Before our Time is Over

 Reflection on Today's Readings, Saturday, 25th Week in Ordinary Time Year II, September 26th, 2020

Texts: Eccl.11:9-12:8; Ps. 90:3-6.12-14.17; Luke 9:43-45

Before our time is over, we are to make  use of the opportunity we have. The time here could be a stage of our life such as youthful time, aged time; it could also be our whole earthly life. Today's first reading calls to mind things we must consider before our time is over. The preacher says, "Rejoice, O young man, and let your heart cheer in the days of your youth; walk in the ways of your heart and the sight of your eyes." This is all about working on our emotions and making use of our reason. He encourages us to make  ourselves happy. We are to free ourselves from anxiety and vexation. Anxiety and vexation are toxic to life; they make life sad and unenjoyed. He also encourages us to make use of our reason; we are to walk in the ways of our hearts and the sight of our eyes. We are to listen to the voice of reason. 

The preacher also tells us to remember our creator before our time is over. He says, "Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days." We are to remember God because to him we shall give account of the time spent. He says, "But know that for all these things God will bring you into judgement." Before we carry out any action we are to consider the judgement of God. We cannot know the judgement of God, if we do not know his ways. Hence, he calls us to learn God's ways. We remember our Creator when we seek his ways, embrace his laws, instructions and commands. The preacher teaches us to be prudent.

We are to enjoy every time of our lives because they are temporal, as they begin they will also end. A time will come that we will not be able to engage in those activities again; a time will come that we will not enjoy the pleasure of the time again. The preacher reminds us that as time passes, we fade in interest and strength. Our life here on earth is also meant to be enjoyed; it is the Lord's doing.

Jesus Christ, in today's gospel, wants his disciples to get into their heads the most important thing before his time, his earthly life, is over. He says, "Let these words sink into your ears; for the Son of man is to be delivered into the hands of men." Jesus wants them to make use of the opportunity they have now to prepare for the next  phase of their lives. Jesus does not want them to be shocked by his passion.

Dear friends, our earthly life is the right time to prepare for eternal life; we are to make use of every opportunity we have now: get rid of whatever is toxic to life, remember your creator and follow the voice of reason.

Lord our God, open our eyes to see the opportunity before us and guide us to make use of them for our salvation. Amen.

Rev. Fr. Andrew Olowomuke