The doors of the Intensive Care Unit were as heavy as the worry that hung in the air. Beyond the next set of frosted glass doors, there were individuals, including a family member, fighting for their lives. They were fighting for the gift of more time on God鈥檚 earth. This reality stirred in me the epiphany that time is God鈥檚 magnificent gift.
As we begin a new year and our Church celebrates the Feast of the Epiphany, it鈥檚 a wonderful time to reflect on the gift of time. It sounds so simple, so obvious; time is a gift. Yet, because we are human, we sometimes forget to honor time. Instead, we ignore it, wrestle with it, mismanage it and take it for granted.
Now that the busy-ness of the Advent season has passed and the Christmas season draws to a close, let us take more time to praise God for his magnificent gifts and to hold on to the true meaning of the epiphany. This child born in Bethlehem, Jesus Christ, is the Son of God, and what a revelation to behold.
In Matthew鈥檚 gospel, the Christ child is revealed to the Magi, who have come from the East to adore Him. They 鈥渨ere overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.鈥�
If we take some time, we can live the epiphany and see the significance of the gifts of the Magi in our own lives.
Our time on this earth is gold. It is so priceless. Once it passes, we can鈥檛 get time back. Yet, God gives us memories in time鈥檚 place. So what memories are you going to make with your time today? How will you spend and share your gold?
Our time is a precious and desired commodity like frankincense and myrrh. These aromatic resins were used to inspire the senses as well as comfort and heal. Time anoints us with love, comfort, struggle, growth, healing, discovery and the chance to experience hope and joy in our daily lives. So how are you using your time to love and grow? How are you using your time to heal physically or emotionally? What will you discover today? What brings you joy? What gives you hope? How will you offer your precious time to comfort others?
Time is God鈥檚 magnificent gift.
As I walked out of the Intensive Care Unit, I knew the gifts of the Magi lived within, offering some, including my family member, the gift of more time through healing, and others the peace of Christ as they are called to rest with Him.
KAREN KIEFER is the Director of the Church in the 21st Century Center at Boston College and the mother of four daughters