The passing of time

By Megan Erbacher

Daily Blessings

Time can be a funny thing.

As a child, you believe you have all the time in the world to learn, explore and grow. Then all of a sudden it’s time for school, when the days seem endless and all you want is for time to pass quickly until you’re old enough to have a slumber party with your best friends.

Through your preteen years, you wish away the time until you’re old enough to get your driver’s license – leading to absolute freedom! At least, that’s what you let yourself believe.

Once you can drive yourself wherever you please, you’re looking forward to graduation and the time for a new chapter: maybe a college education or a great career opportunity.

In this new time we’re living in during the COVID-19 pandemic, the world – and, in a way, time – has slowed down. Many people can’t work. Students aren’t returning to the classroom, but instead spending time completing virtual learning. Essential workers are spending time outside the safety of their homes to care for the sick and provide essential items for life.

Without all of the outside noise and chaos that often steals our attention, we have the time to recommit ourselves to Jesus.

As we approach Good Friday, a time to remember the suffering and death of Jesus, it’s difficult for everyone to be away from their loved ones, parish families and priests during this time. Social media certainly helps us stay connected with our parish family – while practicing safe social distancing – through live-streamed Masses (which I highly suggest you take advantage of).

The Easter season is a beautiful celebration of rebirth, renewal and Jesus’ resurrection. Since we can’t spend time with loved ones in-person, let’s continue to take this time to slow down.

Take time for self-care. Take time to reconnect with Jesus. Take time to refresh your relationship with Him. Take time to revive your daily devotions.

I recently enjoyed an unattributed Facebook post about a seven-day prayer guide during the coronavirus pandemic. It listed a group of people to focus your prayers on each day for a week. The post suggested praying for churches and religious leaders, for the sick, for healthcare workers, for the vulnerable, for the unemployed, for local and national government leaders, as well as for students and families.

“Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).

This is a strange and uncertain time for all of us. No one knows what the next hour or day may bring. But one thing I’m certain of is Jesus’ love for us. Give your worries to Him, and calm your mind.
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7).

Let’s take this time to pass on the message of hope. There are better days ahead for all of us, and God will help us weather the storm until we get there.

“He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation’” (Mark 16:15).