How much time do we really have?

On his reflection on the thirty-second Sunday of the year in the Priest magazine, Fr. Edward Steiner started with this very interesting story: “Satan was frustrated. The number of souls gained for hell was lower than the year before. He laid out the problem at the annual convention of devils and demons, describing how the number of souls gained for hell had decreased over the past year. Humans had been catching on to the methods that were being used to lure them into hell. Another approach was needed. Study groups, focus groups and other groups had been formed, and they had done hard work. The groups’ reports were given at a plenary session of the convention. One group after another reported on new ways to recruit new souls for hell, but Satan dismissed all of them, saying, “We’ve tried that.” “We’re doing that now, and it’s not working.” “That’s too obvious.” Finally, as all the devils and demons were growing weary, one of the oldest of the devils slowly rose from his chair, making sounds like fingernails on a blackboard as he stood. All heads turned in his direction. “Yes, Old Devil,” said Satan, “do you have something to offer?” “This is an easy problem to solve,” replied the Old Devil. “Yes, it is easy to gain more souls for hell. Just tell the human souls that they have plenty of time to change their lives.” What an interesting story!

In a few weeks we will enter into the season of Advent. This season puts us in a constant state of preparedness for our Lord and master both at his birth and at his second coming. During this period the Church reminds us of the four last things, namely: death, judgment, heaven or hell. These are non-negotiable. I have written many posts in this blog, reminding us of how imminent death is. Yet many times we live as if we will not die. So the questions for this week are; ‘How much time do we really have?’ How should we live so that we may be admitted into the presence of the Master if he should call us today?

Matthew’s Gospel warns us in the 25^th chapter with three parables to help us think of the end of our lives on earth and the need to prepare for it. These are: the parable of the ten virgins, (five were wise and five were foolish); the parable of the three servants and the final judgment story; all keep us on our toes and make us think of what really matters in life. In verse 13 of the chapter Jesus warns: “Watch out then, because you do not know the day or the hour.” Verse 30 on the other hand states, “As for this useless servant – throw him outside in the darkness; there he will cry and gnash his teeth”, while verses 45 and 46 conclude the chapter with: “The king will reply, ‘I tell you, whenever you refused to help one of these least important ones, you refused to help me.’ These then, will be sent off to eternal punishment, but the righteous will go to eternal life.” Here we are faced with judgment day and our final destination- heaven or hell.

The simple truth and life’s lesson here is that we do not have much time to procrastinate doing what is right. We do not know when the Master will come, therefore, whatever good we have to do should be done now. Whoever we need to forgive should be forgiven today. Putting it off till tomorrow may be too late and we do not want to hear the Master say to us, “I do not know you!”

It is the devil’s desire to make us believe that we have enough time to play around with. If you look around you would notice that the Devil has succeeded in confusing and derailing most of our plans under the false pretext that there is no rush in life. There are too many people who feel guilty today because they missed the opportunity to make peace with their parents before they were called home to be with God. Do not be caught in this web. If today you would listen to his voice harden not your heart.