Life Takes Time

Dear Friend,

Life takes time, as I’m sure it’s been said before, or maybe it’s just obvious. Life does take time - real life, I mean, the dense substance of it: friendship, faith, vocation, art, family. And I confess that at age 67, the truth of this is dawning on me. Note: I say dawn, which itself takes time, not like a light switch. 

I grew up immersed in an urban culture shaped by the language of television “commercials” and billboards. Heavy-handed by today’s standards, they touted technologies, techniques, and deals that promised to move me through chores and tasks - everyday life, really – in no time at all. Like a lot of folks, I was enchanted and adjusted my pace accordingly. Problem was, the “no-time-at-all” mentality had me running away from deeper, life-giving prospects especially when I got scared. Things like family, vocation, and friendship really do require courage and patience, along with… time.

In our readings for the Sixth Sunday of Easter, I see disciples of Jesus taking their time – with intensity and deliberation. Creating community, reforming it, and the prospect of changing age-old requirements – these things require consultation with each other and with the Holy Spirit. Jesus speaks of making a dwelling within us and the power of the Holy Spirit to “remind” us of this sacred intersection of time and place.

Last weekend Sister Death visited two holy women in our community, Audrey Ann Granberry and Wendy Wright. Love takes time, and these sisters of ours had mastered the art of embracing both. In the process they showed us how discipleship really can bear abundant fruit over time. Masses of Resurrection are scheduled for next Wednesday and Thursday. Come if you can, to give thanks and to taste and see the everlasting goodness of the Lord.

Gratefully,

Father Dan ofm, Pastor