We only have one shot at life, so it’s important to use the time we have been given wisely, to fulfil the calling God has given us. Fr Richard reflects on today’s readings from Mass.
Readings for Saturday of week 25 of ordinary time can be found here.
In 1990 the late Barbara Bush, then First Lady of the United States, gave the commencement address (their version of a graduation ceremony speech) at Wellesley College in Massachusetts. She said this to the assembled students: “At the end of your life, you will never regret not having passed one more test, not winning one more verdict or not closing one more deal. You will regret time not spent with a husband, a child, a friend or a parent.” This advice has been repeated many times in self-help literature. It’s an encouragement to all of us to concentrate on what really matters in life, and not waste time on that which doesn’t.
A similar sentiment is present in our first reading from Ecclesiastes. “Walk in the ways of your heart and in the sight of your eyes”, says the author; “Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near of which you will say ‘I have no pleasure in them’”. In other words – make the most of the life which God has given you before it is too late. This is not just about seeking pleasure for pleasure’s sake; it is about focussing on what’s important, as Mrs Bush advised. “But know that for all these things God will bring you into judgement”, Ecclesiastes says. Use wisely the time that you have been given; follow God and his ways; seek to serve him in all things.
In the Gospel reading, Jesus is determined to follow the path laid down for him, to fulfil his calling on earth, which for him means being delivered into the hands of men and giving his life for all. The disciples don’t understand what Jesus is talking about. They cannot appreciate his mission. Ironically, given that his life on earth is about to end, it is this act of fulfilling his destiny which gives the fullness of life to all people. Perhaps in our own life others will not fully appreciate the path we have taken. Yet let us be encouraged by the words of St John Henry Newman: “God has created me to do him some definite service; he has committed some work to me which he has not committed to another”. Let us trust in him, and follow his call, so that at the end of our life we can look back with no regrets.
Mass today is in St Mary’s at 11.30am (preceded by morning prayer at 10.50am and the Rosary at 11am).
If you’d like more resources for daily prayer, check out our Day By Day pages.
