsense go!