September 25, 2006
The Time is Now!
Yesterday is gone; tomorrow does not yet exist; we only have the present in which to live!
Many saints and secular writers have written beautifully about the great mystery of time. After thousands of years of human history, the contemplation of time remains a fruitful exercise of faith.
Imagine yourself having already died and looking back upon the course of your life. What would you see? What would you change or do differently? Live that way NOW! Why not?
Death is inevitable—and it is not such a bad thing! It is the definitive end of evil. For a person with faith in Christ’s promises, death is merely the doorway to the beautiful eternity of Heaven!
All things of this world must come to an end; but Christ, His people, and the loving relationships we share with Him and one another, and all the good that He has joined to Himself, will last forever. Every prayer, every act of love, every suffering embraced for love of Him—these realities and their effects will endure forever, increasing the joy of all the Blessed in Heaven.
“To God, all moments of time are present in their immediacy. When . . . he establishes his eternal plan of ‘predestination,’ he includes in it each person’s free response to his grace . . .” (CCC 600)
Thus God sees everything at once: past, present, and future. If we were to see reality with His Divine Vision, we could not help but rejoice exultantly at the infinite marvels He does every moment in every place. We would do everything possible to help open people’s hearts to receive His grace, that He might fill them fully with His own merciful love, peace, light, joy, and life.
Let us pray with Saint Padre Pio: “My past, O Lord, to Your mercy; my present to Your love; my future to Your providence.” Be at peace: everything is in God’s Hands—we have nothing to fear.
Do not be deceived by the distracting lies of our Enemy. What matters is now: God’s eternal, all-sufficient love and mercy for us, and our free gift of self in loving response to Christ and His Holy Will this present moment. He will take care of everything else. Amen.
Br. Philip Maria Allen, CFR
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