Men's Rosary

Time is a fleeting thing. Often I think it is misunderstood. I remember when I was very trained in the business philosophers’ concept of “time management”. But time is fluid. It is not something we can contain and use as we need it. There is no time savings account or annuity! Time is a spending account. I now subscribe to the thought that it is not possible to “manage” time but only to spend it wisely.

Our time here is simply a gift from God. He has given it to us to do what we will….free will. But how are we spending it? I think of the parable of the talents. I believe God will ask for an accounting of our time, the life we lived on earth. How will we respond and how will we be judged in His eyes?

Are we doing what we are supposed to be doing? We are to be the hands and feet, and most importantly, the heart of Jesus on earth. Are we living that way? We are blessed with time and we must spend it wisely. We should be living the beatitudes and doing the corporal works of mercy. We should be praying and visiting Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament. This is the best use of our time. This will bring the best return on the time God has given us. As laymen, with the responsibilities we are called to fulfill as our roles as men, we also must do these things with the time we have been given. It is a challenge, but work is not easy and we were never told living a life in Christ would be a cake walk. Quite the opposite, we are told it will be tough and we will be challenged.

The other point I would make, is that time being a gift from God, is the perfect gift to God in return. Taking time in prayer and adoration is the greatest praise and gift we can offer Him. From a human perspective, time with our family, friends, the sick, imprisoned, troubled, mourning, etc., is the greatest gift we can offer one another.

Perhaps we should stop trying to manage time and gauging ourselves by what we accomplish in a day and start making good use of our time and examining our concious every day and determine if God would be pleased with how we spent it. And if we find ourselves wanting, resolve with God’s help, to do better tomorrow.