the death of time
"He has made everything appropriate to its time, and has put the timeless into their hearts." —Ecclesiastes 3:11
The writer of Ecclesiastes continues his bleak description of life by saying: "There is an appointed time for everything" (Eccl 3:1). In his view, everything is ruled by fate. Our dedication, creativity, and hard work mean nothing. They are negated by the tyranny of time. Things will happen when they are fated to happen, and we can't do a thing about it. So why try? Is there any hope?
Jesus is the Hope of the world. His resurrection has freed us from the tyranny of time. Baptized into Jesus and living for Him, we, in our daily activity, are making a difference rather than being deceived. Therefore, the most important thing in the world is to know and love our risen Lord and then to decide to live totally for Him and no longer for ourselves (2 Cor 5:14-15). When we decide to give our lives totally to Jesus, we lose our self-deceptions and chains and receive eternal life in the risen Christ.
How merciful the Lord has been to us! How privileged we are to live for Him and to have the exalted mission of telling the world about Him, "the Resurrection and the Life"! (Jn 11:25) Jesus became a Man and entered time so that we can escape from time's tyranny. Jesus will come a final time, on the last day, and that will be the end of time. Come, Lord Jesus! Maranatha!
Prayer: Father, day by day may I enter more deeply into eternal life.
Promise: " 'But you — who do you say that I am?' He asked them. Peter said in reply, 'The Messiah of God.' " —Lk 9:20
Praise: Once ruled by the watch on his wrist, Joseph has not worn a wristwatch in years as a reminder that Jesus is Lord of his time.
Reference: (Deepen your prayer life at the Discipleship Retreat Mary and the Rosary, Sept. 29-Oct. 1, 2004. For more information or to register, e-mail retreats@presentationministries.com or call 937-587-5464.)
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Richard L. Klug, January 16, 2004
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, January 26, 2004