Pastoral Message – January 21, 2024
“Does anybody really know what time it is”? While this rhetorical question is the title of an old song by Chicago, it becomes a real question today, considering today’s readings. Looking at a calendar, it’s the third Sunday in Ordinary time. But the readings given today for our consideration are some of the same that we’ll hear in Lent. “Repent, and believe in the Gospel” is straight out of Ash Wednesday. And that reading from 1st Corinthians is Advent-like urging us to change up our behavior and thinking because “time is running out.” These readings are strongly attached to these two penitential seasons. So why are we hearing them today. This is the Ordinary season after all!
“So what’s your point, Father?” you may be asking. First, let me answer the question that Chicago asked in that song. God is there “anybody” who really knows the time. And while we dice up seasons into themes and decorations, or absence of decorations (think spartan Lent and a little less spartan Advent), God is reminding us that repentance isn’t seasonal. It’s a necessary part of our on-going spirituality in every season. If we mess up everyday, sinning in ways both big and little, venial and mortal, and we understand the grief that we bear just by getting through the difficulties of life, then we know our profound and basic need for faith, hope and love. That’s the starting point for Christians. The Gospel that we’re challenged to believe and live in, produces faith, hope and love in us. But we also have to continue to “turn around,” or repent from that which isn’t of the Gospel. And often that turning around or repentance is the harder part. Because it isn’t seasonal but an on-going effort on our part. Repentance, which is also closely tied into conversion, is our full time, each and every season psychological and spiritual work.
So this next week, think about this. Take up a perpetual Lent, not in gloom or deprivation, but in ordinary life. And take up the Gospel, in the fullness of hope, love, faith, joy and well-being, really holiness. And live considering your life as that of an ordinary Christian, living out your God-given, and graced life in the time that you’re given. If we can all live in this manner, then we’ll never have to worry if we know what time it is.
Because we’ll always be ready for eternity.
God bless!
Fr. Reynold
