Daily Reflections- June 05, 2012

WHILE WAITING

 

One day, a friend from the corporate world relayed a story. He was looking at his bosses and his future corporate life. Suddenly, he didn’t see himself spending his life there.

Every once in a while, we take the long view. We see the mortality of our lives. We see the end of everything. What matters most? What’s it all about? How do we prioritize our choices?

End Times. The First Reading talks about the End Times through the image of flames and fire. And because of the lack of waiting, there is the temptation to fall into the error of “unprincipled,” wicked ways. The psalmist sings of the days that “pass quickly and drift away.” The Gospel of Mark speaks of ensnaring Jesus and finding fault in whatever He may say or do. In other words, despite the End Times, people may slide into the error of unprincipled, drifting and ensnaring ways.

In Between Times. The first reading talks about growing in the knowledge of Jesus while waiting for a new heaven and a new earth. The psalmist acknowledges a refuge in God and, with gladness, sings of the kindness and sees the glory of the works of God. The Gospel of Mark talks about rendering to God what belongs to God and rendering to Caesar what belongs to Caesar.

In the Meantime. Do we wait or prepare? There is a sacrament of waiting because in hope, a baby is born and a tree grows. It is not just a passive waiting but also an active preparing: growing in grace and knowledge of the Lord, singing the kindness of the Lord, and doing what belongs to God. In Greek, there is kronos and there is kairos. Kronos is just the passing of time. Kairos is the proper and meaningful fruitful time.

The late Jaime Cardinal Sin talks about the way we can engage with the state by “critical collaboration.” We believe we need to engage in the city but we have a lasting, eternal city waiting for us. Fr. Teodulo P. Gonzales, S.J

 

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: How do you wait for the end times? What have you done for Christ? What can you do for Christ? What more can you do for Christ?

 

Dear God, may we know You more intimately, love You more dearly and follow more nearly, day by day.