The Shortness of Life

Saturday 24th September 2022. Read Ecclesiastes 11:9-12:8, Ps. 90:3-6,12-14,17, Luke 9:43-45

“Remove vexation from your mind, and put away pain from your body; for youth and the dawn of life are vanity. Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come...” (Ecclesiastes 11:10 - 12:1)

Today, the author of the book of Ecclesiastes tells us: “Remember your creator while you are still young” meaning you are not going to remain young for long. Life is in stages but then, it moves very fast. The worst mistake any person can make is to assume that there is time.

Even today, I still come across many youths who engage in all sorts of immoral activities thinking they have all the time in the world to repent later on. Firstly, no one is guaranteed time as we do not know when we shall die. Secondly, even if it is true that you have time, do not forget that bad habits do not die easily.

Are you still young? This is the time to draw close to God. It is how you make your bed that you would lie on it. The morning shows the day. It is the seeds you plant in your youthful age that would determine the crops you will harvest in your old age. Never let down your guard in the name of “enjoying life.”

Without God in the picture, there is nothing like enjoyment. There is only a beating about the bush. St. Augustine summarizes it as “Our hearts are restless until they rest in God.” If we ignore God in a bid to catch fun, we only land ourselves in pain, sorrow and regret.

In our Gospel passage, we see that Jesus is not carried away by those singing his praises. He knows that these same people who are speaking well of him would eventually be the ones to shout: “Crucify him, Crucify him.” Jesus told his disciples: “Let these words sink into your ears; for the Son of man is to be delivered into the hands of men.” (Luke 9:44).

Dear youths, don’t be carried away by your facial beauty, your shape, or the fact that you are full of energy. Don’t become proud because people are praising you now. You are not going to remain like this forever. Be Wise.

Let us pray: Almighty ever-living Father, help me to make the best of my youthful days. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Saturday of week 25 in Ordinary Time, Bible Study: Ecclesiastes 11:9-12:8, Ps. 90:3-6,12-14,17, Luke 9:43-45).

© Rev. Fr. Evaristus Abu