The time is running out

The time is running out. 

Because he believed that the Second Coming of Jesus was imminent, St. Paul lived with a sense of urgency.   He was convinced that “time is running out”.   But Paul’s urgency was not directed only to that unknown time we call Judgment Day.   He also directed it to the way we spend our time each day.

Like today, most people in Paul’s day were married.   Paul knew that married couples spend the majority of their time on their families.   He was fully aware of this when he asked people to stay single so that they had more time to live for the Lord.   He was also fully aware of the demands of marriage when he said, “Let those having wives act as not having them”.

It’s helpful to know that Paul was not against marriage.   He was interested in everyone going to heaven;  that’s where he focused his attention. And so he urged everyone, whether married or single, to always be ready to meet Jesus.   As Jesus had taught, he wanted to make sure that no one was caught “by surprise” because they were caught up in the concerns of the world.

We know that Paul was absolutely wrong about his prediction.   The world didn’t end during his lifetime.   But at the same time, Paul was absolutely right.   We should all strive to live carefully.   We should all ask ourselves, If Jesus were to come today, would I be ready to meet him?

Legend has it that when St. Francis of Assisi was asked this very question, he replied that he would just keep working in his garden.   Francis felt that he was ready for Jesus;  there was no need to panic.

What would you do if you knew Jesus were to come today?   Would you go on with your current plans?   Or would you rush to Confession or try to resolve a broken relationship or try to get in some eleventh-hour prayer?

In another letter, Paul called the Second Coming a “blessed hope”.   May we all come to a similar view.   May we all adopt Paul’s sense of urgent excitement as we wait in joyful hope for the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ!

Word Among Us