CARPE DIEM

CARPE DIEM

It’s not as bad as it used to be, but even now my past tries to undermine my present. During the night I am frequently inundated with memories of the things I said and done, or with thoughts of the bad times we had around our house. These “used-to-bees” try to keep me tied to a time that is long gone!  But the past is not where I live and it’s not where anybody really lives because God’s gift to us is called the “present.”

 

And the second culprit is the future because nothing has ever been done in the future. No one has forgiven, or loved, or danced with anyone else… in the future. We can talk about the future- whether AI will be our servant or our master, whether we will establish a colony on some far away planet, whether or not global warming with finally have its way with us- but no life has ever been lived in the future!

 

“Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate on the present moment.” ―Buddha

 “It is not uncommon for people to spend their whole life waiting to start living.” ― Eckhart Tolle

“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matt. 6:34)

 “Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near.” (Isa. 55:6)

CARPE DIEM. Seize today. Regrets, sweet memories, daydream, plans for when we get old- these things are common enough, but today is a time for action! When Jesus appeared at the synagogue in Nazareth, he opened the scroll that was handed to him and he read from the book of Isaiah: ““The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free,”

Then Jesus at down and the congregation waited for his   interpretation of these words. Would he address the Roman occupation, the taxes which burdened people who were already poor, or his own ministry? Jesus might have focused on a world to come: "Someday, the poor will be lifted up; someday, captives will be set free, and the day will surely come when the blind will see!” But he didn’t recall the good old days or project what God may do in the future. No, he said, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”

And the people were shocked. Faith communities are often consumed with memories of the past and hopes for the future, but our ministry, happens today. If we love someone, tell them to today; if someone who is lonely, visit them today, if someone can’t get to their feet or buy even a modest meal, give them a hand or money for a meal today, if we need to forgive someone or make amends.... do it today. Today is the only time we will ever have to bring good news to the poor, to advocate and work to release the people in our world, we need to do it today! Today… is our time to shine… or walk on by, to love the unlovable or not, to get involved or just hope that someone else does!

In a very real way, the Spirit was upon Jesus. But He was also upon his friends and neighbors. And now, today, it is on us- calling us to serve Christ today!  I am going to pick up my own cross and follow Christ, I’m going to love the unlovable and forgive those whom I don’t want to forgive, I’m going to join this church ministry or that one, I’m going to start visiting someone after church. Yes, I am! And someone will ask “when?” When are you going to start doing even one of these things?

Let it be TODAY! Amen.