HAVE you ever considered life as a way of killing time? Not in the usual meaning that we kill time while waiting for something to happen. Time is the most valuable gift given to mankind. Our frustration, expressed in a song... “If I could put time in a bottle...” Since we cannot turn back the hands of time, we do not have the luxury of using it anyway we want it. Time wasted is time lost.
Christ the King marks the beginning of Advent. Once again, the Church calls the faithful to prepare for the Birth of Jesus. One way to prepare is to reflect on how we have used our time.
When we refused to forgive someone who we thought have wronged us, we killed time. It was a failed opportunity for reconciliation. Several times in the past, we were given a chance to make our world a better place but we opted to trash our environment. We killed time when we did not do anything to contribute for an eco-friendly world.
We killed time when, in our interaction with people, we provoked them to anger. Instead of bringing out the best in them, we have drawn out the worst in them.
Time spent well involves not only our effort to be good but also going an extra mile to be nice. The Church reminds the Catholic faithful of the corporal works of mercy. Remember visiting the sick? Feeding the hungry? Time is well spent when we commune with our fellow men and nature.
We spent time feeling helpless when help was needed the most. We failed to comfort the downhearted and the distraught, missed that opportunity to assist victims of calamities, refused to talk to a lonely elderly because we were shy. Or perhaps, we did not assist a person with disability in crossing the street because we were busy on our phones gossiping.
Have we ever thought of the small wonders in our bodies? God thought of every detail to make a perfect human being. God knew that the precise location of our nose and ears will come in handy for someone who has to wear prescription eyeglasses.
The forefinger, the middle and the thumb are in exact placement that we are able to use them with ease either in writing, painting or playing musical instruments. Have you tried carrying something without using your thumb? Difficult, is it not? Our fingernails help us remove that staple wire from a shopping bag or scratch that hardened dirt.
Time will not stop for anyone, yes. But let us pause to thank God, even for the small features in our bodies.