Time

28 Sep

There is an appointed time for everything,
and a time for every thing under the heavens.
A time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to uproot the plant.
A time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to tear down, and a time to build.
A time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance.
A time to scatter stones, and a time to gather them;
a time to embrace, and a time to be far from embraces.
A time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to cast away.
A time to rend, and a time to sew;
a time to be silent, and a time to speak.
A time to love, and a time to hate;
a time of war, and a time of peace.  (Eccl 3:1-8)

I was very much thinking about “time” yesterday.

As I was preparing to pack last night to ready myself for the conference of the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre in Indianapolis this weekend, my aunt called me and asked me to take her to the Emergency Room of Community Hospital.

My aunt, now in her upper 80’s, has been fighting a host of problems over the past years.  She always does so cheerfully and with great optimism.  I give her a lot of credit.  To be very honest, I think I would give up if I had her problems.

Not her, though.  She has so much strength!

Last night, though, she was telling me that she thinks she might be nearing her end.

And, she is ready.  Very ready.

She’s ready to take the leap and be reunited with her husband and the son she lost at a very early age.

Again, what strength.

There is a time for everything, the reading at today’s Mass tells us.

A time for everything.

Including the time to be born and the time to die.

We must live our lives not dreading those moments given to us but celebrating and, even, embracing them.

FAITH ACTION:  Are there things in your life that you dread.  Spend some time with the Lord today asking Him to give you the courage to embrace all that He has in store for you.  After all, if it is coming from God, it is all gift!