The Gift of Time
(Link to Part I)
However, the ‘challenge of time’ finds a solution within the perspective of faith. It loses its negative
connotations in within categories that define it in a new way, as a
‘gift.’ Time as a ‘gift’ offers a response to man’s deepest
aspirations. His longing for reconciliation, peace, forgiveness, joy,
relationships and dialogue are all different sides of the same ‘need for
salvation,’ a need that man is unable to fulfill on his own. Time is a gift
that comes from the One who is outside of time; a gift that allows the mystery of
salvation to become history and penetrate each person’s daily life,
transforming that life into the story of salvation.
For Christians this mystery of
salvation has its center and foundation in the life of Jesus Christ. The mysteries
of his life are shared by the Church throughout the year, the ‘liturgical year.’ The various moments of the liturgical year are
marked and measured by these mysteries, indeed taking their very names from
them: the seasons of Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter and ordinary time. In this
way the passing of time is no longer marked by the relentless and anonymous
flow of days and events, but is filled with the sacred. It becomes a ‘space’
where the mystery is announced, carried out, celebrated and revealed in all of
its beauty, a beauty that is the very same face of Christ.
In this perspective Lent is a
time of ‘grace:’ a time for authentic change, for deep conversion, a time to
catch one’s breath, to bring order to the confusion of life, a time for
establishing real relationships and resuming interrupted conversations, a time
to relish true rest… in a word: a time to receive salvation!
[to be continued...]
fra Giovanni Nappo
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