Saturday, July 17, 2010

On the shortness of life

Today would have been my dad's 80th birthday. He died when he was 57. So much has changed since then in so many ways. It is amazing how people live on, isn't it? It is hard for the human mind to wrap itself around the fact that life indeed does go on after we depart from this world.

It makes me think, too, about what is really important. What did Jesus really come to teach? Partisanship? Judgmentalism? Power grabbing?

Or, radical love for EVERYONE?

Life is short. Put away your swords. Get out the love.

6 comments:

newguy40 said...

Well put.

I would also add cultivation of gratitude for the many extraordinary graces Our Lord has given us. I thank God for each and every day of the gift of just one more day with my wife and children. And, another opportunity at an on going conversion.

Life is too short for pettiness and small hearts. I will remember you and your father in my prayers.

Staying in Balance said...

Thanks, newguy!

TACParent said...

Amen to this. You know I understand about the "shortness of life." Something else that's missing today that we touched on during my Qigong workshop is gratitude for our ancenstors and a resposibility for our children (all children).

Staying in Balance said...

Excellent point. Gratitude for our ancestors and responsibility for our children. I like that.

Barbara Schoeneberger said...

Having lost both parents this past year, I must say that your post hits home. I am grateful for the Faith my parents gave me. Pondering the transitoriness of life is a good way to keep things in perspective.

Staying in Balance said...

Oh, I'm so sorry, Barbara! Faith is indeed a precious gift.

Dymphna's favorite quotes


"Slavery ended in medieval Europe only because the church extended its sacraments to all slaves and then managed to impose a ban on the enslavement of Christians (and of Jews). Within the context of medieval Europe, that prohibition was effectively a rule of universal abolition. "— Rodney Stark

my poetry on the web

Karumi Garden

Karumi Garden
my haiku