Maybe it was because my father held a rather strict hand in raising his children. Maybe it was the preaching Old Fr. MacIntyre would deliver Sunday after Sunday in my parish growing up. Maybe it was just “the times” back in the fifty’s and early sixties.
Whatever the reason, I’ve always been a little afraid of the words in the Creed which says God “Will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead.”
It tells me that what I do in my life will be examined by God who made me. It’s called “Judgement Day” when “”Every one of us will have to give an account of himself/herself before God.” Romans 14:12.
I don’t think we give enough attention to this warning. We in the United States, we here in Webster (where “life is worth living”), can easily forget that this life of ours will come to an end and then God will have a few questions for us. (I don’t have the slightest idea HOW this will happen . . . but faith tells us somehow there will be a reckoning.)
Other generations had this urgency in their bones. My father, who saw life and death during the war, was fond of telling us that “Life is real and earnest. This is not a dress rehearsal. This is it.”
So many today live a passive response to this urgency. “Whatever” we say carelessly. Or, “that’s a long way off. I can’t be bothered thinking about the end.” Or, “My life is mine to live. Back off.”
We have a choice as to how to imagine our lives. In the end I think it comes down to two basic options. (See if this image makes any sense . . . it will take you back to your post high school days.)
Think of a college or certification class that will help you develop a certain knowledge or skill. And you have a choice . . . you can take the course for credit or you can simply audit it.
Auditing has a certain appeal, doesn’t it? It’s cheaper, there’s no essay required and best of all no test. All you have to do is sit there. Take whatever you want and leave the rest. (I audited a course one summer. It was great! I can’t remember a single thing it taught but I met this really cool girl.)
OR – – – You can take it for credit. This will cost you more in time, money and sweat. And . . . you will have to show what you’ve learned to get the credit.
So why take the credit course? Because it leads somewhere. It takes you to a new place. You now have something you own and with this achievement you can advance a career, secure a future, realize what you are capable of.
So the question is: are you in this life for credit or are you merely auditing? Jesus has a story that might help you decide. Read Matthew 25: 14-30. (really I mean it, it’ll take three minutes).
An owner gives three people a different sum of money to conduct their portion of the business of running a vineyard. The first two take the money and use it in a way that increases the value of the vineyard. The third fellow takes the money and buries it thinking if he just gives it back that will be enough.
Well guess what? It wasn’t enough. He fired him. The master wanted a return on his investment. He wanted to see some sort of effort to advance the cause of the business.
Jesus tells this story to wake us up. God has given you a life to live. He’s blessed you with certain talents and gifts. What have you done with it?
It’s never too late to begin. All God asks is that we try. He’ll take care of the rest.
This is it. No dress rehearsal.
Fr. Tim
