Note Well

16 Jan

“Those who died yesterday had plans for this morning. And those who died this morning had plans for tonight.  Don’t take life for granted.  In the blink of an eye, everything can change.  So, forgive often and love with a full heart.  You never know when you may not have that chance again.”  ~ Unknown

Last weekend, we closed the Christmas Season with the celebration of the Baptism of the Lord.  As we did so, we reminded ourselves of the responsibilities of our own Baptisms.  That is, we are to continue to carry out the work of Jesus Christ and to extend knowledge of Him throughout the whole earth.

This responsibility doesn’t come lightly.  As such, it is something that cannot be put on the backburner.  We must be ready, at all times, to live our faith in this world of ours.  We must be ready, if for no other reason, than we have no idea how much time is ours before we are called from this life to the next.

There are so many ways that we take life for granted; but, I think the biggest way we take it for granted is by believing that we have an infinite number of days at our disposal.  We are mere mortal creatures.  How we come to believe that is beyond me.  I have a suspicion, though.  I think that is one of the works of the devil.

Think about it.  If the devil can convince us that we have all the time in the world, that we do not have to act accordingly today, we could fall flat on our faces.  How sad to think that we might stand before the judgment seat of God and hear Him say, “Why didn’t you do this?  I asked you and you said yes.  What happened?”  I don’t think He’s going to want to hear us say, “I thought I’d have more time!  Why didn’t you give me more time?!”

There is a plaque that I received when I was ordained.  It said, “Priest of God, celebrate this Mass as if it were your first Mass, as if it were your last Mass, as if it were your only Mass.”  The time allotted to us is known only to God.  Each day, we should act as if we will not be given another.  I don’t mean this in some morbid kind of way.  I mean this in a way as to help us focus on the task at hand.

Live each day as if it were your only day.  Love as if you will not have the chance to love again, forgive to the extent that you wish to be forgiven, and thank God for the great gift of this very day, this very moment.  If we live that focused, we will be ready for whatever comes our way, whether it be another day or our last day.

FAITH ACTION:  Read the quote once again, think about it long and hard, and take it to heart.